THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
[May 9, 
to purchase it at 3s. or 4s. per Ib. (which is the price it 
would cost in Peruvian guano), when it might be bought 
in the form of carbonate of potash for about 34. per lb. 
As far as my own experience goes, I have never been 
able to find any distinct benefit from the application of 
potash to the soil in any form whatever, and the same 
result has been arrived at, indirectly, by agriculturists. 
« Some years ago the application of nitrate of potash 
(saltpetre) was in very general use as a manure for grass 
and corn, and the benefit derived from it was said to be 
from the potash which it supplied to the soil ; but, in a 
few years after, the discovery of a bed of nitrate of 
soda, and its being furnished at a lower price, the use 
of saltpetre was almost superseded ; at the present day 
guano has taken the place of both. If potash was the 
valuable ingredient in these three substances, or so 
absolutely necessary to be applied to the soil, how could 
nitrate of soda or guano supply its place ? for the first 
contains none, and the second often not more than 1 per 
cent, But when it is known that these three substances 
contain nitrogen, and that any of them can be replaced 
by an ammoniacal salt, there can be no difficulty in 
forming a correct opinion as to their value. If a farmer 
were asked which erop he considered the least exhaust- 
ing to the soil, he would probably say Clover; and yet 
this plant removes a far larger quantity of potash from 
the soil than the Hop. 
* According to Mr. Nesbit, half a ton of Hops, which 
I suppose would be considered an average crop, re- 
moves from the soil 22 or 23 Ibs. of potash, while every 
ton of Clover hay removes 37 Ibs. of the same substance; 
and yet it is well known that after the removal of per- 
haps 80 or 90 lbs. of potash in 23 tons of Clover hay, 
the soil is more capable of producing a good crop of 
corn than it was previous to the erop of Clover. Mr. 
Nesbit gives two receipts for a manure for Hops, one 
of which is the following :—* 1 ewt. guano, 14 ewt. com- 
mon salt, 1 ewt. pearlash or silicate of potash, 1 ewt. 
gypsum ; cost, 3/. 0s. 6d? With the exception of the 
small quantity of organie matter in the guano, this 
manure is composed solely of mineral ingredients, and 
would be almost useless. If I thought that the return 
of the minerals removed by the Hop would be of any 
service as a manure, without organie matter, I should 
be very glad to manufacture them, as they could be 
supplied for a few shillings per acre; but it is a very 
different thing to grow a good crop of anything theo- 
retically in a crucible, and practically in a field, The 
most important element in a manure for Hops, as well 
as the most expensive, has not been mentioned by Mr. 
Nesbit. This is ammonia, and his reason for this 
is, doubtless, that he assumes with Liebig, that 
plants are capable of obtaining a sufficiency from the 
atmosphere. There cannot be a more erroneous opinion 
than this, or one more injurious to agriculture. Until 
very lately, the value of the different substances used 
as manures has been judged only by the effect produced 
on the crops, without the slightest knowledge, on the: 
part of the agriculturist, of the component parts of such 
manures. After innumerable experiments, a certain 
class of substances are selected as being most suitable 
for various plants, and, if I mistake not, all the best 
manures for the Hop are organic substances, rich in nitro- 
gen or ammonia, and with little mineral matter, such as 
rags, Rape-cake, oil-cake, dung— Peruvian guano, too, 
would probably succeed very well; for as long as 
abundance of ammonia is employed, there is little fear 
of the produce falling off for want of minerals. As all 
these manures contain some minerals, the annual de- 
composition of the soil will furnish more, and if the 
pine and leaf is returned to the soil (which should al- 
ways be done) the loss annually will be confined to 
what is taken away with the Hop, which the usual 
manure would supply. 
“Having cultivated Wheat for some years succes- 
sively on the same soil, as an experiment, I am able to 
speak very decidedly upon the necessity of using abund- 
ance of ammonia to obtain large crops of corn; without 
it the produce quickly falls off, and no amount of, or 
combination of minerals is able to restore fertility. Al- 
though I have had no experience in the cultivation of 
the Hop, the fact of its requiring abundance of manure 
satisfies me that it derives its nitrogen from the manure, 
and not from the atmosphere ; and I am sure you can 
follow no safer rule in selecting manures for that plant, 
than to buy those which contain the largest amount of 
ammonia at the least price.—J. B. Lawes, Rothamp- 
stead, April 16.” 
NEW ZEALAND. 
We extract from the New Zealand Journal the fol- 
lowing interesting document, which shows that notwith- 
standing the disturbed state of the Maories generally, 
during the last 12 months, and as regards New Plymouth 
in particular, from the circumstance of a large section 
of the most valuable settlers being compelled by Captain 
Fitzroy’s proceedings to abandon land which they had 
cultivated and had possession of for three years pre- 
viously, yet that the settlers have shown the strongest 
determination to remain, and extend their cultivations 
in spite of the obstacles thrown in their way. 
THE NEW PLYMOUTH ASSOCIATION FOR THE 
ADVANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE, 
The first report of your Society, established only six 
months, cannot be expected to contain much actual in- 
formation on the subjects discussed. Yet the experi- 
ments which have been instituted through the instru- 
mentality of this Society, the results of which cannot be 
ascertained until the approaching harvest, lead us to 
hope that the foundation of much good has been 
already laid. 
