172 
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
[Man. 14, 
"ven scepticism should pause. A great calamity is inti- 
mately connected with this subject. These three crops 
of electrified Potatoes were equally influenced by rain, 
moisture, and temp ; with those uneli grown | the coast of Essex was exposed about two months 
Also in the south of | since. Uponsome partof itthe water remained the greater 
close to them in the same soil. 
France, where two crops of Potatoes are annually ob- 
tained, the first of this year was quite healthy, while 
the second crop was very much the reverse, although 
this latter, which suffered severely from the disease, 
enjoyed a superior temperature—of the air, 5° 5/ 
(Reaumer or Centigrade) ; of solar heat, at 2 p.m., 8° 4’ 
(R. or C.) ; and of the temperature of the earth, at the 
depth of a metre, 7? (R. or C.) ; and 9 inches less rain 
feil than there did on the spring crop ; and the mini- 
mum of temperature was only 0° 4’ for the second crop 
lower than for the first fruitful and healthy one. (See 
the Report of M. de Gasparin to the Académie des Sci- 
ences of Paris, or the * Plough,” No. 2. p. 178.) Now, 
itis evident that in all these important particulars the 
Second erop was most favoured. Again, it has by seve- 
ral persons been reported that in high and dry soils 
they have found the Potatoes diseased, and, in the low 
samd wet soils in the neighbourhood, perfectly healthy. 
T might particularise one such st of one of your 
correspondents in the Isle of Wight. Contrast this 
with the fact mentioned by Dr. Lyon Playfair, 
in his first lecture at the Royal Institution, that in 
former years the water found in healthy Potatoes was 
72 per cent., but this year 75 per cent. ; and in the un- 
healthy 80 to 83 per cent.; so that if it appears that 
neither to the soil, nor to temperature, nor to external 
moisture, is this disease in the Potato to be ascribed, 
where are we to look for the cause ?_R. Dewey Forster, 
Findrassie, near Elgin, Feb. 24. P.S. The presence 
of casein instead of albumen, as noticed by Liebig, the 
-absence of nearly two-thirds of the usual quantity of 
mitrogen, and the existence of one-eighth too much 
water, I esteem effects of some other agent ; and that 
that agent is sudden in its action, both this year and 
‘last testify. 
Deep Draining. — One fact is worth a thousand 
doubtful and conflicting opinions. I will state a 
fact that must I think convince every reasonable 
‘person that it is the depth of drains that produces dry- 
ness, and not their closeness or mode of filling up. 
Close and shallow drains shall have ceased running, and 
yet the land shall be wet. Deep and distant drains 
shall be still discharging, and itl ding the sur- 
face will be dry. Here is a case in point: In a nine 
aere field, six acres of it were drained 12 ft. apart, and 
2 ins..deep ; the drains filled up 10 ins. with stones, 
and around 2-inch pipe. These drains act perfectly, and 
commence running in winter about 20 minutes after the 
rain falls, .Thisdrainage cost 107. per acre.- The other- 
three aeres Were drained three months since, at a cost 
of 3/. 4s. per aere, as follows :—1-inch pipes, no stones 
-or bushes, but the earth returned into the drains ; dis- 
tance 33 ft. from drain to drain ; depth about 32 ins. at 
the diteh, and carried into the rising ground 5 ft., each 
its own leader; the drains right up and down the land 
with the fall. Most people would suppose that the 
¢losely drained land with such an abundant ventilation 
by stones and a large pipe would dry the land best ; 
such, however, is not the fact, but the very reverse, as 
T will now show. This field being in fallow, afforded a 
good opp ity for a pari; It is a very strong 
tenacious clay, much of the same quality on all parts of 
‘it, and has a fall of many feet. For the last three 
weeks I have watched it under various circumstances, 
-and in every ease the three acres deeply drained pre- 
sented quite a contrast to the shallow drained portion, 
‘So far as the colour of the field could be discerned the 
contrast is plainly perceptible ; the deep drained side a 
uniform light drab colour ; the shallow drained a dark 
er black colour, becoming gradually more patchy as the 
ground got dryer ; but showing that although the drains 
had some time ceased running, the water was held up 
to the surface by capillary attraction. In fact so marked 
and uniform was the distinction, that the two opposite 
sides of the field looked at some hundred yards distance 
