10.—1846.] THE 
AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 157 
4. A letter from Mr. Kimberley on the cultivation of the 
Convolvulus Batatas, or ‘Sweet Potato," as a substitute 
for the ordinary Potato; and on the circumstances under 
which the Spanish Phosphorite could be obtained from 
the Continent. 
5. A letter from Mr. Moyle of Western Canada on the subject 
of Gypsum as a manure. 
6. Results from Mr. Rodwell of his cultivation of the Italian 
Rye Grass, with specimens of the brown and pale va- 
rieties. 
7. The new volume of Coates's Herd Book from the Editor, 
Mr. Strafford, of 4, Morton Villas, Camden-Town. 
. Mr. Johnson's prices of Draining Tiles ; Mr. "Bate on 
Agricultural Schools and Farms ; Mr. Couch on d ti 
80 severe a storm, that the hirsel whieh grazed on the 
highest ground, 35 score, was reduced for some days 
to feed on the Heather tops, it being impracticable 
to supply them with artificial food. A thaw, fol- 
lowed by a frost enabled them fortunately to travel on 
the top of the snow, and they were driven to the valley 
of the Tweed, and put into a field of 10 acres containing 
Whin and Broom, and after being fed there for 18 
days, they resembled in condition Turnip-fed sheep, 
rather than hill stock, while the mortality among them 
from the t of the storm, till the lambing 
of Insects; Mr. Nichols, Papers on Flax Cultivation ; and 
Mr. Ewing on Potato Consumption. 
The Council then adjourned to Wednesday next, the 
1th of March. 
HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Ar the late monthly meeting of the Society, Mr. 
Lawson read a paper by Mr. Gorrie on the Wheat-fly. 
Mr. Gorrie states that the Wheat-fly had not attracted 
general attention till the deficiency in the Wheat-crop, 
caused by its ravages in the years 1827-8-9 and 30. 
The number of flies produced appears to depend partly 
on the quantity of maggots deposited in the soil the 
previous autumn and partly on the occurrence of a mild 
temperature about the middle of June, when the Wheat- 
ear partially appears. Unless the weather be serene 
and dry, with the thermometer above 54 deg. Fahren- 
heit at night (the period when the eggs are deposited), 
few or none of them are deposited, which may account 
for the manner in which its depredations have diminished 
since 1830. The author adverts also to the check given 
to the propagation of the insect, even in favourable wea- 
ther, by the operations of a small beetle, which destroys 
the maggot in its appearance outside of the glume. 
Burying the surface of the ground containing the mag- 
got, at the bottom of the furrow, by means of a skim 
plough is recommended, but the author adds, that 
even then, if Beans succeed Wheat, the perforations of 
the Bean-stalks facilitate the after-rise of the insect. 
Bearded Wheats are not so much affected as other 
sorts; but out of eighty varieties belonging to Mr. 
Gorrie, only two (and these of a coarse description—the 
Cone and the Egyptian), have been known to escape. 
Barley has occasionally in seasons when the fly was 
very abundant, been slightly affected. Where Couch- 
grass, Triticum repens, is allowed to run to seed on the 
borders of fields, a certain nursery is treated for the 
young maggots. The most certain preventive measure 
is to be found in searifying and burning the surface, as 
is done in England ; but that process can only be fol- 
lowed when Wheat is neither succeeded by Beans, nor 
sown down with Grass-seeds. It was formerly suggested 
by the late Sir John Sinclair, that a few stalks of Hemp 
amongst Wheat might by its smell prevent the fly 
from entering the field, but the author is ignorant if the 
Suggestion has ever been acted upon. Mr. Lawson re- 
marked that the plans recommended by Mr. Gorrie of 
ploughing or searifying and burning could only have 
place where Beans do not succeed the Wheat, or when 
there are no Grass-seeds in the ground ; in either of 
these cases no remedy is suggested for the evil. 
The Cuarrman said that, seeing that the loss caused 
by this insect had been computed to amount, in the 
Carse of Gowrie, during two years, to 90,0004, it was 
and attended to in the management of stock, parti- 
ee with regard to the value of Whins and Broom. 
an spring, 
wholesome and 
dur i D D 
ation of peg interval with the additional recommend- 
R Several ver; strong cases 
es du st the report in support ot the author’s 
ickshire, on SED an enterprising tenant in Ber- 
M TE f aung possession of his farm of West 
Moriston, found his flock (Leicesters and Cheviots) 
of the pasture, to suffer from 
1 1837- 
frost cut them down, the rot thi Eran sover 
season, was but a fractional part of that which occurred 
during the same period among the low ground sheep, 
which had been fed with the best artificial hay. 
author states that the Earl of Traquair is cultivating 
the Whin extensively over the large sheep farms in his 
estate, and that Mr. Scott, of Woodhouse, near Jed- 
burgh, who produces about the best ewes and lambs in 
that district, has been long an advocate for Whin feed- 
ing in spring and winter. The Whin should never be 
cut, but portions of it should annually be burned to 
keep its shoots tender and succulent. The Ulex strictus, 
or upright Irish Whin, has the greatest number of 
shoots, and seems, therefore, most relished by the 
lambs; but it is tender and more easily affected by 
frost than the French and Scotch kinds. Broom, 
though not so important as a food for sheep, is in- 
valuable as a medicine. Both Whins and Broom 
should, according to Mr. Boyd’s recommendation, be 
planted on a system so as to afford winter shelter as 
well as feeding, and in some measure supply the want 
of sheep stalls. 
