THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 



125 



and as regards the latter, this eystem had the 

 efleci of benefiting the Ibllovvingcrop of wheat on 

 lands of that description. On light soils, it was 

 considered decidedly prelerable to be applied im- 

 mediately to the wheat crop, and only a small por- 

 tion for roots, as it was believed on such lands a 

 heavy manuring for wheal was in some measure 

 beneficial to the succeeding crop of turnips. 



Manuring young layers* was often hazardous, 

 and not reconunended as a system riesirahle (o he 

 adopted to any extent, except on good lands, as 

 when applied on lijj;hter soils it was frequently 

 Ibund to be productive of little or no benefit in a 

 dry summer. 



One member who preferred carrying his manure 

 for wheat, considered it desirable to be applied im- 

 mediately after the hay crop is carted, as manurmg 

 thus early tended materially to strengthen the Hag, 

 but an objection (of much importance to a flock 

 farm) was raised to this practice, as sheep would 

 not readily eat the herbage ailerwards. On this 

 subject the meeting came to the following 

 resolution : — 



Resolved — " Although no fixed plan can be laid 

 down as to which are the most suitable crops 

 for applying farm-yard manure,-a great deal 

 always depending on seasons and the nature 

 of the soil ; but from the remarks made, 

 however, the meeting is of opinion that on 

 good mixed soil and heavy lands it is highly 

 desirable to manure well lor the root and bean 

 crops ; but that on lighter soils, and where it 

 is not considered right to manure extensively 

 for roots, most benefit will arise by applying 

 it immediately to the wheal crop rather than 

 to maiden layers, which latter system the 

 meeting does not consider it desirable to 

 adopt, except on lands of good quality and 

 kind for clover.'"! * * # # 



The following meeting was engaged in a dis- 

 cussion on '• subsoil ploughing with regard toils 

 utility and practical effects." This subject, as 

 recommended in the report of the preceding year, 

 now came under the notice of the club, lor recon- 



• Recently sown grass-lands. — Ed. F. R. 



t While presenting this opinion of practical farm- 

 ers, we must protest against its soundness, at least for 

 this country. Experience and observation have con- 

 curred with reasoning to convince us that it is better 

 to apply manure as top-dressing to grass (clover) than 

 to grain crops, and the more so as it is the less rotted 

 or reduced. And though knowing but little of root 

 culture, we should deem it far better to give to roots, 

 and all succulent crops, manure in proper condition for 

 their use, than the same to the grain crops ; the latter 

 kind being, in general, the last on the farm to which 

 we would advise the applying the farm-yard manure, 

 if the application to grass and to roots, vines or pea 

 crops, were as convenient. Manure increases the 

 stalk and leaf, and the tuberous roots of plants more 

 than their seeds ; and therefore should be given espe- 

 cially to those crops of which it. is desired to increase 

 the general bulk, and not to those of which the seeds 

 alone are the important or sole object of product. — 

 Ed. F.R. 



sideration. The member who brought it forward 

 observed, that the opinion he entertained at the 

 liarmer discussion of the question was not confirra- 

 eii by the practical results he had witnessed during 

 the eighteen months which had elapsed since this 

 suiijeci was before the club, as where he had used 

 the subsoil plough the crops were not improved, 

 neither had the deep-rooted weeds been eradicated 

 as he had anticipated ; the only benefit he had 

 derived, wa.s by ireiiiiiii: rid of the eurlace water 

 suoner, Irom ilie easier access given it lo escape to 

 the drains. 



Another member, occupying mixed soil and 

 very light land, had subsoiled his »-n!ire farm as it 

 came !br fallow, leaving a small portion in each 

 field unsubsoiled, but without perceiving any 

 decided advantage, excepting that where he has 

 subsoiled there id less labor in ploughing than be- 

 fore. Other instances were given, where the 

 subsoil [jlouijh liad been used, without any bene- 

 ficial effects be ng perceptible ; one case only was 

 mentioned in which it had proved ol any advan- 

 tage ; on a piece of pasiuie land recently brought 

 into cultivation, and previously drained and sub- 

 soiled, it had been attended wiih success, although 

 it was inferred that the draining as well as the 

 subsoiling tended to produce this result. The 

 disappointment of members was general, as it was 

 believed to be of no use where the subsoil is of a 

 sterile nature, but requiring a greater quantity of 

 manure to render it productive, lully proving that 

 on lands where it has answered, a belter soil was 

 in some measure brought into action than before. 

 The following resolution was ultimately passed, 

 still leaving the question open for any light which 

 may eventually be thrown upon it. 

 Resolved — " As faras the experimei^is have gone 

 in this neighborhood, no pecuniary advantage 

 has resulted fiom the use ol the subsoil 

 plough ; at the same time, the meeting does 

 not consider itself possessed of sufficient 

 information to come lo a satislaclory decision 

 on the subject." 

 " The breed of cattle best adapted for grazing 

 purposes," was a subject occupying the attention 

 of the club in September. The member introduc- 

 ing it having had many years' experience in graz- 

 ing Scotch, Devon, and short-horn bullocks, at one 

 lime was in the habit of grazing the Tormer kind, 

 but considers the beasts now obtained from Scot- 

 land lo be generally of an inferior description ; 

 they must also be bought at a higher rale than 

 others. A well-bred Devon is a good beast for 

 grazing, but he prefers the short-horn breed to 

 either of the above kinds, as he has generally 

 ibund them to make more growth, and also to 

 possess superior fattening properties. The con- 

 sumption of food by a short-horn was undoubtedly 

 greater than that of a Scot, but the increase ob- 

 tained in size and weight by ihe former fully com- 

 pensated for the extra Ibod consumed. In a trial 

 made by another member between these two 

 breeds, it was ascertained that the short-horna 

 consumed five bushels of turnips per day, and the 

 Scots but three ; the short-horns, however, graz- 

 ed decidedly the fattest, so that there was but little 

 difference in the end. Herelbrds were noticed aa 

 possessing much disposition to fatten, but of these 

 there was not sufficient experience to judge, as 

 they are not much grazed in this neighborhood. 

 The meeting adopted the following resolution ; — 