Kke different soils, and yet the deep drains were still 
weeping. "The question of deep or shallow drainage in 
strong soils is far too important nationally and indivi- 
-dually to remain in doubt or abeyance, and I eall upon 
those whose minds are biassed to throw off prejudiee 
and be guided by facts—not by assumptions and opi- 
«ions. Let them consider that gravity has no weight in 
the presence of capillary attraction. I mean that how- 
ever heavy water may be, and however inclined it is to 
descend, it is absolutely made to rise up many feet 
instead of falling. Look at the interior of church-walls, 
the outsides of white-washed cottages, &c. ; you often 
see the water staining the walls at a height of 6 or 7 ft., 
‘depending upon the capillary powers of the material, 
and its capacity for heat or dryness. Look at the sides 
of ditches in a drying March day. ou will see that 
-although they have ceased running, the ground for 18 
;or more inches high is black with wetness. We must 
mever forget that the hills are always the wettest places, 
and consequently into the hills should we cut deeply, 
‘Phe capillary power is strongest in the hills. Any man 
who drains the valley and not the hill, will find his land 
still wet. I hope we shall hear no more of carrying off 
the “top water," and with it the best of our manure. 
We all admit the benefits of irrigation ; but forget that 
the richest irrigation is that from the clouds, charged 
with heat, ammonia, carbonic acid, &e., which common 
sense should teach us to carry through our land, not 
over it.—J. Mechi, Tiptree Hall, March 25. 
Land Flooded by Sea Water.—1l shall be greatly 
obliged if you will state the most eligible course to pur- 
sue in the case of pasture and arable land, which has 
been flooded by sea water during the high tides to which 
part of two days ; other parts were only inundated dur- 
ing 6 or 8 hours. The Wheat and Clover appears now 
to be dying, although at first it did not present any ap- 
pearance of injury.—C. H. B. [Have our corres- 
pondents any experience which would be useful “to 
SOREL Bet? à 
Eaperiments.—1t is much to be desired that such of 
your pondents as rep peri would be 
careful to conduct them from beginning to end with 
minute attention to contingent circumstances which 
may affect the results, and to be as accurate as possible 
in their weights and measures. I am induced to make 
these remarks from reading the report of an experi- 
ment on Swedish Turnips, p. 123, which is, in my 
opinion, rendered nugatory by the observation that 
“two yards were measured in each aere ;” surely if it 
were right to record the experiment at all, it was worth 
while to weigh more than two yards in each acre ; the 
whole should have been weighed : half the experiments 
recorded are in the same predicament.—Lusor. 
Draining being the mine from which agriculturists 
are to obtain a means of subsistence, I may be again 
permitted to allude to the subject, even with the prospect 
-of being accused of repetition. On a former occasion 
I raised my humble voice in favour of three feet drains 
-n preference to any other depth, and I still continue of 
‘that opinion ; whether tiles and soles are used, or tubes, 
will depend very much as to the facility of procuring 
them and the cost—both are good. I once recom- 
mended a trial of clay draining for pastures as prac- 
tised on the stiff soils of Gloucestershire. It can be 
done for less than half the charge for draining accord- 
ing to the usual plan, and answers extremely well, I 
recollect being rather taken to task on introducing the 
subject, for supposing that water would find its way 
through clay, pressed down as I had described ; it how- 
ever runs off merrily, as I can speak from experience. 
As economy in agriculture will be more necessary than 
ever, clay draining might be made available in large 
damp parks and extensive rushy pastures, where the 
land was strong enough to admit of it. It is quite re- 
freshing to see so many writers advocating the applica- 
tion of capital to land, and condemning the folly of 
farming without having money at command. It is also 
satisfactory to read some quiet remarks relative to 
Thistles, &c., growing where Wheat ought to spring up. 
I hope a few individuals may be induced to notice any 
localities during the ensuing spring and summer, where 
great neglect is apparent in the cultivation of the soil. 
I do mot say this ill-naturedly, but when there are 
hundreds out of employment, it is a shame and a sin 
to have valuable land overgrown with weeds.—F'alcon. 
