THE 
30—1846.] 
AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
509 
tural labourer. The list of premiums was then unani- 
mously confirmed and approved of by the meeting. 
The Secretary next laid‘on the table an abstract of the 
accounts of the Society for 1845, which was approved of. 
Mr. TunNBULL of Abbey St. Batban’s, said as Chair- 
man of the Finance Committee of the Society, it was 
his duty to bring befere the meeting the next subject 
to be taken up, viz., to obtain authority for the appro- 
priation of 20007. of the capital of the Society. After 
the introduction of the present Secretary to the duties 
of his office, the Directors considered it necessary to 
make particular inquiry into the state of the funds of 
the Society. In the course of doing so, they found 
that the debts amounted to much more than they had 
anticipated, which arose from different causes. For 
‘some years past there had been an accumulation going 
on, so that probably one-half of the whole amount arose 
from this source. But another cause was, the large 
amount of the expenditure at the Society’s show at 
Dumfries last year. He believed the fact was, that 
after applying the funds which came to the Society 
from other sources, as the subscriptions from the dis- 
trict, and the collections at the doors of the show-yard, 
the Society had sustained a loss of nearly 10007. He 
trusted that the Committees in charge of future shows, 
namely, of that this year at Inverness, and the one at 
Aberdeen next year, would look particularly after this 
matter, and be as economical as possible in their pro- 
ceedings ; for it was quite clear, that if the Society in- 
curred such an expenditure as that of last year, it would | th 
be impossible to carry on its important operations. The 
amount of debt, as ascertained by the Committee, was 
24971. 10s. 7d.; the available funds arising from income 
amounted to 493/. 1s. 7d., leaving a balance to be pro- 
vided of 20047. 9s, The only way in which this sum 
could be provided was by an application of the capital 
of the Society ; but it appeared from the charter, that 
no part of the capital could be applied except by the 
authority of a general meeting, and it was also necessary 
that intimation of the intended application should be 
made to two meetings of the Board of Directors, pre- 
vious to such general meeting. Now, these intimations 
had been already made to the Directors, who had una- 
nimously concurred in the propriety of the appropria- 
tion, and it now became his duty to move that the meet- 
ing approve of what the Directors ded 
gations in the laboratory and elsewhere, and to diffuse 
that knowledge throughout the country. 2. On the 
present state of the Association, as regards its efficiency 
as au institution to promote these objects. 3. On the 
benefits rendered by the Association, and its prospects 
of continued usefulness. A vacancy had taken place 
in the committee of management by the death of one of 
the representatives of the Highland Society, Mr. Aitchi- 
son, of Drumore, and he had to propose that Dr. Bal- 
four, professor of botany, be nominated iu his place.— 
The motion was unanimously agreed to. > 
Mr. Battie, of Coulterallers, stated that the Directors 
still continue to take a great interest in the class of 
cottage premiums ; they have endeavoured, both by in- 
serting them in the annual premium list, and by adver- 
tising in the newspapers, to call the attention of the 
public to the subject, but partly from the novelty having 
ceased, and perhaps from the circumstance that a great 
many parishes have already competed, few districts 
now ask for these premiums, and even when they do 
ask for them, they do not always send in reports of 
competition. He farther observed, that while the 
Society had for many years been anxious to promote 
the comforts of the married peasantry, it had neglected 
to do anything for unmarried farm-servants. Every 
one knows that 50 years ago the greater part of the 
farm-steadings of Scotland were much inferior to what 
they now are ; and that when a better class of houses 
was built for the tenantry, no provision was made for 
he dation of the ied ploug who 
had generally the loft over the stable assigned for their 
sleeping apartment, which neither promoted their 
health nor their comfort. He trusted that when the 
list of premiums came under consideration next year, 
the Directors would offer a premium to the proprietor 
who should, within a limited period, build the most 
approved farm.steading, affording proper accommoda- 
tion for. farm-servants. He was happy that the Secre- 
tary had alluded to the subject of ploughing matches. 
