770 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 



[Nov. 10, 



by exercise of a certain portion of the animal tissues, 

 which in a state of perfect rest would all contribute to 

 the lacteal secretion. Even during the very week in 

 which we write, a query is addressed to the Editor of a 

 coteraporary Agricultural Paper, asking for an explana- 

 tion of the observed deterioration of the cheese from 

 stall-fed cattle. A very slight acquaintance with 

 organic Chemistry would have cleared up, as indeed it 1 

 long ago done, this otherwise inexplicable phenomenon ; 

 and have at once decided the dairy-farmer, whose objec- 

 was the manufacture of cheese, upon the adoption of a 

 different system of treatment of the animal to that pur- 

 sued for the purposes of milk and butter. 



We have adverted to these cases, not for their own 

 sake as facts, because we conceive them to be familiar 

 to most of our readers ; but merely as instances in proof 

 of the successful application of some of the most recent 

 and important discoveries of modern Science to the art 

 of the Agriculturist. It will be our future object to point 

 out, in more technical detail, the particular science appli- 

 cable to each department of the farm, with the more 

 especial purpoje of exhibiting those anomalies of pro- 

 cedure which have kept in a state of backwardness and 

 empiricism the first in universality and importance of 

 human arts, believing as we do that itfl grateful suscep- 

 tibility of the highest energies, has been overlooked only 

 from its being, under the Wisest Dispensation, not 

 entirely inacessible to the lowest development of human 

 intellect.— t\ Jf r . //. 



experimental field, but in several others also, where the 

 temical manure was sowed after the setting-in of the 



drought. 



When the field was sowed with guano, it wrs thought 

 desirable to cover one part of it with the African, 

 and the other with Peruvian, for the sake of com- 

 parison ; but, as the African did not appear to produce 

 the same stimulating effect as the other, 50 per cent, 

 more was applied, that the cost mi^ht be equal (the 

 Peruvian cost 10s., the African 7s., per cwt.) ; but, 

 as this latter application of the African was made when 

 the Wheat was just shooting into ear, the same ob- 

 jection applies to the experiment which does to the che- 

 mical manure applied after the drought had set in, namely, 

 that there was not sufficient moisture in the soil to dissolve 

 it thoroughly, until the plant was too fa: advanced to 

 benefit by it ; and therefore its failure would be no proof 

 of the value of the African as compared with the Peruvian, 

 which was the object of the experiment. It is true, no 

 bad effects followed the application, similar to those pro- 

 duced by the misapplication of the chemical manure in 

 dry weather ; yet, if soluble salts, like the latter, did not 

 find sufficient moisture in the ground when applied in 

 April, there is reason to suppose that the former would 

 not do so when applied in May. 



I regret the failure of the experiment without any 

 manure, as I think the result would have shown satisfac- 

 torily that the land i3 so far from being impoverished by 

 this system of cropping, that it is improving every year. 



CULTIVATION OF WHEAT ON THE Si 



LAND IN SUCCESSIVE YEARS. 



{Continued from p. 754.) 



Having detailed the general results of the experiment, 

 I beg to offer the following remarks upon some points in 

 it, which seem to me to require a little elucidation. 



I consider the success of this experiment to be in a 

 great measure owing to the use of soluble silica and mag- 

 nesia ; because, although there is an abundance of silica 

 in the soil, my first crop showed very miserable results, 

 the grain bein? ill fed and poor, and the straw soft and 

 disoloured, although the year 1842 was, in this district, 

 very favourable for Wheat, the month of August being 

 singularly fine and warm ; but when I combined the 

 nitrate of soda with sulphate of magnesia, as in experi- 

 ment No. 1 in 1843, but still more when I combined it 

 with the silicate of soda, as in No. 3 of that year, the 

 straw became as strong, firm, and bright as need be de- 

 sired ; and this year, when both these salts are combined 

 with nitrate of soda, common salt, and gypsum, I have 

 not only good and bright straw, but also an abundant 

 crop ot Wheat. 



