99——1846.] 
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
489 
us who live in the country if you could draw out a scale 
of the necessaries of life for a eottager's family, so that 
we may be ready with a list to show him how he may, 
by good management, make his weekly earnings sup- 
port himself and family, and how he may sometimes lay 
by a little for the rent and savings’ bank. Besides, 
- Wages we know vary considerably in different counties, 
but I know some people have brought up families upon 
10s. and 125. per week, and 14s. is considered good pay. 
How this is done I won't pretend to say ; but this I 
know, that in the neighbourhood of London a labourer 
has told me he cannot support his family upon 18s. per 
week. I tell him he is a bad manager, and ask him 
how others with much less wages do? He asks me to 
tell him how he can lay out his money better? Thatis 
just what I wish you to help me in. How shall I 
answer him, Pray do your best to sketch out a list of 
articles, with their fair prices, wanted by a cottager and 
family; and about what the consumption would be per 
week. Of course in some things, such as a piece of 
bacon, Potatoes, &c., he had better lay in half a side or 
a sack if possible at a time, as it would cost so much 
less and be always at hand. I feel sure you will think 
mine a good hint ; pray give me the benefit of your as- 
'Sistanee.— Northwood. 
Bones dissolved in Caustic Ley.—l1 have seen much 
in your Paper of bones being dissolved in sulphuric 
acid as a manure. Are you aware that bones may be 
dissolved in the alkaline ley of the soap-boiler ? and 
will form a paste of the consistence of butter, which may 
be reduced to any thinness of fluid required for appli- 
eation as a liquid manure, Am I wrong in believing 
that, as the solvent power consists solely of soda-ash 
and lime, it would be a more powerful manure than the 
bones with acid? There was a patent some years ago 
for making soap in this manner ; whether the patent is 
4n force now I do not know, but that can easily be dis- 
covered if thought worth while.— M. D. P. 
Thin Sowing.—As there aresuch discordant opinions 
about thick or thin sowing, deep or shallow draining, 
&c., I beg to state that my farm is open to the inspec- 
tion, at all times, of my brother agriculturists, for the 
purpose of p g some exp I have made as 
above ; also, they will see the effects o 
dibbling m 
and Cros 
sse. 
Abortion.—Referring to an observation on abortion 
in cows by * G. D." in your Number for June 20, 
X do not agrée with him that the blame rests 
with the bull; in the spring of 1845 I had many cows 
east calf which had been bulled by different bulls in 
different parts of the kingdom, nor did all the cows to 
any particular bull east calf. If it is infectious from 
the bull, one would expect that the cow would be likely 
to cast calf at three, four, or six months, instead of 
carrying the infection about with her for seven or eight 
months, which is frequently the case before making use 
it. I am more inclined to think that some seasons 
are more favourable to it than others, and also some 
Situations more so than others, having this spring had 
most of a lot of Galloway heifers on one farm east 
"calf, while in another farm I had not one which did 
produce a live and healthy calf, and these two lots were 
in calf to the same bulls, and were divided after the 
bull was taken from them the previous summer, Cast- 
ing calf at six to eight months has gone on more or less 
among my herd of short-horned cows from different 
herds, of different breeds, and in calf to different bulls 
for two years, and on a farm where before that time 
no person remembered a cow casting calf. I have 
tried bjeeding, and keeping such cows quite separate 
rom the remaining in-calf cows, &e. &c., but as yet 
with no success, and I should feel much obliged to 
* G. D.” if he would favour me, and at the same time 
many others similarly situated, with his mode of pre- 
vention.—Q. 
To Cure the Gapes in Poultry.—My servants have 
tried the following experiment, and have always 
hitherto succeeded in curing my chickens of that de- 
Structive disensé, the “gapes.” “ Let some one take 
the chicken, holding it in one hand, and placing the 
Other overits back, soas to hold it firm, and then let 
the operator take a small but firm feather from a hen 
Dt pigeon, and strip it from the stem, excepting about 
an inch and a half from the tip end, according to the 
Size of the chicken, wetting it a little except at the ex- 
treme point. The operator should then take the head 
Of the chicken in the left hand, placing his thumb and 
forefinger on each side of the bill, in such a manner as 
to hold the mouth open, the neck being gently but firmly 
Then observe the open- 
und, by which means some of the 
1 e feather, and others will be so 
Sosened that the chicken will sneeze them up, and 
throw them from its mouth. It is not advisable to do 
it more than twice at the same time, but if the chicken 
ed the da may be sure there are some 
Süll remain s operation must be repeated." 
e will pe e that this is an extract from a publi- 
“fon, but as the work may not be in the hands of 
many to whom the information may be as acceptable as 
it was tò myself, I am induced to forward it to you.— 
Potatoes.—In the beginning of November I planted 
a portion of new land (well trenched) with Potatoes 
which had been selected as diseased and unfit for cook- 
ing. Two rows of whole Potatoes were planted by the 
side of two rows of sets or single eyes. Both were put 
into fresh muck from the farm-yard, about 6 inches 
deep, and covered over. The sets altogether failed, not 
one of them having appeared to grow. The whole 
Potatoes all grew, and have been, and still are looking 
in perfect health to this day. I have taken up some of 
the plants, and find that they have made abundance of 
tubers; and these latter all seem in a growing and 
thriving state ; but those which are of full size are all 
covered with the tubercles of incipient disease, which, 
in their present tender state, rub off with skin of the 
Potato. From these facts I derive these inferences : 
That Potatoes planted in November in fresh muck 
answer perfectly well; that if diseased seed be planted 
ou will have diseased produce ; and, that to insure a 
crop it is better to plant whole Potatoes than sets.—.4 
Subscriber, Holbrook, Suffolk. 
