——_— tt 
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19—1846.] 
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
309 
AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY ASSOCIATION. 
AT the monthly meeting of this Association, held on 
the Sth ult., Professor Jounsron said :— With regard 
to the Potato disease, there was a point to which Dr. 
Greville and himself had referred before, viz., whether 
a diseased crop could give a sound erop of Potatoes ? 
In answer to this query there were three points to 
which he would refer. Ist. Sound Potatoes, from a 
diseased heap, are capable of produeing healthy plants ; 
this had been proved by experiments made by them- 
selves. 2d. Apparently sound plants can also be pro- 
duced from sound parts of diseased Potatoes. This we 
have verified by actual experiment, for the details of 
which see No. 7 of the “Potato Disease in Scotland,” 
just published. 3d. Letters from Ayrshire say that 
they had planted diseased Potatoes, and got sound 
crops ; nay, that they were the freest from disease of 
their whole crop. They say that the disease was iden- 
tical with that of the present year. These facts are 
very encouraging for the country generally in regard to 
the crop of 1846. 
From the inquiries he had made in his journey he 
found that the supply of seed north of the Forth was 
abundant, although the price was high, being from 20s. 
to 21s. a boll. He found also that the export this year 
was much greater than in former years. 
Saving of Waste Manures in Public Hospitals.—In 
reference to this subject, there were certain parties 
connected with John Watson’s Hospital, who wished to 
know whether they could not make use of a portion of 
land, about 11 acres, attached to the Hospital, and whe- 
ther they could do so without much expense. John 
Watson’s Hospital stands upon a bank above the Water 
of Leith. There were about 140 persons in it, and the 
liquid and other manures were run, into the Water of 
Leith, causiug—1st, the pollution of the water ; and, 
2d, the waste of these substances. The first point was 
to see whether it could be saved or not. He went there 
with Mr. Girdwood and Mr. Milne, and found, from 
the situation, that it might be saved easily ; but the 
question arose, what use could be made of it? Now, it 
happened that this piece of land belonged to the hospital ; 
what required to be done was to see if they could culti- 
vate it themselves with profit. Now, he found that 
there was expended annually for milk 2132, and for 
vegetables 327. The point, therefore, was to see whe- 
ther they could save this expense. For this purpose 
Mr. Girdwood drew up a plan of a six crop rotation, 
and detailed the method to be pursued, and gave an 
account of the expenses necessary for cultivating, which 
he calculated would be about 1502., while the produce 
would be 244L, being 94l. to pay the rent, which, at 
present, was 70/., that being the sum they got for the 
ground, so that they would save 207. This calculation 
at the same time leaves so broad a margin that he 
thought the profit might be doubled. 
Refuse of Breweries.—Professor Jounston said that 
lere were several refuses in the brewery. There were 
Ist, The cummins, which was the dried root of the 
Barley, 2d, After the Barley had been exhausted of 
the sugar, &c., there was the draff. 3d, The distiller, 
after the first distilling of this wort, had another refuse; 
and there was another left after the second distillation, 
Which was not of much use, but he referred them to 
Part IV. of their Proceedings for a fuller account of 
these two refuses. In reference to the analysis of draff, 
he found it to contain a large quantity of water, about 
49 per cent., Jeaving 25 per cent, of dry matter (it 
therefore was like Potatoes in this respect, as they con- 
tain about the same quantities); of this 25 per cent. of 
y Matter 20 per cent. was husk, the rest consisting of 
a little starch, sugar, gum, and compounds of protein, 
h efly albumen, attached to the husk. (The Professor 
ere explained why casein, albumen, and fibrin, were 
called protein compounds, from protein being a sub- 
Stance which they all contained.) These compounds 
amounted to 6-10ths of a per cent. in draff. The ash 
Was a little more than in the Potato, being about 1-5th 
D 3 it was, therefore, very like the Potato, the latter 
ny Containing more of the protein compounds. He 
o referred to a table showing how much of these 
rebounds were contained in the dry Potato. With 
tape to the analysis of the ash of the draff it con- 
ined one-half its weight of phosphates. These are ex- 
URN valuable as they supply the material of bones, 
ne also the feeding of cattle, as they are contained in 
1© milk, as seen from the following table :— 
Composition of Milk of the Cow. 
