<< 
47—1846.] THE 
AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 
781 
The CuarmMAN.—I was speaking of the average cost of 
thrashing. 
Mr. BELL.—I have just been paying for 13 days’ labour to one 
man, who has thrashed and dressed 14 quarters of Wheat: 
that is equal to 32s. or 33s. a week. 
Mr. Morron.—I am quite convinced, with regard to this sub- 
ject, that the most economical mode is the best, and the mode 
which I have adopted is that of doing it by steam-engine. After 
reckoning five per cent. on the cost of the machinery, besides 
the amount for repairs, the cost of coals, and the wages of the 
men, women, and boys ; my cost for thrashing Wheat has been 
engine consumes 70lbs. of coals 
an hour, and it takes an hour and a half to get the steam up. 
I employ three ve women, and two boys; with these I 
men. 
d sack the grain. The most I ever did was 46 
rs, an 
a 
road between them. The Wheat is grown on 120 
acres. The labourers constantly employed on the farm are 
equal to 20, viz., 12 men, 6 women, and 4 boys. 
Mr. BELL.—I can fully bear Mr. Morton out in all he has 
tages of employing the steam-engine for the 
m 
wants of the institution. "The whole farm is cut into 
several lesser divisions, each bearing another name. 
These are again subdivided and numbered. There 
even unusual features of the best farms to be met with. 
In the cultivati i impl 
The sheep are Merino and 
shing ; for I have had plenty o € 
m. The steam-engine is very generally used in 
; I have followed the same mode as that alluded 
to, of getting the steam-engine up by the side of the stack, an 
thrashing out the corn, I have thrashed 120 quarters of Wheat 
in 26 hours, zreat consideration is the extent of work 
Which can be done without the aid of horses. - 
Mr. Fisser Horps.—I am very glad that this 
Should have taken the direction which it has ; 
it would go forward to the world that th 
Mending the farmer to go on in the old jog-tr 
of the flail. have always found that those who i 
nery as much as possible, and not those who used it as little as 
discussion 
g finely. They are under the control oi 
one principal shepherd and several assistants, each of 
whom has one or two dogs. The flocks are pastured 
in summer, but housed. regularly at night through the 
whole year. Each sheep is numbered by a system of 
ear-marking of great simplicity, and its fleece is every 
year weighed. The whole flock, at intervals of a few 
weeks, is weighed in a Fairbank's scales. The cows 
are of the Seminthal breed from Switzerland. They 
are said to have certain excellences ; though their 
in the stall was altogether indifferent, They 
possible, as some gentlemen have been to-night, 
were those who employed the greatest number of labourers. 
"There are many advantages in the 
machinery over that of the flail. 
corn cleaner—decidedly cleaner— 
nity of selecting the most sui 
d sending it to mar! t also gives us the power of 
thrashing out a large quantity in a short period. I know of 
one machine which will thrash out 50 quarters of Wheat in a 
day; in fact, I am acquainted with two instances of machine: 
where eight horses are used, which will thrash out upwards of 
50 quarters in a da; i d to damage done by 
breakage, that will not happen with the more modern and im- 
proved machines. Iadmit the chaff Straw are not cut in 
the same time, he argument which was used just now with 
regard to one's not, always being able to get labourers for flail- 
thrashing, I think is one of some force ; for it is no doubt true 
that it often happens that one cannot get men to carry out the 
operations of the farm. In these operations we always want 
one or two skilful and honest men, upon whom we can depend, 
to place over the mere casual Jabourers; in that case we can 
employ young men, or, as Mr. Morton says he does, even 
women, Butin Essex we cannot employ women ; they won't 
work. 
Mr. Arrcuzson.—A great deal of the injury which is done to 
e corn in the way of breakage, and is attributed to the 
action of the machines, I have no doubt is caused by the men 
walking over it with their heavy hob-nailed boots or shoes; 
and this is easily obviated by making them wear slippers while 
engagedin this work. The loss which sometimes ensues from. 
this cause is nearly ten per cent, 
Oaxtey.—I think that we ought to bear in mind the dif- 
ferent positions of different farmers before we call this the best 
System or that the best system. 
the use of machinery in this way: I am farming in the neigh- 
in which there has of late 
and I did so by the adoption of machinery. Mr. Garrett 
without injuring the straw. This I use, and my straw goes to 
market as fast as it can be ti $ 
he ÇHAIRMAN said—I think we can come to no conclusive 
resolution upon the relative merits of thrashing by machinery 
and thrashing with the flail, as the mode must always be 
adapted to circumstances. With regard to the question of 
economy, there appen be little difference between the cost 
9f thrashing by horse-power and thrashing by manual labour ; 
but if you are in a position to avail yourselves of the steam- 
engine as Mr. Morton proposes, then there is doubtless a great 
saving of expense; but, unfortunately, it so happens that the 
majority of tenant farmers are so situated with regard to their 
tenure, that it is impossible, or if not impossible it would not 
be prudent, to go to the expense of 2007. or 3007, in erecting 
machinery ; and they do not find the landlords willing to do it 
em. 