Sootíetits. 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY or ENGLAND. 
A WEEKLY Couxci, was held at the Society's house, 
in Hanover-square, on Wednesday last, the 11th of 
March; present, Tuomas RAYMOND Barker, Esq., in 
the chair; Sir R. Price, Bart., M.P. ; F. Burke, Esq.; 
F. C. Cherry, Esq. ; B. Gibbs, Esq. ; Professor Sewell ; 
W. R. C. Stansfield, Esq., M.P. ; C. H. Turner, Esq. ; 
G. Wilbraham, Esq., M.P.; H. Wilson, Esq.; B. 
Almack, Esq.; G. R. Barker, Esq.; T. B. Browne, 
Esq.; H. Burr, Esq. ; Dr. Calvert; W. Cuthbertson, 
Esq.; A. E. Fuller, Esq., M.P.; J. A. Knipe, Esq. ; 
A. Majendie, Esq.; A. Ogilvie, Esq. ; E. Parkyns, 
Esq. ; H. Price, Esq. ; T. Turner, Esq. ; T. R. Tweed, 
Esq. ; and J. L. Wight, Esq. 
The following new members were elected :— 
Wheatley, Matthew, Shieldfield, Newcastle-on-Tyne 
Peel, Jonathan, Accrington-house, Blackburn, Lancashire 
Barber, Thomas, Hobland-hall, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk 
Atkinson, John, Newbiggin, Hexham, Northumberlan: 
Nelson, William, Olive-house, Alnwick, Northumberland 
Lawson, Edward, Redesdale-cottage, Newcastle-on. Tyne 
Thurlow, Rev. Thomas, Baynard’s-park, Guildford, Surrey 
The names of 19 candidates for election at the next 
meeting were then read. 
The following communications were received :— 
1, From Professor SEwELL, on the part of extensive 
cattle salesmen, in the metropolis, complaining o: 
the serious injuries to which stock were exposed 
in their conveyance by railway, in consequence of 
the improper treatment to which they were sub- 
jected, and the want of proper arrangements for 
their stowage and transit ; and the great loss sus- 
tained on that account by their owners. The ex- 
tent to which such injuries were inflicted was cor- 
Toborated by Mr. Cherry and Dr. Calvert; Mr. 
Cherry suggesting that the animals should be placed 
in divided compartments, and that spring-puffers 
should be placed between the trucks. 
- From Mr. Owen, of Westerfield, near Ipswich, on 
the use of Sea-water as Manure, 
. From Mr. Erry, of New Ross, Treland, on an ex- 
periment in progress on the Feeding of Sheep with 
urze. 
. From Mr. NEILE, of Belle-ville, county of Wick- 
low, a present of Potato seeds, carefully collected 
from healthy plants of 1845 
5. From Mr. Rogers and Mr. Brown, communica- 
tions on the subject of the Potato disease, 
6. From Mr. Doveras, on the Removal of Dis- 
eases of Cattle arising from their Teethin 
g. 
The Council then adjourned to Wednesday next, the 
Giy 
e 
AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY ASSOCIATION. 
AT the late monthly meeting, Professor Jounston 
mentioned in reference to the planting of diseased Pota- 
toes, that ithad been stated by Dr. Greville and him- 
self, that there was no physiological or botanical reason 
for concluding that because a Potato was diseased, that: 
therefore it would of necessity produce an unsound and’ 
diseased plant, and consequently diseased tubers. He 
should not enter into the botanical reasons for this 
opinion ; but he would direct attention to the fact that 
inasmuch as the disease was situated in the cellular 
tissue, and did not till a late period in the process of 
decay affect the part that germinated, there was no- 
reason to suppose that the shoot which sprouted out 
might not be perfectly healthy, though surrounded by 
diseased matter, That opinion was the result of 2 
knowledge of the botanical structure of the Potato, and 
was also consistent with all they knew of the nature of 
the shoots which up to that time had been observed to 
spring inapparently robusthealth. Since their last meet- 
ing however experiments had been brought forward by 
Professor Lindley, and published by him, accompanied 
by a strong opinion of the risk which would attend the 
planting of Potatoes not perfectly sound. He affirms 
that “diseased sets will produce diseased crops’’—as if 
no sound tubers could be produced from them—an 
opinion which he thought stronger than the circum- 
stances warranted, e also mentions that apparently 
sound Potatoes have been planted which have produced 
sprouts apparently healthy, but have afterwards fully 
developed the disease, and sometimes have shown fungi; 
and he therefore draws the further conclusion, that 
great danger exists in planting even apparently sound 
Potatoes from diseased districts—thus excluding from 
use as seed the whole produce of that large portion of 
the island which has been affected by the disease. He 
did not think, however, that the reasoning or the con- 
clusions of Professor Lindley were justified by the 
facts he had stated. As to those which had been 
forced, he observed that the circumstances in grow. 
