THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 



CT 



its benefits are not obtained at the expense of any 

 other class, nor accompanied by any correspond!. 



Afte^reSininendiiig certain regulations to be ob^ 



served In carrying out the system-all or some of 

 which we may hereafter comment upon— the Com- 

 mittee proceeds to say—- Under these arrangements 

 thesysteui of garden-allotments has proved an un- 

 mixed good. It has increased the produce and en- 

 larged The general stock of labour to be expended on 

 the -oil It has enabled the labouring man to turn 

 his leisure moments to profitable account, in raising 

 wholesome food for his family, a rood of land fre- 

 quently producing vegetables enough for six months 

 Consumption. It has also supplied sound industrial 

 training for the children, under the parents eye. 



« Many striking instances have been stated to your 

 Committee where the possession of an allotment has 

 been the means of reclaiming the criminal reform- 

 ing the dissolute, and of changing the whole _ moral 



character and conduct." It appears that the holding 

 of land directly from the landlord raises the position 

 of the working-man in his own estimation, and gives 

 him a feeling of independence and self-respect. It 

 cives him a stake in the country, and places him in 

 the cla<s which has something to lose. It partly sup- 

 plies that deficient of innocent a nusement aid ra- 

 tional recreation which weighs so peculiarly upon the 

 lower cl; I of this country, and which must be 

 counted among the causes which lead to the preva- 

 lence of crime! The field-garden has attractions for 

 the working-man strong enough to relieve the mo- 

 notony of a life of hired toil, and to dispel the hst- 

 lessness and discontent which are often its accompa- 

 niments. It withdraws him from a dependence lor 

 amusement on the society of the alehouse. It gives 

 him something which he may call his own; and as 

 its value depends upon his own exertions, it prompts 

 him to tin exercise of self-control, and leads him to 

 look on from the present towards the future. It 

 furnishes him with an interest in life to stimulate his 

 faculties, to occupy his mind, and to inspire him 

 with hope; and it becomes a powerful inducement 

 to abstain from any of those offences which would 

 lead to the forfeiture of this valued possession. Air. 

 Martin stated, "That of 800© heads ot families 

 holding allotments in Kent, not one was committed 

 for any offence during the years 1*41 and 184'-, 

 that in the parish of lladlow there were 35 commit- 

 ments in 1835, The allotment system was introduced 



10 *» th- ™™- 



cr ,, e which his industry will effect in the value ot moved from th r^ch ot the roots of pi , fallir 



SKI C .nd in the anLnt of its produce to the -J Much ^rtwjll eg. n be, brought ap by the 



advantage of the landowner and the community, as 

 well as of himself, and to the security afforded 

 against pauperism or criminality-all which benefits 

 the allotment is proved to confer- we hail tne 

 allotment system as a powerful palliative of existing 

 evils and a prolific source of iuture good : we hail 

 the system as the labourers' friend in prosperity or 

 depression, and its introduction as a measure frauglit 

 with substantial advantage to society at large.— F. 



in 181 • and in the following year, 1837, the com 

 mitmenta were reduced to \* " Since that we have 

 ha 1 among the tenants of the Society about ia ot 

 those who were in prison in 1 5, and there has 

 been no < of complaint against them since we 



have had them. Since the year 1837 there has been 

 but one commitment from among the holders of 



allotments." 



"It does not appear to your Committee that these 

 important benefits are purchased at the expense of 

 any other interest. All the witnesses were unani- 

 mous as to the punctuality with which the rents of 

 those allotments which are under proper manage- 

 ment are paid, and no more trouble seems to have 

 been involved in collecting these than any other 

 rents ; frequently, indeed, there is less. Numerous 

 instances have been mentioned where the produce 

 of the allotment has been effectual in keeping men 

 from applying for parochial relief; and it may be 

 safely assumed that a practice which diminishes the 

 poverty of the labouring class, and promotes their 

 good conduct, cannot but be beneficial to the com- 

 munity at large. It has likewise had a peculiarly 

 good effect upon the relations between the landowner 

 and his cottage tenants; increasing his acquaint- 

 ance and interest in their circumstances, and exciting 

 in them more thankfulness and respect." 



To infuse a healthy prosperity into every branch 

 of our industry, and to widen and deepen the chan- 

 nels of remunerative labour, would be at once the 

 universal and effective remedy for the destitution of 

 the labourer. But if this were accomplished, and 

 the labourer left an uneducated and an untrained 

 man, extravagance and dissipation would be likely to 

 appear where the iruits should be comfort and inde- 

 pendence. Every improving influence which a 



ON LIME AS A MANURE. 

