.8.—1846.] THE 
AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
-425 
the quantity of guano that has been lent out, in which 
respect Iam rather mortified to say there have only 
been 85 tons, and I cannot help alluding in strong 
terms to the folly of those who have let their land lie in 
pasture, or perhaps a second grain crop, when by taking 
a load of guano they might have got a crop of ‘Turnips 
worth 25/. to 30/ per acre at the market price of 10d. 
to 1s. per Cwt. ‘I trust they will have more sense this 
year} if it is to be had, of which I am by no means cer- 
tain ; and would recommend those who think of using 
it to lose no time in securing it. There have likewise 
been lent out 5888 barrels of lime, besides large quan- 
tities bought by the tenants for themselves. Besides 
what I have already stated, there is another matter 
which will be considered very important, which I think 
it desirable to mention. A good many years ago, 
before the plan of appointing an agriculturist was 
thought of, at the time a new survey was making of the 
Gosford estate, I desired the surveyor to take an ac- 
count of all the stock upon the property, and I have 
within these last few months had a similar account 
taken for the sake of comparison, and I find there has 
been an increase of 47 horses, 224 cows, 290 heifers and 
calves, 449 pigs, and 33 sheep on the Gosford estate ; and 
if I had had the same means of comparing the increase 
upon the Graham estate, purchased by his lordship 
since then, I am certain the sum total would have been 
one half more ; and in a townland of Colonel Close’s, 
where a similar account had been taken, the result— 
say 36 cows, 43 head of heifers and calves, 14 pigs, and 
a reduction of 9 I i f ble. 1 fei 
I may weary you with these statisties, but there is one 
other matter to which I would wish particularly to 
draw your attention, because it bears upon one of the 
most interesting subjects of description of the present 
day, viz., the improvement of the condition of the work- 
ing population of the United Kingdom. To illustrate 
the effect of the appointment of an agriculturist, I have 
made a list of 10 small farmers, occupying 98 acres 
3 roods 20 poles of land, English measure, or about 
6 Irish aeres each, and the following is the account of 
the stock and number of souls supported thereon, the 
one half of the land being under Flax or grain crops :— 
S 
H 
ord Gosford's Estai 
Stock on Ten Farms, containing 98 Acres, 3 Roods, 28 Perches, on 
L Est 
Stock 
No. of | on farms. 
b Contents |persons | ——--—— | Rent of 
No. Names. of on each | „| | | Farm. 
Farm. | farm. |9 g(S|& . 
SESS E 
OV A 
Eo m E 
AR. P. | $$ d. 
l| Jacob Albin. 9 0 33 7 4| 211 1 8 
2 | S. Lowden ..| 8 2 20 1 2/1 a 7 9 
3|J.dililana.| 8 3 9 $ 3| 2| 1159.1 
4| John Beatty.| 9 132 6 E, 2| 11 18 10 
5| P. O'Hagan .| 8 2 10 5 4 | | 217 8 
6 | H. Ringland | 9 2 0 4 14192115 
7 | J. M‘Clinchy | 10 2 14 4. |13 | | 2) 1118 6 
8 M‘Olinchy| 10 3 17 6 |12 2,19 7 
9 | J. Bradford.| 10 3 30 8 8| 412 0 6 
10 | X Ralston.) 12 115 | 6 4| 62 0 
Total....| 98 3 20| 60 |432| 2| 290121 12 8 
Now,if you compare this with the stock, crop, and num- 
bér of souls subsisting upon one of the large farms either 
in England, Scotland, or the great grazing farms in the 
west ot lreland, it will be impossible not to be struck 
with the difference; for, according to this proportion 
upon 98 acres, a farm of 1000 acres English ought to 
have above 40 horses, above 320 head of cattle, 20 
heifers, above 260 pigs, and above 30 sheep ; above 
600 souls, besides 500 acres of sown crops. Now the 
Stock that these smallfarmers are possessed of, show 
that they are by no means in penury. I have 
chosen those who are living along the road side, and 
if any one has the curiosity to visit them to-morrow, 
I shall have a jaunting-car ready at Mr. Ring. 
land’s, at Gosford-gate, to take them to their houses. 
