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468 THE 
AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
[Jury 15 
no further trouble to inquire into the matter. The 
enigma is not so difficult to solve, but the present letter 
is already too long to admit of a further trespass on the 
columns of the Chronicle. I will therefore merely add, 
that my sole object in putting pen to paper is for the 
benefit of agriculturists in general. Many may differ 
in opinion with me, and I shall be happy to have the 
dvantage of their experi to assist me in correcting 
any errors I may have fallen into. — Falcon. 
Potato Disease.—I have lately dug Potatoes in my 
garden which turn out perfectly sound; the sort is 
White Quarrys ; they were planted in autumn, the sets 
being selected from among diseased tubers. I have 
also been digging white Kidney Potatoes for the past 
fortnight, without being able to discover the least 
symptom of disease ; they, too, were planted in autumn, 
A drill planted with diseased tubers are as good as an 
in the garden, extending a foot on each side of the 
drill and coming into blossom, but it remains to be 
proved whether the produce will be sound or not. The 
following facts may, in some measure, account for the 
rumours which have appeared in regard to the re- 
currence of our old friend the disease of last season :— 
Several of {my neighbours had early Potatoes, which, 
before the great drought of June, were as fine as any 
in the country, but suddenly they began to decay, the 
lower leaves falling off, and some of the plants dying 
altogether. At first I imagined that this was the dis- 
ease, but on examining the young tubers they were 
found to be healthy but stunted, the soil about them 
being as hard as a road. The symptoms, too, were dif- 
ferent from those of last year, the first attack being 
#1en made on the tops of the leaves; in this instance, 
however, the bottom leaves are those that are first 
Affected ; on the return of rain, however, the plants re- 
covered, and any of the leaves which had not assumed 
a yellow appearance are at present green and healthy. 
Ishould remark, that growing side by side with them, 
were fine healthy plants, which received no check ; but 
those that died were on a gravelly subsoil, which I 
think sufficiently accounts for the disaster. Even 
Privet in a hedge along the side of the Potatoes was, if 
possible, worse than they. The garden is on the side of 
a stream, the hedge in question being the only division 
between them, and as far as the gravel extended the Po- 
tatoes were decayed. If your correspondents from 
Cork and Inch examine more closely they will, I 
imagine, find something in the above to account for the 
appearance of which they speak.—J. K. C., County 
Waterford, Ireland, July 3.——1 am happy to say that 
the Potato crops in general never looked better 
(although the system of farming all kinds of crops in 
this part of the country is wretched). Iam now digging 
as fine Potatoes as I ever saw ; they were planted last 
October, not a diseased tuber can I find amongst them. 
They are of the sort called Early Glasgows; and they 
well-deserve the aame of ‘early, as some other kinds, 
planted at the same time in the same sort of soil and 
situation, have not yet formed a tuber. My mode of 
planting was in drills 3 feet apart. The ground got a 
good coat of lime before being dug, the sets were 
then laid on the surface, and the mould drilled over 
them; by this mode the plants are raised aboye the 
bottoms of the drills, and lie quite dry early in April. 
e crowns were raked off the drills, and when the 
plants were sufficiently high they were moulded up. 
planted other crops in February, which is early for 
Planting in the open ground. The autumn planted ones 
are far more advanced, but all are quite healthy, as are 
also a quantity of seedlings sown in April and May. 
should add the seed Potatoes were limed, all of them; 
and those kept for spring planting were packed in peat 
in pits.—John J. Geoghegan, Tipperary, July 1. 