Potato Disease.—The destructive Potato disease of 
last season has been observed during the past fortnight 
to have attacked the roots and haulm of early Potatoes 
in this neighbourhood, but I did not until to-day find 
the tubers affected. I send you specimens of the latter. 
—Cymro. [The specimens sent were far advanced in 
disease.] 
à Societies. 
GREAT MEETING OF THE ROYAL AGRICUL- 
TURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND AT NEW- 
CASTLE-ON-TYNE. 
EXHIBITION OF IMPLEMENTS. 
Tuesday, July 14.—The reporter has this year by no 
means such a laborious task as he has had on former 
occasions. Many well-known valuable agricultural 
impl y imp upon machines for- 
merly exhibited, and several entire novelties, have been 
exhibited at Newcastle ; but taken as a whole, and con- 
sidering the neighbourhood of Seotland, and the expec- 
tations which that has excited, the exhibition must, we 
think, be considered to have fallen considerably short 
of those of former years. Very much fewer Implements 
were shown, and the space of ground allotted to them 
was unnecessarily large. 
THE FOLLOWING IS THE AWARD OF THE JUDGES. 
Exhibitor. 
Prize. Implement. 
..|Best Plough adapted to 
eavy land. 
.|Best Plough adapted to 
] 
101. Mr. J ohn ‘He ward 
101. Mr. John Howard .. 
5l. Mr. Hornsby  .. ..|Best Drill for 
100. Mr. Hunter .. JU Best Turnip Drill on the 
flat, and also for dis. 
tributing compost in a 
100. Mr. Teasdale .. 1l on the 
for 
compost 
in a moist or dry state. 
100. Mr. Crosskill +. .«.|Best Scarifier 
100. Mr. Cornes Ky c 
200. Mr. Seragg se 5 v. s. 
Best Machine for making 
Draining Tiles or 
.|Best Harrow. 
est Drill Presser, depo- 
siting Manure & Seed. 
BL. Mr. Coleman  .. 
101. Mr. Hornsby 
BL. Mr. Robinson .. ..|Best Churn, 
107. Mr. James .. .. ..|Best Weighing Machine 
for Farm Produce and 
live Cattle. 
5l. Mr. Robinson .. ..|Best Steaming Appara- 
s for Roots. 
SL. (Not sufficient merit) ..|Best Skim, or Paring 
Bi 5 
107. r.Read .. s. «.|Best Subsoil Pulerizer. 
151, (Not sufficient merit) ..|Best Horse Seed Dibbler. 
5L. Mr. Crawford .. ..|Best Hand Seed Dibbler. 
5l. Mr. Crosskill ^. ..{Best Linseed Crusher. 
51.5 Mr. Crosskill .. .|Best one Horse Car 
251, Mr. Garrett .. .. Best Thrashing Machine. 
100. (Not sufficient merit) ..|Best Set of ining 
: Tools and Instraments. 
250, (Not sufficient merit) ..|Best Steam Power, ap- 
plicable to Thrashing 
and other Agricultural 
purposes. 
250. (Not sufficient merit) ..|Best Horse Power, do, do 
MISOELLANEOUS ARTICLES. 
iere ..|Tayband Maker 
3l. orn Crusher 
8l. achine. 
Bl, ent Axle. 
GA 
5l. 
Bl. -|N 
5l. Mr. al 
Silver Medal| Messrs. St ‘l@ubber. 
Silver Medal Messrs. Barrett & A | Spike Roller. 
ši «edal|Mr. il .. 0 ..| Wheels and Axle. 
da Drill. 
r e haee: ) 
Mr. Richmond .. «| Root Washer, 
Mr. Harding -. | Whipple Trees. 
B. T. BnaxpnETH Grnns, Director of the Show. 
From this it will be seen that Mx, Howard has again 
carried off the premium for the best Plough ; and look- 
competition amongst exhibitors urder this head ; 
admitted, was generally superior :o that of the latter, 
ing at the work in the field, no me, we think, could | other, as each hole is made and eac 
doubt that it was his due, There was considerable |—Another attempt to supply the deside 
any | by Messrs. Gi 
wheel-ploughs and many swing-yloughs tried for the | this a dibber was connected w 
Society's prize, and the work of ine former, it must be | interval of som 
The best part of the exhibition uuquestionably was | principle of the : 
that of Sowing Machines. It vill be seen that Mr. | Dingle's, to which we have be 
l 
Hornsby, of Spittlegate, near Grantham, has again car- 
ried off the prize for Drill and Drill-presser. Mr. 