ing Potatoes in a forcing house were so different 
from those attending their growth in the ordinar 
field, that they could not draw fair conclusions in 
regard to the extent of the disease which was likely 
to appear in the latter, from that which manifested it- 
self in the hot atmosphere and fermenting soil of a ` 
forcing-house. But that was a mere opinion he enter- 
tained. Still he thought they should not discourage 
the people at large by broad statements of merely pro- 
bable consequences ; they should rather suggest such 
remedies as their knowledge enabled them to communi- 
eate. Such sweeping opinions as these should not be 
issued to the country, unless upon the surest evidence, 
as they were likely 3to produce bad effects; and a 
single expression unhappily chosen, might produce in- 
jurious consequences. There was another point to 
which he wished to allude, which was brought out by 
Dr. Greville from the returns which had been received, 
They would recollect that the last meeting was unani- 
mous in reference to the choice of Potatoes—that all 
those who knew anything about the subject concurred 
in the opinion, that the variety of Potatoes termed 
* Cups," was that which in Scotland had failed the 
least, He, therefore, thought that wherever Cups could. 
be had ; they should be selected ; for out of 26 returns, 
22 alleged that that variety was the least affected. He 
would even venture to state it as an opinion which 
would regulate his own practice were he a farmer, that 
sound Potatoes of the Cup variety, though from a 
diseased district, would be less likely to fail than sound 
Buffs, Flat Reds, or Lumpers brought from a district 
in which no disease had hitherto appeared. Professor 
Johnston then alluded to the other causes supposed to 
modify the disease, as the influence of the climate, &e., 
upon which he would not enlarge, as Mr. Milneand Dr, 
Greville would give much information upon the subject, 
—Mr. Mirwz, who had undertaken the meteorological 
branch of the enquiry, then stated at great length the 
result of his investigation, which is not yet completed ; 
but of this we can only find room for a very short ab. 
stract. He showed that rain could not have caused 
the disease, but he was inclined to think that htere was 
evidence of unusual and long-continued cold in the dis. 
eased districts, sufficient to have injured the Potato 
plants, especially in rich or highly manuyed soils; and 
he was led the more to this conclusion from learning 
that the weather, especially in September, had not been 
so ungenial in the northern counties. "To these two 
causes, then, viz., the much smaller amount of tempera- 
ture last summer, and the abnormal distribution of it, 
he was inclined at present to ascribe the failure in the 
Potato crop, without the necessity of assuming any 
degeneracy of the species, or the wafting of seeds of 
fungi through the air. He recommended that the 
most hardy varieties should be alone or chiefly culti- 
vated; that the Potato ought not to be stimulated with 
too much manure; that plants should be grown 
specially for seed, in order that stronger and more 
vigorous sets may be obtained than may be got from 
Potatoes grown for the table ; that the time of ripening 
ought to be accelerated by early planting, draining, &c. 
and, finally, that the shaws ought to be eut over, when- 
ever any general appearance of disease manifests itself 
onthem. Mr. Milne illustrated his statements by exhi- 
biting tables of rain and temperature made up from 
registers in England and Scotland.—Dr. GREVILLE 
stated, with reference to the remarks which Prof. 
ohnston had made relative to the accounts of forced 
Potatoes having already been attacked with the disease, 
18th inst, 
that all Dr. Lindley said deserved, from his high cha- 