'No one, I expect, wil conceive he is to meet 
with any great appearance of wealth—it is up-hill work 
o amass riches from a few acres of land, paying a 
fair rent, and rearing a young family—but I believe 
every one of them will be found in a thriving condition. 
ost people will be of opinion, this stock alone, on 98a 
3n. 20p., is greater than what the same quantity and 
quality of land would feed if allowed to go out of culti-! 
Flan” P hout calculating that the value of the corn, 
hum us OON, and Turnips would be lost, and 60 
of SHE SERES be turned adrift, the consequences 
SRI a 5 be well worthy the attention of those 
destin EDS avour of withdrawing agricultural pro- 
that all ths t dm not to be understood as advocating 
t io taas Tu in the United Kingdom should be cut 
Into if aere farms, but T do advocate such a gradation 
as might render it possible for the cottier, small farmer, 
or labourer gradually to rise in the world, as in all 
other trades, and which they might do by sobriety and 
industry, and which many are now doing in this neigh- 
bourhood. This satisfactory result is owing to the 
industry of the people, for there are many who from 
want of exertion, and from refusing to follow the direc- 
tions of the agriculturist, present a very different 
appearance. I therefore think, gentlemen, you will all 
readily join me in drinking to the bealth and happiness 
of the improving tenants on the Gosford and Drum- 
banagher estates, and that they may long continue to 
enjoy the fruits of their industry. “Success to the 
industrious and improving tenants on the estates of the 
Earl of Gosford and Colonel Close.’ Lord Gosford 
returned thanks for his own tenants, and expressed his 
great satisfaction at seeing the successful exertions 
some were making. 
Farmers’ Clubs. 
SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION. 
10. MEANS OF IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE 
LABOURING CLASSES. 
We can but enumerate some of the subjects which properly 
claim consideration under this hea ong th are— 
August, 1845, Art. “ Savings’ Banks, and “ Colonization,” an 
“the Allotment System”; ‘An Appeal to tl i 
lay members of the Church; Hatchard, pp. 79, 8vo. **On 
increasing the demand for A; y 
Johnson, Esq. ; Ri: 
the Labouring 
E 
$ 
c 
g 
E 
e 
Us 
I 
5 
E 
Ed 
E 
D 
ee 
g 
E 
£ 
& 
5 
Enquiry into the present Condition of the Labouring Classes,” by 
Rev. J.S. Henslow ; J. W. Parker, West Strand, © Án Address 
Groombridge and Sons. “Letters” in the Bury Post, 
Professor Henslow, September and October, 1844. Prize Essay 
of the East Suffolk Agricultural Society on providing employ- 
ment for the labourers during win room, Framlingham. 
o th 
s 
thorough draining is a most essential proceeding, while 
the treading, as well as folding them with sheep or cattle 
early in the spring, has resulted in an improvement of 
the pasture, or the disappearance of Moss. For low 
meadow lands similarly affected, a covering of salt or 
lime is recommended as having been applied with suc- 
cess, the land being afterwards subjected to repeated 
harrowings.'" 
Farm Memoranda. 
Mn. Gowen’s Farm, NEAR PrILADELPHIA,—Of course 
the most profitable system of agriculture to be adopted 
in most parts of America is very different from what it 
is in districts like many in our own country, where 
j| hands are plentiful and land dear. The extensive sys- 
tem is the one for adoption there in contradistinction 
to the intensive which is applicable here. Low rents 
and dear labour are entirely opposed to high farming. 
Where, however, as near towns, these may not exist, 
“high farming” is the best policy ; and with this word 
of explanation we shall extract the following particulars 
from the “ British American Cultivator,’ a well-con- 
ducted Canadian journal. They relate to what, we pre- 
sume, is a rare case in America—to one, at any rate, 
which is only paralleled on land in the immediate neigh- 
bourhood of good markets :— 
* The farm is located near Philadelphia, and now 
contains about 100 acres, exclusive of wood-land. Mr. 