Vingoe, of Penzance, again exhibited his Seed Planter, 
which he has greatly and most ingeniously improved 5 
the work of this implement on the trial ground was most 
satisfaetory, and how the judges came to overlook its 
claim for à premium, in acknowledgment both of its 
mechanical and agricultural merit, we cannot think. 
The bottom of the seed-box consists of a metallic plate, 
with holes pierced in it at intervals suitable for the rows 
of corn ; these holes are guarded by brushes, which 
hinder the exit of seed. Metallic slides, to which an 
oscillating motion is given, also cover these holes, and 
they are themselves pierced ; the holes in these become 
filled with the seed resting on them, and according to their 
thickness, so is their capacity. As the slides are drawn 
back the seed is drawn under the brushes, where it imme- 
diately drops through the holes below them, and is con- 
veyed by a funnel to the ground, The regular delivery 
of seed thus depends upon a regular intermittent coin- 
cidence between holes in the fixed and holes in the 
moveable dise, which, together, form the bottom of the 
seed-box. Last year this intermittence—this oscillatory 
movement was given by a set of cranks om a spindle, 
made to revolve from the carriage wheels; each slide was 
independent of the other, and had its own erank to work 
it. This year Mr. Vingoe has greatly improved upon this. 
All his moveable and feeding holes are in one slide ex- 
tending along the bottom of the seed-box, and motion is 
given to it by a wheel (moved by the carriage wheels), 
which has a zig-zag edge : this edge acts on knobs or 
tappets attached to the slide, and as it revolves it pushes 
the slide first.a few inches to the right and then a few 
inches to the left in regular and rapid succession— 
which is just the motion wanted. It is obvious that 
upon the form of the edge of this wheel depends the 
nature of the motion of the slide ; and that it may be 
made rapid at one part, as when its hole is amongst the 
corn ; and slower at another, as when it is under the 
brush and delivering its corn just as may be wanted. 
The machine has a manure-box of the usual construc- 
tion and a delivery attached to it, and it has coulters 
for covering the seed ; all of which, together with the 
whole machine, appear to act admirably. We add the 
following from a printed statement:—* The present ma- 
chine (on two wheels) is admirably adapted for the 
depositing of grain, seed, pulse, and artificial manure, 
on any kind of land or soil, and warranted to work with 
great dispatch, equally well over ridge and furrow as 
on the flat; also up and down or on the side of hills, 
thus possessing greater qualities and capabilities than the 
former. It can be constructed of any number of rows, 
with an adjustment for shifting the width of the same 
to any number of inches apart. It does not make holes 
as a dibbler, but forms grooves in the soil, by means of 
pressing wheels, and in the grooves or beds the seed is 
deposited at intervals, as dibbling, or in a train, as drill- 
ing, by the action of slides, with great accuracy, at any 
quantity to the aere. The seed is seen to drop with 
great regularity in the grooves made in the soil, and is 
covered effeetually by hoes from behind. Any uniform 
depth is attained by the applieation of weight to the 
pressure-box, and the entire apparatus is readily raised 
out of the ground at headlands, or when turning.— 
Price 387. —six rows, with manure and double shafts.” 
But the greatest competition under the head of 
sowing machines, and decidedly the most interesting in 
the yard, was that amongst hand sowing machines, 
We called attention last year to the contrivance of Mr, 
Bentall, of Maldon, Essex, as one in which the oseillat- 
ing movement of one pierced dise over another was ob- 
taiced in a very elegant method, and we have after trial 
found but little reason to alter our opinion of its merits. 
It is one in which, as we thought at the time, the at- 
tempt was wisely abandoned to unite the operation of 
dibbling and seed depositing in the same instrument 
The former operation is done by an ordinary dibber 3 
advance of the boy with the seed depositer. But Mr. 
Crawford, of Moseley-road, Birmingham, has made a 
most skilful attempt this year to unite the two, and 
though we have not yet tried the instrument, it appears 
so well adapted to its purpose that we have ordered one 
for use, and advise others to do the same. Tae lower 
part is a flat dise of some 3 or 4 inches in diame 
which rests upon the land. In the centre is a circular 
bore, through which, when the instrument is used, a 
cylindrical dibber with a flat end is uded. "This 
forms the hole, and, as it is lifted, a couple of seeds, which 
in the act of! passing downwards have been released 
from the seed box, and have since been waiting at the 
lower part of the instrument, drop through the hole 
which the dibber traverses into that which it has formed 
in the ground. These seeds are released at each move- 
ment by means of dises, oscillating, as we have de- 
scribed, but by a different method, and doubled so as 
ensure regularity. The movement is, in this case, 
effected by slides affixed to the handle of the instrument, 
not parallel to its length (for then they would obviously 
have no effect at all), but obliquely, so that first the 
one side and then the other acting first on the one edge 
and then on the other of the usverse sliding dise, 
causes it to move first to the one h and then to the 
soed required. 
itum was that 
f Stratford on-Avon, In 
ith a seed-depositor at an 
s 7 or 8 inches, so that while ene hole 
another should be heing filed. The 
er part of the inst that of 
tillett and Co., o. 
should be makin 
— 
