CO Afjricultural Imjdcments and Produce. 



Allowing 12Z. per ton for cost and carriage, tlie sum expended 

 amounts to 5,160,000/. 



To this must be added the large outlay on linseed cake, on 

 bones, rags, on minerals containing fertilising principles, on 

 lime, plaster, «Scc. With these combined efforts on the part of 

 the owners and occupiers of the soil, there can be no danger in 

 asserting that the productive powers of these islands have largely 

 increased, and are continually gaining new force. 



I have said that the most marked improvement has taken 

 place on the strong lands. Draining and autumn cultivation, 

 materially assisted by good implements, have enabled the occu- 

 pier of strong land to add Swede turnips to his course of crop- 

 ping. Tlie importance of this addition is beginning only to 

 make itself felt. This root, which, with its different varieties, created 

 the value of the light lands, is now performing a service almost 

 as great to the strong lands, not, as on light lands, for feeding 

 sheep, but for feeding cattle. The quality of the turnips grown 

 on strong lands is greatly superior. The land will bear the 

 whole crop to be carted off to feed cattle in yards. Cattle supply 

 manure, manure gives corn. It is difficult to estimate the addi- 

 tion, in meat and in grain, which this alternating process Avill 

 surely afford. 



It may be thought by some that too much stress has been laid 

 on the value of improved implements. It may be worth while to 

 examine the point more closely. 



What saving might be effected on a farm of 200 acres of 

 arable land, (the rental, say, 25s. per acre,) drained and laid into 

 fields of a suitable size, by the use of good implements ? All 

 land is ploughed at least tvvice a year. The difference in labour 

 between ploughing drained or undrained land is very great. 



It would be an estimate much below the mark to put it at 



1^. per acre for each ploughing. 

 For the year 2s. per acre. 



The next process would be sowing the seed. 



On the old s^'Stem, 2i bushels of seed wheat would be sown 



broadcast per acre. 

 On the new system, with an improved drill, li bushel 

 would be sown with better results. 



There would be a saving, therefoi'e, of one bushel per acre on 

 the 50 acres sown with wlieat, which, at Is. per bushel, amounts 

 to 17/. 10^., or per acre, over the Avhole area, \s. 9f/. 



On 50 acres of barley there would likewise be a saving of one 

 bushel of seed per acre, which, at 4.?. per bushel, would give a 

 saving per acre of Is. 



Next comes the preparation of the grain for market. There 

 are to be threshed the produce of 50 acres of wheat, at a yield of 

 four quarters only per acre, 200 quarters ; of barley, 50 acres, at 



