Oct. 20, 1855.J 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 





straw aa iioitum up 10 me oui dune mst. i need hardly 

 say they made me a famous manure heap. 



finding the burnt clay so effective I have now applied 

 altogether about 17,500 cubic yards with the best results. 

 1 have 15 acres of the finest Turnips in the neighbour- 

 hood, the insurance on the corn has been raised from 

 700/. to 1200/., and I can show a very good rick-yard, 

 and the quality of the grain will be excellent. Moreover, 

 I shall be able to keep more stock, and make more 

 manure than last year, and I have little fear but that 

 the farm may be made self-supporting. The farm has 

 been thoroughly drained, but to the burnt clay I attri- 

 bute the rapid improvement that has taken place. 



It will be hardly necessary to add that the joke for- 

 merly so very funny and amusing has entirely subsided, 

 and that those who were the loudest in their laughter, 

 and the most witty in their remarks, have now the least 

 to say upon the subject, and console themselves by 

 saying that money will do anything. The cost has been 

 as follows : — 



699 



1 cubic yard of clay, measured after burning 

 Filling, spreading, and applying 

 Fuel, &c. 



■ « • 



• • • 



v t • 



* ♦ ■ 



• • • 



6d. 



2 



1 



Cost of 1 cubic yard applied 9d. 



100 cubic yards per acre, or even 80, are a good 

 dressing, and 1 have no hesitation in saying that il. per 

 acre (which is about the amount mine has cost, includ- 

 ing everything but the horse labour) will produce an 

 improvement on strong clay land, superior to anything 

 else that can be had for the money, and will certainly 

 pay in the first Wheat crop at present prices ; and as to 

 the durability of the improvement I can distinctly see it 

 after three crops, which is as far back as I have the 

 opportunity of noticing. I inclose my name and address, 

 and I shall be happy to afford any further information, 

 or to name the locality to any one desirous of seeing 

 the result of the extensive application of burnt clay. B. 



QUALITIES OF WOOL IN GREAT BRITAIN. 



[The following is a resume of the information on the characteristics 



of the different breeds of sheep in this country, given by 



Professor Wilson in the " Journal of the English Agricultural 

 Society."] 



Lincoln.— This maybe considered the standard of the 

 coarse deep-grown wools for combing purposes, and the 

 wool possesses a bright silky appearance ol staple, which 

 renders it peculiarly adapted for * lustre " goods, in 

 imitation of alpacas and mohair fabrics, and has thus 

 enhanced its value of late years. The present value of 

 Lincolnshire wethers is about 12±d. per lb. ; of hogs, 

 13d per lb. 



Leicester. — This old and much-valued breed for comb- 

 ing purposes is rather finer in hair than Lincolnshire 

 wool, but does not possess generally so soft and silky a 

 staple, and hence it is not at present so valuable where 

 those qualities are requisite. The present value of 



Leicester wethers is 1 2d. per lb. ; hogs, 12^d. to 13d. 

 per lb. 



Cotswold. — A deep-grown breed ; the wool similar in 

 quality to Leicester, of a deep and rather harsh character, 

 not suitable for lustre goods. The present value of 

 wethers is I2d. per lb. ; hogs, \2\d. to 13d. per lb. 



Romncy Marsh. — Soft rich wool, finer in quality than 

 the Leicester. It has been much exported to France, 

 and seems well adapted to the use of the French manu- 

 factures. In Kent the lambs are generally shorn, 

 therefore there are very few hogs. The present value 

 of the Kent fleeces is about 13c?. per lb. 



Devons— South Hams. — A deep stapled breed of wool, 

 grown in the country from which it derives its name. 

 It is the custom of the farmers in Devon not to wash 

 the sheep before shearing them, and the wool being thus 

 in the yolk or grease, is not so marketable as other 

 kinds, which are washed ; it is, therefore, usually sub- 

 jected to the process of combing before before being 

 sent to market, and comes in the form of " tops." A 

 double advantage is accomplished by this ; the wool is 

 sent in marketable form, and the noils and short wool, 

 separated in the process of sorting and combing, are 

 sold to the Devonshire manufacturers, who use them. 

 jt the wool were washed and shorn in the same way as 

 m other districts, it would be readily saleable. Price 

 about 9d. per lb. in the grease. 



