620 
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
[SzPT. 12, 
grew was avoided by cattle, and that it did not appear 
the second year. This would imply that it is an annual, 
which it does not appear to be ; so that, probably, two 
different plants are alluded to.—G. J. 
Horizontal Windmill.—l have looked with some in- 
terest for a promised communieation from one of your 
pondents, peeting an hori l windmill. 
Whatever Mr. Grey's opinion may be, the power of 
wind is very cheap ; and for many purposes, when time 
is not an object, a well-constructed windmill will answer 
all the purposes of a more expensive steam-engine.— 
G. 
Disease in Turnips—I farm about 60 acres of 
arable land for my own amusement. I put in, some 
seven weeks since (with a new patent drill from the 
maker's, at Spittlegate), 10 aeres of Turnips, manuring 
the land in equal portions with half-inch bones, Peru- 
vian and Potter’s guano, and superphosphate of lime. 
There is a very fine plant; the Turnips cover the 
ground, and have been hoed a second time. I wa: 
struck yesterday, in walking through my Turnips, with 
earance on the leaves not very dissimilar to the 
Potato disease. This day I walked again through my 
Turnips. The disease has certainly spread; I pulled 
up several which had deeayed just below the crown; 
but all which had the leaves touched (some of which 
1 pulled up), were clearly decaying at the bulb, looking 
very similar to the ulcerated appearance of the Potato 
tuber.— Reading. 
Potatoes in Nottinghamshire.—Since I wrote to you 
respecting the probable yield of grain, &c., this harvest, 
the Potatoes have been attacked with a similar disease 
to the one they had last year. Their leaves have turned 
black and have died, and the tubers when dug from the 
ground have been found to be more or less decayed,— 
E. J. Lowe, Highfield House, Notts. 
Sandy Oats.—Observing a strong recommendation 
in your Gagetie in favour of the Sandy Oats, I ordered 
a sack through my seedsman here. On arrival I was 
disappointed in the light description of grain, and am 
more so now in its produce. It is not yet thrashed out, 
but it appears to be a poor light unproductive grain. 
Whether any mistake has occurred in forwarding the 
corn, I cannot tell; but if any other of your corres- 
pondents have tried the same, I shall be obliged for the 
results, which may also be useful to others. Last 
autumn I sowed about half an acre of Italian Rye- 
Grass, which I am now cutting the fourth time ; but I 
observe in your Gazette mention made of a small piece 
eut nine or ten times. This is a wonderful growth. If 
we could have the date of each cutting, and the weight 
of a perch of cach, it might be very useful in deter- 
mining its value. The dates, I suppose, may yet be 
obtained. I wish I had more early thought of weigh- 
ing. I yesterday tried the fourth cutting, and give the 
result at foot. Each cutting has been over 2 feet high, 
ut I do not think it was-sowed thick enough, T also 
give the weight of the second euttinz of common Grass 
from my lawn, and of Red Clover. 
ne Per stone. 
Second eutting of Red Clover .. . oo eé08 
Second cutting common Grass .. . m 3 © 
Fourth cutting Italian Rye-Grass vy P oe 4 
— Abraham Fisher, Youghal, Aug. 27, 1846. 
omotieties. 
HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S 
GREAT SHOW AT INVERNESS. 
Tae following particulars in reference to the late 
meeting of this Society at Inverness are from the inte- 
resting report of it in the Inverness Courier. 
As regards the general character of the exhibition, in num- 
ity the stock was greatly superior to that ex- 
hibited here in 1539. The show of native Highland cattle was 
the largest and best that has ever been witnessed at any of the 
Society’s exhibitions. From the West Highlands there was an 
extensive display, and we were glad to find that the second 
premium was awarded to a bull from the island of Harris. The 
show of sh orn cattie was limited in number, but very ex- 
cellent, and.even remarkable, considering the distance of In- 
he s ern plains where the cattle abound. The 
s a noble animal, belonging to Mr. 
anditmay now be consi- 
stots. The show of sheep was 
t far from being so numerous as migbt 
admirable in quality, 
been anticipated in this district. Some of our most ex- 
tensive hill farmers did not compete, and the first premium for 
Cheviot tups was gained by a Haddington farmer. Both in 
Cheviot and blackfaced breeds the number shown was compa- 
ratively small, though some were first-rate animals, The prize 
blackfaced tups, bred in Peeblesshire, were remarkable for 
fleece and symmetry, and for their immense curling horns. 
