No. 9. 



Agricultural Premiums. — Guano. 



287 



of the question. Three-quarters of an acre 

 are found fully to supply one cow, by soiling, 

 while one and a half are required in pastur- 

 ing. 



In America, and in the State of New 

 York, very little has been done in the settle- 

 ment of the question before us, whether soil- 

 ing is suitable to this country] Mr. Pell, of 

 Pelham, has pursued soiling, and his experi- 

 ence fully bears out the advantages above 

 stated. Mr. Pell says, eight acres will af- 

 ford more and better food, than forty would 

 pastured; and the manure saved is sufficient 

 to pay the interest of a large farm. 



The American Institute has led the way 

 in inquiry about the advantages of soiling. 

 At the Farmers' Convention of October, I 

 find the following questions: "Is soiling 

 practised] with what advantage and com- 

 parative cost]" 



In Massachusetts, soiling has been followed 

 for many years. The Hon. Josiah Quincey 

 says: "At the end of the soiling season — 

 from June to November — I had j|200 worth 

 of manure, had kept 20 head of cattle on 

 17 acres; — by pasturing, I had to allow 50 

 acres for 15 head — liad my stock in prime 

 condition, a full supply of milk all the sea- 

 son, saved all expense on cross fences, not 

 requiring one rod of interior fence on my 

 whole farm, while previously I liad 1600 

 rods of fencing, and paid S60 yearly for re^ 

 pairs. The additional expense I had gone 

 to in cutting the food, and giving it to the 

 animals, amounted to $163. My manure 

 alone paid for this. I have practised soiling 

 for six years, and no consideration would in- 

 duce me to abandon it." 



"On the farm of McLean Asylum, thir- 

 teen cows and seven horses are kept, al- 

 though the land under cultivation is only 

 about 20 acres ; and yet hay is sold. Mr. 

 G. E. Adams, of Medford, soils his stock, 

 being convinced of its great superiority over 

 pasturing." 



For a very excellent article on soiling, 

 see Journal of Massachusetts Agricultural 

 Society, vol. 3, page 318. 



I think the introduction of soiling cannot 

 but be attended with immense advantage. 



I would draw the attention of gentlemen 

 present to the admirable soiling qualities of 

 Lucerne. This plant is perfectly adapted to 

 this climate — cuts four or five times every 

 season — stands the winter better than clo- 

 ver — is ready for cutting much earlier in 

 the spring than any other grass, and gives 

 excellent milk. It has been cultivated in 

 New York for some years, though its intro- 

 duction is as yet rather limited. In support 

 of this, and with regard to its other proper 

 ties, so valuable to our farmers, I quote 



Buel's Farmer's Companion, p. 211; Culti- 

 vator, January, 1844; Mass. Agricultural 

 Society's Journal, vol. 9, pp. 24, 25; Me- 

 moirs of the Board of Agriculture of the 

 State of New York, vol. 1, p. 254; New 

 England Farmer, August, 1844. 



Thomas Kerr. 



Agricultural Premiums. 



At a stated meeting of the Philadelphia 

 Society for promoting Agriculture, held on 

 the 2nd inst., it was Resolved, that the fol- 

 lowing premiums be offered for crops, the 

 ensuing season. 



For the best field of Wheat, not less than 

 five acres, $10. 



For the best field of Rye, not less than 

 five acres, $10. 



For the best field of Corn, not less than 

 five acres, $10. 



For the best field of Oats, not less than 

 five acres, $10. 



For the best field of Potatoes, not less 

 than three acres, $10. 



For the best acre of Sugar Beets, $8. 



For the best three acres of Ruta-baga, or 

 other turnip, $8. 

 , For the best half acre of Carrots, $8. 



For the best half acre of Parsnips, $8. 



A particular account of the expenses and 

 manner of cultivation, will be required of 

 competitors, and also satisfactory evidence 

 of the product of each crop. 



A. Clement, Rec. Sec'ry. 



P lii I adelphi a, Apri I 4th, 1845. 



Guano. — on the 29th of January, a cargo 

 was sold by public auction, the first lots £7 

 12s. 6d. to icn 15s., progressively down to 

 £7 5s. per ton. The market is now quieter. 

 Several thousand tons of Peruvian have been 

 sold at £10. The past week has been one 

 of unprecedented excitement; perhaps more 

 so than has ever occurred before in any 

 other article of merchandize, and a great 

 many thousand tons have changed hands. 



Advices from Ichaboe state, that about 

 3-50 vessels were there about the latter end 

 of November; that the guano remaining on 

 the island was estimated sufficient to load 

 about 150 of them ; and that, owing to this, 

 vessels were leaving in ballast, some pro- 

 ceeding to Saldanha Bay and Angra Peque- 

 na, in quest of the manure that may be de- 

 posited on those islands. 



Letters have been received in Leith, men- 

 tioning the discovery of an Island, named 

 " Nalagar," where guano is said to abound 

 from four to seven yards in depth, and co- 

 vering an area of about eight acres.— iii;- 

 , erpool Paper. 