Mr. Gnaxr, of Kincorth, had always heard that the 
Whin possessed medicinal qualities for sheep, and this 
idea was strongly corroborated by the striking facts 
stated by the essayist in reference to Mr. Somner’s 
flock. 
Professor Batrour thought it right to mention, that 
the Ulex strictus, or Irish Whin, was a mere variety of 
the common plant ; it was only to be raised by cuttings, 
and could not be propagated from seed. 
Mr. Grant, of Kincorth, then read a report on the 
recently introduced Coniferee, prepared by Mr. Bishop, 
Methven Castle, Perthshire. The author, who is land- 
steward to Mr. Smith, of Methven, has collected an 
extensive assortment of the Coniferous trees of more re- 
cent introduction ; the locality of the Methven Pinetum 
is about 690 feet above the level of the sea ; it has an 
open exposure to the south and west, with rising ground 
to the north. The surface is wholly muir soil, resting 
on ‘a bottom of hard till. The trees, comprehending 
above 60 different species and varieties of the Conifer- 
ous tribe, were planted without any preparation beyond 
the formation of a few surface drains ; notwithstanding 
which, many of them have, within the last 15 years, 
exceeded in growth the Scotch firs and Norway-spruces 
contiguous to them, which were planted two years pre- 
viously. The trees chiefly noticed by the Reporter are 
the Pinus cembra Helvetiea, or Swiss Stone Pine ; the 
Pinus monticola, or short.leaved Weymouth Pine, which 
has grown more freely than any other sort in the collec- 
tion; the Pinus laricio, or Corsican Pine ; Austriaca, 
or black Pine ; Pinus ponderosa, which has not been so 
successful as others; Abies Douglasii, or bracteated 
spruce Fir, a noble and beautiful tree, retaining, even 
in elevated moorland, its superiority of rapid growth ; 
Abies Menziesii, or warted branched Spruce, esteemed 
by Mr. Bishop as the hardiest of all the recently intro- 
duced Conifers; it also defends itself against the attacks 
of game by the twisted position of its prickly pointed 
leaves ; Picea pichta, or pitch silver Fir, a very hand- 
some Fir of rapid growth; Picea nobilis, or long- 
bracted silver Fir, the introduction of the seed of which 
in larger quantities would, in Mr. Bishop’s opinion, be 
a great acquisition to the country, as there can be no 
doubt that it will suit the climate of Scotland well. 
Mr. Lawson remarked, that it was interesting to 
know, that in a moorish soil, and at a considerable 
altitude, the rarer Coniferous trees had rivalled, in 
many instances excelled, the common Firs of the coun- 
try. He might mention the Pinus austriaca and Pinus 
laricio, Black and Corsican Pines, have been planted 
in millions since their first introduction, and are answez- 
ing well. He had lately had an opportunity of witness- 
ing at Dunrobin Castle a number of specimens of the 
ponderosa, which were thriving well. 
Professor BaLrour then read a communication on 
irrigation, being a report by Mr. Simpson of Glenythan, 
Aberdeenshire, in the laying out, management, and pro- 
duce of water meadows. Mr. Simpson's operations were 
conducted on two different lots of ground, the one mea- 
suring 4 a. 1 r. 38p., the other la. 4p. Both lots are 
irrigated by the same stream, the water of which has 
been analysed, and the only noticeable ingredients con- 
tained in it are very minute proportions of sulphate of 
lime and muriate of soda (common salt). The surface 
of the ground was ievelled, and the course of the stream 
altered, so as to allow water courses to be led along the 
highest level of the ground to be operated upon. In 
July 1843, Grass-seeds of ten different sorts were sown 
in lot No. 1, at the rate of about 26 lbs. per imperial 
acre ; the meadow was raked, top-dressed with earth, 
and rolled, the roller being drawn by a light pony. In 
August, the weather being more than usually dry, a 
small quantity of water was allowed. The expense of 
the whole operation in lot No. lis estimated by Mr. 
Simpson at 317. 8s, 3d., which sum includes payment to 
a qualified person for taking the levels and superintend- 
ing the work, the cost of seeds, sowing, rating, adver- 
tising, &c. In the beginning of November, 1843, the 
© 
water was let on, and continued without intermission till 
May 1844. The spring of that year was cold and raw, 
and the scarcity of Grass was general. Mr. Simpson 
cut his crop of 1844 as it was daily required, instead of 
making it into hay, one object being to allow the Grass to 
ripen, and the seed to shake out, and add to the roots in 
the ground for after years. The cutting commenced on 
14th June, 1844, and was continued till the middle of 
October, during which period 119 cart-loads of Grass, 
including 18 of aftermath, were taken off the ground. 
