92 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



which 33 failed to germinate. The cultivator obtained four 

 gallons of good wheat from the land, exclusive of several of the 

 finest plants, which he saved. The usual number of stems from 

 each seed was 18 to 20 ; a considerable number gave 30 to 35, 

 and one was counted which had 40 full-sized stems, and three 

 of a smaller size. The straw from the 34 yards weighed 72 

 pounds, which would be 284 trusses of 36 pounds to the acre. 

 The weight of the 682 corns planted was 17 drachms. This 

 being multiplied by 142, the land being the 1-1 42d part of an 

 acre, gave about 9i pounds as seed for the acre ; consequently 

 one bushel of wheat, at 63 pounds per bushel, would plant more 

 than six acres. The produce of 4 gallons, multiplied, as above, 

 by 142, gives the great quantity of 71 bushels, or 17 sacks 3 

 bushels, to the acre. The ground had borne potatoes the previous 

 year, and had received no top-dressing, nor been in any way 

 manured for the wheat. A sample of the wheat, which has 

 been kindly sent to me, in the straw, and which I have de 

 posited in the museum of the Royal Agricultural Society, was 

 six feet in height. 



These are remarkable facts. What has been done can be 

 done. They forbid our resting satisfied with what has been 

 accomplished ; and they encourage the hope that the productive 

 powers of the soil are vastly greater than have yet been deter 

 mined. Onward ! is the watchword of the present day, in every 

 department of science and art. Why should agriculture form an 

 exception ? Away with the drones ! Do not let us mistake a 

 fog-bank for land, nor think that we have reached the end of 

 the voyage until our feet actually press the solid ground. 



The allotments referred to above I have myself had the satis 

 faction of inspecting, and add, with great pleasure, my humble 

 testimony to the skill, industry, and good conduct, with which 

 they are managed. Indeed, in many respects, I do not know 

 where they can be exceeded. The establishments presented 

 striking examples of the most exact economy. Three of the 

 parties had been driven by their necessities into the workhouses, 

 principally, however, owing to accidental injuries and sickness ; 

 but now, instead of being dependent upon public support, they 

 were paying punctually a full rent for their land, and were pro 

 curing an honest and comfortable living from their own industry. 

 Another of the families, presenting one of the most beautiful and 