There were also some fine half-bred sheep, natives of the north, 
which convinced the judges that our low-lying fields, where the 
elimate is not severe, are not unsuited to this more delicate 
description of stock. Of horses we had a good display—much 
Superior to that at the Society’s Show at Dumfries last year. 
Por active strength and muscular power there has rarely been 
a better exhibition of horses, and this seemed to surprise some 
of our visitors. Our hardy Highland ponies were also greatly 
admired. The following is an abstract of the show :—C: e, 
219 entries or lots: horses, 74; sheep, ; goats, 2; swine, 
22; poultry, 36 ; extra stock (some admirable animals in this 
class, but too late to be entered), 52 : dairy produce, 21 ; seeds, 
roots, and plants, 40; i 3 total, 648 lots. Itis 
ifying to know that most of the prizes were carried by prac- 
farmers. 
AGRICULTURAL 
4 buy 
grati 
tieal 
CHEMISTRY ASSOCIATION. 
e proceedings connected with the 
meeting commenced this morning with a public breakfast in 
‘the Northern Meeting Rooms, under the direction of the Agri- 
matters, would afterwards state the results of their experience. 
Professor Jounston said thatin the feeding of cattle no district 
was more interested than this. As a cattle-exporting district 
mixed food and prepared food. An individual going from one 
end of the country to another to observe the state of agricul- 
ture will look, not merely at the kind of stock, but he will more 
particularly observe the implements of husbandry in use 
throughout the various districts. In order, therefore, to form 
an estimate of the degree of attention paid to this matter of 
prepared food in England, on his visit to Newcastle at the great 
cattle show recently held there, he turned his attention parti- 
cularly to the examination of the implements exhibited having 
a bearing upon this point. Amongst these he found chaff-cut- 
ters, a peculiar machine for crushing corn and other seeds, and 
other instruments—all showing how much regard was being 
paid to this subject by practical men. There was no doubt but 
that the subject of the quantity of food which c. le required to 
produce a certain weight of beef was beginning to attract 
general attention ; and before he entered upon the few points 
which he meant to notice in connection with this question, per- 
ps it would be necessary to explain shortly the general com- 
position of food, In all kinds of bread there were contained 
three different kinds of matter. First of all there was a cer- 
tain quantity of fat, which the butter they ate represented, 
Secondly there was;a certain amount of sugar ; and then there 
was besides the third constituent, which was represented by 
the white of an egg.| Now it was of the very greatest import- 
ance what description of food was used, and what proportion 
it contained of those:three kinds of matter, as bearing upon the 
purpose it was intended to serve. Cattle had in their bodies 
different forms of matter also, but particularly flesh and fat, 
and the farmer shoul sufficiently acquainted with the 
nature of food to be able to distinguish what he should use 
when he wished to produce fat, or when he wished to produce 
‘at and lean both together; and the food which was given 
would effect the one or the other of those purposes according 
to its composition. The white of an egg, or al umen, would 
supply nothing, or nearly so, to the animal but muscle. Then 
the fat went directly to form fat. The starch in food kept the 
body warm, and when fat was wanted served the purpose of 
making the oily matter more readily become fat in the body of 
the animal. Now in fattening cattle, as in everything else, 
using the proper means produced the proper effects ; and after 
the explanation which he had given, they would see at once 
ta xture of food was better than the use of one kind 
alone. If they wanted to lay on muscle they would feed with 
food containing the largest amount of gluten; if 
wanted to lay on fat, they would e starch and oily sub- 
stances, and only a small proportion of the other ingredient. 
i not serve the purpose 
e most economical way. Me had a table 
representing the different proportions of fat in the food which 
they were in the habit of using; but he would illustrate what 
5 
con- 
er cent., or about double 
the amount which was to be found in Wheat. Oats was next 
to Indian corn in this respect, for it contained a large amount 
of fat. Gluten was the matter out of which the muscle was 
produced, and there were more of that substance in the Bean 
the Pea than in the Oat; but the Oat was better than 
Wheat. But there was another kind of food used for fattening 
Linseed, 
rom which oil-cake was made, differed from other descriptions 
of grain, in containing a greater amount of fat, and a larger 
amount of gluten likewise, with the exception of the Bean. 
