2.—1846.] THE 
AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE, . 27 
In the first week of May I buried in that part of the 
gardens of the Royal Botanie Society appropriated to 
agricultural, experiments a plate of sheet-copper 2 feet 
in length, and 9 inches in depth, and also at the distance 
of about 9 feet a plate of zine of the same dimensions. 
These plates were both placed in an upright position 
facing the magnetic north and south, and connected 
. together by means of two copper wires which extended 
between them at the height of about 3 inches above the 
ground. Each end of the wires was soldered to the 
manner with an equal quantity of seed. No manure 
Whatever was used on either side. In the course of 
three or four weeks when the seeds had germinated, 
the differenee between the two plots of ground was very 
obvious ; the seeds on the galvanised side failed to a 
considerable extent, and the mode of their failure was 
this, that soon after the app of the led 
above the ground, the young plants began to droop 
and die off in a peculiar way. In this manner the 
Clover and the Sainfoin, which had been placed the 
nearest to the metallic plates, were destroyed to the 
amount of two-thirds, and the Lucerne of one-third ; 
while the Mangold Wurzel and the Turnips, which 
were farthest removed from the plates, lost only about 
one-sixth of their number. These different degrees of 
injury received by the young plants would, probably, 
depend upon the separate and relatively tender or more 
hardy nature of each species, It was, however, at this 
time evident that a greater amount of galvanic power 
was generated than is congenial to the germination of 
those particular seeds. 
All those plants, however, which survived the first 
five or six weeks continued to live, but, with the excep- 
tion of the Turnips and Mangold Wurzel, they were 
not at any time so healthy and strong as those on the 
other plot. But the Turnips and the Mangold Wurzel 
soon presented a different character from the rest, put- 
ting on a more vigorous appearance, as well as a more 
rapid growth, and by the month of August they had 
. acquired a much larger size than the others which 
were growing jn the natural soil. They still continued 
to inerease rapidly in bulk, and by the 20th of October 
one of the Turnips had reached the enormous size of 
40} inches in circumference, and still increasing. This 
is, I believe, much the largest dimension that this va- 
riety of Turnip has ever been known to reach. I then 
began to feel little doubt but that in the succeeding six 
or eight weeks, during which all such plants continue 
to increase, it would attain a most unheard-of bulk. 
But on that day, and when it had begun to excite con- 
siderable attention and interest among the Fellows of 
the Society, a most unfortunate circumstance occurred, 
and my hopes were doomed to disappointment, for it 
was then pointed out to me that some person had wan- 
tonly thrust a stick into the heart of this fine root. 
This injury put a complete stop to its farther growth, 
and in 10 days afterwards I gave directions that this 
and all the other plants should be dug up. They were 
then carefully measured and weighed, The largest 
urnip was found to measure 40} inches in cireumfer- 
ence, and to weigh 163 lbs. The aggregate weight of 
the Turnips on the galvanised plot was 27 lbs. On the 
other plot of ground, and growing naturally, the aggre- 
gate weight of the Turnips was 54 lbs, I should men- 
tion, however, that one of the Turnips on this side had 
become rotten, and had then been nearly eaten by in- 
sects. This was an accidental circumstance, and had 
it not occurred, about 2 lbs. more in weight would have 
been added to the last-mentioned amount of 51 lbs. 
The aggregate weight of the Mangold Wurzel on the 
galvanised side was 14} lbs. On the other side, and 
growing naturally, it was exactly 10 lbs. Thus there 
existed a large difference between the produce of the 
two plots of ground ; but how far the above increase. on 
the galvanised side was really due to this eause, or to 
any unknown accidental circumstance of seed or soil, 
it would seem premature to decide from the result of a 
Single trial. It isa subject that I trust will be followed 
up by others, and carefully investigated. 
In deseribing the above experiment, I omitted to 
state that during its progress Í was curious to ascer- 
tain if any, and what amount of galvanie power was 
generated by the metallie plates, and for this purpose 
di occasionally applied to the wire a very delicate mag- 
netic compass, and I always found that the needle was 
immediately more or less deflected, evidently showing 
that an electrical action was constantly kept up. And 
I was the better enabled to make these observations by 
the mode of my arrangement. of the plates, for as the 
wires were extended accurately, magnetic north and 
south, by placing the needle immediately above them 
the slightest deflection was readily noticed. There 
were also other motives which led me to adopt this par- 
ticular arrangement, which it would be impossible to 
detail within the limits of this paper, 
In conclusion, from the results of this experiment 
there is every reason to hope that by perseverance and 
a judicious alteration in the form of the application of 
the galvanic power which experience from time to time 
may suggest, that we shall gradually succeed in render- 
ing it a most valuable agent in agriculture, as it would 
whilst so completely in its infaney. For we know that 
some 40 or 50 years ago it was stated by those who 
first discovered the nature and properties of steam, 
that they possessed a power which in time they believed 
would perform wonders and cause a general transforma- 
tion in travelling both by sea and land ; but that they 
were ignorant of its proper application. This point was 
left for the next few ding yea o plish 
So it is at present with electro-culture. We are 
in possession of a power which has been proved to stimu- 
ate and inerease vegetable growth at a very economical 
cost, and I do.not entertain the least doubt, but that 
patient and persevering investigation of the laws of its 
nature will discover the proper mode of applying it, and 
wil ultimately be crowned with success. [We tried 
similar experiments with sheets of copper and zine, 
1 foot wide and 8 feet long ; one pair were 16. feet, and 
the other 32feetapart. They wereconneeted by copper 
wires. They were sunk in a Wheat field, but no appa- 
rent effect ensued.] 
