25—1846.] 
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
417 
tubers left in the ground, are, to all appearance, perfect. 
hi f f e. 
serve the admissions in their report, and the evident 
1 
with whieh they were made. See the obser- 
eard y o! re- 
cently made by Mr. Silver, of White Walsham, a clever 
gardener, whom I know well, He had seen disease, I 
was told, but.I have not been able as yet to call upon 
him. Isball add to my own testimony the results of 
further observations. Ihave seen early Potatoes grown 
even in sawdust ; others, in pits over dung. I know 
large plantings in fields, and others in extensive garden 
plots, but no one ease of incipient or confirmed disease 
has been seen or alluded to, All we fear at present is, 
a loss of bulk in consequence of the unwonted heat and 
drought. Having thus recited a few plain truths, and 
hoping the best, though prepared to admit the worst, if 
it should occur, it only remains to deprecate needless 
warnings of alarm, or crying “ wolf” by ea opeta 
vations on that report with the appendix, fairly launched 
as those of the Great Western Railway Board, chal- 
lenging, scouting, ;and defying contradiction. Mark 
whether, in the face of that exposure, any Government 
dare act upon such a document! Can it be denied that 
the express train between Liverpool and London 1902 
miles, with six stoppages, occupies in the journey to 
and fro, 11 hours and 16 minutes, assuming it keeps its 
time and conveys only first-class passengers ; and that 
the Great, Western express to Exeter, 1932 miles, with 
Seven stoppages, occupies 9 hours and 5 minutes, keep- 
ing its time with the greatest exactness, and conveying 
both first and second-class passengers? Are these 
times in which we are to retrograde in a matter of such 
sid) : 
1f the disease occur there can be no existing ly 
but if it appear that from diseased tubers,* as mine 
were, a healthy crop be obtained, I think we shall have 
No reason to anticipate an extensive failure from sound 
ones. I omitted to say in the former part of this no- 
tice, that, among the seven rows, there are some blanks, 
perhaps to the extent of one-tenth, The tubers in such 
Cases never germinated—they perished during winter: 
not one that rose above soil has as yet failed.—J. Towers, 
Maidenhead Thicket. 
Railways—Broad Gauge.—1ndustrious and success- 
ful as the parties interested in the narrow gauge railways 
have been in getting holdof the press in the furtherance 
of their narrow principles, I was astonished on opening 
the Chronicle, to find an advocate in one whom I have 
always considered a patron of the advance of science, 
skill, and the general march of improvement in all 
ways. Is it possible that you can have been seduced 
by a few ad caplandum arguments about uniformity of 
gauge, to fall into what I must call a common error, 
the result of which ean only be, in the infancy of loco- 
motion in this great country to place at the outset an 
Absolute barrier to all future improvement? The real 
history of the case is this: Mr. Brunell, with a genius 
and foresight in advance of his age, saw that the gauge, 
which had been adopted without any view to passenger 
vaffie, admi ted only of engines of limited powers ; that 
railways would supersede all other modes of trayelling ; 
that increased speed and power would be looked for ; 
and that in laying down expensive works which were to 
last for ever, ample space should be secured. Whether 
or not he hit upon the exact width of rail that would 
accomplish all that could be desired (a problem not yet 
Solved) is imm It is sufficient for our present 
purpose that it is notorious, with our present experience, 
that if it were an open question there is not an engineer 
in England who would lay down a railway upon so 
harrow a gauge as 4 ft. 84in. For a time nothing was 
heard about break of gauge, or any difficulty resulting 
from a change of carriages, or a transfer of goods. It 
Soon became apparent that Mr. Brunell’s views were 
Correct; that infinitely greater comfort, ease, and speed 
Were accomplished on the Great Western than on any 
Otherline in the world. Efforts were in consequence made 
to accomplish these desiderata upon the narrow gauge, 
increased power and speed especially, with most confi- 
dent anticipations of success. The consequence was 
Most beneficial to the publie; and the narrow gauge 
companies thus pushed made considerable advances, 
and nearly equalled the speed, though all travellers by 
both gauges know neither, or either, with the degree of 
ease, comfort, nor punctuality of the Great Western. 
