th 
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
293 
Person of practical experience ; on the other hand, the 
landlord who grants a term of 21 years, and thus parts 
With all control over his property for so long a period, 
must, necessarily, in self defence, make for his own 
Safety, such g as may tee him not 
Only the improvement of the farm, but such as will 
provide for its being handed over to him at the end of 
the term in as good a condition at least as it was at the 
commencement. It is clear that there must be many 
instances in which existing tenants would hardly be able 
togive this guarantee ; the difficulty of the question 
lies in this point only: How those tenants who hold 
tom year to year, can receive a guarantee for that out- 
lay of capital, which, at the time of their quitting, may 
fairly be said to be unexhausted in the land which would 
fairly entitle them to compensation, If practical 
farmers will attentively consider this question, and 
bring forward each his own views, there is but little 
doubt, looking at the anxiety on the subject so generally 
expressed, that any judicious landlord will avail him- 
Self readily of such information, and feel himself bound 
y interest, as well as a sense of justice, to forward, as 
Aras in him lies, the settlement of this question of 
“tenant rights.” It would be the best safeguard 
against the uncertainty of that ill-defined term, * cus- 
tom of the country,” which leads too often to litigation ; 
Causes, in many instances, feelings of irritation and dis- 
Satisfaction, and when investigated generally fails on the 
one hand to protect the landlord from the deteriorated 
Condition of his farm at the end of a term, thereby ren- 
ering it more difficult for him to procure a good 
tenant to enter on a bad holding; and, on the other, 
where a tenant has really expended money which gives 
him a fair claim for compensation, it is equally incom- 
petent to enforce the payment, by the landlord, of what, 
under a better understood system of “tenant right,” 
Would be enforced as matter of simple justice.— Lord 
Essex thanked Mr. Clutterbuck for the manner in 
t this subject before the Club. 
Was ready and willing to give his word and his bond to 
Yemunerate his tenants for all permanent and unex- 
usted improvements, or to afford any other security 
9 his tenants to induce them to farm in a liberal man- 
her, His lordship also stated that the late Lord Leices- 
ter would only let farms at the rate of 1 acre to every 
O1. of capital ; and his lordship thought that one draw- 
back on the land in some localities, was the fact that 
armers held too much for their capital.—Mr. CURRIE 
Considered the question of “tenant rights" a most im- 
Portant one, and he thought too much consideration 
Could not be given to it. If leases were offered they 
Would, under the present state of things, be declined. 
€ thought surveyors should, amongst themselves, 
frame rules for their guidance on such matters. He 
recorded a case where a farm was, to the great benefit 
of the tenant, reduced to half its original size.—Mr. 
Himperr felt sure that no legislative enactment could 
mH 
o 
“Simplify the question under consideration ; if any land- 
lord were disposed to use harsh measures he would ad- 
vise him to look to Ireland, and see what such means 
had there effected.—Mr. Firrowzs felt sure that tenure 
Should be by lease, or by such agreement as would 
Secure to the tenants a remuneration for their outlay. 
He considered what was called the “customs of the 
landlord and tenant, and no men would rejoice more than 
Surveyors to see these customs totally abolished, and 
niform and rational rules laid down for their guid- 
ance. He fully concurred in what Mr. Currie and Mr. 
ellowes had stated.—Mr. CLurrerbock then proposed 
a B : n d 
5 € following resol whieh was agree 
h :—That the question of “ tenant rights" is well wor- 
a of consideration, as equally calculated to promote 
ee interests of both landlord and tenant, and the ad- 
gaement of practical agriculture.— Chas. T. Humbert, 
th WANSEA, April 11: Annual Report.—We regret we 
TES not room for the whole of the statement which has 
pu issued by this Society : it exhibits the gratifying 
h ct that the influence of the Swansea Farmers’ Club 
S een very considerably effeient both in removing 
Bhoraneo of the nature or theory of farming as an art, 
zad also in improving its practice.— One very grand 
E 
being 
ij 
Prizes to small farmers, in order to give encouragement 
im that class of cultivators. Here, then, we see igno- 
Nee fading away, and with it incredulity and preju- 
ice. Have we not, therefore, reasonable grounds for 
hope that an increased and increasing produce, the 
result of improved system, will ere long tend to remove 
that other obstacle, to which allusion has been made— 
the deficiency of capital. Undoubtedly a larger demand 
is made on the pocket, in the first instance, under the 
Turnip system (but in the first instance only), than 
under that where the starved and wearied soil is left to 
the tender mercies of Couch-grass, Colt’s-foot, and other 
predators upon its vitals, until some weak symptom of 
attack. Here allusion may be made to a fatally-in- 
jurious mistake—too frequently made—of entering on 
a farm with means inadequate to the demand—that is 
to say—taking too large an extent of acreage. This 
arises from a most erroneous idea, that the more land 
the greater the profit. The profit arises not from the 
land, but from the perfection of the mode of cultivation 
—and this cannot be too clearly understood. In fact, 
we should always bear in mind, that the increase of 
production is commensurate with the amount of labour 
and manure bestowed, and that it is only in countries 
where land is cheap and labour dear that the extensive 
system can be profitable—whereas in this country, rent, 
rates, tithes, and taxes are high; hence, therefore, we 
must endeavour to raise from a less extent of land the 
same amount of produce—and this is always possible b; 
a concentrated application of the means which modern 
science and improved practice have suggested. 