An average load of Grass was weighed, turned into ha; 
and then weighed as such; the result was a produce of 
more than 390 stones of 22 lbs. per imperial acre. In 
winter 1844 and spring 1845 the meadow was kept 
under water, as in the previous season. The crop of 
1845 was cut and consumed as the former was ; the 
number of cart-loads it yielded was 142. The weight 
of the crop was again ascertained in the manner before 
described, and the produce amounted to at least 470 
stones per imperial acre. Previous to the operations 
described, the meadow might have been worth from 5s. 
to 7s. 6d. per acre ; it is now valued by the tenant at 
31. to 41.; and if it were near a large town, it would be 
worth, in Mr. Simpson’s opinion, double that sum. A 
decided improvement has been observed in the milk 
and butter produced on the farm in 1845, which, in 
consequence of the quantity of Grass consumed by the 
cattle, there has been an increase of animal manure to 
the extent of fully one-sixth. The above summary re- 
lates to that part of the Report upon lot No.1. Šimi- 
lar operations, attended with the like results, were 
carried on upon No. 2. Mr. Simpson states that on 
his part of the country irrigation was ill understood 
and little practised, the success attending his experi- 
ments, has, however, induced others to follow his ex- 
ample. 
Farmers’ Clubs. 
DonkiNe : The most approved system of planting all 
kinds of spring corn.— No decided resolutions were 
passed, as it was considered that the infantile state of 
the Society, and the very able manner in which the sub- 
ject had been treated by others far more advanced in 
practical experience, would hardly justify a direct con- 
clusion ; more particularly as it is the present object 
of the Club to bring before the immediate notice of its 
members, and to direct their especial attention to the 
different systems advanced, so as to induce them to 
make such comparative experiments as shall lead to a 
practical knowledge of that system which is most ap- 
plicable to the locality. As regards planting Barley, 
one member contended that sowing it at the rate of 
four or five bushels per acre broadcast was the best 
way, inasmuch as by sowing it was dispersed more 
evenly over the whole surface of the soil, and by usin, 
a large quantity of seed it had not the opportunity to 
tiller or branch, which, as he believes, is prejudicial to 
the sample ; in order to produce a good sample of Bar- 
ley, it was highly necessary that the whole of the corn 
should ripen together, which, when it was sown or 
drilled with a small quantity of seed,"would not be the 
case. Another member advocated, the principle of 
planting it in November, after the manner recom- 
mended by Mr. Hewitt Davis, only with a larger quan- 
tity of seed than is used by that gentleman. ‘The ex- 
periment was made by sowing a piece of land of an 
average quality with the rest of the farm, which is of a 
light sandy nature, in November, 1844. It was not in 
the least injured by the severe weather which followed, 
and in harvest last year it was the most productive 
piece of Barley grown on the farm, and by far the best 
sample. The attention of the members was also di- 
rected to the planting of Clover and Grass seeds in 
corn as being closely connected with the subject before 
them. The use of the Suffolk drill in depositing all 
kinds of Grass seeds was strongly advocated by several 
members, more particularly on strong land, as in dry 
seasons, when the seed was merely scattered on the 
surface of the soil, the greater part of it would never 
vegetate.— T. P., Hon. Sec. 
3Rcbíetos. 
The Journalof Agriculture and the Transactions of the 
Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. 
No. 11. January 1846. Blackwood: Edinburgh. 
A very excellent Number of this valuable quarterly 
periodical. A capital article on Corn-rents, to which we 
have already referred (see p. 28)—a very interesting 
one on Dutch and German Husbandry—a paper on 
the Constitution of the Potato—an account of the High- 
land Societys Show at Dumfries, and various short 
artieles embraced under the heading “ Farmers’ Note 
Book" make up the Journal; and that section of the 
work in which the Society's transactions are published, 
contains among other things a report by Professor 
Johnston, on the p dings of the Agricul J 
Chemistry Association. It is to this more especially 
that we shall at present direct the attention of our 
readers. We have not room for reference to all the: 
subjects discussed in this report. They are: 1, the 
Composition of Liquid Manure ; 2, can its fertilizing 
ingredients be easily extracted? 3, the Composition of 
Barley; 4, Sour Beer assManure ; 5, Waste Liquor of 
Potato mills ; 6, Lime in Slate Rocks; 7, Lime Refuse of 
the Bleachers as a Manure; 8, Composition of Oil-cakes ; 
9, a Substitute for Oil-eake. We hope to be able at in- 
tervals to lay extracts of some length from this Report 
before our readers ; at present we must content ourselves 
with one on the best method of extracting or filtering as 
it were the fertilizing matters out of liquid manure, 80 
