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10 
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE, 
[Jan. 3, 
a long year we have so endeavoured, and upon the 
best of our unbiassed judgment we humbly express 
a firm belief that both the advantages and the evils 
—in fact, the whole effect—of the expected change 
which the political journalists have bruited of late in 
our ears, has been absurdly magnified, as: much by 
the ignorance as by the feelings and wishes of the 
combatants on both sides, and that of all the panic- 
dreams that ever sat like a nightmare upon the ener- 
gies.of human enterprise, or cramped the sinews ofa 
been destroyed by the early autumn. frost, before the 
wood was half ripened, and in consequence the young 
shoots contained much crude sap, which for want of the 
aetion of the leaves could not perform its proper func- 
tions, and consequently would remain in its crude state 
in the system of the plant, causing canker, disease, and 
unfruitfulness. As a remedy for this unfavourable 
state ‘of things, I apply slaked lime reduced with water 
i f thick whi h, while it is quite 
P3 
o the o 
fresh, which is put upon every twig, branch, and stem 
of the trees, with painting-brushes. Its effect is so 
tisfactory that it is applied as regularly as the trees 
noble pursuit, the idea, ina densely inhabited country, 
where population is rapidly increasing, trade and com- 
merce extending, industry and skill unequalled, and 
true science dawning, that human food is likely to 
become too cheap, and its production unprofitable, 
is the most unaccountable, and will be eventually 
found the most illusory and groundless.— C. W. H. 
Iw answer to your inquiries in a late Number as to 
ihe capabilities of Barley bearing. autumn-sowing, I beg 
to acquaint your readers I am in the practice of sowing 
Barley (Chevalier, which is one of the most tender 
kinds), as early in the winter as feeding off my Tur- 
nipsadmits. 1 have now Barley just coming out of 
ground, and I never knew this grain on dry and clean 
land injured from early sowing in the slightest, except 
last winter on a little spot or two under a high hedge, 
where the snow had drifted 4 or 5 feet deep, and lay 
for five or six weeks. 
I think the severity and long continuance of the frost 
of last winter after I had sown, enables me to say Barley 
will stand sowing in November; for, although I had none 
sown last year till the end of December, still the winter 
after Christmas was more than a common one, and in- 
deed was in places destructive of Wheat. Some of my 
Barley that was so early sown was on the top of a hill, 
exposed to the coldest winds, in a high and very bleak 
situation, and this early-sown Barley was the best I 
had,and is more particularly alluded to in the Maid- 
stone Farmers' report of my crops, as one ofthe finest 
they had ever seen, and grown from only six pecks of 
seed per acre. 
77 Oats, too, bear, sowing: early remarkably well. In the 
Farmers’ Calendar there is an account, by A. Young, of 
an experiment on sowing of Oats in December, January, 
and February, which proves those sown in December, 
although much cut up by frost, yielded the most, and I 
can testify positively to the same result. Last year I 
had three acres sown in December, which the frost in- 
jured very severely, so much so, that I thought of 
ploughing them up in April, and although only 7 pecks 
_of seed per acre were sown, I have had thrashed 10 
quarters per acre produce from this piece. Oats on the 
whole do not appear to bear severe frost so. well as 
Barley ; but as yet I have experienced no failure to 
make me afraid to sow either grain in the autumn on 
dry and clean land.. On springy land such early sowing 
will not do, nor on foul land. In the former case, the 
frost will destroy vitality ; and in the latter, the weeds 
grow so' strong and fast,:that the young corn cannot 
keep pace. 
The practice of early sowing of Barley has of late 
years been much spreading in Hertfordshire and Essex, 
where they manage clay soils (with the exception of. 
draining too shallow), most admirably. They get their 
heavy land ploughed up early in the winter, into ridges 
the size of their drills, and when the surface has been 
mellowed by a frost, they sow—the horses and the drill 
wheels passing along the furrows, so as to leave no step- 
ping on the land; and on clays that in the south and 
west would be pronounced unsuited to Barley, they there 
w most excellent crops, and of the finest quality. I 
believe it is generally admitted that the earliest sown 
Barley gives the finest quality, and is least liable to be 
laid.— Hewitt Davis, Spring Park, near Croydon. 