With respect to the lime used, it may be as well to 

 state that the field had not been limed for many years ; 

 and although in a limestone district, showed a deficiency 

 of lime on analysis. The soil is a strong loam, on a 

 brick clay subsoil, in which there is little or no 

 lime, although the stony clays which form the 

 subsoil in a great pert of the district abound in it, con- 

 taining from 20 to 30 per cent, of carbonate of lime. I 

 had always believed that lime wss used in great excess in 

 this neighbourhood, and had, in fact, an idea that its good 

 qualities were over-rated, inasmuch as it does not enter 

 into the composition of the plant, except in very minute 

 proportion ; but last winter I saw a paper (by Mr. 

 Briggs, of Overton), on the possibility of growing Wheat 

 on the same land year after year, in which the utility of 

 lime in preventing rust was incidentally touched upon. 

 I also saw Liebig's Letters, explaining the action of quick- 

 lime in liberating potash from the clay ; and then 1 con- 

 sidered it very important to ascertain the proper quantity 

 to be applied. The quantity required to decompose the 

 phosphate of iron was not great ; and, assuming Liebig's 

 theory of its action in liberating the potash to be true, 

 it seemed to me that an excess of lime would perma- 

 nently impoverish the land ; for, supposing that the crop 

 required 100 lbs. of potash, and as much lime was ap- 

 plied as liberated 500 lbs., what became of the 400 lbs. 

 which did not enter into the composition of the plant ? 

 Was not a large portion of this 400 lbs. washed down the 

 drains by the rain, and so lost for ever ? Perhaps the 

 absence of lime in this field accounts for its beneficial 

 action in the experiment just detailed ; but if my suppo- 

 sition is correct, that any excels of potash which may be 

 liberated from the clay by the use of quick-lime (that is, 

 any more than may be required to perfect the crop), is 

 washed down the drains, and thus the land is perma- 

 nently impoverished by the excessive use of lime, it 

 * behoves landed proprietors to ascertain what is required, 

 and they should take care to apply no more than is 

 necessary. This caution is particularly needed in this 

 neighbourhood, where lime is cheap, and where the opi- 

 nion is prevalent that the more there is applied the 

 better it is for the land, and where it is common to apply 

 ten or twelve tons to the acre. 



I have stated above, that chemical manure was applied 

 to a small portion of the field after the setting-in of the 

 drought in April. The action of this manure showed 

 that a good thing may be very injurious, if applied at an 

 improper time ; for, although it produced a stimulating 

 effect on the plant immediately after its application, 

 there was too little moisture in the land to dissolve it 

 thoroughly, and thus enable the plants to appropriate it, 

 until the rain came, about the end of June, when the 

 Wheat had been in flower some time ; but the stimulus 



1 



th 



think, however, that this is shown by the produce of 

 _e land manured with guano alone. In the first year's 

 experiment, the produce from guano alone was 27 bushels 

 per acre ; and both straw and Wheat were very indifferent 

 in quality. This year, the produce from guano alone is 



421- bushels ; and although neither straw nor Wheat are 

 so good as upon the adjoining lands, they are both very 

 much better than they were in 1842. 



It will be observed, that the result from the unsub- 

 soiled portion is very good ; and, if nothing more were 

 said about it, people would be led to conclude that there 

 was no advantage in subsoiling. But this, in my opinion, 

 would be a great mistake ; for, to say nothing of the 

 advantage which the unsubsoiled portion would derive 

 from the drainage which it received from the subsoiling 

 on each side of it, I found, when the field was ploughed 

 up this autumn, that, whilst the unsubsoiled portion was 

 stiff and heavy, the subsoiled part was comparatively 

 friable and loose, like a garden, and will, I expect, show 

 its superiority in the succeeding crops. 



It must be borne in mind, in reading these experiments, 

 that we have here one of the most unfavourable climates 

 in the kingdom for growing Wheat, from the excessive 

 quantity of rain that falls,*— three times more rain falling 

 annually in the north of Lancashire than at York ; and 

 this, no doubt, is very prejudicial to the success of such a 

 series of experiments as I have been detailing. 



