140 THE 
AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
[FEB. 28, 
Hulme, Esq.; J. Kinder, mena A. Majendie, Esq. ; 
W. Miles, Esq., M.P. ; E. W.W. Pendarves, Esq., M.P. ; 
Professor Sewell; S. Solly, Esq. ; and T. Damien, Esq. 
The following new Members were elected :— 
Jackson, William Kay, Barbot aes Tiotierpud Yorkshire, 
Markby,. John, Duxford, Cambrid; 
Widdrington, Captain, R.N., desde Hall, Northumberland, 
The names of 13 candidates for election at the next 
meeting were'then rea 
4, Poraross. —Mr. Evelyn Denison, M.P., of Ossington, 
d a letter to Mr. 
a M.P., the following results of his experiments in 
the planting of single Potato-eyes : 
© Ossington, Feb. 23, 1346. 
* At this moment of renewed alarm about the Potato 
crop, and the anticipated difficulty of providing seed for 
the wants of Ireland, I send you, according to your 
desire, an account of the experiment tried here last 
year, of planting single eyes of about the-size of a nut, 
cut out of the whole Potato. Last year, about the 
middle of March, my gardener was planting early Po- 
tatoes, the Ash- leaved Kidney. It occurred to him, as 
an is eee to cut out some of the best eyes from a 
certain number of Potatoes, and to plant these in rows 
side by side against whole Potatoes. The eyes were 
eut out with a common knife, and planted at once as 
they were cut out. The piece was cut out in the 
shape of a one-inch sided triangle. The sets from 
these single eyes brought in every case the best crops. 
From three roots there were one peck of Potatoes. 
‘One Potato weighed 14 Ib. The tubers were generally 
large, weighing nearly lb. each. The plants rose 
with one single stem from the ground, which was strong 
and vigorous. ‘They were not so early by a fortnight as 
those from the whole Potatoes. This may perhaps be 
aecounted for by the circumstance, that in many cases 
“the eyes of the whole Potatoes had made strong shoots 
when they were planted; but eyes which had not 
sprouted were chosen for cutting out, as being better 
suited for the operation. Another experiment of the 
same kind was tried with second-early Potatoes, called 
American Natives, with exactly the same results, I 
have at this momenta crop of early Potatoes under 
frames, grown from single eyes, which look most pro- 
mising. The advantages which this plan holds out, 
seem to be these :—Ist. In a time of scarcity several 
«eyes may be cut from a single Potato, and almost the 
whole Potato is still available for food. 2d—If sets 
have to be sent from a distance, as from this country 
to Ireland, the bulk, and consequently the expense, 
would be materially diminished. 3d—By a little timely 
attention, by inducing parties to eut the crown off each 
otato now in the course of daily use, an immense 
supply of seed might be proeured, almost without ex- 
pense, For the last three months f have had the crown, 
about the size of a Walnut, eut off every sound Potato 
‘consumed about this place. I have saved in this way 
"à very large supply of seed for the spring. The eyes 
in these small pieces, cut off as long ago as three months, 
look quite fresh and well, and are pushing like those in 
the whole Potatoes. Here my experience ends; to 
make the case complete it would be necessary to have 
proof that the eyes from the crown of a Potato cut some 
time before planting would answer as well as those 
fresh cut. Of the apparently certain success which 
attends planting a single eye fresh cut, I have a very 
strong corroboration from the practice of the clergyman 
of a neighbouring village, Mr. Chell, of Kneesall. My 
gardener has been to Mr. Chell to-day, to obtain the 
exact particulars. He has been in the habit for 12 
years of planting single eyes, making use of the re- 
mainder of the Potato for "ood. He has tried single 
eyes against whole Potatoes and cut Potatoes ; and has 
always had the bg crops from single eyes. He now 
plants nothing else. 
An interesting paper having been also read from Mr. 