The broad gauge then began spreading its wings in 
other directions, and was received with open arms. 
The narrow gauge at last found its limit in point of 
Speed, accompanied with safety, and also of power. 
Then and there only commenced the horrible annoy- 
ance of shifts of persons and goods, attributed solely to 
break of gauge, though this had notoriously existed, 
Now does exist, and ever will of necessity exist, in 
districts wholly irrespective of the break of gauge— 
inasmuch as there are 50 shareholders in narrow gauge 
Ines for one in a broad gauge line. There are 50 voices 
and pens at work to one—endeavouring to upset by 
amour superior advantages of which the attainment 
n the fair field of competion has become utterly hope- 
59. Is not the mere fact that the narrow gauge is 
clamouring for legislative prohibition, and that the 
broad gauge is clamouring for open competition, and 
challenging only a fair publie field, in itself a strong 
Sround for publie encouragement? All that mere asser- 
tion orally, and in writing could accomplish, had been 
Said and written prior to the last session of Parliament, 
Tn which the great fight came off in the committees ; 
and that had been carried so far that publie opinion 
E been materially influenced ; but what was the result 
th Actual evidence produced before a committee of 
oy House of Commons, where mere assertion 
i nt for nothing, and facts and figures were 
u be dealt with? A committee, too, deemed so 
in urable from circumstances to the narrow gauge 
erests, that the broad gauge party fancied themselves 
GE oomed? A unanimous report in favour of the 
NOE gauge schemes, though said to be irrespective of 
Seinen of gauge, while it is notorious that all the 
TH ence bore more or less on the question of gauge. 
Ne battle was again fought before a committee of the 
TS of Lords with the same result. The question 
8 thus sul ively referred to issi Ob- 
* 
abo My Potato store was picked over twice; the second time, 
"t the middle of March, a bushel or more were carried off, 
a a 
atra tossed into a hole in the orchard by a hedge side. Some 
Brown And Hitt ered them : they now form a dense mass o: 
owing her! y 
vital import: a 3 and are the public in 
this country to have that retrogression fixed in all time 
to come? The notion is utterly monstrous, and I am 
sure would be scouted by you if you had given the 
matter that enlightened consideration whieh has 
hitherto cl ised your publicati seem to 
be unacquainted with the fact, which has been demon- 
strated as clearly as any fact can be demonstrated, viz., 
that the broad gauge is not only the most speedy and 
safe at high speeds, but by far the most economical. 
And when you adopt the views you have stated about 
the convenience of small trucks, it can hardly have 
occurred to you that while small trucks ean be, and in 
fact are used as well as large ones on the broad gauge, 
the large trucks required for a variety of purposes 
cannot be brought upon the narrow gauge ; and that 
the Staffordshire iron masters are at this moment 
petitioners before Parliament for the introduction of 
the broad gauge into these districts upon that especial 
allegation. Rely on it the publie will be most benefited 
in those instances in which they have the luck to have 
a choice between the broad and the narrow gauge 
through any particular district. It is the dread of 
this which is at the bottom of all that has been 
written during the last few weeks by the narrow gauge 
shareholders.—Speed on a Broad Basis. [We agree 
with our correspondent as regards speed and comfort— 
differ as regards cost; but are advocates for the 
narrow guage because there are 2000 miles of the one 
and 200 of the other. ] 
Profitable Feeding.—In criticising the opinions of 
others we should recollect that our own productions are 
subject to the same ordeal ; and the letter of the “Aber- 
deenshire Farmer" would come in for a liberal share ; 
but Ishall, in preference, proceed to defend myself. 