Home Correspondence. 
Plug Draining.—In the article headed * Drainage” 
(p. 14 of last week's Number), occurs the followin, 
* Besides tile or stone draining, plug draining, as 
called, is in use in many districts—it is never adv 
and admissable only on pasture lands of a sufiic’ y 
clayey texture.” Such an opinion, given evidently with 
editorial authority, I must not attempt hastily to dis- 
pute. Nevertheless, when I meet with a faet opposed 
to received opinion, I must always doubt; with an ac- 
eumulation of such facts, I must disbelieve. About 
eight years ago I had an arabie field with subsoil of 
clay and sand plug drained, though warned of the ap- 
prehended danger. Finding that answer well, and also 
that the drains sustained no injury from the cultivation 
of the land, I followed on until I had drained nearly 50 
acres, all arable. The whole has been completed several 
years, and the drains have not in any case given way, 
or been trodden in by horses. The field last done was 
a stiff clay; about 2 acres of this were drained with 
tiles, but in this part the drainage is no better than on 
the remainder of the field. My rule is to drain 3 feet 
deep. I give the facts, leaving it to others to determine 
whether plug draining may be safely performed on 
arable land; and whether it is advisable for renting 
tenants whose landlords will neither grant leases nor 
assist in draining, to adopt this plan, which entails a first 
cost of less than 2d. per acre, rather than be annually 
foiled by the wet state of their land, because the more 
durable and costly mode of draining is beyond their 
prudent reach.—Josiah Hunt, Almondsbury, Glouces- 
tershire, 1st Month, 5th, 1846. [The facts here detailed 
certainly condemn our too-sweeping remarks on this 
subject. Nevertheless, that which we ventured to say 
was founded on an experience extending over five years 
and about 45 acres, This land, plug drained in 1840 
and 1841 2 feet deep, at intervals of 5} yards, is, to-day, 
in many places, almost a swamp, and will require a 
more effectual. drainage before another winter. The 
greater part of it was drained when in pasture, and in- 
tended to remain so ; but it has since been broken up. 
Its subsoil is clay and sand, but probably much less 
clayey than Mr. Hunt’s. The system has certainly 
failed with us; but the evidence we ‘give is no doubt 
not of equal value with that given above. One piece of 
positive evidence must outweigh whole sheets of that 
which is merely negative. Success in one case shows 
that failure in all the others might have been avoided, 
and is probably attributable to the operation being badly 
conducted ; and in our ease if the texture of the subsoil 
be not in fault, it has been probably owing to a want of 
sufficient depth. At the same time, where the tenant has 
the seeurity of a lease, it will, we must believe, generally 
be his interest to adopta more permanent method of 
drainage—one which shall run no hazard of injury from 
deep eultivation.] 
Grass Farm.—I have 35 acres of rich meadow land, 
upon which I keep 8 cows and 1 pony, feeding with Grass 
in summer and hay in winter ; 4 horses, hay all the year; 
2 calves every other year to keep as stock, and the 
cows and calves in winter have straw to eat besides hay. 
I mow about half the land every year, and the hay is 
much more than sufficient for the year's consumption. 
You will be hardly able, I am afraid, with these faets 
only, to answer my question, viz., Ought I to make 
more of the land than I do ?!—44 Carmarthenshire Sub. 
[The only difficulty with us is to make out how you 
happen to have a surplus of hay from the mown half, 
while you do not mention any surplus of Grass on the 
depastured half, and from the aftermath of that which 
was mown. Ten acres depastured in summer will make 
more mutton or beef or milk—it will keep more stock— 
than the produce of the same ten acres mown and dried, 
for consumption in winter ; and yet you keep your cows 
in winter on hay and your horses all the year round on 
hay, and have some to spare, while your depastured 
Grass, with the aftermath of the rest in addition, only 
keeps the cows in summer. Probably the history you 
have given of the produce is not complete ; but if it be, 
we should imagine you might keep more stock for the 
summer than you do. At the same time, our opinion 
is, that unless your land be very rich indeed, it would 
certainly yield a more valuable gross produce, and per- 
haps keep more stock both summer and winter, if part 
or all of it were broken up. ] 
Italian Rye-grass.—From the strong recommenda- 
tions of the Italian Rye-grass I saw in the Agricultural 
Gazette I was induced to sow it instead of winter Tares 
ie | be folly indeed to expect any great results at present, | ( (with which the land was sown two years back), hoping 
to get an abundant and early supply of feed for my 
sheep and, horses. Unfortunately [ could not procure 
seed until just before the dry weather of Octo 
in consequence the plant is so young and backv 
Tam afraid the winter will kill it. I am al 
is not even now thick, enough, and was thinkin, 
ing Saintfoin across it in the spring, unless it i 
greatly. Would you advise doing this ; or plo 
the land again and sowing spring Ta 
tunity? At what time would 
and what quantity of seed per acr 
and in good heart, and I int 
Rye-grass to dr th burnt ez 
from the tank.—R—r. [If you are exp 
these things you will know very well how difficult it is 
to judge of the ultimate crop from the app ce of 
the plant when young. A very thinly scattered plax 
as it may now appear, will spread and cover the gr 
before May. If, however, there is no chance of 
doing this, you may as well work the land over w 
cultivator or searifier, not the plough, drill spring 
and roll them in you can do this without a 
destroying the Rye-grass plants. ] 
Di. 