Bamborough.— Of the Leicester character, from the 

 coast district of North Northumberland. A rich good 

 combing wool, of tolerably fine quality ; very much 

 Resembles the Leicester, though with more lustre. The 

 present value of wethers is about \2\d. per lb. ; hogs, 

 l*\d. per lb. 



Bampton. — A breed peculiar to Somerset and Devon ; 

 deep grown, good average combing wool, of similar kind 

 to the Leicester breed. The present value of hogs is 

 a °out 13d. per lb. ; wethers, I2\d. per lb. 



South Down. — Small haired wool ; the tegs and longer 

 wethers used for combing purposes, and the shorter for 

 the manufacture of flannel and other light woollen 

 goods. There is considerable difference in this wool, 

 r om the d'fferent localities, both as to qualify and 

 softness. 



The present value of ewes and wethers is 13cZ. 

 10 l Hd. per lb. ; tegs, 1 3 I to lid. per lb. 



Hampshire Down. — A short wool, very similar to 



utti Down in general character ; staple rather longer, 

 *M hardly so fine. The present value of ewes and 

 ▼ethers is 1 3d. per lb, ; tegs, l&Jd. per lb. 



Norfolk Down. — The Down wool grown in Norfolk is . _ 



generally soft » n its nature, but usually full of blue of ewes and wethers, 12Jd. to 13£d. per lb. ; of hogs, 

 ^ao, which reduces its value. Some ot the best and about 14d. per lb. 



Shropshire Downs.— Generally longer in the staple 

 and with more lustre than the other Down wools. The 

 fleeces vary considerably, according to the original pro- 

 portion of short-woolled or long-woolled blood crossed 

 with the breed. The present value of wethers, &c, is 

 ISd. to 134& per lb. ; tegs, I3\d. to lid. per lb. 



Dorset. — Rather longer in the staple and not quite so 

 fine as the Downs, but for combing purposes quite as 

 valuable ; clean, white, soft wool. In this country the 

 lambs are generally shorn, The present value of Dorset 

 fleeces, 13cZ. per lb. ; of lambs' wool, I6d. to 18d. per lb. 



Ryeland. — An old breed, almost extinct, very fine 

 and short ; formerly used for clothing purposes. The 

 present value about \3},d. per lb. 



Merino. — Some years ago there were many flocks of 

 this breed kept in Hants and the adjoining counties : 

 when fine wools were first used for combing purposes 

 this wool realised very high prices, but after the intro- 

 duction of Saxony and Australian wool for combing, 

 these wools were to be bought much cheaper than the 

 Merino, and it became little used. Merino wool gene- 

 rally came to market much heavier, and not so well 

 washed, as Down wool. It was also much more wasty 

 than Saxony or Australian. The present value, say 

 wethers, lid. per lb. ; of hogs, I5d. per lb. ; but almost 

 unknown in the market. 



Dartmoor.— From the Dartmoor Hills in Devon. Deep- 

 grown combing wool, but coarser and not so well bred 

 as the South-down. Generally shorn in the grease. 

 Value in the grease about 9d. per lb. 



Exmoor. — A long-stapled wool of moderate quality ; 

 that produced by the polled sheep is usually heavier in 

 the fleece, of a finer description. The present value of 

 wethers about \2d. per lb. ; of hogs, \2\d. 



Radnor and Welsh Mountain.— & moderate combing 

 wool, somewhat coarse in quality and kempy. The pre- 

 sent value of wethers, 12£d. per lb. ; of tegs, \3\d. 

 per lb. 



Cheviots. — This is a small haired wool of medium 

 length, suitable for worsted and woollen purposes. It is 

 a soft, rich wool, and is liked by the manufacturers. In 

 those districts where the sheep are smeared the value 

 of the wool is considerably reduced. The present value 

 of ewes and wethers, \2\d. to 13d. per lb. ; of hogs, 

 \3\d. to lid. per lb. 



Black-faced Highland. — The kind of sheep kept upon 

 the mountains and hills in the Highlands of Scotland ; 

 very coarse, and generally depreciated in value by the 

 composition with which the sheep are heavily smeared ; 

 used for carpets, rugs, and low woollen purposes. The 

 present value, 8d. to 9d. per lb. 



Herdwick. — Peculiar to the mountainous districts of 

 the counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland. The 

 wool is used for making low woollen goods, rugs, &c. 