It has been objected to these experiments, that, allow- 

 ing all to have been done which is here detailed, it leads 

 to no important conclusion ; for, although it may be 

 practicable to grow Wheat every year, in a small field 

 like the one experimented on, it is net so on a large scale. 

 But the objectors should remember, that there is not 

 the seed of a single weed sowed with the manure ; and, 

 therefore, if the land is thoroughly cleaned, and kept so, 

 by hoeing the crop in the spring, it will require very 

 little labour to fit it for another. But I shall be better 

 able to speak on this head next harvest, having sowed 

 Wheat on an Oat stubble, with one ploughing. It is 

 said there are no weeds in Chinese husbandry! and 

 if.they can eradicate them completely, so may we, if 

 we adopt the same methods, and follow them up as per- 



severingly. 



Again, admitting that it is not practicable to grow 

 Wheat on the same land every year on a large scale, yet, 

 if we can double the crop in those years in which we do 

 grow it, by the application of chemical manures (and the 

 same manures are applicable to all cereal crops), will 

 not that be a conclusion worth arriving at ? That it is 

 possible to do so is, I think sufficiently shown by the 

 results which I have obtained. What, then, may we ex- 

 pect when these experiments are infinitely multiplied 

 and varied, under the superintendence of skilful and ex- 

 perienced men, who will devote their whole time and at- 

 tention to the subject ? Will raising the average produce 

 from 25 to 50 bushels per acre be the utmost limit to 

 which improvement can be carried ? I believe not ! 



In conclusion, I would urge on all owners and occu- 

 piers of land, the importance of devoting at least a small 

 field to agricultural experiments ; as»I think there can be 

 no doubt that, if these are carefully and systematically 

 made, 8nd followed up by agriculturists generally, we 

 shall be so far from needing an importation of Corn in 

 average years, that we shall have a large surplus to spare 

 for our neighbours. — T. G., Clitheroe. 



[In the following extracts all local names are omitted.} 

 _-" In every large village, or circle of small ones, 

 throughout the country, Associations might be established^ 

 with a promise of the greatest advantage, in rousing 

 and exciting a spirit amongst the gentry and landed 

 proprietary, to combine with their own occupations md 

 pursuits the interests of the poor and the public benefit, 

 and to promote the general improvement of the villages 

 in drainage, school, bridge, and other buildings, road- 

 making, affording small allotments of land to families 

 and many other works that do not come under the im- 

 mediate cognisance of the parish. No rights or inte- 

 rests would be infringed. The expansion of the taste 

 for Horticulture, where there is so good a motive to pro- 

 mote it, would bring business to the nurseryman, in the 

 use and cultivation of whose stcres additional husband- 

 men and labourers must be employed. In the allotment 

 of small portions of land to families, resort to public- 

 houses would be diminished, and the industrious classes 

 generally, being brought more into contact with the 

 higher orders, would imbibe a better feeling towards 

 them, and might be influenced in the most beneficial 

 manner by the example of their superiors. Although 

 the object of the Association in this parish is to better 

 the condition of the agricultural labourer in particular, 

 its influence, it is hoped, will extend to the adjoining vil- 

 lage of , where large and flourishing manufactories 



exist, whose proprietors not only promise their counte- 

 nance and support to it, but who may also be expected 

 to devise similar measures adapted to promote the benefit 

 of their own people, as a means of averting the evils 

 consequent upon a period of stagnation of trade. It is pre- 

 sumedthatbysuch Associations the landed proprietors will 

 be best enabled to ascertain the real wants of the indus- 

 trious labouring class, and to judge of the best means 

 of improving their condition ; and no measure combining 

 interest and pleasurable pursuits could be adopted with 

 more promise of gaining their good feelings and affections, 

 and of elevating them as a body essential to the pros- 

 perity of the country, in the present order of things* 

 when so many subjects are being agitated to distract 

 their attention from industrious and orderly habits, and 

 to blind them to their own true interests." — «/. C. 