EXPERIMENT WITH DISEASED POTATOES 
AT CHATSWORTH. 
I uavz great satisfaction in giving the result of an ex- 
periment that I have instituted here( amongst others) 
which has proved in every way effectual in stopping the 
progress of the disease ; and if the disease has not gone 
80 far as to have affected the whole of the skin, or out- 
side of the Potato, and consequently destroyed all the 
eyes, will render them safe to be used as sets for a fu- 
ture crop, since there is nothing whatever of a contagious 
nature about the disease, which has unquestionably been 
caused by the cold, wet, and ungenial season acting un- 
favourably to the due performance of the functions of 
the plant. Therefore no apprehension need. be. enter- 
tained of the disease for the future, except through the 
influence of a similar visitation of season. The cro, 
in all parts of the country were considerably above the 
average, which fully proves there was no constitutional 
deficieney ; the Potatoes are equally as fine as usual, 
but contain more than their due proportion of water; 
hence the deficiency in quality, and the reason of theip 
rapid decay. Before proceeding further with this re» 
port, I shall take occasion to advert to a practice, which 
has proved extremely beneficial in its application to wall 
and other fruit trees in this garden, and although it may 
seem to have no connection with the present experi- 
ment, has heless had hing to do with its 
origin. The climate in the Peak of Derbyshire is sub- 
ject to great variations of temperaturé, and the atmo- 
sphere at times is excessively damp ; and it not un. 
frequently happened that the leaves of Peach trees have 
b-l 
a 
are pruned, in the early part of winter, and has been 
the practice here for 18 years; after an unfavourable 
season like the last, we invariably have the commoner 
kinds of fruit trees, such as Gooseberries, Currants, and 
Plums, dressed over with it, and the result is alike satis- 
factory. The effect of the lime is to aid in ripening the 
young wood by its eaustie property ; it absorbs a great 
portion of the superfluous moisture from the tender un- 
ripe shoots, and affords protection against severe frost, 
and the influence of sudden changes of weather. Re- 
turning again to the subject of this article, it will be 
seen that the evils above spoken of are produced by 
exactly the same circumstances as the disease that, 
affects Potatoes ; and from a due consideration of these 
facts, in connection with the latter, it struck me very 
forcibly, that hot slaked lime would at once apply itself 
to the disease, and arrest its progress, and accordingly 
the experiment was tried as follows:—The Potatoes 
were carefully sorted, keeping the sound ones separate 
from those that were diseased, some of the latter being 
so bad that theix whole surface was affected with it, and 
a tally put to each sample denoting their particular 
condition ; there were two kinds thus sorted; namely, 
“Trish Cups,” and a variety of “Second Earlies.^ A 
quantity of the common quicklime of this neight 
hood being put into a large shallow tub, water was added 
in the proportion of about 3 gallons to every stone 
(of 14 lbs.) of lime, and well mixed ; the Potatoes were 
ut into a wire riddle, and just dipped overhead in it, 
keeping it well stirred until all were done and placed 
in separate heaps. A portion of each sample were 
fitted in the ordinary way, and the same quantity of 
their corresponding samples which had not been put 
into the lime, placed. with them; the rest were put 
in hampers and stowed away in a dry airy shed. 
This. was. done early in November, when a few of each 
sample were put into a hothouse to see what effect the 
quicklime had on their eyes: they soon became ex- 
cited, burst through the lime, and produced vigorous 
sprouts, A few of each sample were also boiled, but 
their flavour was not in the least affected. 