Mr. Frsurn Honss proposed the following resolution, which 
was seconded by Mr, Oakley :—‘‘ That it is the opinion of this 
meeting that the application of machinery by water, steam, or 
orse-power, to the general purposes of thrashing corn, is more 
economical and advantageous than the common mode of 
thrashing with the flail by manual labour.” 
Farm Memoranda. 
Agricultural Institute of Wurtembura.—The estate 
Werte 
are stalled through the year. Ihave already mentioned, 
if I remember right, that the herd of cattle is consi- 
dered as a manure manufactory, and in this light sub- 
serving as important, if not indeed a more importan 
end, than in their daily supplies of milk. I find it 
diffieult to appreciate this statement made to me, 
though it is obvious that every source of manure is 
gleaned with a care of which, in the generally (as yet) 
rich lands of the new world, we know nothing. The 
cow stable is a hall of more than 100 feet in length, and 
at least 20 feet high. The cattle stand facing each 
other from opposite sides of a cut-stone platform, about 
2% feet in elevation. They are chained to a manger 
immediately attached to the platform. Their fodder is 
spread before them, and by no possibility comes to the 
floor of paved stone. Several cows, steers, and year- 
ling heifers, were fed cach apart from all the others, 
the fodder being weighed before, and the excess 
gathered up after eating, also ‘weighed. These cattle 
are severally weighed at certain intervals, and in this 
manner the value of different kinds of fodder is ascer- 
tained. The amount of milk from each cow is mea- 
sured once a month. Indeed the whole system is 
arranged with a great degree of scientific purpose. 
The breeding mares are good selections, I understand, 
from the common stock and English crosses. The foals, 
through the generosity of the present king, are derived 
partly from thorough Arabian stallions, and partly from 
valuable native stock. The stalls for the dams are 
about 15 feet square, in which the occupants remain 
the early part of the day and night untied. 
and fillies occupy pens where several are 
together. All the results of the different schemes of 
experimenting, in growing roots, grains, fruits, exotic 
woods, in the treatment of stock, and in the determina- 
tion of the value of fodder, are published in a weekly 
agricultural paper, edited by one of the faculty. . . .'. 
The faculty consists of a 
Director, who lectures upon the productions of the animal 
kingdom, and the general plan of agriculture pursued at 
Hohenheim, 
Professor of Agriculture, 
Professor of Forest Science, who supervises the forest lands 
an 
—— —— 
portionally more profound. This feature, to this mo- 
ment characterising scarcely an institution in Ameriea, 
is not kept in view in the apportioning of duty among 
Fi - f 7 
Gon cate tick T 7 
p e 
one to ask what has roused universal attention in the 
last 20 years to the subject of directing all processes 
of art by seience, and in the last 8 years of improving 
agriculture by drawing aid from the same source, the 
answer would eome from a few professional chairs, 
Where men of capacity, industry, and energy, have been 
provided with conveniences for prosecuting scientifie 
research.—F. N. Horsford, in the Albany Cultivator. 
Miscellaneous. 
Experiments concerning the Theory of Mamures. 
By M. Frederick Kuhlman.—The author has under- 
taken a series of experiments with a view of resolving 
the following questions :—1. Does the nitrous portion 
of a manure, independent of its mineral agents, deter- 
mine the degree of activity of this manure on vegetation ? 
What are the circumstances under which this propor- 
tionality does not exist? 2. When nitrates are em- 
ployed as manure, do they owe a portion of their action 
to the base, or must their degree of influence be re- 
ferred exclusively, or, at all events, in great part, to the 
nitrogen of their contained nitric acid? 3, Seeing that 
he intervention of phospl in tation cannot be 
denied, inasmuch as they invariably exist in the ashes 
of vegetabies, and sometimes in great quantity, must it 
be concluded that these salts, in a separate condition, 
are active fertilising agents, or is this property onl 
exercised when they are in combination with nitrogenised 
products? 4, In various organie manures commonly 
in use there are found various non-nitrogenous matters, 
perenne: 
Do these play any imp part in tor 
in other words, do there exist manures formed of non- 
azotised organic matters, which are yet endowed with 
any energy of action? For example, does the oily 
portion of Linseed-cake contribute towards the activity 
of a manure! 5. Does the beneficial influence of am- 
moniacal salts and nitrates extend to a period after the 
first crop? What is the limit of duration of these 
salts’ action: Experiments adapted to the resolution 
of the foregoing questions have given the following 
results, which are arranged in a tabular form 
Ee ccc NE 
belonging to the estates. There is in this 
Professor of Mathematies and Physics. 