As might be expected, doubts having been expressed 

 as to the practicability of establishing an Association em- 

 bracing so many objects, and that it would probably be 

 opposed by nurserymen and market- gardeners in parti- 

 cular, the following communications on the subject may 



be deemed satisfactory :— 



From a Nurseryman at Foot's Cray.—" I have care- 

 fully perused your Paper on the improvement of the 

 condition of the different labouring classes in the parish 



of , and think them generally good and well meant, 



if you could but bring the parties themselves to carry 

 them properly out. On the drainage of the village there 

 can be but one opinion as to its utility, and the good it 

 would be to the labourers in giving them employment for 

 a time. I also think the Show system would have a ten- 

 dency to raise a spirit of industry in the cottagers of all 



descriptions, and doubt not of its success in — 



With regard to the allotment part of the plan, 1 tear tlie 

 same success would not attend it as if the parish were 

 100 miles from London, as I think it will only answer in 

 poor counties, where the labourers' wages are low. 



From a Nurseryman at Dartford.-" I return your 

 Papers, and am much obliged by the sight of them, espe- 

 cially as they are connected with so admirable an object, 

 the relief and well-being of the poor. I have long wished 



VILLAGE ASSOCIATIONS. 

 Observing that you have taken up the subject of 

 the Allotment System and the improvement of the con- 

 dition of fhe agricultural labourer, I am induced to hand 

 you a proposition for the formation of a Village Associa- 

 tion, having the same objects in view. You will perceive 

 that it is not in a form for publication, but I think 

 matter may be extracted from it available for general 

 purposes. The establishment of Village Shows for Horti- 

 cultural and Agricultural Produce of the simple nature 



some good man would take up the very same subject. I 

 am quite certain we cannot prosper collectively as a 

 people till the poor.are well employed I wish you saeee*. 

 in your plan, and hope yon will not be dismayed by any 

 obstacles thrown in the way of it, which you may expect 

 to expe'lnce . 1 shall be happy to aid and assist in any 

 way I can to promote your object. 



PROPOSED ASSOCIATION. rt „„ m „ nl 



• t . tfe nhiect the Drainage and General Improvement 

 Having for it» °0J e ^ tl ^[ a ed * ith the Employment 



aod E 1co^enfeAt C ot m tne Industrious Labour^ Class. 



Fo a r tr th n e S ;ea?rn ration 'as president and his assistant, 

 [?dwffltw.rd. W d manage the general business. 

 These offices for the present are 

 a ^he P amount of subscription of member, of the first 



™&£Z% S-ntin, the tad. ^^f o'f 



ZX tht e.lnbUion of rare and rateable production* 

 m , ad l\"t h „ a might be disinclined to part with, bj 



inal fee for whatever tbey m"! 



Aunoufcu ^ __;_..-„ I.W.MWIM /.loco nrp. brought for 



e d not 



not intended to involve 





was then so great that all the plants threw up fresh proposed, I conceive to be a means of getting at the 

 stalks (from the roots), which were in flower when the hearts of the labouring people, and gaining their good- 

 Wheat was cut ; and it was then found that they had not will towards Associations for their benefit, in which they 



outlay, is the "Weeing of health and ^*£ f ^. 

 only impoverished the plants, but had prevented the j might eventually be expfct^l to feel a personal interest, bring to the in a )ltft "^» w ° -™!} tQ damp in their dwell- 

 grain from ripening. This was the case not only in the 1 —J. C, Parkhurst, Bexley, Kent. I of the worst description, owing r 



which the owners 



requiring »u.>Wnom ;r _ 8h ^ ^^ ^ , e 



of the village and the encoi 

 ment of the industrious labouring class are brougb 

 ward together, the rejection of the one object ne 

 interfere with the adoption of the other, 

 "p haps the most important recommendation ,n*¥ 



port of L drainage, * -1 ^ VJ \?»4* 



