f 
| 
| 
| 
^il 
14.—1846.] 
227 
History of the Plants used im various M. 
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
nts having been given to the latter or his 
. G. George, Esq., made: the following remarks om the 
above subject. He said,— Upon the temperate discus- 
sion of this question, and the clear understanding of 
the rights of Landlord and Tenant, as settled upon 
equitable principles, must chiefly depend the well- 
being of both classes. I wish, therefore, to eall your 
attention upon the present occasion to the question of 
tenure. My object, as a landlord, is merely to raise 
the question, and to ascertain, as far as possible, from 
the practical farmers their opinion upon the subject. 
Iam fully persuaded that the best chance for a land- 
lord to obtain tenants with capital and skill, is to grant 
leases, say for 21 years; but before a landlord ean be 
called upon to part with the control over his land for 
80 long a period, he ought to be satisfied that the tenant 
has the required skill and capital. Now, I would call 
your attention to the fact, that the great bulk of the 
farmers in this part of the county of Monmouth, occupy 
Small farms with small means, and I much doubt whe- 
ther they would like to run the risk of binding them- 
Selves to pay a fixed rent for a long period of years. It 
may be asked— Why not tarn three or four farms into 
One, and then offer leases of 21 years, and you will get 
V superior class of tenants ?. This may probably be the 
result, but then comes the important question— What 
will you do with the old tenants !—wouid it be right to 
eprive a great number of honest hard-working men of 
the means of getting a living? I am sure you will say, 
“certainly not.” And I much doubt whether even if 
We could make arrangements to enlarge our farms, 
Strangers to our soil would thrive amongst us, and I 
Would quote the remarks of Mr. George Buckland, in 
his excellent essay “On the Farming of Kent,” “ Royal 
Agricultural Society’s Journal,” vol. vi. p. 283, upon 
this subject, as well worthy of your consideration. 
* Amongst improvers of weald-clay land, Mr. Schrei- 
ber, of Henhurst Lodge, may be honourably mentioned. 
1t is important to mention here, that when Mr. Schrei- 
er commenced his improvements he brought with him 
Most of the improved modern implements of the eastern 
Counties, which, after repeated trials and untiring per- 
Severance, he has by degrees almost abandoned, and 
as adopted the implements and modes of culture com- 
Mon to the district. This fact leads us to remark, 
Whatever theorists may say to the contrary, how im- 
Portant it is that a man should practically understand 
the nature of his soil before he steps very far from the 
eaten path of cultivation. It is generally found that 
Capital ia improving the land, he will run. the risk of 
Paying interest upon sueh capital in the: shape of in- 
creased rent, and probably the same landiords would 
Rot on any account give a yearly tenant notice to quit, 
unless they had good reasons, such as great arrears of 
rent or negligent farming. 
The farmers will probably say, * Having pointed out 
the difficulties in granting leases to us, tell us what 
System of protection you would propose for us if we are 
able and willing to invest our capital in permanent im- 
Provements of our farms.” In reply to the question, I 
Would state as my opinion that the best and most 
equitable system that could be introduced in this neigh- 
oürhood would be agreements by which the tenant’s 
right to unexhausted improvements shail be fully pro- 
Vided for. This system has been found to answer ex- 
Seedingly well in North Lincolnshire, and is also 
re Jed the Lought gh Agricultural So- 
Clety, and I would direct your particular attention to 
WO letters on this subject in the sixth vol. of the Roy. 
8. Journal, p. 44, the one by Mr. G. M. Williams, 
agent to the Earl of Yarborough, and the other by Mr. 
eorge Stokes, and both directed to Philip Pusey, Esq. ; 
and as probably some of my hearers may not have an 
Opportunity of referring to these letters, I will, with 
ds permission, read them, as they will fully explain 
© system which I venture to recommend to your 
Serious consideration. And I would also call your 
tention to what Mr. Barugh Almack, in his Essay on. 
e Agriculture of Norfolk, vol. v., Roy. Ag. Journal, 
15s ), says upon this subject. : 3 
Bri Indeed, I would venture to submit, that if Great 
ptam were divided. into three parts, and each let 
the tate] under one of the following agreements, all 
Sz land might be cultivated in the highest possible 
ù erben; for, although this. division would allow each 
nee and each tenant to select the one agreement best 
a ted to his own feelings, all would be so far founded 
i Justice to the party who expended his capital for the 
brovement of the soil, as to insure the most liberal 
Outlay of i 
2 Ist. Leases. 
th 2d. Insert a clause in the lease granted, under whieh 
P Owner should have the power to eancel it, on giving 
re peers) notice, and paying to the tenant such sum 
ee arbitrators (one for each party) should think a 
br Compensation to the tenant for his permanent im- 
Ovements, bearing in mind all the circumstances of 
* case affecting landlord and tenant, 
ment a By giving the tenant a clause, under an agree- 
titled na a yearly tenancy, by: which he would be en- 
heni 0 a fair and equitable allowance, for all perma- 
Ban, tin provements made at his expense, but with the 
Ction of the owner, on written notice of such intended 
agent, and not having been answered within a given 
period, or in time to. prevent that outlay which the 
owner of the land would not sanction.” 