Professor of Chemistry and Natural History. 
Professor of Technology and Instructor in the Technical 
Laboratory. 
Teacher of Farriery. 
Teacher of Field Labour, Ploughing, Hoeing, Spading, &c. 
Teacher of Nursery and Orchard Culture. 
Teacher of Machine Drawing. 
Assistant to the Cashier, Book-keeper, &c. 
Gardener and Smiths. 
The course of instruction is upon the plan of a German 
and castle bearing the name o h were ap- 
propriated to their present use in 1817. They had 
previously been in the possession of noted families, ard 
at one time, that of the Grand Duke Charles. Royalty 
had planned and executed with no small measure of 
taste, the division of the grounds, and the Institution 
of Agriculture commenced. Few estates could have 
been selected bining sọ many tages for thi 
purposes to which this was destined. 788 English acres 
are spread irregularly over a broad mound, and through 
a valley upon one side, the whole length of which is 
traversed by a stream sufficiently large for milling pur- 
poses. Near the top of the mound stands the castle 
and connected buildings, which, with the court-yards, 
have a length of 1600, and a depth of 540 feet, ‘The 
various apartments of this immense establish 
o 
y. The professor gives lectures which are 
attended as largely or as indifferently as the students 
please. Having decided at the commencement of a term, 
however, which lectures they will attend, these they 
are required to hear, and, at the conclusion of the 
course, to sustain a rigid examination upon them, and 
the general subject upon which they treat, in order to 
secure their diploma. As there are 94 lectures, weekly, 
in winter, and 85 in summer, it is obvious that less 
than a 3 years! course would be imperfect. Candidates, 
as the students are called, are admitted for less periods 
—for a term, I think. Their qualifications at universi- 
ties, before entering, wil! naturally render some of the 
courses unnecessary. Most of them have completed 
what would be considered a college course, with us, and 
furnish abundant room for the residence of the faculty, 
pupils, and labourers ; also rooms for instruction, for 
the mineralogical, zoological, model, and other collec- 
tions—the housing of stock and ;grain, fruit, and other 
farm produce—for the carrying forward the different 
kinds of manufacture —waggons, ploughs, machines, &c., 
with the sugar, alcohol, starch, and vinegar production. 
Its distance from Stutgart is about 6 miles ; sufficiently 
near to enjoy all the advantages of a ready market, and 
command at the same time a prompt supply of the 
many have leted an university course, previous to 
entering. They must be 18 years of age. The prac- 
tical illustrations of the farm’ and its appendages are 
witnessed in the course of the year. Manual labour of no 
description is required, though instruction in the different 
kinds of handiwork is practically received. . . + . 
In general, in the French and German institutions, one 
of the schemes of professional life is to furnish facilities 
for scientific advancement, The world is thus bene- 
fited, and though the sphere of instruction may thereby 
be more limited, the knowledge imparted will be pro- 
EEE NID CUR oo wel Nos. 
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The author, having obtained the results indicat 
above, and made his deductions from them, finishes his 
task with some economical considerations. “When, 
says he, * the question is examined of the utility of am. 
moniacal salts and nitrates as manures, due regard 
being had to their price, the following results are 
arrived at :— The sulphate of ammonia is worth in com- 
merce, at the present time, 52 franes per 100 kilo- 
grammes ; hence, as 250 kilogrammes of this salt, 
having cost 130 franes, yield an excess of result of 
1520 kilogrammes in hay and 224 kilogrammes in the 
after crop ; and regarding the hay as at 7 franes, and 
the p at 100 kilog the product is 
arrived at of 115 fr. 36 c., a result which shows a loss 
of 14 fr. 64 c. 250 kilogrammes of nitrate of soda, of 
which the price is 48 fr. p 00 kilogrammes, have 
yielded an excess of result of 1440 kilogrammes of 
after-grass, which, at the price above-mentioned, would 
yield a product of 118 francs, and, consequently, a loss 
of 2 franes. It is scarcely necessary to remark, that 
these calculations are susceptible of a variation com- 
mensurate with the fluctuation in price of saline 