 Present value about 8d. to 9d. per lb. 



Shetland Wool. — Small wool grown in the Shetland 

 Isles, and used chiefly by the natives for clothing, and 

 occasionally for hosiery purposes. The present value 

 about 8d. to 9d. per lb. 



CROSSES OF BREEDS. 



Leicester and South-downs. — Generally grown in the 

 Leicester district, and formerly much more valuable 

 than Leicester wool. Since the introduction of cotton 

 warps, reduced in comparative value. The present 

 value of ewes and wethers, \2l z d. per lb. ; of hogs, \3d. 

 to I3\d. per lb. 



Leicester and Shropshire- downs. — A breed of the 

 Shropshire district ; longer and more valuable than the 

 Down ; good combing woo ! . The present value of hogs 

 about lid. per lb. ; of wethers, \3d. per lb. 



Leicester and Highland. — From the Scotch district ; 



suitable for low combing purposes, and more valuable 



than the pure Highland wool. The present value of 



ewes and wethers, 9d. to 10c?. per lb. ; of hogs, lOd. to 

 lid. per lb. 



Leicester and Bampton. — A cross of two breeds, the 

 wool of which is of very similar kind. The present value 

 of hogs, \2ld. to 13d. per lb. ; of wethers, 12(2. to V2hd. 

 per lb. 



Leicester and Norfolk-down. — A very excellent wool, 

 soft and rich ; used for worsted purposes. The present 

 value of ewes and wethers, I2\d. per lb. ; of hogs, 134c?. 

 per lb. 



Cotswold and South-down. — A breed of the Cotswold 

 district, suitable for worsted purposes, more valuable 

 than the pure Cotswold breed. The present value of 

 ewes and wethers, I2^d. per lb. ; of hogs, \3^d. per lb. 



Cotswold and Hampshire-down. — Same as Cotswold 

 and South-down. 



Cotswold and Shropshire-down. — A breed of the Shrop- 

 shire district by which greater length is obtained than 

 from the Shropshire-downs alone. Used for worsted 

 purposes. The present value of ewes and wethers, 12c?. 

 to 124c?. per lb, ; of hogs, 13|c?. per lb. 



Lincoln and South-down. — A breed in Lincolnshire 

 finer than the Lincoln wool and more valuable ; used 

 for worsted purposes. The present value of ewes and 

 wethers, I2|rf. to 13c?. per lb. ; of hogs, I3\d. to lid 

 per lb. 



Lincoln m Jvxmovr. — The produce of two deep-grown 

 breeds ; suitable for combing. The present value of 

 hogs, about \2\d. per lb. ; of wethers, I2d. per lb. 



Cheviot and South-down. — A breed in Scotland which 

 produces a finer wool than the Cheviots ; suitable for 

 finer worsted and woollen fabrics. The present 



Dorset o I South-down. — A breed of Dorsets ; are of 

 equal length with the Dorset and much finer ; a soft 

 rich wool, suitable for finer worsted purposes. The 

 lambs are shorn in this district. The present value of 

 Down and Dorset fleeces, 13d. to 13Jc?. per lb. ; of 

 lambs, about 18*7. to 20c?. per lb. 



Mm to and Romney Marsh.— The fleece representing 

 this cross-breed is a very beautiful one ; an excellent 

 combing fleece ; fine, soft, clean, rich wool. When warps 

 were made of worsted would have realised a very high 

 value. The present value of hogs about 1 bd. per lb. ; 

 of wethers, lid. to \i\d. per lb. 









sanest i 8 very rich and beautiful wool. The present 



clean 



land and South-down. — A good combing wool, 

 longer in the staple than pure Down ; suitable for [ one 

 clothing purposes. The present value 13c?. to 14c?. per lb. 



Home Correspondence. 