Casein .. we ^ E m 
Milk sugar 
Saline matter 
Water .. 
: 100. 
Milk contains more than 4 a per cent. of saline matter, 
a" ich was chiefly phosphates. 10 gallons of milk con- 
md 3 lb. of them, and 100 Ibs. of draff contained the 
bane Draft weighs about 46 Ibs, a bushel; and, in Edin- 
b 19 it costs 2s. 6d. a qr., while in Wigtownshire it is 
25 fa cow therefore eats 3 a bushel a-day, that is about 
L OS, it gets but a very small quantity of phosphates 
su Buch less than it ought to get. The protein compounds 
SEP casein ; now milk contains 43 per cent. of this 
S uable substance. It exists in Wheat to the amount 
mu or 12 per cent., and in Oats to 16 per cent. In 
Dur a pound of this substance would cost 63d. ; in 
Es about the same ; in Wheat, ls. 4d. ; in Oats, the 
2s. e in flesh, 2s, 2d. ; in Potatoes, 2s. ; in Turnips, 
ton -; and in Draff, 1s. Therefore, if it was wished 
Ave cheesey milk it should be given mixed with 
Bean-meal, for the quantity {of casein, Oileake was 
cheaper, as it only cost 3d. ; but with regard to the 
phosphates, draff was much better, as draff contained 
1 lb., while oilcake had only half that quantity ; there- 
fore, to give the same amount of phosphates, oileake 
would cost 3s. to ls. for draff ; it was therefore better 
for building bones—thus the principle of mixing sub- 
stances was borne out by analysis. The value of draff 
was more to the cowfeeder than to the farmer, as the 
former wanted milk, &e. It contained a large quantity 
of water; but there was another advantage, as the 
water was diffused through every part of it, it was 
therefore much more soluble, as it was brought by this 
diffusion of the water to something like what it was in 
the young state; and, like green grass, it was more 
soluble in the stomach than hay. The knowledge of 
this was important, as i& showed a connection between 
the’method by which the draff was brought to this state 
and that method of preparing food by steaming.—Mr. 
Johnston here read the following letter from Mr. John 
Hutton, Esq., Jowber-hill, near N llerton :—* I am 
quite sure you would be much pleased by the new me- 
thod I am using in keeping and feeding store cattle. A 
gentleman, about three years ago, took a small plot of 
land near me. lle came from the West Riding. For 
amusement, he contrived a plan to boil Linseed by 
steam ; the Linseed is erushed, and boiled with water 
for two hours ; when hot it is mixed with meal and cut 
straw, 2 lbs. of Linseed, 5 lbs. of meal, and 9 lbs. of 
straw, for each beast a day, given at twice,’ two hours 
after mixing, with 70 lbs. of the best Turnips divided 
into two meals. It is quite wonderful how fast the cattle 
feed, and how well the holding stock do, the latter 
having about half quantity of Linseed and meal. 
am quite sure if, when in Durham, you come over, it 
would amply repay you. Mr. Thomson, of Kirby Hall, 
was so much pleased with it, that he has put one up, 
and Lord P—— has seen it, and has offered to fit one 
for a tenant. By this we use not quite half the quantity 
of Turnips in feeding, while it makes most beautiful 
manure. Last year we sold 20 more fat cattle than we 
could have fed in the old way with Turnips and cake, 
and this winter shall feed at least 30 more. In Decem- 
ber the cost, including labour, corn, and Linseed, not 
valuing straw, was 5s. 113d. for a week. 
Cummins are also sold by the brewer ; others give 
them away with the draff. Of all the substances he 
knew they were the most valuable as dry food. They 
contained more of the protein compounds than oatmeal, 
having about 29 per cent. of that substance necessary 
for forming the curd of milk, and for laying on muscle. 
The ash contains more than half its weight of phos- 
phates, about 40 per cent.; and they are therefore 
valuable for forming bone. Cummins leave about 7 per 
cent of ash, while draff leaves about 1. To show how 
quickly some parties take advantage of these things, he 
might mention that a party in Glasgow, learning that 
the cummins were given away by the brewer, came 
through and made a contract with a number of the 
brewers to purchase them at 3d. per bushel. 