I have frequently referred to the “Royal Agricul- 
tural Journal,” and I would earnestly request every 
farmer who wishes to go-a-head, carefully to peruse it. 
He will there fihd the very best system of farming 
different soils, clearly explained, and he will by a care- 
ful perusal of the valuable essays upon the agriculture 
of several counties in England, also discover what a 
vast improvement can be effected in the science of 
farming by energy and perseverance. 
Before I conclude allow me to call your attention to 
æ rock upon which many an industrious farmer has 
been wrecked, and just at the'time that he has con- 
sidered himself in smooth water. I mean the too great 
eagerness to get into a larger farm. I would caution 
every farmer before he much increases his farm, to 
calculate his increased liabilities, and clearly ascertain 
that he will be able to provide for such increase, not 
only in fair weather but in foul. Depend upon it that 
a farmer, in a moderate sized farm, with a few pounds 
at his banker's to meet his half year's rent, is much 
better off than he would be ina larger farm, with ali 
his capital invested in his stock. In the former case it 
is true he has small interest, but it is certain, in the 
latter case, he may probably be compelled to sell, just 
at the time that he ought to hold, and these forced sales, 
by depressing the markets, not only injure the farmer 
himself, but his brother agriculturi 
Home Correspondence. 
Manure Frauds.—l have for some time beén of 
opinion that nothing will be effectual in putting an end 
to the gross frauds which daily take place in the arti- 
ficial manure trade, except the appointment of some 
person as inspeetor of manures, whose sole business is 
to protect the interests of the agriculturists. There is 
not a respectable broker in the City of London who will 
not readily admit that more adulterations take place in 
artificial manures than in any other branch of trade, 
andthe reason is this, that in this article the profits 
arising from such adulterations are greater, and the 
chance of being detected less, than in any other case. 
I have examined the nature of the cargo of so called 
guano, noticed by you last week, now lying in the West 
India Docks, and can state that such an article could 
be manufactured for 5s. or 6s. per ton, and for this the 
owners are asking 4/4. 10s. periton; part has been 
sold, the remainder will be probably applied to the 
soil in various parts of England in the course of a few 
months, without the slightest chance of the owners 
being called to account for having furnished a fraudu- 
lent article; and in the autumn we shall hear of farmers 
stating at the different clubs that guano is not a good 
manure, for they have tried it and have obtained no 
benefit from it. The loss which will fall upon the 
agriculturists in purchasing this one cargo would pay 
the whole expences of an inspector of manures for 
three years. But guano is not the only manure that 
is adulterated. Bones, nitrate of soda, soot, and every 
other substance used by farmers come iu for a full 
share, And it is rather the exception than the rule 
when the farmer obtains the article that he pays for in 
a genuine form. The argument used by the dealers 
of manures in support of these adulterations is, that 
agrieulturists will have these substances at so low a 
price that it is impossible to supply them genuine ; 
but the fraud is in not telling the farmer that the 
article is cheap, because it is adulterated. Ifa farmer 
was told that nitrate of soda, as imported, was 16s. per 
ewt., and when adulterated with one-third of salt it 
would be 13s. ; and in this proportion ; he would soon 
understand what to purchase. Boussingault, in his 
work on “Rural Economy,” speaking of the adultera- 
tions in manures, says that in 1838, an inspector of 
manures was appointed by Government. While in 
England, with a trade in artificial manures infinitely 
superior in extent to what is carried on in France, the 
agriculturist is entirely unprotected. It is not the 
custom of the Government of this country to occupy 
itself with these matters, and the appointment of a 
person holding such an office must be carried out by 
the co-operation of private individuals whose interests 
are protected by it. If a sufficient number of agri- 
culturists would signify to me their concurrence in the 
establishment of an inspector for London, I would draw 
upa statement of what I think to be the most effectual 
method of carrying out the plan, and would undertake 
all responsibility connected with it.—J. B. Lawes, 
Rothamsted, St. Albans. 
Potato Disease.—1 beg to forward a few plants of the 
Ash-leaved Kidney Potato, having the old and new 
tubers attached. The new tubers are perfectly smooth, 
and finely grown. I found) on opening the pit from 
which the sets were taken, that it was about a quarter 
diseased, although when the crop was pitted I could not 
discover any trace of! the evil. The sets which pro- 
duced the specimens gent were picked from among the 
diseased Potatoesin the pit, so that apparently no fear 
may be entertained of planting sound sets, even although 
they may have been selected from amongst diseased 
Potatoes. From the appearance of my crops under 
glass, I may with confidence state that there need be no 
fear that as good a crop of Potatoes as we have ever 
had in former years may be grown in the fortheoming 
season, provided the latter be favourable and choice be 
made of sound Potatoes for sets.— P. Foy, Sandon 
Hall, Staffordshire, March 25. {This letter is a good 
sample of what will happen when over-much zeal carries 
away the judgment. One of Mr. Foy’s Potatoes was 
already diseased, and his haulm was distinetly attacked, 
as was'shown by symptoms not to be mistaken. 
young Potatoes were certainly fine ones, and that is all 
we can say.]——Having informed you about the begin- 
ning of this month that my frame Potatoes had eseaped 
the disease of last year, and were in perfect health, I 
think it right to say that I have now reason to fear that 
lean say so no longer. There is a very conspicuous. 
fungus ona piece of the old set which I inclose, that 
looks stouter and exhibits more filamentous roots than 
any which I remember to have seen before ; but the 
specimens from the young tuber seem to be character- 
ised by the same appearances of disease as those of last 
year.—L. V. H., March 30. 