 I know of no manure of more importance to the 

 farmer, when properly applied, than lime ; but it is 88 

 undeniable a fact that the action of no manure is less 

 understood. Its importance has been so much descanted 

 upon, and the proofs of its usefulness so clearly demon- 

 strated, that it is scarcely to be wondered at that the 

 farmer should consider it as a specific for all the wants 

 of his land. Indeed it is considered by many to act as a 

 universal medicine, to be administered whether the field 

 require it or not. I have known cases where it was to 

 supersede draining, farm-yard manure, and bones ; and 

 have seen its use so abused, in the neighbourhood of 

 Winlield, as to cause the cessation of growth. 1 recol- 

 lect meeting with a farmer, in the spring of this year, 

 who was applying three cartloads of quicklime to an acre 

 of marsh meadow land, in order to kill the reeds, and 

 found it impossible to persuade him that there couldbe 

 no cure for his land but thorough drainage. We sha 1 

 endeavour to show when lime is useful to land, and in 

 which cases it would be hurtful. 



We only know of one plant, the Salsola soda, which 

 does not contain lime in combination with organic acids. 

 This fact alone is sufficient to account for its presence 

 iu all fertile soils, and for the necessity of supplying 

 such lands with lime as may be deficient in it. Schroeder 

 found 33-75 grains of carbonate of lime in the ashes ot 

 30 oz of the grain of Oats. In soils lime generally 

 exists as sulphate (gypsum), phosphate (bones), car- 

 bonate (chalk), and humate, the latter more especially 

 iu peaty soils. To lands where lime is deficient it should 

 be applied in its caustic state, as quicklime, and that for 

 the following reasons :— 1. Because it would be too ex- 

 pensive to supply the deficiency in the shape of carbon- 

 ate of lime, where it has to be brought from any distance, 

 inasmuch as chalk contains 45 per cent, of carbonic acid, 

 an amount nearly equal to half the carriage, without 

 contributing any serviceable matter. 2. If the land be 

 rich in organic matter, as in peaty soils, the express pur- 

 pose of applying lime in a caustic state is to destroy the 

 vegetable matter— an effect produced by lime in the same 

 manner as it is effected by burning it. 3. It destroys 

 coarse Grasses, as Couch-grass, and when mixed with 

 the scourings of ditches, and sods of worthless Grass, 

 makes an excellent top-dressing for Grass lands. 4. It 

 kills seeds and insects, for which reason it is highly im- 

 portant to mix newly-upturned clay, intended for agri- 

 cultural purposes, with quicklime, in order to destroy 

 the seeds. 5. If the land produces a sour Grass, lime will 

 neutralise the acids, and render the herbage sweet and 

 palatable. 6. Its capability of solut ; on ; and lastly, the 

 great chemical effect it produces on the inorganic ingre- 

 dients of the soil, in rendering potash soluble, and con- 

 verting poisonous proto-sulphate of iron (green vitriol) 

 into an innoxious compound. These are the most im- 

 portant reasons. The addition of quicklime proves of 

 most importance on heavy clays, which it renders more 

 porous and friable. Where lime is wanting in the 



plough, but much will go beyond its reach. If the 

 land is not drained the loss will be greater than other- 

 wise. It is true that lime does not remain long either in 

 its causticity or as slaked lime, but is speedily converted 

 into chalk. But rain-water always contains carbonic 

 acid, which dissolves the carbonate f^as bicarbonate), and 

 removes it from the soil. Supposing the land to be 

 quite wanting in lime, a larger quantity than usual may 

 be supplied ; in such a cas?, 30 bushels of quicklime, well 

 mixed with the upper soil, would be ample, but more 

 than this is generally applied without injury. The waste 

 should be annually supplied ; the fertility of the soil will 

 thus be more effectually kept up than by the general 

 methods. The quicklime should be broken as much as 

 possible, evenly spread over the land, and intimately 

 mixed with the upper soil. 



The effects produced by an overdose of lime are some- 

 times irreparable. On wet and undrained clays an over- 

 dose of quick lime causes a chemical combination of the 

 lime with sand, clay, and water. A species of mortar is 

 formed, and the land hardens, so that neither the roots 

 of plants nor rain water can penetrate it. Dry and sandy 

 soils are rendered too porous. Supposing, however, that 

 such effects do not take place, it is certain that the action 

 of lime on the inorganic ingredients of a soil is to render 

 soluble many salts well adapted for the nutriment of 

 plants. It may, therefore, call forth increased fertility 

 at first, but unless the land be plentifully manured it will 

 be miserably impoverished. It must be recollected that 

 lime is no substitute for any other manure, and that 

 farmyard manure must be used at proper intervals; for 

 because lime is required by plants, it does not follow that 

 they can thrive without ammonia or potash. An over- 

 dose of lime may call forth another class of weeds at the 

 expense of those which it destroys. A fertile soil should 

 contain at least one-fourth per cent, of lime ; it may, 



however, contain more. 



As at the present day much fraud is practised on 

 manures, it may be in place to state the different 

 adulterations of lime, and the methods of detecting them. 

 It is often mixed with carbonate of lime or imperfectly 

 burnt material ; in which cases strong effervescence will 

 ensue, if a piece be thrown into a wine-glass filled with 

 diluted oil of vitriol. It is better to slake the lime first. 