The effect produced by the lime is evidently to arrest 
the disease at once by its powerful caustic property, 
and it absorbs from the tubers the superabundant 
moisture which they contain, and consequently prevents 
further d positi ing frequently examine 
them, I can confidently assert that the disease has not 
made any progress whatever since its application. The 
were affected with the disease in every stage of its pro- 
gress between the sound and rotten Potato, and in 
every case it has proved effectual in stopping it, which 
is easily seen when they are cut ; while those of the same 
samples, not subjected to it, and placed exactly under the 
same circumstances, show every sign of progressing 
decomposition, and some are entirely rotten, and others 
that were soundat the time of the operation are now 
considerably affected, The advantage and importance 
of this remedy is, therefore, very great, rendering the 
diseased Potatoes fit for sets. I shall have no hesita- 
tion in planting them in spring for a general crop, and, 
inffact, intend thera for this purpose. 
With respect to autumn planting, I am decidedly of 
opinion that as a general rule it will be beneficial ; but, 
under circumstances similar to the present, I think it 
wil prove to the contrary, which I infer from two 
reasons: Ist, because the Potatoes of this season 
already contain a superabundance of water, and to have 
them planted. in autumn is contrary to the general rule 
recommended for their preservation ; 2nd, because, if 
the disease goes on, the extent of the evil could not. be 
ascertained until it was too late to repair it; whereas, 
by spring planting, we should in a great measure 
remedy both evils. The few that we have planted are 
nearly all rotten, 
‘The mode of pitting recommended by the Irish Com- 
missioners has my entire approval; nothing can be 
worse than the practice of pitting Potatoes in large 
heaps, for, independent of its tendency to produce 
decay, it impairs their energy for producing a future 
crop by causing them to grow before their natural 
season. For the future, should there be any appearance 
whatever of the disease, I would recommend. the lime 
to be applied immediately upon their being taken out of 
the ground, for as lime i$ a non-conductor, the Potatoes 
might safely be, pitted with it from the day they are dug 
up. I would strongly recommend the process to be at 
| onee put into operation by every person who has any 
unsound Potatoes in his possession, as I feel confident 
it will put an immediate stop to the progress of decay. 
The ease with which it is performed will enable every 
cottager to do sufficient for himself and his family for 
tie whole year in a very few hours, and should the 
weather oblige him to put. them into his cottage, it will 
rather add to the health of the house than otherwise. 
I would also recommend every person to dip their 
sound Potatoes which are intended to be planted, in the 
same mixture, only that they may add about one-fourth 
more water to the same quantity of lime. Independent 
of the certainty of this remedy, its cost is so trifling 
that itis within the reach of eat one who grows Po-.' - 
tatoes, not exceeding 24d. per bushel, which, I should 
say, would dip 10 loads of Potatoes.—Joseph Paxton, 
Chatsworth, Dec. 30. 
RE 
THE BENEFIT OF FARMING WELL FROM THE 
COMMENCEMENT TO THE END OF A LEASE. 
Iw a work by Professor Low, on Landed Property, 
at page 10, it is stated that “everywhere the mass. of 
tenants will be found to prefer their tenancy at will to 
all the ad ges which a p tenure can afford, 
because they know that they pay. a lower rent, and can 
make it good by smaller exertions.” 
Notwitk line th d 
g the now made by agri- 
cultural societies and papers to induce tenants to seek 
and landlords to grant leases, the first part of Professor 
Low’s opinion is in accordance with known facts: but 
although in some instances the reason he assigns for 
the tenant’s preference of yearly tenure may have some 
influence, it has probably, in most cases, only a small 
share in biassing their judgments, Habit is, perhaps, a 
chief cause ; and to this may be added a fear of the 
bargain proving bad, from uncertainty. of prices, or of 
the continuance of the Corn-laws, or of their own lives; 
to which may be further added the want of knowing how 
much they may gain themselves by investing their 
capital in improvements, want of capital to invest, or 
the fear that any benefit may arise to the landlord from 
such improvements. 
