220 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 



appear much may be effected by prevention. The more 

 general cultivation of green crops to supply the cattle 

 during winter with food, not merely to keep them alive, 

 but also to promote their growth, will do much to render 

 the devastations of this disease leas formidable, or prevent 

 its occurrence altogether. Many cases have come under 

 my own observation in which this has, in a great degree, 

 been effected by such means. I may mention one parti- 

 cular case, in which the rearing of young cattle was alto- 

 gether given up, from the calamity of the young animals 

 being carried off by inflammatory fever ; but since the 

 growth of Turnips was introduced on the farm five or six 

 years ago, the farmer in question has again commenced 

 rearing his calves, and the young animals being supplied 

 plentifully with Turnips throughout the winter, not a 

 single case of the disease has since occurred. 



The advantage of early maturity in the rearing of live 

 stock is now generally understood., and it is not a little 

 singular that more effective means are not more generally 

 employed to attain such a very desirable object. The 

 farmer who does not maintain his young stock in a con- 

 dition of progressive improvement from their birth until 

 fhey are disposed of, very much neglects his own interests. 

 It will not do to allow them to stand still, much less to 

 retrograde in condition, at one period of the season, with 

 the idea of making up the loss at another. This is false 

 economy, to say the least of it ; but it further subjects 

 the unfortunate animals to disease, and that of the most 

 active kind. 



It is not my present purpose to enter into the treatment 

 of inflammatory fever after it lias made its appearance, as 

 this must be reserved for another occasion. The fore- 

 going remarks on the subject have been suggested by the 

 perusal of the prospectus of an Association for Assuring 

 the Farmer from Loss by the death of his Live Stock ; 

 but an exception is made in the case of the disease under 

 notice. This exception would seem to indicate that the 

 number of cases of inflammatory fever must still be great, 

 otherwise, the conclusion of the Association has been 

 arrived at on incorrect data. Though, as before remarked, 

 the farmer can do little in the way of cure, he can do 

 much in preventing the disease from at all making its 

 appearance among his stock ; therefore, the so general 

 prevalence of this disease seems a reproach to the good 

 sense of the farming community. — J. Sproule. 



Home Correspondence. 



Irrigation. — Liquid manure, and the waste of various 

 trainings are the subject of frequent speaking and writing. 

 Applications of this nature to land are usually effected by 

 cartage. There is, however, another mode of applying 

 liquid manure, which is seldom adverted to, and that is by 

 irrigation. When once the land to be irrigated is formed 

 for the purpose of receiving superficial water, the whole 

 -quantity of disposable water may be applied at a compa- 

 ratively inconsiderable expense. The quality of water is 

 a subject deserving much attention, where it flows from 

 springs only, and in dry weather. In rainy weather, and 

 in a cultivated country, most watercourses necessarily 

 contain much fertilising matter, either in a solid state, or 

 in solution, in addition to that which rain itself contains. 