HARLESTON : The Cost and Value of Protection to 
the Farmer ; the Statistics of the question rather than 
the Principle.—April 8.—Resolution:: Previous to the 
discussion it was, decided at the unanimous wish 
of the members present, that the terms of the question 
should be altered. It was considered that any argu- 
ment founded on a comparison of protected with free- 
trade prices of corn, would probably be deceptive, be- 
cause it is not accurately known what portion of the 
former have been owing to the law, or what share of 
any depreciation in the latter may be due to its repeal. 
The principles of free trade in general, and of free 
trade in corn in particular, with the past effects of 
p tion on agriculti and parti ly on the tenant 
farmers, and the probable future effects of free trade on 
these interests, were therefore diseussed, instead of the 
cost and value of p i tistically idered 
After an interesting and protracted debate, it was una- 
nimously decided that a free trade in corn will benefit 
the nation, without injuring the agricultural interest, 
provided those requests of the farmers, for the repeal 
of the Malt-tax—for an improved tenure, embracing 
more liberal covenants—and the other just claims on 
the legislature and the land which this Club has 
always advocated, be at the same time conceded. The 
Club desires also to express its opinion that the pro- 
posed Government measure errs, in not making free 
trade total and immediate ; believing that the delay of 
three years will act injuriously in deferring the settle- 
ment of these necessary arrangements. 
Sr. Germans: Chemistry and Physiology of Agri- 
culture.—On the 17th ult. a very able lecture was de- 
livered to the members of this Club on the above sub- 
ject, by Mr. Charles F. Burnard, of South Down. 
The lecture was listened to with deep attention by a 
large audience, composed of all the principal agricul- 
turists of the neighbourhood; and all were highly 
pleased, more particularly with the clear and intelligible 
way in which subjects of an abstruse character were 
brought forward, and illustrated. After the delivery of 
the lecture, a very animated discussion arose, in which 
several gentlemen took part. The announcement of 
the intention of the lecturer to publish the paper was 
received with very great gratification by all present. 
We forbear, therefore, from giving any extracts from 
the paper, and content ourselves with a simple state- 
ment of its leading divisions :—1. The soil, its origin, 
composition, &e. The atmosphere, physical pro- 
perties, chemical constitution, properties of its consti- 
tuents. 3. Plants, physiological functions, elementary 
composition, food of plants, sources of their food, che- 
mical properties of their food, assimilation of their food. 
4, Of manures, art of culture, properties of manures, 
mode of action. 
Mebiewos, 
New Sporting Magazine. April, 1846. 
24, Norfolk-street, Strand. 
A brilliant Number of this well-conducted periodical. 
Well illustrated and full both of amusement and in- 
formation on sporting topics. 
J. Rogerson, 
The Fifth Annual Report and Transactions of the 
Society for the Promotion and Improvement of the 
Growth of Flax in Ireland ; with an Appendix, &c. 
F. D. Finlay, Belfast. 
We learn from this report that the Flax crop of 1845 
was less than that of the previous year by about 28,000 
tons, but that the value of it, considering the increased 
of the advantages it offers. 
"his is a society deserving the patronage of every one 
returning animation becomes the signal for a renewed A 
wishing well to the country in which it is situated. It 
is extending the cultivation of a crop which, more than 
any other that can be named, yields profit to the intelli- 
gent cultivator and employment for the labourer. 
Miscellaneous. 
