31—1846.] 
THE AGRICULTURAL UAZETTE | 525 
sets and planted it in a favourable situation. It came 
up well; but when a foot high the leaves began to be 
blotehed and to wither away. Two of the stems showed 
blossoms, but they dropped off. I watched it carefully, 
and removed the leaves as they decayed ; but at length 
the stems withered away, and yesterday I raised the 
roots, One of the sets remained entire but rotten, the 
others had disappeared. I found a few very small 
tubers at the roots of each, and having washed them, 
they appear quite sound. Their future history may 
i ing. The ci have just men- 
tioned has suggested that, when the disease appears in 
the leaves and stems, the crop should be taken up, and 
though the tubers be but half grown, still it is possible 
they may remain sound. The progress of the disease, 
at least in this case, seems to be downwards, and if the 
plants be raised before the roots are affected, much may 
possibly be saved.—G@. S. Mackenzie. 
Farm-house Gardening.—1 have some time had it in 
contemplation to address a line to you ona subject that, 
I conceive, merits your attention, not to say your ani- 
madversion, namely, the state of farm-house gardening 
throughout the country, Having now passed some 
years in the world, with my eyes not quite shut on gar- 
dening subjects, and also wandered over a considerable 
Space in this isle of our habitation, the result of my 
general observation is, that of all classes of our fellow 
Subjects who possess gardens, those attached to farms 
are generally to be found the worst managed, and in 
the worst condition. There are, it is true, exceptions, but 
I believe the above is the rule; and to me it seems 
Strange, as farming and gardening are kindred pursuits; 
nevertheless, you will find tradesmen and mechanics 
very frequently far better gardeners than the generality 
of farmers ; I cannot account for it, but on many occa- 
sions when conversing with farmers, I have been mor- 
tified to hear them speak of gardening with a kind o 
clownish contempt peculiar to themselves, as if it were 
a subject so far below their dignified attention, that it 
would be disgraceful for them to know anything about 
it. Surely, now that improved and improving agricul- 
ture is recommended by high practical authority to ap- 
proximate as near as possible to garden culture, which 
is held out as the object to be aimed at, our farmers will 
no longer consider it beneath their rustic dignity to 
diseover practically in their own bit of ill-managed 
Cabbage ground what garden culture really is ; at least, 
they may lay aside their clownish prejudice, and try for 
the discovery. My chief object in this, is to point your 
attention to the subject, hoping you will, in your own 
way, give our agriculturists a little extra drill on{the 
Subject.— Quercus. ^ 
Wireworm and White Mustard.— Amongst the agri- 
cultural curiosities at Mr. Huxtable's, was white Mus- 
tard 6 feet high, which the sheep cropped greedily, and 
which had apparently exterminated the wireworm in 
stiff land before infested with it. He thought they were 
driven down to escape its pungent roots until they were 
starved, If equally efficacious in other cases, this will 
be of great value.—J. P. 
~ 
Societies. 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY or ENGLAND. 
j A Weexry Councrt was held at the Society’s house, 
in Hanover-square, on Wednesday last, the 29th of Jul 
present, the Right Hon. Lord Porrman, in the chair ; 
Hon. Robert Henry Clive, M.P. ; Sir Robert Price, 
Bart, M.P.; Sir Offley Wakeman, Bart. ; Thos. Ray- 
mond Barker, Esq.; John Raymond Barker, Esq. ; 
Colonel Challoner; John Grey, Esq.; W. Fisher 
Hobbs, Esq. 5; John Kinder, Esq. ; Colonel MaeDouall ; 
Philip Pusey, Esq., M.P.; Prof. Sewell; W. R. C. 
Stansfield, Esq., M.P. ; J. Baines, Esq. ; T. B. Browne, 
Esq.; W. Pole Carew, Esq., M.P. ; A. E. Fuller, Esq.. 
M.P. ; Col. Hulse ; A. Ogilvie, Esq. ; Geo. Parsons, 
Esq. ; Apsley Pellatt, Esq. ; and T. R. Tweed, Esq. 
The following new Members were elected :—7 
Chapman, William, Saville-row, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Fox, Geo. Townsend, Durham 
x y treet, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
Wilson, Richard Bassell, Cliffe Hall, Darlington 
Shanks, William, Bishop Auckland, Durham 
arr, George, Greenla Walls, Berwick-upon-Tweed 
Boultbee, John, Noyadd, Cardiganshire 
Bullen, John, Charmouth, Dorsetshire 
Wood, Richard, 18, Temple-row, Birmingham 
M The names of 25 candidates for election at the next 
Teeting were then read. 
i Cuemicar Cuancrs iv Hay.— Sir Joun Wiritam 
ES Bart, favoured the Council with the following 
FOUUINDICATQIE :— At present, when so much attention 
th so usefully directed to Agricultural Chemistry, 
rues subject which it seems to me requires cluci- 
al in if only as a matter of interesting speculation. 