Since we have had showers of rain the disease 
has appeared amongst my Potatoes in several 
quarters so visibly that some of my neighbours who 
thought that too much had been sai ipeeti: 
= 
The Marquis of Bute, K. T., was elected a Governor, 
and the following gentlemen members of the Society :— 
Pugh, William Buckley, Pattrington, Hull 
Orde, Charles William, Nunnykirk, Morpeth 
Wakley, James, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Day, John Woodhouse, Pelaw-house, Durham 
Adams, Thomas, Albion-terrace, South-Shields 
Chambers, George, High Green, Shefüel 
Archbold, John, Riffington, Berwick-upon- Tweed 
Parker, Samuel Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Embleton, Robert, Embleton, Alnwick 
Southern, George William, Kibblesworth, Gateshead 
Mellar, John, Queen-square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Liddell, Henry George, Eslington-house, Whittingham 
Crawhall, Joseph, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Barkus, William, sen., Coxhoe, Durham 
Nicholson, John, Shotley-bridge, Durham. 
Wood, Nicholas, Killingworth, Newcastle-upon- Tyne 
Annandale, Peter, Shotley Grove, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Hovill, J. R., Soham, Cambridgeshire 
Allhusen, Christian, Elswick House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Allsop, Thomas, Ridge Green, Reigate, Surrey 
Touseman, John, M.D., Barras Bridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Blenkensop, John, Slake House, South Shields 
Morton, W. J. T., Lecturer on Chemistry, Royal Veterinary 
College 
Cooper, Thomas H., Lecturer on Botany, Agricultural School, 
Hoddesden 
Petre, Hon. Frederick, Writtle Park Farm, Essex 
Tower, Colonel Henry, Elamore Hall, Durham 
Greenwell, Wm. Thomas, Lanchester Ford, Durham 
Hutchinson, John, Low Waskerley Farm, Shotley Bridge, 
'urham 
Taylor, John Parker, Treeton, Rotherham 
Wilson, Ralph, Grey-street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Maynard, J. €., Harlsey Hall, Northallerton, Yorkshire 
Standish, W, Standish, Duxbury’Park, Chorley, Lancashire. 
The names of 14 Members for election at the next 
meeting were then read. 
YBRIDISED WuEat.—The Hon R. H. Curve, M.P., 
laid before the Council a.communication with which he 
had been favoured by Dr. Lindley, in reference to a 
decisive result obtained by Mr. Maund, of Bromsgrove, 
hire (the well-l editor of a periodieal 
work entitled the “Botanic Garden"), by crossing 
Egyptian Cone with an English Red Wheat, and thus 
produeing a beardless Wheat ; for *although," as Dr. 
Lindley observes, * there is not at present any proof of 
what the quality of this eross may be, yet it shows that 
corn is as open to improvement as any other plant, and 
that I take to be a highly important fact. All such 
attempts deserve encouragement ; if the Royal Agricul- 
tural Society were to take up this matter in good earnest, 
and to offer such prizes as will induce intelligent men 
with the necessary leisure and opportunity, to give it 
their serious attention, important results might be ob- 
ained.” 
Mr. Crivr then introduced Mr. Maun to the Presi- 
dent and Council, when that gentleman exhibited the 
various specimens of Wheat connected with his experi- 
ments, and detailed the progress of his operations in 
effecting the cross in question between different kinds 
of Wheat, for the purpose of producing the artificial 
fertilisation required, These specimens exhibited the 
varieties between the Oxford Red and the Donna Maria 
White Wheat, as well as those between the Egyptian 
Cone and the Oxford Red. In the produce of the latter 
cross, some of the ears had awns while others were 
without them. Mr, Maund stated that the new varie- 
ties thus obtained in his experiments appeared to pos- 
sess great luxuriance and promise of fertility. He 
thought it not unlikely that eventually not only any 
given external character intermediate between those of 
the Wheats selected for the occasion may be obtained, 
but that the chemical nature of the grain may be 
favourably influenced for any given purpose required. 