Now practical men had derived great advantage from feeding 
their cattle on oil-seeds ; that food, from the peculiarity of its 
osition, laying on fat and muscle at the same time. ` Oil- 
cake, however, was the best food only when the greate: 
amount of fat was required, and according to the purpose 
which they had in view, farmers would give to their cattle 
other descriptions of food. It was a remarkable circumstance 
at the Bean and Pea contained very little fat, and as the 
wheels of the animal system required to be greased, these kinds 
of grain would not serve for that purpose, although they con- 
tained what made muscle. Although Bean and Pea were go 
food, therefore, they were not good as the sole food of animals, 
Besides, they would observe that from their different consti- 
tuents plenty of oil-seeds and plenty of Beans and Peas would 
be far more profitable than if they were to give either of them 
singly. That was the principle upon which the use of mixed 
food was founded—to give all the substances the animal re- 
uired, and to give them at the cheapest rate ; and the re- 
searches of the scientific man were directed to discovering the 
means by which these objects could be best accomplished. He 
had selected oil-seeds, but he might haye taken Potatoes or 
Turnips for his illustration. He had taken the oil-seeds, how- 
ever, because very great attention had been recently directed 
to the value of those seeds in the feeding of stock, and to the 
culture of Flax, which they was advancing with 
great rapidity in the neighbouring country of Ireland, and 
which was even progressing in England at a great rate. 
ight mention a remarkable fact connected with the im- 
provement of the Flax cultivation in Ireland, that a society 
whi as ished for the f that cultiva- 
tion, and which had its seat in Belfast, had an annual revenue 
of between 20001. and 30007. ; while the income of the Royal 
Agricultural Association of Ireland was less than one-half of 
that s From the progress the cultivation of Flax was 
making in Ireland, it was very deserving of attention by those 
who thought a change in the rotation of the crops would be 
useful in other parts of the country. person who had 
most directed his attention, practically, to the effects of feeding 
Stock with mixed foo! to feeding on Linseed, was 
Warnes, of Trimingham, Norfolk, and he (Professor J.) would 
point out to them the prineiples on which he proceeded; and 
they were sound scientific principles. He commenced by boil- 
ing the Linseed in water until it formed a kind of jelly ; then 
he stirred in a certain quantity of cut straw and chaff, and 
crushed corn. The mixture was then poured into moulds, and 
afterwards served to the cattle warm, which i 
com; 
ti 
3 
at sum. 
feeding Mr. Warnes said he could compete with any man, 
whether foreigner or not, as he could send cattle to Smithfield 
at 41d. per Ib., and pay him an ample return ; and in illustra- 
tion of this, he gives the results of two experiments, which he 
would read to the meeting, and which were as follow: 
“Since he followed out feeding, he knew not a single in- 
stance where he had not realized 8/. for every head of cattle he 
had kept for six months. At the farm where he now resided, 
he had reared for market the following cattle, after only, sia 
months’ box feeding :— 
7 Durham steers cost 87, 10s, each, sold for 197. 10s. 
eac vedi LESE VULQIR UI ow A ESL LE 
6 Scotch steers cost 101. each, sold for 22%, 105. each 75 
1 Cow cost 51. 5s., sold for 151. E I 
4 Scotch steers cost 107. each, sold for 201, each .. 40 0 
201 15 0 
“The above cattle were bought in and disposed of within six 
months, They consumed, with the following now in herd, 19 
acres of Turnips, about 14 quarters of Linseed, and a few 
bushels of Barleymeal, with several acres of Pea-straw :— 
9 Durham heifers, estimated value above the cost 
rice I. E m oe .. 2210 0 
2 Irish steers .. .. m I oe cones 13.0.0 
5 Small steers and heifers .. +. 80 0 0 
3 Calves, and butter from two cows — .. Ge sete hic 
16 10 0 
Deduct forj1£ quarters of Linseed, mostly grown 
upon the farm, 35l., also for Barley 4l. .. - 39 00 
ofit . 0" 
. m ve aer OF LO. 