Potato Disease caused by Fungi in 1844.—When I 
sent you, a fortnight ago (p. 163), an account of the 
Potatoes which were grown in 1844, and not planted in 
the ground, but in boxes in sand, in November last, I 
stated that the produce was partly sound and partly 
diseased. After examining them, I left them at the top 
of the sand, and on examining them a day or two ago, I 
found those which appeared perfectly sound to be almost 
as bad as those whieh were unsound when taken up. In 
the summer and autumn of 1844 my attention was at- 
traeted to the unusual quantity of Mushrooms, as well 
as the variety of the fungus tribe, such as I never no- 
ticed before, and which were not visible last year; at 
any rate, if they were I did not notice them. The sea- 
son of 1844 was also peculiar with respect to the Turnip 
crop, nor could I account for the failure, as it did not 
roceed from the ravage of the grub, or wireworm, or the 
mildew. Iam led to suppose that the fungus attacked 
the Potato in 1844 at the time when so many of that 
variety appeared. Should a similar season recur, the 
fungus would be continued ; but should it prove dry and 
warm, it is more than probable that the disease would 
disappear ; but should it be as bad, or inereased by an 
adverse season, the following one, if dry, would still 
eradieate the disease. Some people advance an opinion 
that the failure is oceasioned by degeneraey, but if this 
was the ease, they would have dwindled gradually, and 
not be attacked as they have been. It may be as well 
to remark, that those Potatoes which were grown last 
year without manure were the most free from disease, 
and which strengthens my belief of the existence of 
fungus. Will you kindly favour me-with your remarks 
upon my opinion expressed in the above.— Geo. Swan, 
3amston, Reiford, March 30. [We have been, from 
the commencement, opposed to the fungus theory, not 
being able to reconcile it with the facts of the case; and 
we are every day strengthened in our opinion. As to 
our own views upon this unhappy subject, they have 
been so often given already, that we must refer our cor- 
espondent to former Papers. 
Swedish Turnip a Substitute for Potatoes.— 
Under the gloomy prospeet that the most perfect Po- 
tatoes-used as sets are no security that the forthcoming 
crop may not be infeeted with the disease, I would beg 
to draw attention tothe value of Swedish Turnips as a 
substitute, and to recommend their cultivation on the 
approaching season for next winter’s consumption. 
Immediately I had found that in almost all the cottage 
gardens in this neighbourhood the erop of Potatoes had 
failed (not being a farmer), I purchased 10 tons of 
Swedish Turnips, which, being properly housed, are 
likely to continue for two months, at least, in good 
order. Some I have now given to my neighbours, who 
are very mueh pleased with them, and rather surprised 
to find them so good a substitute for the Potato ; and 
am sure, from their being so solid a root, that they 
contain much nourishment. In my own family I have 
not allowed a Potato to be used, and all my servants 
like the Turnips much.—W. W. [Swedish Turnips 
contain more sugar than common 'Turnips, and less 
water and gum. It is said, too, that their nitrogen is 
less abundant; but that does not seem to be clearly 
made out. That Turnips rank above Potatoes is shown 
conelusively by Mr. Solly’s Tables, at p. 163.] 
Landlords, b 
a 
Tenants, and Labourers ——A greater 
change has taken place in the relative positions of land- 
lords, tenants, and labourers, than in any other ranks 
of the community. In former days amongst these dif- 
ferent grades in the agricultural interest there was a 
reciprocity of feeling and good will [?] which banded 
them together in a manner at this time of day little 
understood. The proprietor of an estate considered 
himself the father of a large family, whose comforts 
and happiness it was as much his interest to look after 
as those of his own household, and sueh kindness was 
not lost upon those committed to his care, but was re- 
turned with ardour and affection, not by mere words, 
but by personal sacrifices (on both sides) which would 
be laughed at at the present time. The upper and 
middle classes have become more enlightened, and their 
condition has improved, but the labourer remains the 
same in body and mind, excepting perhaps that he 
may be less able to perform a day's work in conse- 
quence of low wages and scanty food. The application 
of science to the common emergencies of man, enable 
the landlord with ease, and at small expence, to leave 
his country seat for the amusements. either of the me- 
tropolis or the continent ; thus, during many months in 
the year, withdrawing his countenance and support 
from those persons dependent upon him. The tenant, 
from the facility of obtaining the accomplishments of 
education for his family, now holds his head higher, and 
looks upon his inferiors as merely fit for laborious oc- 
eupation. It should, however, be recollected of what 