The Presipent on the part of the Council having then 
expressed to Mr. Maund the thanks which the Council, 
on the motion of the Duke of Richmond, seconded by 
Sir Robert Price, had voted to him for his attention in 
submitting to them his interesting and valuable results, 
requested that he would prepare for the Journal Com- 
mittee, in the course of the autumn, a detailed statement 
of hi E 
g 
the reappearance of the malady, were readily convinced 
to the contrary ; especially when I showed them Po- 
tatoes going to decay. As some of my early sorts were 
nearly ripe I have dug them up, for Ithink let the case 
be as it may, that they are better out of the ground 
than in it ; and I trust that the warning in last week's 
Paper will be attended to.—J. Wighton. The dis- 
ease has made its appearance in this locality, attacking 
autumn and spring-planted alike. Last season we 
knew nothing of it till September.— Busybody, Ulver- 
ston, North Lancashire. 
Sootíeties. 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY or ENGLAND. 
A WEEKLY Counci was held at the Society’s House, 
in Hanover Square, on Wednesday last, the 8th of July; 
present, the Rt. Hon. Lord Porrman, President, in the 
chair ; Duke of Richmond ; Hon. Robert Henry Clive, 
.P.; Rt. Hon. W. Bingham Baring, M.P.; Sir 
Hungerford Hoskyns, Bart.; Sir C. Lemon, Bart, 
M.P. ; Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, Bart, M.P. ; Sir R. Price, 
Bart, M.P.; T. Raymond Barker, Esq.; Rev. T. 
Cator; Col. Challoner ; F. C. Cherry, Esq. ; J. J. Far- 
quharson, Esq. ; H. Gibbs, Esq. ; W. Fisher Hobbs, 
Esq.; J. Hudson, Esq.; J. Kinder, Esq.; Col. 
MacDouall; F. Pym, Esq.; E. A. Sanford, Esq. ; 
Prof. Sewell; W. R. C. Stansfield, Esq., M.P. ; J. 
Baines, Esq.; Dr. Calvert; W, A. Commerell, Esq. ; 
C. Capel, Esq. ; H. J. Farquharson, Esq. ; A. Ogilvie, 
Esq.; E. Parkyns, Esq.; iT. Turner, Esq.; and 
T. R. Tweed, Esq. 
ts and their results, including not only 
a reference to the scientific circumstances of the fact, 
as connected with the laws of vegetable physiology, or 
the changes produced in the chemical constitution of 
the plant, but also to the more homely but not less im- 
portant result of the practical value of his products as 
obtained by the miller and the baker. 
Warer Exevator.—Dr. Seunorx, of Guildford-street, 
Russell-square, presented to the Council 4 working 
model of a machine invented for the purpose of raising 
water out of shallow cavities in land, and applyiag it in 
a continuous stream for any required object. Dr. 
Spurgin, in submitting this invention to the notice of 
the Members, remarks— 
simple, and efficient machine for raising water only a few feet, 
the plan more generally known, I thought by submitting it to 
e members of the Royal Agricultural So- 
the necessary velocity may be obtained either by a multiplying 
wheel, or by having the belt traversing on a single wheel of a 
belt, dipping below into the liquid, and compressed or wrung 
above by means of a small wheel pressing it closely to the 
The Council ordered their thanks to be given to Dr. 
Spurgin for his attention in presenting.this model to 
the Society. 
Miscettanzous Communtcations. — The following 
communications were also laid before the Council :— 
A complete set of Swinborne’s Farming Account Books, 
adapted for the use of the several grades of persons employed 
in agricultural a: 
referred to the Fa’ 
Presented by Mr. Fisher Hobbs, and 
ing Account Committee. 
statement from Mr, Saul, of Garstang, of his invention 
for watering Turnips. 
A letter from Mr. Pellatt, on the subject of his further re- 
duction in the price of glass milk-pans, and on that of the 
application of glass to the purposes of sky-lights, roofing, and 
water-pipes. 
4. A suggestion from Mr. Rowlandson, of Liverpool, whether 
instead of an inspector of manures, the employment of à 
broker might not be the best mode of preventing the purchase 
of adulterated artificial manures. 