If tenants could be induced to act on a more liberal 
principle, we should finda great change on this latter 
point. Why should they persist in their too general de- 
termination not to effect any improvement which would 
benefit any one but themselves, when by laying aside 
this illiberal feeling they themselves may gain perhaps 
10, 15, or 20 per cent, per ann., in addition to the re. 
payment of their capital, and in addition also to the 
ordinary profit of farming without improvement? We 
are all surely bound to do what good we can to our 
neighbours without respect to whether they be land. 
lords, tenants, or others, when. we ean do so without in- 
jury to ourselves ; and if this be admitted, what must 
be the error of those who refuse to do any action that 
may prove beneficial to another, although actually far 
more so to themselves, even preferring to deny them- 
selves a large profit to prevent others from deriving any. 
If they would be persuaded to look at this determina- 
tion in its true light one could not but in charity hope 
that they would ‘cease to adhere to it. But, setting this 
mode of argument aside and adopting another, if 
theykept such accounts.as enabled them, with the degree 
of aceuraey which a proper system of accounts would pro- 
duce, to know how much gain they deprived themselves 
of in abstaining from imp P1 bly 
be imagined that this feeling would be eradicated on the 
grounds of self interest alone. If this test of accounts 
were thoroughly carried out, it would probably appear 
also’ that by exhausting the land for the last two or 
three years of their tenancy, they injure themselves 
considerably, though perhaps not to the same extent as 
their landlords, because in declining to gain as much as 
they may, by continuing a good system of farming, they, 
in fact, sustain a loss to that extent, and I wish to im- 
press this on their minds as an argument likely to pre- 
vail whenever common sense is allowed to influence 
their conduct ; for it is to be hoped that this system of 
exhausting land prior to quitting is adopted far more. 
generally from the mistaken notion that it is a saving of 
expense, and therefore a gain to the person who quits, 
than from any unfriendly feeling or ill-will to the 
landlord. However, a mere saving of outlay is 
not always a/gain, and in fancying that these are 
synonymous, lies the fallacy. which causes tenants to 
adopt too frequently an injurious mode of cultivating 
land which they know they are to quit in a few years, 
and which also tends in a great degree to disincline 
them to effect improvements requiring at the time an 
extraordinary outlay of capital. To give an instance of. 
the benefit of the reverse policy—a farm was newly let 
at a fixed rent atitsthen value. In the ordinary course 
of tillage it came to the turn of one field, which was 
strong Wheat land, to be Wheat after a fallow ; the 
fallow being the first year of the new tenancy, The 
tenant worked it as well as he could in its then state, 
and sowed it with hisjWheat in the autumn next after 
entering; but at the following harvest he scarcely re- 
gained the seed. He, then determined to drain every 
furrow ; to effect which and clean it, as it had become 
foul from the crop. missing, he again fallowed it ;. thus 
getting no crop at all the three first years from that 
field, at the same. time having to pay rent, tithe, and . 
taxes. He then again sowed it with Wheat, and had an 
excellent crop, and it has borne good crops ever since. _ 
His landlord allowed tiles, and he says it is now a plea- 
sure to work the land, whereas previously it was often 
so wet, that the ordinary operations of farming could 
not be carried on at their proper season. This tenant 
had no lease, nor was he at all afraid of benefiting his 
landlord, nor of his rent being raised in an improper man- 
ner before he had had ample time to recover his principal 
and interest ; the fact being that bis landlord has since, 
in consequence of the price of grain having lowered, 
lowered his rent, joined him in other improvements, 
and effected others solely at his own cost, by way of en- 
couragement, and zs a mark of his approbation. Had 
the tenant, however, drained the field in the first year, 
while it was in fallow, it is evident that he would have 
had a good crop the second year instead of in the fourth; ' 
and I leave it to those tore acquainted than I am with 
the value of crops, to, caleulate the loss arising from 