Medals to ploughmen was a very old and popular pre- 
mium of the Society, and while the cost of them was 
small, and the intrinsic value trifling, like the medal 
given to the successful soldier, their acquisition afforded 
a high qualification to the winner, and he hoped that 
the Society would continue to give them, and that while 
namely, the appropriation of 20007. of the capital of the 
Society for the payment of the debts due by the Society. 
—The resolution was unanimously approved of. 
Mr. Mackenats, of Muirton, as Chairman of the Depu- 
tation of the Directors appointed to attend the Show to 
be held at Inverness, reported the state of the arrange- 
ments in progress for the Show, embracing the follow- 
ing details :—Since the last general meeting, the amount 
9f the different premiums had been fixed, and re- 
Peatedly advertised. The whole sum offered for com- 
Petition at the Show, exclusive of medals, was 
10377. 10s. ; being 227/. more than on last occasion in 
1839, and was divided among the various departments 
of cattle, horses, sheep, dairy produce, poultry, imple- 
ments, &c., predominance being given to the breeds to 
Which, loeally, most importance was attached. 
The following resolution, altering the time of the 
annual meeting, was then passed ; in order to avoid the 
crowding likely to be occasioned by collision with 
another society which had appointed the same time and 
place : * That the General Meeting approve of the reso- 
lutions of the Directors of 12th June, and appoint the 
Show to be held at Inverness in the first week of Sep- 
tember ; and remit to the deputation of directors to 
make the necessary arrangements.” 
Mr. Gnauaw, of Balgowan, in reference to the 
useum, said—that in the dep of Models, the 
Collection was very incomplete, only one had been added 
Since last general meeting, and the want of many others, 
illustrative of the more recent improvements in agri- 
Cultural machinery, had been the subject of frequent 
Complaint on the part of visit Steps were being 
taken to supply deficiencies in Grains, Grasses, Grass 
Specimens, and Tree Seeds, and to polish and arrange 
specimens of Timber, while the Entomological 
‘Collection had undergone a thorough repair. The 
Prize samples of grain received from the local Socie- 
ties, and lodged in terms of the Society’s premium 
list, have fully sustained the character of former years, 
both with regard to weight and quality of the grain, 
and in some instances have even surpassed any which 
“lave been previously received. The advantage of the 
Premiums awarded for competitions in seeds had been 
Wy proved, and in partieular, reference might be made 
9 the great improvement in the grain sent from the 
County of Nairn. The Museum had received an addi- 
goa „to its pictures, in the painting of the Coaching 
fallion € Splendour,” executed by Mr. Gourlay Steell, 
and which has met with the unqualified approbation of 
all who had as yet seen it. The number of persons 
a 9 had visited the Museum since last general meeting 
Ss 13th January, was 3600, being upwards of 900 indi- 
iduals more than in the corresponding months of the 
Preceding year, which shows that the interest taken by 
Th, publie in this institution is steadily on the increase. 
uu directors have to express their high approbation 
the whole management under Mr. Lawson, the con- 
Servator, 
E Horny, of Langwell, said that he had placed in 
ands of the secretary a proof of the report, which 
ld next day be made to the Agricultural Chemistry 
Ssociation ; the report was divided into different heads, 
hat has been done, in terms of the constitution of 
Ssociation, to enlarge our knowledge, by investi- 
Wou 
Aj 
the As 
the pror or the wealthy tenant was able to 
exhibit his gold medal or piece of plate for some useful 
i in agrieul the industri lough 
p 
would have it in his power to show to his friends the 
medal which his skill in his art had procured for him.— 
From the Edinburgh Evening Courant of July 9, 1846. 
— SRehícto 
S. 