Warmth Conferred by Drainage.— I once ventured to 

 assert that I did not believe there was much difference 

 in the temperature of drained and undrained soil. I was 

 met at once with great names, and the authority of 

 Papers in the Royal Agricultural Journal ; I contented 

 myself with saying that I believed it could m be proved 

 either by theory or practice, and that any difference was 

 rather due to the presence of water in the soil than to 

 evaporation, as generally rappoetd. An examination of 

 the tables published in your paper of the 1st of October 

 shows that in the hottest months, June, July, and 

 August, when there is most evaporation, the tempera- 

 ture is highest in the undrained soils. When a soil is 

 filled with water as in undrained clays, the surface water 

 is no doubt evaporated ; after the water table, or water 

 level, has sunk say 4 inch< > in the soil, the evaporation 

 will not extend to that depth. The surface will give off 

 its water, and this will be replaced by the action of 

 capillary attraction, so that the water table or level is 

 reduced not by the direct action of evaporation, but by 

 capillary attraction, rendered active by evaporation from 

 the surface, therefore evaporation cannot affect the 

 temperature below 4 inches, if so much. It must also 

 be remembered that clay*, after aU free water is 

 abstracted by draining, will hold in suspension one-fourth 

 of their weight, and one-third of their bulk ; if this was 

 not so vegetation would soon be at a stand-still. James 

 C. Clutterbuck. 



Perennial Weeds. — In localities where perennial 

 weeds exist to an alarming extent, whose vigour is 

 increased rather than diminished by passing the plough 

 over them, merely taking off their heads, it is astonish- 

 ing that farmers do not use the long steel fork to assist 

 in cleansing at least a portion of their holding annually. 

 On a farm of 200 acres of arable land it would not be 

 practicable for a farmer of ordinary means to employ a 

 sufficient number of men to go over the whole of the 

 farm in this way ; but he might with great benefit to 

 himself set apart every year a certain number of the 

 worst acres to be stirred with the long steel fork. 

 Those in ordinary use, made of iron, are valueless for 

 such an operation. It is false economy to hail till land 

 in order to save expense. The outlay is great at first 

 in thorough cultivation, but once carried out moderate 

 attention and exertion will keep the land in a 

 creditable and profitable state, very nearly doubling 

 the produce. No man can afford to grow two crops 

 — one of weeds and another of grain— if he pays 

 a fair rent to his landlord ; as well might he hope to 

 fatten two bacon pigs on food barely sufficient to pro- 

 vide a couple of sides for winter consumption. It is 

 not necessary to enter deeply into the scientific part of 

 agriculture to obtain remunerative produce from ordi- 

 nary land ; common sense and observation will enable 

 a man to avoid the rocks and shoals of theory, and 

 bring into practice useful improvements. The prin- 

 cipal feature in a well-managed farm is labour of all 

 descriptions judiciously applied, and plenty of it ; the 

 labourers must be liberally paid, and the horses in good 

 condition. There is no economy in working animals 

 only fit for the dogs, and screwing wages to the lowest 

 point ; these will serve you better when treated like 

 neighbours, and horses will perform twice the work if 

 properly cared for. it is melancholy to look at the 

 unfortunate quadrupeds dragging their wearied bodies 

 along the road, and the waggon following very reluc- 

 tantly. These poor beasts eat as much as strong animals, 

 that is if they can obtain it, do one third of the work, 

 and are in reality one of the "penny wise and pound 

 foolish" bargains short-sighted people make. People 

 complain of their crops, and yet expect Potatoes to 

 grow on land hard and stiff in the subsoil, the surface 

 having been moved about six inches, the space between 

 the rows being overrun with Couch Grass, Cat's- Tail, &c. 

 All land is improved by exposure to the air, and none 

 more so than tenacious clays. Plant food obtained from 

 the atmosphere is most valuable, which may be proved 

 by forking between alternate rows of vegetables or 

 Wheat ; the difference in growth will be perceptible in 

 a few days, the experiment will repay the gardener or 

 farmer, and speak more forcibly for itself than can be 

 done on paper. Under a vigilant eye labour on the 

 farm is never thrown away, though it may appear 

 superfluous to the idle and ignorant ; — indirect brings 

 in its wake direct gain. Falcon. 



Small Farms. — The legislature have for a long while 

 reduced the stamps upon leases, and it would be a bless- 

 ing if the landed proprietors would but lease out to a 

 poor man an acre or two of land at a cheap rate, 

 how many embarked in the land scheme of F. O'Connor, 

 M.P., and how many are now paying enormously for a 

 40*. freehold. I look upon an acre of land upon lease 

 making a man independent, and not dependent. There is 

 acre of land lost in every 25 acres by hedges and 

 i#>q. which onlv harbour insects and venmn : besides 