not having with me the Number of your Journ 
which my article on the above subject appea 
order to refer to it, and answer Mr. Stephen’s r 
as to my having misrepresented any portion of his ** Book 
of the Farm ;” if by mistake I had done so, I should at 
once apologise for committing such an error, as I should 
be sorry to give personal offence ; but, as I said, 1 never 
read his work, although I sent to several shops in the 
city for it, and have only answered Mr. Beamish’s 
quotations from it, and I-cannot imagine I have been 
incorrect in the meaning of any part of his statement. 
As it is now 15 years since I parted with my last farm, 
and I know from reading and conversing with farmers 
there has been great improvement in agriculture, I at 
once confess Mr. Stephen may be practically a better 
agriculturist than I am, that is, he may know how to 
grow Peas, Beans, and Cabbages, and also Turnips, 
and may be more skilful in directing the feeding of 
prize bullocks or sheep, because of my want of practice, 
butin order to inform the farmers of Great Britain and 
those in the county Cork, which his book was likely to 
do, respecting Flax culture, the advantage, or rather 
the disadvantages, he says, attending it, he should be 
prepared to tell them how many years he has had prac- 
tical experience, in order that the public may believe 
that his writings are not theoretical, but worthy of being 
relied on; he should tell them of his system’ of rotation 
of crops, and the results, and how he proved it ruinous ; 
also what quantity he had per acre, whether he had 
sown it for one year or ten, whether he had acres, or 
al in 
y | tried experiments in a garden ; this I shouldjlook for be- ` 
fore I could believe him practically acquainted with Flax 
culture, because, from the first letter that I forwarded 
to your Journal for insertion, I was as well prepared as 
I am now, with references to practical farmers, and 
figures, to prove I was incapable of misrepresentation, 
and as to the sentiments and experience of Scottish 
farmers on Flax-growing, which Mr. Stephen allows to 
be his guide, compared with the| dozens of practical 
results by farmers in the north of Ireland, which Ihave 
often placed before you, under the teaching of the 
Belfast Flax Improvement Society, and ProfessorKane's. 
clear and able lectures, I will allow the number of tons 
of Flax and its price produced in all Scotland for the 
last 5 years, compared with the value of this year’s crop 
inUlster, 1,700,0007., to decide whether the Irish farmers 
or the Scottish farmers should know most on the sub- 
ject. Can Mr. Stephen inform me who, of his country- 
men, have got 22s. per stone for Flax, or even the half, 
(11s.), this season ; when he does so, I will admit the 
Scotch have equal pretensions with the Irish, to claim 
being as competent to. give their opinions from practice. 
If Mr. Beamish’s quotations from the “ Book of the. 
"arm" be correct, I fear the author and those Seottish 
farmers have taken the same view that the Irish farmers. 
did, some few years ago when they knew little about 
the proper course of management ; they thought it. 
ruinous, and had almost given it up. he seed in those 
days, with the water the Flax was steeped in, alk 
flowed into the rivers ; the seed, 8/. per acre, lost, and 
the Flax water equal to liquid manure: I fear Mr. 
Stephen had this old-fashioned system before his eyes 
when he was writing down his observations of Flax, and 
although I give his countrymen credit for being much 
better farmers in general than even my own country- 
men in the north of Ireland, nevertheless I consider 
that province not inferior to any part he can select in 
all Scotland, as regards Flax growing, and I am glad 
to say, that without Scotch instruction, the farmers 
there have learned how to grow Flax that has been 
sold at 176/. per ton in this market. I have been now 
many years connected with the trade, and I never 
heard of Seotch Flax worth anything bordering on 
what I have quoted, in fact, I never knew more than 
two or three mills in Scotland to spin much above 50 
lea, therefore there was no encouragement to grow the 
article in Scotland, and it is only within the last few years 
that the fine spinners in this town would buy even the 
best Irish Flax; however, I hope the day is not far 
distant when Scotland, as well as England and Ireland, 
will be able to keep a sufficient supply in this market, 
without our depending on foreigners for a raw material 
that we can produce equally good, fine, and strong, if 
our farmers will only give it proper attention. We only 
want a few such men as Mr. M‘Carter in England and 
ssion on Flax Culture at Ballinasloe.—1 regret ` 