The first subject which engaged your attention was 
* The growth of English Flax, and the probability of 
its suecess in New Zealand.” To Mr. Flight we are in- 
debted for drawing our attention to an article which 
may probably become the chief export from New 
Zealand, or, at all events, from Taranaki. The result 
of two evenings’ discussion was, the firm conviction, in 
the minds of all present, that the English Flax, or (to 
adopt the distinctive name given it to distinguish it from 
the indigenous Flax of the country) the Anglo New 
Zealand Flax, was peculiarly suited to our soil and 
climate. This was no theoretical conclusion, but one 
arrived at from the results of; actual experiment, and 
come to by practical men used to the cultivation of the 
article in England, who were convinced, from the 
quality of the samples grown and the amount of the 
produce, and from ealeulations of the expense of culti- 
vation and the probable value in England, that the cul- 
tivation of the Anglo New Zealand Flax would be a 
very profitable occupation. 
It is much to be regretted that these results were not 
known in time to obtain seed for the present season. 
Orders have, however, been sent to England for a 
supply, and samples of the Flax forwarded to manufac- 
turers there, who will be able at once to determine the 
value of it. To the resident agent of the New Zealand 
Company here, and the principal agent at Wellington, 
this Society have to express their thanks, for the 
promptitude with which they undertook to forward these 
samples to England. The importance of your second 
subject of inquiry, ** the most effectual remedy for the 
cure of smut in Wheat,” cannot be over-rated. Owing 
to the seed, which was obtained from a neighbourin 
colony, being mostly infected with smut, several actual 
experiments were detailed at this meeting, the results 
of which encourage us to hope that, with due attention, 
this destructive disorder may be cured, or, at all events, 
so subdued as not to be of material injury to the farmer, 
The next subject—“ the best means of protecting the 
Barley crop from the ravages of the caterpillars ; and 
the crop most likely to pay— Wheat or Barley” was 
one which elieited much valuable information as to the 
proper time of sowing Barley, so as to avoid the 
ravages of the caterpillar, which attacks the grain at 
the period of its ripening. Great diversity of opinion 
was expressed on this point ; the result of the different 
periods of sowing this spring will, it is to be hoped, en- 
able us another season to save this valuable erop. No 
means at present have been discovered to destroy the 
insects themselves, although the extent of cultivation 
will, it is thought, greatly lessen their numbers, From 
the disadvantages to which Barley is subject in this re- 
spect, the opinion of the meeting was decidedly in 
of which it took 3 or 4 acres to kéep a horse in a half- 
starved state into fertile fields, producing 4, 5, or 6 qrs. of 
eatperacre. And what was the origin of thisimprove- 
ment? The Highland Agricultural Society, supported 
and well supported too, by the Scotch landlords and 
farmers, who saw how much good such a society could 
effect. Enough has been said to prove the usefulness 
of such societies as these, but it must be borne in mind, 
that as we have no long subscription list to give pre- 
miums for information, we must ourselves furnish that 
information by carefully noting every particular of 
every proceeding, so that, by comparing them with 
others, we may arrive, in due time, at the proper sea- 
sons and methods of pursuing our occupation. A ver 
careful account has been drawn up of the amount of 
land now in eultivation, from which may be gathered 
the cheering fact that, notwithstanding the great diffi- 
culties the settlers have had to contend with during the 
last two years, they have not allowed themselves to be 
cast down, but have manfully met those difficulties, 
pushing forward the plough wherever the natives would 
allow them to do so. The following is the account 
alluded to :— Acres. Acres. 
Whee ssw n or 80 Brought forward  .. 9374 
36 
Barley .. oe .. 1284 Turnips .. oe 
Oats qur GS 70s R Ah Br aly 
Potatoes .. .. «+ 985 Artificials ie 
— Garden .. m 
Carried forward — .. 9874 Flax DO E 
Cultivated land taken possession of by the natives 
Quantity of land cleared in June1844 — .. m 
Increase of cultivation in the last 15 months . 
6351 acres 
Wheat yielding $- of a ton of flour, or 28 bush, 
Dore d 
Estimated consumption, 3 tons per week 
Flour .. 26 
Bushe 
128} acres of Barley at 25 bushels per acre zi 
Say consumed in the settlements, one half 
1606 
1606 bushels of Barley, at 45 bushels to the ton of 
freight, gives 35 tons, which with the flour shows 502 
tons to export from the produce of the land alone 5 added 
to this is the salt pork trade, which with other articles 
would, there is no doubt, increase the amount to 400 
tons, sufficient to keep a vessel of 50 or 60 tons fully 
employed, allowing for detentions and one or two trips 
elsewhere during the time of harvest. 