Flax Sowing.—The seed best adapted for the gene- 
rality of soils is Riga, although Dutch has been used, 
in many districts of country, for a series of years, 
with perfect success. American seed does not gene- 
rally suit well, as it is apt to produce a coarse, branchy 
stem. If used, it should only be on deep, loamy soils. 
In buying seed, select plump, shining, heavy seed, of 
the best brands, from a respectable merchant. Sift it- 
clear of all the seeds of weeds, which will save a good 
deal of after trouble, when the crop is growing. This- 
may be done by fanners, and through a wire sieve, 12 
bars to the inch. Home-saved seed has produced such 
excellent crops, of late, that it is strongly recommended 
that every farmer should only sow, each year, as much: 
foreign seed as would produce a sufficient quantity of 
seed for his Flax erop of the following season.* "The 
thinner portion of the field would be the best for this 
purpose, as, when Flax grows thin, it produees much 
seed. This plan, besides the saving effected in the 
price of foreign sowing seed, would effectually secure 
the farmer from any danger of loss from fraudulently 
made up seed. The seed saved from this home-saved 
seed, in the following year, should only be used for 
feeding, or sold for the oil-mills. The proportion of 
seed may be stated at three-and-a-half imperial bushels. 
to the Irish or plantation acre ; three to the Scotch or 
Cunningham ; and two-and.a-half to the English or 
statute acre. It is better to sow too thick than too 
thin ; as, with thiek sowing, the stem grows tall and 
straight, with only one or two seed capsules at the top, 
and the fibre is found greatly superior in fineness and 
length, to that produced from thin-sown Flax, which 
grows coarse, and branches out, producing much seed, 
but a very inferior quality of fibre. The ground being 
pulverised and well cleaned, roll and sow. After sow- 
ing, cover it with a seed harrow, going twice over it— 
once up and down, and once across or anglewise ; as 
this makes it more equally spread, and avoids the small 
drills made by the teeth of the harrow. Finish with 
the roller, which will leave the seed covered about am 
inch, the proper depth. The ridges should be very 
little raised in the centre, when the ground is ready 
for the seed, otherwise the crop will not ripen evenly ; 
and, when land is properly drained, there should be 
no ridges. Thesowing of Clover and Grass-seeds along 
with the Flax is not advised, when it can be conveni- 
ently avoided, as these plants always injure the root 
ends of the Flax. But Carrots may be sown in suitable 
soils, in drills, so that the person pulling the Flax may 
step over the rows, which may be afterwards hoed and 
cleaned, and should have some liquid manure. A stolen 
crop of Rape or Winter Vetches may be taken after 
the Flax. Rolling the ground after sowing is very ad- 
visable, care being taken not to roll, when the ground 
is so wet that the earth adheres to the roller—5th Re- 
port, Flax Society. 
Calendar of Operations. 
APRIL. 
d the drills may then be opened up by the 
ls of 30 inches. Women or boys should then 
set the Potatoes at about 12 inches apart. Whole sets should 
stance than another. 
is t y what is awanting. In num 
phlets about the Potato disease, 
manures instead of fermenting. 
were recommended; but he thought it right to make up one 
i d therefore made up a manure 
ces contained in the ash of the 
Potato, as well as something which would supply the nitrogen 
contained in their organic part :— 
Sulphate of Soda. x 2 STU, 
Common Salt moms i 
Nitrate of Soda 5. s o5 "ee W 
Dry Carbonate of Soda — .. 23 ue "QU 
Sulphate of Potash 22:36 emote 
Sulphate of Magnesia E Brett 10 
Bone Dust Jd ORG DA a 
Sulphate of Ammonia oe Ad LUNO) 
112 bs. 
r, for the sulphate of ammonia, 10 Ibs. of Peruvian guano 
may beused. He thought that this manure could be made up 
at the cost of 5l. or 6l. per ton.” 
Lucerne should now be sown on well manured and deeply 
cultivated loamy soils. Sow in rows about a foot apart, about 
Sainfoin should also be sown now on 
calea drilling three bushels of it per acre across the 
Barley rows immediately after the latter is sown, or, at any 
rate, before the young plants appe: 
eh A pi E CE = UT. cite 
* The produce of seed averages about 12 bushels the statute 
acre, so that the seed saved on one statute acre would sow 
aboutfive. For full instructions as to this mode of treating 
Flax for the seed, see, farther on, under the head of ‘The 
Courtrai system,” 