Southworth of Merebrow, Tarlton, near Ormskirk, on 
the same subject, containing the results of his practical 
experience on several points connected with the culti- 
vation of the Potato, especially in reference to the im- 
portance of raising Potatoes intended for seed from poor 
Soils, instead of rich ones, Sir Charles Lemon referred 
‘to the series of experiments carried on at the Horticul- 
tural Society" s Gardens, by Mr. Knight and Dr. Lindley, 
to ascertain the best conditions under which the Potato- 
plant eould be grown. Sir Charles Lemon and Sir John 
Johnstone adduced their testimony respectively to the 
advantageous practice in Cornwall and Yorkshire of 
growing seed Potatoes in a poorer soil than that in 
which they were afterwards intended to be cultivated. 
and Dr. Calvert, also favoured the 
sil with die result of their experience on the sub- 
ject of the decay or preservation of Potatoes in their 
respective localities, under certain circumstances. 
ROWwTH or PraNTS.—Mr. Pendarves, M.P., intro- 
duced Mr. Gurney to the meeting, when that gentleman 
detailed to the members present the plan of his opera- 
‘tions for ascertaining the cause of that remarkable in- 
crease of vegetable growth. which results from the appli- 
cation of a fibrous covering, such as that of straw or 
brushwood. The Council requested Mr. Gurney to pre- 
pare a written statement in detail on the subjeet, for 
the purpose of enabling the members to undertake those 
practical experiments of his plau whieh it was the 
object of his communication to suggest. 
Mr. Harrison, of Devizes, transmitted to the Council a 
paper on the Manufacture of Draining Tiles ; Dr. Calvert, 
a plan of his proposed Lecture and Exhibition of Grasses, 
at Newcastle-on-Tyne ; the Count de Guyon, a letter on 
the subject of Agricultural Machinery ; the Royal Col- 
lege of Chemistry, a communication connected with the || of the best pue of carrying out this 
ofitable im- , 
e, he observed, were satisfied with a 
application of Chemical Science to the R 
Practical Agriculture ; and the Rev. Thomas RS a 
notice on the question of the height at which Wheat 
can be grown on the Welsh Hills, i in comparison with 
that at which it is now grown in Scotland. 
The Council then adjourned to Wednesday next the 
4th of March. 
AGRICULTURAL TM MEE SOCIETY OF 
IREL 
the Meeting of the ide on Feb, 12, 1846, the 
pg al stated that he had addressed letters to the 
agents of the several noblemen and gentlemen who 
had competed for the different gold medals of the So- 
ciety for thorough-draining last year, requesting them 
to send in returns and particulars of the effects of the 
same upon the different lands since the work was ex- 
ecuted, including tables of the relative increased value 
and improvement of the soil, and the general effect that 
the operation itself has had upon it. 
In reply to the above, a letter was read from Mr. 
William G. Andrews, of Comber, to whom the gold 
medal of the Society was awarded on that occasion, 
stating that he found it difficult to extract from the 
tenants any accurate account of the comparative pro- 
duce of the drained and undrained lands, on which he 
could rely. They invariably admitted a great increase 
in their Potato crops, which they estimated, however, 
in the most vague terms, varying from a half toa sixth; 
but none of the tenants in occupation had made any 
accurate calculation of the relative quantity of any crop 
either before or after draining. The texture of the 
drained soil was evidently much improved, and it was 
manifest that even the pasture on the drained lands 
was preferred by the cattle, that on the undrained being 
invariably deserted by them, when the choice was of- 
fered to them. It was his opinion, however, that as 
thorough-draining was only the first step in the improve- 
ment, and as the full benefit of the process cannot pos- 
sibly be expected until after and 
| 
| depth of 18 sicui ; they then deposit a tile without a 
sole, and cover it with thorns, gravel, and other porous 
material. Others, in the same description of soil, insist 
on the depth of 3 or 4 feet—used a pipe of an inch bore 
—and fill in with strong clay, hard rammed down. One 
of the two modes must be erroneous, or, at least, they 
could not be equally efficacious. He would state the 
results of his own brief experience on the lands with 
which he had to deal (strong clay soil on retentive sub- 
soils), and support his principles and practice by cor- 
roborative evidence from men of much greater expe- 
rience in thorough-draining—by which he meant a 
complete and uniform dryness of the land, effected at 
the least possible expense. As agent to Mr. Bell, he 
had overlooked, and ina great measure superintended 
the whole of the drainage on that gentleman’s estate for 
the last five or six years, during which period an ex- 
penditure had been incurred in draining-tiles alone 
considerably exceeding 1000/. When thorough-drain- 
ing was first practised in this neighbourhood, the pre- 
vailing idea was, that to lay land dry, and especially 
clay land, drains could not be placed too shallow, so 
long as the tiles were not interfered with or disturbed 
by the common plough, or horses’ feet, and that the 
material for filling in could not be too porous. Amon 
those who once approved of this system, he might number 
himself, but experience had convinced him of his error. 