We have to apologise for the neglect which several 
valuable works lately sent us have apparently received 
at our hands. Press of business connected with the 
other sections of the Paper has hitherto hindered us 
from giving the requisite attention to them ; but we 
shall endeavour within the next fortnight to overtake 
our arrears in this matter. 
Farmers’ Clubs. 
Hanrzsron, July 8.—The Advantages of Low Fences 
the first clipping so much easier, as not materially to 
inerease the expense. The Club cannot conclude this 
resolution without expressing a hope that, amongst 
other alterations in the covenants in leases which it has 
previously ded, the restrictions on the elipping 
of fences may be removed. 
Farm Memoranda. 
Spring Park, NEAR Cmovpow— You were kind 
enough, some time ago, to make room in your columns 
‘or a few observations of mine, on the system of thin 
sowing, and for an account of a considerable failure in 
my Wheat crop last year, which might appear to some 
as having arisen from that practice ; I, therefore, think 
it but fair to lay before you the result of an excursion 
[ this spring made to the farms of Mr. Hewitt Davis 
(the great advocate of the system), for the special pur- 
pose of satisfying myself, as far as might be done by a 
single visit, upon the spot, of the real effects of his 
practice. My visit was made upon the 28th of April 
last, without any previous appointment. Mr. Davis 
was not at home ; but I was very civilly received by his 
bailiff, or grieve, who accompanied me over almost 
every field of the two farms. These are near each 
other, and embrace, as I understood, about 260 acres 
of arable, besides some 40 acres of wood. ‘Lhe soil for 
the greater part is exceedingly poor, being chiefly a 
sort of red gravel in a tenacious ochry cement, often 
consolidating into a concrete rock, which comes close 
to the surface in large masses; and in other parts 
forms a hard till, which it is very difficult to break up. 
In the better spots there is found a covering of dark 
loam, and here and there a considerable portion of sand. 
The whole is of a wet springy nature, and required 
thorough draining throughout—which has been per- 
formed over most of it with tiles. Few subjects can 
be imagined more discouraging to a farmer; and yet, 
on reaching the principal farm of Spring Park, I was 
struck at once with the superior appearance of its 
cultivation, as contrasted with that of other lands 
which I had passed on the way from London to 
roydon and in its vicinity. The first field I 
entered was sown with Peas in wide drills, which 
were being horse-hoed. They were 10 inches high or 
more, and of the most healthy hue. Here I was met 
by the bailiff, who took me to the next field, which was 
under Wheat. This wasalso in drills 12 inches asunder.. 
He asked me to say whether I thought the plant suffi. 
ciently thick, and 1 could not but admit that it was £o 3. 
it was fully and even luxuriantly grown, and gave 
every promise of a heavy crop. From thence we went 
over other fields under Wheat and Barley, all of 
which, though not equally advanced, exhibited the same 
appearance of health. 
on which the plant was thin, as if it had misgiven ; but 
such were rare, and over the whole there was ample 
promise of a luxuriant erop. Over the whole Wheat, 
the bailiff assured me that the seed was at the rate of 
not more than three pecks per acre ; but, then, all had 
been sown in the preceding October. Barley was sown 
at the rate of six pecks to the acre, and some sown in. 
January was as tall and luxuriant as the Wheat. The 
Oats were less advanced, but promised well, though 
sown with only soven pecks tothe acre. But the most 
and the Expence of Clipping them.—R AS 
clipped fences are generally accompanied by what are 
equally necessary, elean cut borders and ditches, the 
Club has taken both subjects into consideration, and is 
of opinion that the advantages of the practice may be 
best shown by pointing out some of the evils of high 
hedges aud uncut borders, These are, the obstruction 
of sunshine and air from the headlands and sides of 
fields, rendering them difficult to cultivate, and the 
erops on them bad in proportion, notwithstanding that 
more manure is frequently deposited on them than on 
any other part of the field by stock seeking shade or 
shelter—the latter, however, during cold winds, not 
being equal to that from a good clipped fence. The 
afford also greater harbour to birds and other animals, 
injurious to the crops, and greatly encourage the growth 
of weeds. Low and neatly-clipped fences, on the con- 
trary, are as useful as they are ornamental, admitting 
light and air equally to every part of the field, so ne- 
cessary to the perfect growth and ripening of corn; 
whilst early and careful cutting of ditch and border 
Grass prevents the spreading of weeds, keeps the | 
ditches in good order at less expense, and affords better 
feed after the corn crops are removed. 