Gowen took possession of it in 1834, at which time it is 
* Stxictures on the reply of the Poor-law C à 
enquiry of Lord Althorp, on the subject of Labour Rates," by 
. M. Paine; Nicholas and Sons, Borough, Farnham. **On 
the beneficial Employment of the surplus Labouring Classes,” 
by James Dean ; J. Rogerson, Norfolk-street, Strand, “Hints for 
the Amelioration of the Moral Condition of a Village Population,” 
by Hon. and Rev. 8. G. Osborne ; Hatchard. *'Reports of the 
Committee of the Cottage Improvement Society for Northum- 
berland ” ; Whittaker and Co. Artizan Paper, July 1, 1845, &c. 
HanrrsrONE: The operation of Machinery as affected 
by the Poor-laws.—Feb. 11.—Resolved, that it is the 
opinion of this Club that the increase of machinery has in 
the manufacturing districts greatly increased manual 
labour, but that the use of agricultural machinery is at 
present quite in its infancy. The Club states, however, 
with great satisfaction, that, so far as its experience 
goes, in every case where it has been applied to land 
the capital thus saved has been as freely employed in 
manual labour of a more profitable kind. This result, 
however, cannot always be expected under the existing 
law of l which ily impedes that 
change of employment required by the immediate ope- 
ration of all machinery—the superseding of manual 
labour. This Club, therefore, in expressing a decided 
opinion in favour of the increased application of ma- 
chinery to agriculture, adds that it should be accom- 
panied by free labour, to be secured by the total aboli- 
tion of the law of settlement.—For the Club, R. B. 
Harvey, Secretary. 
WRENTHAM.— The best method of eradicating Moss 
from Pastures.—This subject was considered with refer- 
ence to two descriptions of Grass land, on which Moss 
was more commonly prevalent, from heavy land. pas- 
tures, and low spongy meadows, effected by springs. 
With reference to the former, it was observed by a 
member, who had had much experience in laying down 
lands to Grass, that nothing conduces more to the growth 
of Moss on such soils than a superabundance of mois- 
ture, consequently without previous thorough draining, 
(when necessary,) and subsequent manuring, the 
laying down poor wet lands, in the expectation of obtain- 
ing good pastures, freo from Moss, will end only in dis- 
appointment. This would also apply to all Grass lands 
when there is an excess of moisture, and it has been 
generally found, that recently laid down lands, if not, 
by this means, previously brought into a good state of 
cultivation, are the more likely to become Messy from 
theslow progress which the Grasses make atan early stage. 
In a system which had been pursued on a portion of 
Mossy pasture land by way of experiment, much bene- 
fit had apparently resulted from folding, or rather by 
closely feeding upon the land with sheep during the 
month of April. The part thus treated looked to dis- 
advantage for a considerable time'afterwards, but there 
is now an excellent herbage of red suckling and other 
Grasses, without Moss, and in this respect presenting a 
striking contrast to the other part, not subjected to a 
similar treatment. The opinion expressed for feeding 
or folding upon Mossy lands at this period in the spring, 
was, that if exposed to frost afterwards, it would tend 
materially to weaken as well as retard the growth of the 
Grasses ; but if later, or after the frosty season is over, 
as there is not then the probability of the young herbage 
receiving a check from that cause, the sooner would the 
Grasses recover, It may also be observed, that (to a 
certain extent) in proportion to the wetness of the land 
at the time of this close feeding, the more effectually 
will it tend to an eradication of the Moss. On low 
meadows infested with Moss much good had been 
effected by dressing them with a mixture of lime or 
salt, or afterwards being frequently harrowed. In the 
ease of the former description of Grass land (if recently 
laid down) harrowing was not particularly recommended, 
as by that process much of the tender Grass would be 
torn up, thus not unlikely producing more injury than 
ood. The following resolution was recorded :—* 
order to eradicate Moss from all descriptions of pasture 
land where it exists, it appears to this meeting that the 
application of heavy manure will tend most to effect 
that object ; but in the absence of a sufficiency of this 
material, sand, saturated with the drainings of the 
vards or steadings has proved beneficial. On poor 
heavy lands, or others affected by springs previous 
T have been in a very worn down and poor 
condition, from the neglect and bad management of 
previous owners. Mr. Gowen took away the old fences, 
made a new division of the farm, and fenced with stone 
wall and hedges of the Osage Orange, drained and filled 
up ravines and gullies. The land is now brought into a 
high state of cultivation, producing 100 bushels of corn, 
400 bushels of Potatoes, 30 bushels of Wheat, &c., to the 
acre. "He at first bought manure from the city, but 
after three or four years' experience, he gave up the 
plan, and has since made enough on his own premises, 
excepting light dressing. To do this he has been 
obliged to increase his stock of animals. * To maintain 
my stock,’ he says, ‘and bring my land to a high state 
of cultivation, by the most efficient and economical 
practice, has been a leading object ; and to accomplish 
this, required no ordinary management on such a farm. 