 £ven in dry weather, where a stream is of considerable 

 size, it usually receives some additionjto the original 

 springs which feed it, from various outlets in farm-yards 

 and domestic buildings. There are, therefore, at least 

 three conditions of running water. The first is its origi- 

 nal quality as it comes out of the earth ; in this state the 

 temperature of the water is of great importance in its 

 influence on vegetation. It is, perhaps, to this cause 

 that the water issuing out of calcareous strata, such as 

 chalk, produces in the winter months the continual growth 

 of Grass, which would otherwise be torpid. It is true, 

 these waters contain much carbonic acid gas ; but even 

 this, it is presumed, would scarcely affect vegetation in a 

 temperature equivalent to the low mean temperature of 

 tbe air ; and thus water at a distance from the source, is 

 said to lose much of its fertilising power. It cannot, 

 however, be supposed that water, in running briskly 

 ■long, exposed to the atmosphere, will lose much of its 

 ■useful quality, otherwise than by its loss of heat ; and 

 this loss would not continue after the mean temperature 

 of the air becomes greater than that of the earth, viz., 

 between March and November. This agrees with what is 

 xrbserved in irrigated meadows : there is comparatively 

 little growth in the winter months ; but where the tem- 

 |>eratureof the air, and, consequently, the water, isgreater- 

 as the spring advances, then vegetation proceeds with 

 much activity. A long-continued irrigation in warm wea- 

 ther, however, produces unfavourable changes in the grow- 

 ing Grass, attended with an appearance of white scum, 

 which dries of a leathery consistence. Perhaps some of 

 your correspondents may be enabled scientifically to ex- 

 plain the nature of this substance. It is, however, very 

 desirable that some more certain practicable mode of 

 watering land should be made known. One person likes 

 to water much, and another likes to water little. There is 

 *ut one point upon which all good irrigators agree, and 

 that is to keep the land thoroughly dry when it is not 

 watered. But as to how long to keep it dry, and how 

 long to water at a time, although questions material enough 

 to be solved, no answer can be obtained. The second 

 condition of running water is that which contains the 

 washings and scouringa of the soil through which it passes 

 in rainy weather, commonly called land-floods. There 

 can be no doubt of its good effects, nor that with reference 

 only to this use of water, the irrigation should cease with 

 the floods. The third condition which has been adverted 

 to, partakes of both the former states of running water ; 

 it is that of a stream which in dry weather contains much 

 adventitious matter. This water is, therefore, in relation 



to the more permanent nature, of its constituents, nearly 

 allied to the water of warm or calcareous springs, as 

 containing the elements of vegetable life. Its application 

 must depend on the previous questions being satisfactorily 

 answered with regard to the proper mode, and intervals 

 of application. Liebig, in his M Agricultural Chemistry," 

 (page 159), refers to the very superior management and 

 great produce of water-meadows in Nassau. He says 

 the land is irrigated both in spring and in autumn, but no 

 mention is made of winter-watering. One other remark 

 should be made, and that is on the pernicious quality of 

 some waters which have long continued stagnant, or which 

 contain in solution the contents of metallic strata un- 

 friendly to the growth of useful Grasses. There are, 

 however, some waters which appear on analysis pure, and 

 yet no good effect is produced by them. If these obser- 

 vations should obtain the notice of any of your more 

 intelligent correspondents, it is hoped that some light will 

 he thrown on this somewhat obscure subject. — T. P. 

 [With regard to the 2d description of streams alluded to 

 above, it may be mentioned that most water-courses are 

 affected by the causes there alluded to ; and care should 

 be taken not to avail one's self of the first autumn floods for 

 the purpose of irrigation, as they contain the washing of 

 ditches and waste places, and are generally loaded with the 



seeds of weeds.] 



Lucerne. — As you have inserted the remarks of "Nico- 

 demus " on the concluding paragraph of an article sent to 

 the Agricultural Gazette by the Secretary of the Chep- 

 stow Farmers' Club, and as there is no probability that 

 either of the gentlemen mentioned by him will take the 

 trouble of replying to his uncourteous attack, made under 

 an assumed name, I hope you will also insert these few- 

 observations addressed to " Nicodemus" on the subject. 

 I allow that I am not sufficiently conversant with Agri- 

 cultural matters to give such a decided opinion as 

 * Nicodemus " has hazarded. That gentleman would 

 have acted in a more praiseworthy manner, had he stated 

 the extent of his own experience in the growth of Lucerne, 

 both drilled and broadcast ; the number of years he has 

 grown it ; the nature of the soil and subsoil ; together 

 with the situation and aspect of the land on which the 

 crops were produced, with their weight on both plans; 

 and then, without giving two gentlemen credit for wishing 

 to mislead others, he ought modestly to have pointed out 

 the superiority of the one he recommended, and to have 

 inquired whether they had well-grounded experience to 

 confute his arguments. Knowing the liability of men, 

 though able and experienced, to form erroneous opinions, 

 I will concede the point in dispute, though incapable of 

 deciding the question, and suppose Mr. John Sandford 

 and Mr. A. Hall are wrong in giving the preference to 

 sowing Lucerne broadcast ; still it is clear that they have 

 only stated their own opinion, and that with moderation, 

 founded on such knowledge as they have been able to 

 acquire, and that they are both open to conviction, and 

 ready to confess their error, when it is clearly proved that 

 they advocate a wrong system. — Nathaniel. 



Field Beet. — In several articles in'your Paper reference 

 has lately been made to the growth of Mangold Wurzel 

 for milch cows ; and as I can speak on the subject from my 

 own experience, after growing it for several years, you will 

 perhaps permit me to caution your readers against using 

 it, if their object is quality in their milk, and not quantity. 

