Oct. 27, 1855.] 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 



71 



taagHtlrom Joimsioi.'s * Catechism of Agricultural Chemistry,"* , fl oc k ]g u e , f „ rm 



or any other approved elementary treatise. 2. The above pre- 

 mium will be awarded only after such an examination as may 

 enable the committee of superintendence to judge of the success 

 of the schoolmaster, and the proficiency of the boys. 3. Any 

 schoolmaster who is desirous of obtaining for his" school the 

 above premium, will intimate to the secretary of the club at what 

 time it would be convenient for his school that the examination 

 should take place, the said notice being given not less than one 

 month previously. Thos. Bowhill, Secretary. 



It seems to me, then, that the only objections which 

 can be offered to the policy of attempting the agricul- 

 tural instruction of children in our country schools 

 must come from those who deny its possibility. And 

 that happily has been proved by cases of success which 

 have already been detailed in the columns of this 

 Journal. John C. Morton. 



COST OF HORSE LABOUR ON ARABLE 



FARMS. 



the 

 the 



"The following remarks include the substance of one of 

 " chapters in Mr. Stephens's instructive little volume on 

 Deep Cultivation of the Yester Farm.] 



At Yester Mains, containing 504 imperial acres, eight 

 pairs of horses and eight ploughmen have been usually 

 employed. Besides performing the customary labours 

 of the fields, they have to bring coals from the coal-hill 

 for the mansion-house and garden, draw wood to the 

 saw-mill, stones and gravel to the roads and drives, hay, 

 corn, and straw to the riding stables, cart vegetable 

 matter from Danskine to the land or elsewhere, and 

 perform a number of jobs about the ground. A cattle- 

 man and two assistant boys are required to look after 

 about 70 head of oxen and cows, and a number of pigs. 

 One man and eight boys and girls are employed in the 

 various manual operations of the farm — such as assist- 

 ing in the making of the Potato and Turnip land ; 

 singling and hoeing the Turnips ; pulling them, rooting, 

 and shawing and filling them into carts ; making 

 meadow hay ; reaping at harvest ; attending on the 

 threshing-machine ; raking dead leavesabout the grounds, 

 and doing many other jobs. Two labourers are also 

 employed to feed the threshing-machine, stack the straw, 

 cut gaw-furrows in the fields, pile up Turnips in store, 

 and other similar works about the farm. 



On Broad woodside, containing 228 imperial acres, 

 three pairs of horses and three ploughmen are employed. 

 Besides the ordinary farm-work, they drive coals from 

 the coal-hill for the use of the mansion-house "and 

 arden, gravel to the drives, vegetable matter from 

 anskine for the land, and wood for fences. There are 

 four women- workers, who besides doing the manual 

 labour required in the fields, attend the threshing-mill 

 and corn-barn. A labourer feeds in to the threshing- 

 mill, fills dun£, and does other sundry jobs. A boy 

 attends to the cattle, including cows. 



On Danskine, containing 235 imperial acres, three 

 pairs of horses and an odd one are employed, and three 

 ploughmen and a lad to work the odd horse. The 

 ploughmen of this farm have little else to do than work 

 the farm work, which includes the driving of the vege- 

 table matter to the land. Three women- workers perform 

 the manual labours of the fields, and attend the thresh- 

 ing-machine and corn-barn ; a labourer jobs at any work 

 on the farm ; and a boy attends the cattle and cows. 



The wages of the grieves, ploughmen, labourers, and 



field- workers of these farms are regulated by the rate 



of the county. The grieves and ploughmen receive a 



comfortable honse and good garden, with the keep of a 



cow for the year. The labourers' wages vary according 



to the demand. The women-workers receive 5s. a week. 



The grieves have all been ploughmen on the farms which 



they now superintend. One of the present grieves has 



been 30 years in the Marquis's service, the other two 



several years. They were all promoted to the grieve- 



ship for their skill, character, and conduct as ploughmen. 



To those who wish to adopt the Yester deep land-culture, 



difficulties will at first arise in the use of the implements 



and the guidance of two pairs of horses together ; but 



one of the many results at Yester indicate that intelligent 



and true-working grieves, ploughmen, and horses, will 



soon accommodate themselves to the work, and learn to 



evade every difficulty. 



A single glance will suffice to inform any farmer that 

 on none of the farms is a greater strength maintained 

 than what is usually required to work their respective 

 quantities of land. On Yester Mains are eight pairs of 

 norses to work 504 imperial acres — that is, 63 acres to 

 each pair — which is quite enough on any farm on which 

 the five-course shift is practised on friable loam, and 

 too much where the farm consists principally of strong 

 ~ a y. Each pair of horses must have a ploughman to 

 take charge of and work them. Eight field- workers 

 ^d a superintending grieve are not too many for a farm 

 of 500 acres. Over and above the ordinary labours of 

 * form, the men and horses and field-workers have jobs 

 *° do that are not common on a farm, such as raking 

 ail d leading ©ff dry leaves from extensive grounds, 

 fading wood to and from the saw-mill, leading straw, 

 na y, and corn to the riding stables, which are always 

 e *tensive in a nobleman's establishment, and driving 

 ^Js for the use of the mansion-house and garden, 

 ^ch amount to a large number of loads in the course 

 °* the year. One cattleman at least is required to take 

 *" ar ge of the cattle in winter, and a large private dairy 

 e longiug to the mansion house ; and where these are 

 umerous, as they are at Yester Mains, two assistant 

 °vs are also required for the better attending to their 



A labourer is also required to 

 keep the fences and ditches in order, and to do mair 

 other smaller jobs which are too frequently neglected 

 to be done by tenants. Now, it cannot with truth be 

 said that a larger working establishment is maintained 

 on the farm of Yester Maine than what is requisite on 

 farms of similar extent in the occupation ot tenants. 