He had a letter from Mr. Caird, of Baldoon, stating 
the results he had found in feeding stock with draff. 
He gave, in the first experiment, the following :— 
Each, 3 a bushel, at 3d.............. £1 5s.| Making for the 
—  921bs.of Turnip, at 10s, a ton. 1 0 $f 200 days, 2l. 5s. 
In the second— 
Each, 2 bushels of Beans, at 4s. 6d. £0 9s.) Making 2l. 9s. for 
— ons of Turnips, at 10s..... 2 0 Jf the 200 days. 
"Those fed on the former gave more milk and richer, 
while that from those fed on the beans was very strong 
tasted, — Abridged m Ayrshire Agriculturist. 
H 
" Clubs. 
DaAnLINGTON,—A. an adjournment of the annual meet- 
ing, on the 30th ult., Mr. Dixonjthe honorary secretary, 
read the report of the committee at the close of the 
second year. During the past year they had numbered 
upwards of 60 members, and it was fully expected that 
the number would be augmented during the current 
year. One leading object in establishing the club 
was to get up a good farmers’ library of the most 
popular agricultural books ; the funds, therefore, had 
been applied, as far as possible, to that purpose ; 
and several volumes had been received as dona- 
tions, The report further stated, that as the object of 
the institution was to benefit the landowners and farmers 
of the district, by stirring up such a spirit of inquiry 
as might lead to imp in cultivation, by the 
diffusion of useful knowledge amongst its members on 
all. subjects connected with good farming, it was 
arranged that all members could not only attend the 
discussions and lectures, but they could have books and 
periodicals from the library at all times to read at their 
own houses.—The Chairman then called attention to 
the subject for discussion, viz., * The best manure for 
the Turnip crop, and the advantages of an analysis of 
the soil previous to manuring.”—Mr. Purttrps explained 
what appeared to him to be the true principle on which 
manures should be applied, having due regard to the 
nature of the soil and of the crop. He next pointed 
out the great difference in the composition of different 
species of plants, taking as illustrations the analysis of 
Wheat and Turnips; and showed when even guano or 
stable-dung were applied to the soil as a manure for 
these crops, there was a waste of some of their elements. 
He then went on to explain why the crops did not in 
all cases succeed where artificial manures had been 
applied; this he considered to arise generally for want 
of analysis of the soil previous to applying those 
manures, the consequence of which was, the farmer 
sometimes added to it substances in which it was already 
sufficiently rich, and left out those substances which the 
land actually required, and which he might probably at 
even a less cost have applied, and thereby have realised 
abundant crops of the plant he intended to produce.. 
After noticing the use of oil of vitriol when applied to 
bones as a manure, he stated that from the chemical 
composition of the Turnip, ke should consider the best 
manure for its inorganic elements would be pearl.ash. 
and bones treated with oil of vitriol, and a little mag- 
nesian limestone added, to absorb and neutralise the. 
excess of acid used for the bones.—The Cuairman them 
mentioned a field where he had tried on equa! quantities 
of land superphosphate of lime, guano, and farm-yard. 
manure, for a crop of Turnips ; and he could not dis- 
cover any material difference between the different 
plots in the crop ; and in the succeeding crop of corn 
there still was no material difference.—Mr. JOHNSON 
said that on his land the effect bad been quite different. 
He had tried bones dissolved in oil of vitriol, Peruvian 
guano, African guano, and good farm-yard dung, at the 
rate of 20 loads per acre, on plots of ground of 14 rows 
each. The guano and the dissolved bones were of equal. 
expense ; the farm-yard manure was at least twice the 
value of each of the others. In the Turnip crop the 
14 rows manured with the dissolved bones was the best 3 
those plots done with the guanos were very good, but 
not so great a crop as the dissolved bones; but they 
were any of them twice as good as the plot done with 
the farm-yard dung. He also further remarked that 
he had as good crops of corn after guano as farm-yard 
dung. 
Newcastte: The Best Methods of Fattening Horn. 