In reference to Mr. Warnes’s experiments, too, it was to be 
observed that the value of the manure was very much in- 
creased in comparison with that derived from the ordinary 
method of feeding. But, besides this, there was another 
method of feeding of which he would speak from personal 
observation, and which he had witnessed in the neighbourhood 
of Northallerton. . He went to that place because he had heard 
that Mr. Marshall was keeping double the amount of stock, with 
the same quantity of Turnips, which he had been in the habit 
of doing only two years ago ; the other food used being ground 
Oats, Barley, Rye, and old Beans, and chopped 
straw at times ; but the cattle did best with the straw. 
ing, as he had stated, that Mr. Marshall kept double the stock 
upon the same. amoun i 
able, was the state of absolute rest 
cattle. There was not a single bea: 
was observed, which, they were aw: 
favourable for fattening, In connection with this subject he 
got the following information, and in order that they might 
fully understand it, he would present it in a tabular form. It 
was as follows :— 
Linseed, 2 Ibs., boiled for 3 hours in 4 gallons water. 
straw, 10 Ibs. Mcr T 
Growing corn, 5 ibs. } mixed with jelly. 
To be given in two messes, alternately with two feeds of 
Swedes, 
Now, the mode in which the Linseed was boiled was of con- 
siderable consequence, In the first place, it was boiled’ for 
three hours. The jelly was then poured upon crushed grain 
and cut straw, much in the same manner in which aman made 
mortar, being mixed together with a shovel, and allowed to 
Stand for an hour. gain, and after the 
e in a hot state, 
e fed regularly on 
this kind of food, and Turnips alternately, they remain in a 
state of extraordinary quiet. They become exceedingly fond of 
it, and commenced bellowing whenever they hear their 
neighbours being served before themselves. The practice was 
to give them a meal of the Linseed mixture at six in the morn- 
ing; Turnips at ten ; another mess of the Linseed in the after _ 
noon; and Turnips again in the evening. When he saw them 
first in the morning, it was after the got, their mess, and 
second oecasion, when tl 
meal. 
y, and given hi 
that the result was double the amount of stock kept on the 
same amount of land. The proportion of Turnips which would 
be grown upon a farm 
would obtain double the profit. Ww 
advantage, Ie would double the manure which he made 
the same time, which would contribute very much to the 
fertility of his land; he being enabled, by the use of this Lin- 
seed, to return more than he took out of it. The proportion 
of the food had other important consequences in regard to 
manuring the soil. The crushing of the grain and seeds, by 
reducing them to the minutest particles, mad the substances 
of which they were composed more es 
food of plants, and made it better manc 
extreme division which it had undergone, 
ow, they would 
observe that, by having this large additional amount 
nure, they would get larger crops, and introduce a system. 
whieh would go on annually increosing the amount of their 
produce, aud consequently the amount of their profits. i 
Mr. GREY, of Dilston, agreed ver h with what was said 
by Professor Johnston, more particularly i 'erence to the 
great improvement in manure by the use of prepared food. He 
had seen instances where an acre of Turnips was worth other 
three acres differently manured. Jt was well known that in 
Surrey farmers could be found who would giyo their fields to be 
consumed by sheep for nothing, if the parties became bound to 
supply them with a certain quantity of oil-cake and hay. He 
knew a place in Croydon himself, where, on condition that a 
large quantity of that kind of food was given to the sheep, that 
the Turnips were allowed to be consumed on the field without 
charge. This showed the extraordinary ¢ 2i 
arly in refe 
;owhieh it was 
believed manure produced from that kind of food had in raising 
crops, more particularly as in the case to which he referred, on 
that description of land which required to be trodden out to 
make it produce good erops. 
ATSON, Of Keillor, 
3 
$ 
= 
B 
1 
5 
est improvements, an 
le spoke partly 
from experience on this subject. Some years ago, a late field 
of Barley of his began to malt before he could get it thrashed, 
and he continued the malting process, and afterwards gave the 
grain, in a state of malt, to his stock, with more profit than he 
ever derived from cattle i He would like Professor 
Johnston, therefore, to turn his attention to that subject, as he 
(Mr. W.) was of opinion, that permission to use malt for food 
to cattle would be of great value to farmers in this part of the 
country. 
NDS. Brack, of Dalkeith, could speak from experience of the 
benefit of salted feeding, as he was i 
form, it would be one of the very gr 
2 most economical food for their cattle. 
lona y 
S = 
Captain ELPHINSTONE, of Dalrymple, 
having alluded to the application of Flax 
cattle, he would state the result of an experiment which had 
made in the growing of that crop. He had put an acre of lang 
under that crop, and it produ 