Water is often poured on lime, which, if added in large 

 quantities, slakes it ; it would then not retain its shape, 

 but fall to powder. The best method of judging of the 

 amount of water and carbonic acid is to weigh a piece of 

 the article, then heat it to redness, allow it to cool, and 

 re-weigh it ; the loss indicates the amount of impurities. 

 The farmer should therefore burn his own lime, if it is 

 to be had on the spot.- Jlbert J. Bernays, Derby. 



soil the fertility of the soil is increased, and superio 

 crops produced by its application. The time for applying 

 lime is not immaterial. It should never be placed on 

 land immediately after manuring with a compound con- 

 taining ammonia, as farm-yard manure, guano, and soot, 

 as it would expel the ammonia. Lime and dung should 

 never be heaped together, nor should land be dunged till 

 about two mon'.hs after it has been limed. If the chief 

 purpose for which lime is applied be to destroy vegetable 

 matter, the hod should be dry. The immediate effects 

 will be slow, but a little rain will produce the effect far 

 more quickly than if the soil be very wet. In reclaiming 

 lands this should be well recollected. If, however, it be 

 our object to prepare laud before the sowing of a crop, 

 the liming should take place in autumn, because the 

 effects of lime are not instantaneous. Supposing a piece 

 of arable land be overrun with Couch-grass, which we 

 have not been able to eradicate, and taking for granted 

 such land has not been limed, we should treat it thus :— 

 The land should be covered immediately alter harvest 

 with a thin layer of quicklime, spread out as evenly as 

 possible; then it should be ploughed in, laying one 

 furrow each wav, on the unploughed land, and let it lie 



SKETCHES orBASLOWUN HUSMNDKY. 



,rown are Hunter'., Ho£toun ; G^™ , ^ 



Lthe two former '^^^^ other kind, of 

 to spring sowing. But bes iaes , Lammas , 



Wheat are occasion J* «»™ ated .' Hunter - 8 is the 



Blood Red, Biokling s, Chidam £ ^ thfl 



m0 st esteemed vanety of whaevnea^^ be 



sonth of Scotland ; it is a ™ nt £ oderate fer[il ,ty. The 

 cultivated on any k nd of so ri ot ^^ ^ th 



Hunter's and Hopetoun va . u ut whose name it 

 county, *e forme by th & ^.^ , * 

 bears, and the laUer by Mr. much wn 



:Xe1nS:.m^«oSy to the more elevated 



Peas Vetches, Turnips, and occ »=\°°„ 7 e in a ll case. 



&£.. Bare fallow is .*» ^considered * b e » 



th e best preparation fo r«.» crop. ^ h , ,„«, 



m 



pulverisation given to it by th. s fa ltowu. P ^ 



Jown after Beans, the »j^, and i„ cod* 



!__ t . ,1,-t ornwn upon naiveu »»""_ > ,. „„„het 



su 



.ivensawu" &••— - liwo f the grain is i^T" — ' 



wn after Beans, the qualitj ^ot t S and in cons t 



s „perior to that grown ,po « »£ e ^ d affo ' rding . roug 

 quMceofthugreutersob^ftM ^ ^ th e 



•»**5 r ^if^are not o S liable to be dUen*. £ 



i,x<. VU6 .. ..*.., «..w~.~ ^sedulously employ — — 

 been well proved that the allotment system affords 

 such an influence, anil the Report from which we 

 have quoted represents that influence in a strong 

 lio-ht. In the prosperity of the labourer the allotment 

 system would have a good moral eifect, but in his 

 adversity its services become still more important. 

 When we consider the present condition of the 

 labourer, the comforts which an allotment will bring 

 to his cottage and his hearth, the improvement which 

 it will accomplish in his character as a man, and his 

 value as a workman, in the feelings and dispositions 



will nave wkcu buuu cncui. uu m «o «<" «*• »- « 



of the Couch easily got out by using a large harrow 

 instead of a scuffler, which cuts the Couch into small 

 pieces. This method is mentioned by Hillyard, although 

 he does not propose the use of lime, which I think will 

 materially quicken and complete the process. It is no 

 well to apply large quantities of lime at a time, intended 

 to laat for a number of years, but it should be our en- 

 deavour to put the land into such a condition as to be 

 able to afford sufficient lime for plants, and to keep up 

 this quantity either by small yearly additions, or by 

 larger additions every four or five years | otherwise con- 

 siderable loss takes place. Caustic and slaked lime are 



seeds, the plants arc -- ^"and thaws, as m l - 

 from the soil by a ^ate J r ^ fi ^ 



the Bean crop has been remoK d imnje dute-I 



the most 



k°" V an Ve'/formed ' in chTse succession. Exp^Jj, 

 the quality of the produce. I may_oo -ftpp poU to* 









value as a workman, 111 tne leeimgs aim uisposmous 1 siderabie loss lanes F .a^. *«-»»■» r^"-V\- h _ re 



of hiinself and his family ; when we look at the in- ! so luble in water ; a large quantity will therefore be re 



of the produce. 1 ^j — f potato 



Z.u ;,«»■! — '<"' r-'f 



The pr 



acticc 



rf 