 I have invariably found that it increases the measure of 

 milk, but diminishes, to a great extent, the thickness of 

 cream and weight of butter ; whereas the use of Carrots 

 or Parsnips keeps up the quantity of milk, and consider- 

 ably increases the weight of butter. Perhaps this statement 

 may induce others to communicate the result of their 

 experience on the subject. — A Cow Fancier. 



Chinese Agriculture.— {Notice of the Wheat tillage 

 of China, communicated by John Smith, Esq., surgeon of 

 H.M. S.Cambrian, coast of China.] — ''Wheat is cultivated 

 nearly throughout the whole of China ; hence the differ- 

 ence in the time of planting, and its coming to maturity. 

 In the southern provinces it is sown in November, as soon 

 as the Rice crops or vegetables have been cleared away ; 

 and in the northern it is planted towards the end of 

 October. In the former the harvest commences in April, 

 and in the latter in May ; in the Shantong and.Chensi pro- 

 vinces it is not finished before the end of July ; so that it 

 requires above half a year to come to maturity. It is cul- 

 tivated on almost every kind of soil, and on the slopes of 

 the mountains, which are cut into terraces for the purpose. 

 In the neighbourhood of Amoy (lat. 24° 25') it is planted 

 in the marshy grounds from which the rice crop has been 

 removed; and the mean temperature of the months of 

 January and February, 1843 (which were very wet) was 

 about 56» of Fahrenheit. The coast about Amoy is 

 extremely barren and unproductive, the soil being chiefly 

 composed of disintegrated sand-stone, and the detritus of 

 granite, naturally producing nothing but mosses, and a 

 few stunted Pines and Laurels ; by the industry of the 

 Chinese, and the copious application of human manure, 

 it is made highly productive ; and cultivation is carried 

 on to the very summit of hills 1000 and 1200 feet high, 

 the slopes of which are formed into terraces, to prevent 

 the soil from being washed away by the rains. Smut 

 appears to be the only disease to which the Wheat is 

 subject. Everything in the shape of a weed is most care- 

 fully removed,."and the utmost attention paid to prevent 

 any noxious influence from injuring the crop. The land 

 is prepared in the ordinary manner when the autumnal 

 rains have fully soaked it. Having been ploughed in a 

 very loose manner, the clods are divided by a harrow, the 

 pins of which have a cutting edge, which is drawn by a 

 small ox, after which it is formed into deep and broad 

 furrows, with intervening ridges for the reception of the 

 plants, which, having been raised in nursery beds, are 



[Apr. 6, 



transplanted when about five inches high _ 7n~bun~ir~ 

 the long ridges, so as to occupy only one halfn?^ 

 ground. In each bunch of the transplanted Wh P «f \- , f 

 I picked here (at Chusan) there were 29 plants or .mi!* 

 and a square yard contains 15 such bunches plant i 

 equal distances. I examined 15 heads (ears) f *' 

 each stalk of the bunch, in their perfectly ripened 6 t^ 

 and found them to contain as follows, 33, 45 ri ,n *' 

 40, 42, 32, 48, 45, 31, 33, 38, 34, and 44 grain. £ 

 giving an average produce of 38.8 per ear. An q 

 avoirdupois contains 1067 grains (this give's 48 77rm 

 to the apothecary's scruple, or 146.3213 to the drachm? 

 The process of tillage is rather tedious, and the exnen 

 of ground considerable ; but in return for this, the \Vh *t 

 takes deep root, and is well nourished. The man 

 employed in some places is the cake left after expressing 

 the oil from Mustard seed, human and other hair li 

 from burned shells ; but human fceces and urine constitute 

 the prevailing manure, and are so highly valued that thev 

 are carefully preserved by every family, and sold at a hieh 

 price. To such an extent is the economy of this manure 

 carried, that, to prevent any possible waste, privies are 

 everywhere provided in the towns, and those who have 

 occasion for them, not only invited to enter, but paid for 

 so doing with a small piece of money. All these several 

 substances, with a vegetable expressly cultivated for the 

 purpose, straw and weeds, are thrown into vats, of which 

 several are placed for security at the door of every house 

 and left to ferment till required; Wheat is called by the' 

 Chinese " Syiy Nia," and Barley " Drow Nia," or "the 

 poor man's grain ;" the former being called, when speak- 

 ing to us, " mandarin chow," chow or food. The latitude 

 here (at Chusart) is 30° 0' 20", at Amoy 24° 25' 0" ; but 

 the cold is both longer and more severe here than at Amoy 

 during the season of Wheat. There is a Wheat here with- 

 out a beard, a specimen of which I have. It is cultivated 

 in the same manner as the other. The average weight of 

 each ear in an undried state is 15 grains. Great attentioa 

 is paid to the manuring and irrigation if the season happen 

 to be dry. During the winter the Wheat remains very low, 

 and no further attention is paid to it by the husbandman. 