How my letters on feeding show animals can have been 
isund d passes m prehensi I will again 
attempt to make my meaning more plain. t 
the slightest objection “ to dukes and lords” carrying 
off the prizes, provided they do so fairly, competing 
with the farmer in breeding, feeding, &c., at the same 
time producing a debtor and creditor account ; and 
think if * The Chiel fra the North" would take the 
trouble of reading over again my effusions, he would 
find he had formed his judgment on parts instead of 
taking the whole. I have always advocated good 
breeding and feeding fat animals for the market at the 
smallest cost. I do not intend to be driven from this 
position too easily, and I must have better reasons for 
giving up my views than the criticism of your corre- 
spondent, “An Aberdeenshire Farmer.’ An animal 
covered with fat and unable to move is no criterion of 
good farming, although the tallow may cover a multi- 
tude of sins, unless it ean be proved that it has been 
brought to the condition at a remunerating price, and 
not doctored with stimulants to create an appetite. On 
the contrary, if a sheep, ox, or pig is exhibited well 
supplied with flesh, fit for the most scientific butcher's 
knife, and worthy of the most fastidious epieure's table, 
at a sum not exceeding the usual market price of meat 
per lb., I must maintain that it is a strong symptom of 
judicious management, and far more worthy of a re- 
ward an g than the unf te mass o 
animal matter designated a prize beast, whose very limbs 
are concealed with overhanging blubber. This has 
always been the burthen of my song, and I cannot 
change it on slight grounds. With respect to animals 
set apart for feeding, it must be acknowledged that what 
is termed good condition is the most conducive to the 
increase of the species. I trust some practical man will, 
at the Newcastle meeting, suggest giving prizes for the 
best bred and cheapest fed animals, always recollecting 
the debtor and creditor account, age, parentage, &c., 
being narrowly inquired into. I have no personal inte- 
rest in the matter, as some may suppose ; I simply 
allude to it with the hope of inducing more competent 
men to undertake a subject which, in my humble 
opinion, is of vital importance to the hard working 
farmer, who at present has not much chance with the 
rich tenant or landlord, The small farm system will 
radually come into practice as the knowledge of agri- 
culture extends. At present land is underlet, and the 
labourer starved in consequence.— Falcon. 
The Allotment System.—At page 363 I observe some 
remarks on the demerits of the allotment system. I 
eannot see that your correspondent has clearly proved 
that there are not great and substantial benefits arising 
from allotments of ground being let to the labouring 
class, The real question is, does the labouring man 
receive a sufficient remuneration for his 10 hours of 
labour to enable him to support a wife and children, in- 
dependent of any other means of subsistence ? If such 
were the case, allotments of land would not be of such 
pressing necessity. According to statements made in 
the House of Commons on the Corn Importations Act, 
it was stated that 7s. per week is given to the Dorset- 
shire labourer. Is this a fair day’s wage for a fair 
day’s work? Let any reasonable man consider, and 
see how it is possible, with such a miserable sum, to 
exist without being in starvation. It is, therefore, 
evident that a labourer with a wife and family will re- 
quire some other means of subsistence than that re. 