The first steps in improvement were the rejection of 
all more porous materials for filling in than the surface' 
soil, the deepening of his drains to 2 feet, and the use 
of a sole with the drain-tile, But, within the last 18 
months, he was satisfied that he had adopted a E 
better system, viz., to cut the drains to a depth of 21 
feet below the furrow, and to fill up with the clay that had 
been thrown out in cutting. The distance of the drains 
apart, their depth and direction, were matters that must 
vary according to circumstances. His own practice had 
pao to make the drains from 15 to 20 feet apart, and, lat- 
the land, filling up useless and injur ions gripes and 
hollows, and straight and r 
hedge-rows for the crooked and pee banks which 
now cover the ground and retard cultivation, be added; 
and as none of these measures have had time to be 
carried out to any extent, including all the other requi- 
sites of improved and proper rotation—green-cropping, 
house-feeding, and the judicious application of manures, 
&e., no satisfactory estimate could yet be made of the 
absolute increase in produce or value. It was his opi- 
nion, however, that when these different improvements 
shall have been properly earried-out on the lands in 
question, and particularly in some of the neglected 
parts of these different estates, the increase of value 
and produce will be more than one-half, and will vary 
in the more improved parts from one-third to one-fourth 
at least. 
Farmers’ Clubs. 
SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION. 
11. AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, 
Importance.—Complete agricultural statistics, properly ar- 
ranged, would constitute a perfect record of agricultural expe- 
regards both accuracy and fulness. They 
us both the methods and the results of farm prac- 
y district of the ios They would supply in- 
formation to guide the labourer inhis RT after employment 
—the farmer in conducting his business—the landowner in the 
[o n italist. in seekin; 
durius uim do pen ature in some of its most 
important functions. Are there any “ practical” men wh 
still laugh at the theoretical teachings of the chemist or 
geologi: ists? "Then let them aid in the collection of ach icultural 
statistics, and thus create a source whence instruction more 
to their taste may flow—instruction based on recor de results, 
not onmere opinions or anticipation. Are there others anxious 
to increase the usefulness of “ science” to agriculture ? let 
us also aid in this work, and thus supply an extensive basis 
of facts, Le guion E tific lessons and suggestions Tun more 
securely rest; and w afraid 
that an io: CIS Fol regard every instance rot Reels 
improvement in farm practice which may thus be 
brought to light—as so many reasons to justify Wis pend 
their rents ? then let them aid in bringing before him 
of facts which will infallibly remoye that ignorance: 
pO i him, by reference to facts, the risks and losses 
| every change of weath 
nders the farmer liable, and whi 
attention the facts that land for the most part 
is valuable only as capital is employed in cultivating it, and 
that a liberal treatment of tenants is thus the surest “road to 
the ultimate advantage of the landlord, 
S Peete rac i — The statistics of British agriculture em- 
brace eve: atcan be said on the subject i in its aspect 
eleven the nae at any one period, ould inform 
me on the nature and extent of the several crops Bus OWN 
ther pepe Meee Wheat, Turnips, Barley, Clover, Oats, 
Potatoes, &c. ; they would state the mode of cultiva ation 
ted in bs Voice and this would involve an account and 
numerical statement of the labour employed, the implements 
of cultivation, and the draught power employed, the mannres 
used, &c. ; they would state > the acreable and total amount of 
IACTA SER grown, and what was done with them, and 
this would involve a statement of the live stock kept on the 
land, and the machines employed in converting some crops, 
and preparing 0 others for market; they would also state the 
conditi fth. he B abourer, the wealth of the tenant, and the re- 
lationship e cis between him and the landlord. 