The stock in cattle has ranged for years, from 40 to 50 
head, in addition to the necessary horses, with a large 
stock of swine for breeding and fattening ; and these I 
have fed from the produce of the farm, except the pur- 
chasing occasionally of some straw, and supplies of mill 
feed for the horses and swine, and some meadow hay for 
the cattle, selling frequently its equivalent in Timothy. 
During the same period I have sold hundreds of bushels 
of Rye, some Wheat, and on an average 409 bushels of 
Potatoes annually, with some 300 or 400 bushels of 
Carrots, besides providing for the family. But the chief 
income was derived from the cattle. My expenditures 
during the whole period gould not be otherwise than 
large ; as I could not put up so much stone fence,’and 
picket fence, as incloses my farm without incurring a 
heavy outlay ; but I view these improvements as cheap 
in the end. It may be safely inferred, that there is not 
at this day any farm of the same extent in this part of 
the country, that can so easily be worked, or will re- 
quire so little expense for a series of years in keeping 
the fences in order, especially when the hedges are taken 
into account. I am also of opinion, taking in view 
the condition of the soil,as to depth and richness, as 
well as its being entirely free of stones and other im- 
pediments, that I can make it produce as much as any 
farm of its size in any part of the country, fora series of 
years, and at as small an expense. 
“<The secret of keeping so large a stock on 80 
little land, consists in my practice of partial . soil- 
ing, and green crops, whereby I make some four 
or five acres do the work of 30 acres, in the ‘slow and 
they are driven, more for exercise in the cooler parts of 
the day, than for pasture ; they being fed in the stables 
early’ in the morning, at noon, and at night, with food 
cut for them from a lot adjoining the barn-yard. The 
food is generally of Lucerne, Orchard Grass and Clover, 
Oats and corn. The patches from which the corn and 
ats are cut, are always sowed with Turnips in August. 
No one ean credit, unless he has had proper experience 
in the matter, the quantity offood that one acre of Lu- 
cerne, one of rich Orchard Grass and Clover, and one of 
Oats and corn, afford from May till August, nor can he 
estimate the great saving in manure, much less the com- 
paratively good health of the cattle, from not being ex- 
posed on the naked fields, under a fervid sun, toiling all 
day insearch of food. This practice allows me to crop 
almost the whole of the land, and te make some 120 to 
150 tons of hay annually. - In the fall, from August till 
November, the cattle have the whole range of the mowed 
lands, as I do not cut second crop Grass for hay. Then 
for winter feed, I have always an acre of Sugar Beet, 
half an acre of Sugar Parsnips ; half an acre or more 
of Carrots, for my horses ; and generally from three to 
four acres of Turnips.. I report to the committee on 
crops this season, over 100 tons of these roots. In 1843, 
I gathered from one acre, 1078 bushels Sugar Beets, 60 
lbs. to the bushel; Carrots at the rate of 687 bushels ; 
Sugar Parsnips, 868 bushels. This year 972 bushels 
Sugar Beets ; 970 bushels Carrots; 700 bushels Sugar 
Parsnip ; and from three anda, half acres, 2500 bushels 
of Turnips, sowed with Timothy seed. | : 
«The farm buildings consist of three’substantial stone 
o 
i 
i 