Club considers the trifling expense at wh 
vantages are obtained, it would be surprised that the 
clipping of fences should be so seldom practised, but for 
the knowledge that the covenants in almost every lease 
prevent its adoption. It believes also that there is a 
prevailing idea amongst many farmers that it is an ex- 
pensive operation. Those entertaining such an opinion 
will be surprised to learn that the Club has satisfactory 
evidence, that on an average of farms in this district 
(noted for its small inclosures), low fences may be cut 
once a year for the small sum of 2d. per acre! and 
that the border and ditch Grass may be cut once, and 
the fences twice, for double that charge. It is recom- 
mended that the borders and ditehes should be first 
cleaned, taking care to complete that part of the work 
efore the seeds of the Grasses or weeds are ripe ; the 
produce either to be given to store stock in yards, or 
made into a stack of coarse hay. The fences to be cut 
immediately after ; and again, if thought necessary, at 
Michaelmas ; the clippings to be carried into yards for 
manure. The second eutting, removing those shoots 
which would otherwise harden in the winter, renders 
thing was the crops of Beans, which though. 
planted in several fields, not of the best soil, were re- 
gular and luxuriant, and already full a foot high, exhi- 
biting that rich dark succulent blade which is the best 
warrant of a vigorous and healthy growth. These were 
planted in drills of 27 to 28 inches, and, as I under- 
stood, in the month of October. Other fields were 
covered with a dense and rich carpet of Red Clover 
(without admixture of any other Grasses), which had 
already attained considerabie height. Over the whole 
there reigned a very remarkable aspect of thriving 
health ; but a still more remarkable feature was the 
total absence of all weeds: not a Dock or Thistle or 
Rag-weed was to be seen. Some young annuals had 
sprung up between the drills, but these were fast yield- 
ing to the horse-hoe, which was making its progress 
through the Pulse crops, and to the hand-hoes, which 
were performing the same duty between the drills of. 
the corn crops. I must say l never saw so clean a. 
‘arm, * We can’t afford to grow weeds here,” said the 
bailiff, when I remarked to fhim the absence of 
these nuisances. ‘There were several things which 
I saw, which induced me to make inquiries as to 
the rotation observed on these farms. I had men- 
tioned my own loss by the worm, particularly in 
ley land, and was informed that they never took Wheat 
or any corn crop after'ley ; they break it up with Beans 
and Peas, without any manure, which they find give a 
very paying crop, and which not only do not suffer from 
wireworm themselves, but, by the tilth they require, 
clean the land from these destructive reptiles, and insure 
a good erop of Wheat afterwards. Another peeuliarity 
of Mr. Davis's system is, that he never sows Rye yass 
seeds, but Red Clover alone, whieh is mowed twice for 
hay, and then ploughed down for Beans and Peas, as 
aforesaid, A third point of practice seems highly de- 
Serving of imitation. The Beans are sown so early as 
September and October, and the ground being con- 
stantly stirred and kept clean by horse-hoeing, it is fit 
about May or June to receive a crop of Turnip, which 
is sown between the rows, and which, after the Beans 
have been eut, come into feed sheep, as Mr. Davis says, 
in September or October. His rotation is as follows :— 
1st year—Rye and Tares, after the Wheat, eat off by sheep in 
in April, May, and June ; followed by Mangold Wurzel, 
Swedes, and Turnips, with a liberal dressing of farm- 
yard dung. 
There were some poor spote- 