5. Papers from Mr. Coxworthy on Ventilation, &c., addressed 
to the Duke of Richmond. 
6. A communieation from Mr. Newberry on the Cultivation 
of Wheat, addressed to the President. 
The President having thenjadverted to the attention 
paid to the Society by the Lord Mayor of London in the 
communication with which his lordship had honoured 
Lord Portman as President of the Society, the Members 
of Council and Governors present, proceeded to the 
business of the Special Council, the President in the 
chair. 
Mr. Hanptey.—The President having called the at- 
tention of the Council to the great loss the Society had 
sustained in the death of their trustee, Mr. Handley, the 
Duke of Ricumonpfeelingly dwelt on those circumstances 
of Mr, Handley’s connexion with the Society, from its 
earliest organisation to within a few days of his decease, 
which had gained for him the undivided respect of every 
member of the Society, and would connect his name 
with its history to the latest period of its existence, His 
Grace referred particularly to Mr. Handley’s letter ad- 
dressed to the late Earl Spencer, previously to the for- 
mation of the Society, and which had so materially pre- 
pared the way for its establishment by the simple but 
striking effect with which the advantages of such an 
association for objects so truly national were advocated 
by its now lamented author. He alluded to the zealous 
devotion with which Mr. Handley had devoted himself 
to the duties of the Presidency during his year 
of office, and that of the Bristol Meeting ; and 
to his indefatigable exertions in the cause of the Society, 
both in his capacity of trustee and member of the Jour- 
nal Committee, as well as on every other occasion re- 
quiring his valuable aid. “No man,” said his Grace, 
“ever more zealously performed his duty than Mr. 
Handley ; and his death is an irreparable loss to his 
family and to all of us.” 
On the motion of the Duke of Richmond, seconded 
by Colonel Challoner, the President was requested to 
address a letter of condolence in the name of the Coun- 
cil, to the Hon. Mrs. Handley, on the occasion of this 
bereavement. The President remarked, that anything 
more gratifying than the manner in which their late 
colleague and friend had devoted himself to the inte 
rests of the Society, could not well be imagined; an 
he und k, with a melancholy satisfaction, the du'y 
of endeavouring to convey to his afflicted family an eX 
pression of that high estimate which they all there 
present, in eommon with every other member of the 
Society, entertained, of deep respect for his memory. 
The following elections were then made. 
On the motion of Mr. Raymond Barker, seconded 
by Colonel Challoner, Lord Portman was unanimously 
elected one of the Trustees of the Society. : 
On the motion of the Duke of Richmond, seconded 
by Mr. Fisher Hobbs, the Earl of Hardwicke was una- 
nimously elected. one of the Vice-Presidents of ihe 
Society. 
Mr. Pym was unanimously elected one of the Stew, 
ards of the Cattle-yard at Newcastle, and the name 9 
Mr. Fisher Hobbs added to the list of the Farming 4° 
count Committee. t 
The Secretary laid before the Council the contu 
into which he had entered in their name, and agree? 
with the arrangements of the General Newcastle Com- 
mittee, with Mr. Haigh, of the Assembly Rooms, Nee 
castle-upon-Tyne, for the supply of the Pavilion Dinu 
for 1200 persons. 
Mr. PnawpneTH Grpps, Director of the Show, ii 
ported from Neweastle the satisfactory progress of ie 
arrangements for the Society’s ensuing Country Me 
ing and Exhibition of Stock and Implements. n 
ommunieations were received from Mr. Merry 1 
weather of Long Acre, respecting the exhibition i 
the powers of his great Fire-Engine at Newcastle ka 
fore the Mayor and Corporation ; and from Mr. | OE 
ton, of Holywell, respecting the sale and Caney de 
his stock.—The Special Council then adjourned 25 a 
Music Hall, Neweastle-upon-Tyne, on Tuesday ne 
2 o'clock. 
The Weekly Council stands adjourned to the 29th 
instant in London. 
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