With this account the report of your Society closes, 
favour of Wheat; although, from the of 
Barley being higher in price than Wheat in the neigh- 
bouring colonies, great exertions should be made to 
grow this article—particularly as it is believed that, as 
regards the climate and the quality of the water, we 
have a decided advantage over the Australian colonies 
in brewing. “The woods of New Zealand—more par- 
ticularly of this settlement—their uses, and the proba- 
bility of their becoming articles of export,” was the in- 
quiry that next engaged your attention. From the infor- 
mation given at this meeting itappears that our settlement 
produces several valuable woods, at the head of which 
stands the Rimu, the most valuable both for building 
and furniture; and so far as our knowledge extends, 
the most valuable also to export to England and the 
neighbouring colonies. For agricultural purposes, the 
Puridi, the Rata, and the Matepo have been found to 
answer exceedingly well: the first, in particular, has 
furnished very good cogs for the wheels of the two flour- 
mills in this settlement. Very good timber also abounds 
for the purposes of boat-building, and for staves ; and 
it is much to be regretted that arrangements have not 
been made to supply ourselves with casks—an article 
now required for salt pork, and the demand for which 
is likely to inerease largely as the settlement progresses. 
Tanning barks have also been discovered, and used with 
the greatest success ; boots now being manufactured 
from leather made®in this settlement. ‘The next subject 
was, “the best artificial food for cattle ;? and in the 
discussion of this inquiry, it was satisfactorily ascer- 
tained that very heavy crops of the different roots used 
for that purpose had been grown, more particularly of 
Carrots and Turnips; White and Red Clover has also 
been grown with the greatest success. The next sub- 
ject discussed by your Society was, * the best remedy for 
the eure of cattle affected by eating Tutu.” The best 
remedy stated—and that, in violent cases, quite an inef- 
feetual one—was bleeding. The loss of time in finding 
cattle turned loose, and the damage often done by them 
in this state ; together with the risk from the Tutu ; 
and, above all, the comparatively trifling expence of 
rowing food for them, will, there is little doubt, induce 
all parties to keep their cattle up. 
Having thus given a brief sketch of the different sub- 
jects which have been brought under your notice, it 
will, we think, at once be admitted that this Society is 
likely to be of the greatest benefit. If in England, where 
they have.had the same soil to work upon for ages, it is 
thought advisable to have agricultural societies in order 
to institute experiments and give premiums for the 
best methods of raising crops and the best agricultural 
implements, how much more are they needed in a new 
country where everything has to be learnt. What has 
raised the value of land in parts of Scotland from a rent 
of 5s. or 6s. an acre to 27. or 37.% The improved sys- 
tem of agriculture which has converted the Scotch from 
the worst to the best farmers in Great Britain, and land 
and as it blishes the fact of a very great advance in 
prosperity during the last 12 months, under the greatest 
disadvantages, we look forward confidently to the con- 
deavours, and with hope that the 
rive when we shall be enabled to 
and with 
allowed 
carry on our oper 
greater vigour than circumstances have hither 
us to do.— R. Curman, Hon. See, 
New Plymouth, Sep. 17, 1845. 
PERIODICAL SPRINGS. 
A CORRESPONDENT asks in a late Gazette whether or 
not he may expect to convert an occasional spring in the 
vicinity of the South Downs into a perpetual one by 
boring. I doubt much of the question being answered 
in the affinnative, unless by some person interested in 
seeing the inquirer involved in a useless and unprofit- 
able job ; and it is perhaps but neighbourly to suggest 
a “caveat” before he commits himself even with 2 
* water doctor,” who professes to work on the terms of 
“no cure no pay.” For in such guise does mam 
“ Douster-swivel” make his advances, and shake his 
divining-rod over the heads of the unwary. 
Both above and below the chalk (to speak geologically), 
there are springs which are periodical, and whose peri- 
odicity is of great uncertainty, because dependent’ on 
the variety of our seasons. There are some localities in 
which the sources are dry for many months, and even 
years, and then after a series of rainy fits will burst out 
With streams of wonderful eopiousness, Hampshire and 
Wiltshire abound in such, and in bi, tri, and even semen- 
nial streams, If your friend will consult his Gazetteer 
he will find a whole catalogue of “ winter-bournes” in the 
vicinity of Salisbury alone. Some of the sources of the 
Wandle are of this deseription, and make their appear- 
ance, I believe, some annually, some bi and triennially. 
The cause of this is very obvious; the chalk is porous, 
and cavernous, and percolates its water with great 
rapidity, But sometimes the supply is greater than the 
ordinary or more dependent issues can make off with, 
and then the higher reservoirs begin to overflow, and 
the rarer springs burst forth, and run till the super- 
fluity is exhausted, and no more water remains in the 
vicinity, or is supplied from the heavens than the peren- 
nial and ordinary channels can carry off. 
Now, your eorrespondent's well is of this deseription, 
and it may be confidently predicted that he will not ob- 
tain any perennial supply by boring, or on the artesian 
principle, if he is above the chalk and under ihe 
London clay, unless he is prepared to bore many 
hundreds, perhaps thousands of feet ; in short, 
to imitate the Grenelle boring near Paris. But 
if he is.on the north side of the South Downs, oF 
under the chalk, there is some chance of bis procuring 
a supply by boring through the galt (the next retentive 
stratum below the chalk, and answering with the lower 
green sand under it, to the London clay and plastic clay 