Catile—In the absence of the gentleman who was to 
have opened this discussion, Mr. Gover, the Secretary, 
made the following remarks: In stall feeding it was of 
the utmost importance for the person in charge of the 
cattle to be regular in his attendance; for they knew 
perfectly when meal-time had arrived, and were rest- 
less and uneasy when disappointed of their food. Salt 
should be given to them—which they would readily 
resort to, if placed within reach; and a convenient. 
mode of supplying it was in the form of a lump of rock- 
salt. Cleanliness, and a good supply of litter, should 
never be neglected. To keep the skin clean, and use 
the curry-comb liberally, tended to fatness.. Food 
should also be given with regularity as to quantity. 
They should not be exposed to alternations of hungey 
and surfeit. The food of cattle should also be varied 
as much as possible. Like human beings, they were fond. 
of variety, and capricious in their appetites. 2 lbs. of 
oileake, 5 Ibs. of Barley-meal, and 5 lbs of hay-chaff, 
with a plentiful allowance of Swede Turnips, had been 
recommended as a daily allowance. Mr. Curtis, of 
West Readham, Norfolk, had used Linseed oil with 
much success. The oil was sprinkled on good Oat- 
straw, layer after layer, at the rate of a gallon of oil to 
a week’s allowance of straw. The straw to be frequently 
turned over, and kept two days before used—by which 
time the oil would be absorbed, and there would be a. 
slight fermentation in the food. The cost of the oil per 
gallon would be about 2s. 10d. r. Warnes, of Trim- 
mingham, Norfolk made a mixture of Linseed meal 
and crushed Barley. Crushed Oats, boiled Peas, and 
Bean flour, might any of them be substituted for the 
Barley. He put 166 lbs. of water into an iron caul- 
dron, and, when boiling, stirred into it, for five mmutes, 
21 lbs. of Linseed meal. 63 Ibs. of crushed Barley was 
then sprinkled upon the boiling mucilage by one persen, 
while another rapidly stirred the mixture. This oc- 
cupied another five minutes. A cover was next put on,. 
and the furnace door thrown open, Should there be 
much fire it was put out. The mass continued to sim- 
mer until the Barley absorbed the mucilage, and the 
operation was complete. The food might be used on 
the following day. When put into tubs it should be 
rammed down, to exclude the air, and prevent the mass 
from becoming rancid. The quantity mentioned would 
afford a bullock a stone a day for a fortnight. Mr. 
Warnes stated that the last of his experimental bullocks 
was sold at 8s. 6d. per stone. It weighed 60 st. 5 lbs. 
(14 Ibs. to the stone), and cost 7/. 17s. 6d. thirteen 
months before the sale; so that it paid 177. 10s. for 
little more than one year's keep. Its common food was 
Turnips or Grass. l4 lbs. a day of Barley or Peas 
compound was given for 48 weeks, and in unlimited. 
quantity the last six weeks. The total weight of com- 
pound did not exceed 2 tons 4 cwt., at a cost of 37. 10s. 
per ton.—Mr. M*Bnypz was of opinion that to obtain 
the greatest amount of beef in the shortest time, the 
cattle should be tied up in stalls, and fed for six or 
eight weeks on oileake, bruised Oats, Beans, &e.—Mr. 
MaccuLLocH, of Logan, in using Turnips, preferred to 
have them cut into slices, from 14 to 2 inches thick. The 
plan adopted at Logan Mains, in, giving oileake to eattle, 
was to grow and preserve the seed. It was bruised, and 
boiled with equal proportions of bruised Oats and Bere 
(a kind of Barley) 3 of this mixture from 4 to 6 lbs. per 
day was given, hot, after the cattle had been tied up 
about two months. The manure was enriched, and the 
expense of the diet repaid. In Lincolnshire, oileake 
was given largely, from 8 lbs. to 12 lbs. and even. 
16 lbs. daily, to three-year-old beasts ; but the cattle, 
Mr. Glover supposed would only pay the bill for the 
oilcake. Indeed the Lincolnshire farmers described 
such cattle simply as their machines for converting 
fodder into dung. The comparative merits of stall, 
yard, and box-feeding, had been much canvassed. 
Box-feeding, the Agricultural Gazette observed, was, 
perhaps, as good as any other, for the conversion of 
hay, roots, and other food into beef; but it was only 