ceived for his labour. How can such means be placed 
in his power? I say by the allotment system, in advo- 
cating which let it be considered whether his time so 
occupied is profitably spent; for if so, the system is 
good. Take, for example, Potatoes as a crop to be 
grown by the cottager. An able-bodied man, without 
over-exertion, will dig and plant one perch of ground in 
two hours, and if the ground is tolerably good and pro- 
perly cultivated, it will produce from 8 to 12 pecks of 
Potatoes, which, upon an average in this part of the 
country, would be worth 6d. per peck. Here it is clear 
that even at the extravagant price of ls. per perch 
[justly] complained of by your correspondent, a man 
would be better remunerated for his labour than he is 
by the farmer, As regards the exhaustion of a man’s 
strength by over-work, it ought to be left to himself to 
discriminate when he has done enough; he will gene- 
rally be found to be the best judge of his own imme- 
diate wants. I have men at work under me who hold 
allotments ; they are constantly under my eye; and 
whether they may have been at work upon their: allot- 
ments or not, their strength seems to be invariably the 
same ; indeed, I think the allotment tenant is better 
table to withstand the extra amount of labour, for by his 
industry he can afford himself an extra slice of bacon, 
whieh his neighbour, whose time is unoceupied, must go 
without. He would also be better able to afford a little 
for the education of his children, which in this country 
has been shamefully neglected. If a general system of 
allot:ing land to the labouring class was to take place, 
I think the intellig: ity would ad- 
vance, because it would enable those who are fond of 
literature to purchase those works that otherwise they 
could not afford. I know at the present time labour- 
ing men who are holders of allotments that take in a 
newspaper, which 30 years ago would not have been 
thought of by people in their station of life. But, 
setting aside all theory, practice has proved that the 
system is sound in principle, and, beyond a shadow of 
doubt, a decided advantage to the working man. I will 
state two places that come within my knowledge, where 
it has been adopted, and the plan has answered ad- 
mirably. Near the town of Cirencester, there is let by 
Earl Bathurst (a true friend to the poor) land to the 
labouring people at 4d. per perch, including rates and 
taxes. The land is good, therefore not too high rented. 
There is also at Kemble, let by Robert Gordon, Esq., 
land at 3d. per perch, and I believe that each of the 
individuals holding these allotments would consider 
they sustained a severe loss were they to be deprived 
of them. .The allotment system, like many other 
good measures, has its limits ; and, although an 
advocate of the system, I do not think that any benefit 
would be conferved on the working man were he allotted 
too mueh land, I mean to those who are in a constant 
plaée of work: to an able-bodied man of that class 
60 perehes of land would not be too much to cultivate, 
either as regards injury to his constitution by over ex- 
ertion, or the duty that he owes to a master by whom 
he may be employed : to the jobbing labourer the case 
is different, as much ought to be allotted as would fill vp 
all time when not otherwise employed. It is a subject 
I would rejoice in seeing taken up by the legislature— 
to have the allotment system organised upon sound and 
just principles, that every labouring man may have an 
opportunity of renting a small portion of land at a 
moderate price. I look upon it as a measure that would 
tend to reduce the amount of crime, by bringing up the 
rising generation to industrious habits, thereby alluring 
them from the beer shop, poaching, and a train of other 
vices, which are a curse to the human race. It is said 
“the Devil always finds work for idle hands to do ;” let 
us try and take the trade out of his hands.— Robert Cas- 
silles, Ewen, Kemble, Wilts, June 2. 
Abortion.—In answer to your correspondent’s en- 
quiry “ Why so many as twelve of his cows should 
have slipped their calves this season,” allow me to sug- 
gest that the fault lies with the'bull. It is a generally 
acknowledged fact that a bull communicates this com- 
plaint from one cow to any others that are put to him. 
Then as to the remedy; that suggested by yourself 
is doubtless the best (to change the whole herd), but 
where this is impracticabl ee elie 
following :—1st, the bull to be changed; 2nd, no cows 
that had once slipped their calf to be put to the bull, 
till, say 6 six weeks after the time they ought to have 
calved, had all gone right; 3rd, that each cow should 
have two common “drinks” when gone half her time. 
These remedies I have found efficacious, though my 
experience has happily been small.—G. D. 
Disease in Grass Land.—1 write to inform you of 
avery serious disease in the Grass ‘crops and young 
corn in certain parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire. 
These crops are either full or rapidly filling with the 
green insect or plant louse, which is often seen on the 
buds of the Rose tree. The people of this country 
have small farms of Grass and Oats for eow-keeping. 
Some of the crops are about two-thirds grown, and 
beginning to diminish gradually and daily by means of 
this insect. We are at a loss whether to cut or not. 
The hay may be damaged if got with the insect, &e., 