a Ü ude to the change in its chemical constitution which 
e kes place when hay is stacked. The great heat 
paved would seem to indicate some kind of fermenta- 
wee and this is further firmed by ‘the i 
Sual amongst farmers, that the hay is * sweetened’ 
a à proper heat. That water is given out in large 
X antities is often obvious to the eye, in the early morn- 
“a when the temperature of the cireumambient air 
Been: low the vapour is partially condensed, and thus 
P visible. But is water the only product? or 
contain any acid? are any essential oils evolved ? 
t * 
Would also be desirable to explain'the effect produced 
by adding salt when the hay is being stacked. I al- 
ways, until lately, took for granted that the advantages 
arising was from the savour of the salt making indif- 
ferent hay more palatable to the stock ; but the quantity 
1 have seen applied is so very minute, that I can hardly 
think it would alter the taste perceptibly, and it is pos- 
sible it may act by promoting or regulating in some 
way the process of fermentation. I have alluded to 
the development of acid matter, or evaporation of oily 
matter, but the capital question to determine is, whether 
in the fermentation any starch or woody fibre is turned 
into sugar? This, and similar questions, are properly 
speculative, and of scientific interest, but the mode of 
action "of salt or other extraneous substances is impor- 
tant as connected with the quantity that should be used, 
and is eminently of a practical character.” 
The Caarrman having stated, that he had read an 
interesting Paper on the subject of Hay in the last Part 
of the “Transactions of, the Highland Society,” the 
Council ordered their best thanks to be conveyed to Sir 
John Lubbock, for the communication with which he 
had favoured them, and information given to him at the 
same time of the article to which Lord Portman had 
referred. 
MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS. — l. From Mr. 
Pusey, M.P., Chairman of the Journal Committee, that 
the Judges of the Potato Essays for the Duke of North- 
umberland's Prizes, were still engaged in their exami- 
nation, and would be enabled to report to the Council 
on the subject by the end of the autumn. 
2. From Lord Portman: On the good effects he had 
found to result from mowing down the Potato haulms 
as soon as the plant came into leaf. 7 
3. From Mr. Pusey, M.P., Chairman of the Journal 
Committee, informing the Couneil that the publication 
of the Journal having been delayed for the purpose of 
ineluding in its contents the Lecture deiivered by Mr. 
Parkes, at?the Newcastle Meeting, the new Part would 
appear on Monday next, and would be found to contain 
several valuable papers.'} 
4. From Mr. ! Apsley “Pellatt : Explaining to the 
Council the success with which he had carried on ex- 
periments for casting pipes of glass for the conducting 
of water ; for forming glass milk pans of convenient size 
and shape, and at reduced prices, for the use of the 
dairy; and for constructing glass tiles, and arrange- 
ments of glass roofs, of a durable and economical cha- 
racter, for the admission of light and heat, and the ex- 
clusion of air or moisture. The specimens and models 
of these new constructions were exhibited by Mr. Pel- 
latt, to the Council, who returned him their best thanks 
for his kind trouble on the occasion. : 
5. From Colonel Mac Douall: Presenting copies of 
printed papers on artificial manures, on the part of Mr. 
Fleming, of Barochan. 
6. From Mr. T. B. Browne: Explaining to the 
Council the character of specimens of the “Cotswold” 
and Worcestershire white-straw red Wheat, which he 
had brought to town for the inspection of the members ; 
and for whose attention the Council returned him their 
best thanks. 
7. From Mr. John Parkinson, of Ley-fields : On the 
best mode of mixing Linseed oil with meal, as a substi- 
tute for Linseed cake. ė 
8. From Mr. Read, of Creditonj: [On the Potato 
disease. j 
9. From Mr. Stansfield, M.P. : Conveying a sugges- 
tion on the part of Dr. Hobson, of Leeds, by which, 
in his opinion, the Society’s desire to exclude fat 
animals from their show of breeding stock would be 
best affected, 
10. From Mr. Wilkinson, of High Buston: Seven 
communications on important topics of inquiry; on 
which Mr. Pusey, at the request of the Council, under- 
took to report at the November Council. 
11. From Mr. Voss, of West Bucknowle: On the 
eultivation of Stiff Clay Lands. 
12. From Mr. Beaumont : On his Plough-propeller. 
13. From Mr. Douglas, of Cockermouth : On Denti- 
tion in neat Cattle. 
Norices or Morrox.— The Cuarrman informed the 
Council that at their monthly meeting in November 
or December, as it might be found most desirable, 
it was his intention to bring under the consideration of 
the Council the question of passing some effectual and 
stringent measures in reference to the following points : 
1. The instructions to be given in future to the judges, 
for the purpose of enabling them to decide on the proper 
condition of animals qualified to compete for the prizes 
offered by the Society, for improving the breed of stock. 