How are they p be compile ed ?—This is the most important 
uestion we can ask ; for the only objection to the attempt is, 
that unless an aceurate statement be obtained it aay BAN 
mislead. We venture to suggest the task to Farmers’ Clubs, 
and we shall shortly consider how their efforts ue be best 
exerted, 
20 
NewcaASTLE-UPON-TYNE : Thorongh-draining.—Feb. 
7.—Mr. Robson, of Sunniside, agent to Mathew | Bell, 
Esq., N Y 
this subject. 
After some introductory remarks, and an 
allusion to the general recognition of the advantages of 
thorough-draining, he entered upon the consideration 
terly, 30 inchesd p (the main drains 3 feet). Where fields 
RE in high ridges, he had varied the distance from 15 
o 25,and even 30 feet. The furrow which took the 
pelniem declivity was the most economical and proper 
inclination. Much difference of opinion prevailed on 
the subject uñder consideration among farmers of the 
district, and especially as to the filling in, The results 
of his own on the Woolrington farm; where 
he had filled up the euttings with clay, i in place of loose 
soil, had been all that he could desire. The land had 
been firm and dry, and the Wheat crop, last season, was 
greater than was ever known to have grown there 
aforetime. To fill in with clay was a practice generally 
1 ight It had been ascertained, 
however, on land perfectly drained, that the water de. 
scended, not through the filling, as was supposed, but 
through the fissures produced by the contraction of the 
clay after drainage. It then entered the drains at the 
bottom free from all impurities it would be loaded with 
if it sunk through a porous filling 5 5 and it was therefore 
y drainers, that the most 
proper material was “the most impervious, The con- 
trary practice had been the ruin of scores of miles of 
drains, and the loss of thousands of pounds to their en- 
terprising constructors. Mr. Robson quoted Professor 
Johnstone as an authority for deep draining and clay 
filling, and observed that by the former, namely, deep 
draining, the depth and fertility of soils were increased. 
The farmer was enabled to work that useful adjunct to 
draining, the subsoil plough, by means of which the 
water was allowed to sink perpendicularly to the drains 
and the roots of plants were enabled to penetrate fur- 
ther in search of sustenance. Where drains were 
shallow, and the covering material porous, the water 
entered in an impure state, and in time the duet was 
choked.—Mr. Spencer, of Park Farm, near Wortham, 
the “father”? of deep draining in Kent, had written 
to Mr. Parkes, consulting engineer to the Royal 
Agricultural Society, stating “that experience had 
taught him to have his drains 42 inches to 52 inches 
i| | deep, and from 24 to 34 feet apart, in the strongest 
clays, and from 48 to 60 inches deep, and from 
50 to 60 feet apart,in more porous soils. He had 
formerly made his drains shallow, but in 1830 he 
drained a field 3 feet deep, in which the drains were 
previously only 2 feet deep. To his surprise, he then 
found the shallow drains useless. He tried a drain 
4 feet deep in the same field, which, after rain, always 
ran the first and the longest. The result of this ex- 
periment led him to double the depth of his drains, and 
many shallow drainers had been converted to his plans. 
Mr. Robson next cited Mr. Morton, of Whitfield, 
Gloucestershire, the manager of Lord Ducie’ E chants 
farm,” who practises deep draining and compact filling 
also Mr. Arkell, author of the prize essay on draining, 
published in the “ Royal Agricultural Society’s Journal” 
for 1843, ‘The latter gentleman said, “he could not 
speak too positively on the necessity of making drains 
at least 30 inches deep in tenacious soils ; not but that 
deep drains were best on all, yet an 18- inch eut might 
drain a porous soil tolerably well, but on a clay it would 
not drain far.” obert Beart, of Godmanchester, 
Huntingdonshire, was the last authority quoted by Mr. 
Robson in favour of deep draining and filling with elay. 
He then considered the best material for thorough 
draining. His experience in stones had been very 
limited, but he had no doubt they made the safest 
drains ‘where a rapid descent could be obtained, and 
they were placed at a sufficient depth. ‘Tiles, however, 
when properly used, were quite as efficacious, and, i 
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