 In April and May the growth is extremely rapid ; but the 

 Chinese do not allow the crop to attain perfect maturity 

 before they cut it, lest the grain should fall out. When cut 

 it is left to dry, and the grain is then beaten out in a tub." 

 Thinking it possible that the accompanying notice of the 

 Wheat tillage of China might serve to amuse, if not to 

 instruct the readers of the Chronicle, I send it to you, 

 accompanied by one scruple of the Chinese Wheat, and the 

 same quantity of Barley. The former is, I believe, the same 

 with that described by my friend Prof. Desvaux, in his 

 valuable " Memoire sur les Froments culrives en France, on 

 qu'on peut y cultiver," inserted in the first volume of the 

 " Memoires de la Societe' d'Agriculture, Science, et Arts 

 d'Angers," page 347, under the name of "F. barbu de 1* 

 Chine," (Triticum sativum Sinense) ; his account of which, 

 however, is net very encouraging, as he says, — " This 

 variety has never succeeded well ; it is short," &c. In 

 point of hardihood it is inferior to the Mummy Wheat of 

 Mr. Tupper, of which I have three plants which have 

 stood out all the winter without protection, in a pot out- 

 side my bed-room window ; while the Chinese Wheat and 

 Barley perished under similar circumstances, and I have 

 only two or three plants left, which I sowed later and 

 covered with a tumbler. However, it may answer as a 

 spring variety, and admit of improvement by careful cul- 

 ture. I find 49 or 50 grains required to counterpoise a 

 scruple. The Barley is six rowed, and an ear which I 

 have is beautiful. The length of the ear, including the 

 awns, is 5 inches, exclusive of them 3£ inches, and each 

 row contains 10 grains, giving 60 for the whole of the six 

 rows ; about 35 grains weigh a scruple. I have, however, 

 in each case picked out the plumpest and largest g ram8# 

 A Norfolk farmer will be amused at the Chinese method 

 of thrashing in a tub ; but, notwithstanding, some parts of 

 the Chinese Agriculture may suggest useful hints, some 

 for a Norfolk or a Lothian farmer ; especially the atten- 

 tion paid to the eradication of weeds, and the value set 

 upon human manure, which contains more nitrogen than 

 any other. The offensive odour of this, which forms I I 

 believe its chief objection, may be corrected by the a ddi- 

 tion of powdered gypsum or other substances, which, oy 

 preventing the loss of ammonia as it arises from the e- 



composing mass, destroy thejftetor, aQ d a ^ t0 l ^ e T 

 of the manure.— -William Hamilton, Plymouth. 



Pig Feeding.— Having for some years been a practical 

 amateur feeder of pigs, and somewhat celebrated among 

 my friends for my bacon, I willingly send you the resui 

 ot my practice, together with the very simple mode wni 

 I adopt. First, as to the choice of sort, the descnption 

 given by your correspondent M J. Steele " is not ™\ uo ^ 

 the mark ; avoid large flapping ears, a long snou., aa^ 

 coarse hair. A long deep-bodied pig is most likely to 

 up well at both ends. Purchase your stock for wm 

 feeding about July; let them have the run of the * 

 tub, refuse vegetables, and let them graze as much as t 

 can afford. Let their sty be warm, thoroughly clean, 

 well ventilated, littered down regularly once a wee*, 

 well drained. If you brew, let them have the g r * ,nS ' iQ 

 only whilst fresh. About the first week in October o^ 

 the process of fattening. First, on putting yourpig 

 the stye for good, wash them all with a good *t* o: !j 8 e . 

 bing-brush and soap and water ; it relieves the hide g ^ 

 rally, and tends much to their comfort. For :heir ^ 

 mix in a bucket only as much good fresh Barley- ^ e 

 your pigs (say three) will eat without leaving an J"^ j,j f 

 meal to have just as much water, and that sott an 

 as will cause the meal to adhere stiffly together, so 

 the pigs eat it and do not lap it up. Let your l**"^ 

 trough have a high back, so that there be no waste oi 