2. The most effectual mode, by fine or otherwise, of 
preventing mere nominal entries of implements or stock, 
not followed by actual attendance and exhibition, at the 
Society's meetings. 
3. A condition in the sales by auction, to prevent fic- 
titious biddings, and to render such sales “ sales without 
reserve.” 
Mr. Kinder, as one of the stewards of the yard, under- 
took to inquire into the case of the entry and sale of 
a “ free-martin ” (the female of male and female twins) 
at the Society’s Country Meeting. 
. Barker having given notice that at the next 
monthly Council he should move the usual adjournment 
and vacation, the Council adjourned to Wednesday 
next, the 5th of August. 
Rebies. 
Hints to Landowners on Tenure, Prices, Rents, dc. 
By Barugh Almack, Land Agent; Author of the 
* Report on the Agriculture of Norfolk,” &. Pub- 
lished in the “Journal of the Royal Agricultural 
Society of England.” Longm in and Co. 
We hope to have opportunity hereafter for a more de~ 
tailed review of this work than at present we shall be: 
able to give it. Without professing acquiescence in all 
the author's views, especially on some of the subjects,, 
to diseuss which he digresses from the main object he 
has in view, we cannot err in characterising this. 
pamphlet as one likely to be very useful. 
Mr. Almack has already won for himself a high 
character for sound sense and trustworthiness on agri- 
cultural matters ; and his opinion backed as it is by 
arguments exceedingly well arranged, and brought from 
every quarter capable of affording them, is likely to be 
influential, We hope many landowners will read and 
study his work. 
It is too much the fashion in many quarters to con- 
sider security of tenure, and an acquiescence in what is 
termed ** Tenant-right,” as a favour done to the farmer 
at the expense of his landlord ; whereas there are no 
people more interested in measures caleulated to create 
a wealthy tenantry than the owners of the land. What 
is it which gives a value to landed property but the 
amount of capital in the hands of its cultivators ? 
Security of tenure we believe to be essential to the 
attainment of what for the landowner, if for any, isso 
extremely desirable—a wealthy tenantry, and a fully 
employed and well paid class of farm labourers. But 
we must let our readers see how Mr. Almack illus- 
trates this. 
“The * London Post Office Directory’ contains a list 
of 2465 different trades, or classes of people following 
different occupations ; and, as it is now common to tell 
the farmers they should ‘do as others are doing; per- 
haps some one will point out, if he can, from that list 
any one trade, profession, or calling, or any individual 
of those bodies, who is ever asked, or expected, to do 
what the occupiers of land are not only asked, but ex- 
pected, to do almost as a matter of course, viz., place 
their capital at the mercy of their landlord or his agent * 
If they cannot point out such an instance, they will 
perhaps excuse my suggesting that they ought to recon- 
sider the matter—first, place all on an equal footing, 
and then, but not till then, draw their comparisons be- 
tween classes. Meanwhile, let us ask, Why are the occu- 
piers of land the only class of people expected to lay out 
their money in such a manner as to give power to their 
landlords to apply it, in whole or in part, just when and 
as they please ; and, if they think that would not be 
prudent, allow them to keep their capital unemployed, 
and their labourers, in some instances, but a few degrees 
above starving point ? 
“Ts it not the duty of landowners to give their 
tenants some security of tenure, by lease or covenants, 
before they lay the whole blame on them for their la- 
bourers having in some cases but 7s. a week, as is 
reported ? 
“Can any case be mentioned where the labourers 
have but 7s. a week, while the farmers of the parish 
can have leases or protective covenants for their 
capital? Until that is done, let the blame of such a 
system of starvation rest with the agents for the estates, 
and not on the helpless tenants, who in such a case are 
as much to be pitied as their labourers, 
“ Does the tradesman build or repair his house with- 
out a lease? Does he ever expend money in ary 
manner where the Jaw does not protect him from the 
chance of the landlord’s appropriating it? even if he 
wished to do so, which is not probable in that ease, be- 
c 
ju 
when we have gone through a comparison of the dif- 
ferent cases, or I am grievously mistaken in my esti- 
mate of your feelings. N 
* When the tradesman leaves his shop he sells his 
lease, including of course all the improvements he may 
have made in the value of it, the price being in propor- 
tion to them ; he sells his stock in trade, of every sort 
and kind ; nay he cven sells the ** good-will” of his cus- 
tomers, and often gets a larger sum for that than the 
rae of all the goods he ever had at any one time in his. 
ife ! 
paper, and you will satisfy yourselves that your good- 
will may be bought. You may say they cannot compel 
us to go to the same shop. No, they certainly cannot 
compel any individual to go there if he wishes to do 
otherwise, except under peculiar circumstances ; but 
Have the goodness to take up the Times news- 
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