 Any argument founded on the "force of money/* 

 cannot therefore be applicable to the extent and kind of 

 work that has been < ue on this farm up to the present 

 time; for every tenant, occupying a similar extent of 

 farm, would require the same strength to conduct it in 

 the ordinary way that an improving farm is conducted, 

 without reckoning on the extra labour b; stowed upon 



placed our drama so near, nor so reguiarly. — The direc- 

 tion is with the fall. In some instances, where the 

 furrows are 8 yards or so apart, and the ridges high, 

 we follow the furrows. — The pipes used for minor 

 drains are principally 2 inch, with 3 or 4 inch outfalls. 

 We occasionally use collars with ]\ inch pipes on sane 

 land.— Five or 0" acres discharge at each outlet. — The 

 soil, sand or loam, some clay, some warp ; subsoil, clay. 

 — The geological formation is alluvial deposit, — The 

 rainfall on the east coast of Yorkshire averages 24 

 inches. At Barlow, Drax, Camblesforth, &c, where 

 the abovt- remarks principally apply to, it will not 

 average so much, 1 think. J. M ter, Beverley. 



XL I. —The system is parallel, 30 inches deep.— As tc 



the subsoil-trench-ploughing. Two ; airs of horses out of direction, the furrows have been followed where the land 



the eight are to be reduced for th future on this farm , 

 and were it not for the heavy extra cartage which the 

 horses here have to perform for the house and garden, 

 five pairs would be sufficient to do all the farm work. 



Each pair of horses work 76 acres on Broadwoodtdde 

 farm, which is a sufficient quantity of land for any 

 pair of horses to vor. The number of labourers of 

 all kinds is not greater than the size of the farm 

 warrants. The jobs, extrinsic to the hbour of the 

 farm, are undertaken by the ploughmen of this farm in 

 common with those of Yester M is. 



On Danskine farm 67 acres are allotted to each pair 

 of horses, assisted by an odd horse. From the hilly 

 nature of the surface of this farm, that extent of land 

 is quite enough for the horses. The ploughmen are 

 chiefly confined to what is donjon the farm, the driving 

 of the vegetable matter to the land being their chief 

 extra labour. The labourers are not too numerous for 

 a farm of 235 acres. 



is in ridges. — Bushes have been used for minor drains, 

 and 1 4-inch pipes for main. — The average number ol 

 acres discharging at the several outlets is from 2 to 8. 

 The soil and subsoil are sandy loam and clay ovet 

 a chalk.— About. 200 feet above the sea. J torn L m& 

 Ames, Esq., The Hyde, &t. Alba , Hertz. 



XLII. — I have within the last three ) ears drained 

 upwards of 1200 acres of land in Herts and Bedfordshire 

 of various i Is, and the result has been highly satisfac- 

 tory in all cas< 1 have in almost all e >aes adopted a 

 parallel system, — The depth varies from 3 feet 6 inches 

 to 5 feet ; the average about 4 feet. — I have made no 





EXPERIENCES IN LAND DRAINAGE. 



XXXVI. — Drainage operations on all descriptions of 

 land have been satisfactory. — I have generally adopted 

 a parallel system. — The prevailing depth of the drains 

 has been from 3 to 4 feet on clay soils, according to 

 circumstances. — 1 have made no difference in my mode 

 of draining between arable and Grass lands, except 

 where the land is flat, the drains have been put rather 

 wider apart. — The drains have been generally with the 

 fall. We have followed the furrows where the land is 





in ridges, in most cases having found better results than 

 from cross draining. — The pipes used I ave been 2-inch 

 pipes for minor, and 4-inch pipes for main drains. 

 Collars have lately been discontinued, they not being 

 considered necessary at the depth adopted. — The 

 average number of acres discharging at the several out- 

 lets has been, generally speaking, about 10 acres. — The 

 soil and subsoil are various. The above observations 

 generally apply to heavy clay land with clay subsoil. — 

 The geological formation is the lias. From his Grace the 

 Duke of Rutland. 



XXXVII. — The result of my drainage operations on 

 all descriptions of land has not been satisfactory. On 

 the strongest lands I think my drains too near, they are 

 12 yards apart — The drainage adopted has been generally 

 parallel. — None less than 4 feet deep. — I have made no 

 difference in draining between arable and Grass land. 



The direction of the drains is with the steepest fall. 

 I have not followed the furrows except where they are 

 very steep. — The pipes used have been 1 in. and 1£ in., 

 always with collars. Main drain 3 to 4 inches. — The 

 average number of acres discharging at the several 

 outlets is various, according to the sloping of the ground. 



The soil is general I y strong clay. — The mean height 

 of the land drained above the sea level is about 300 to 

 350 feet. From W. Evans, Esq , M.P., Atlestree Half. 



XXXV11I. The result of my land draining is satis- 

 factory on all descriptions ol land. — It is a parallel 

 system.-— From 3 feet to 6 feet deep. — The drains are 

 at wider intervals on the Grass lands. — We have 

 followed the fall of the land. — Two-inch diameter cir- 

 cular pipes have been used for minor drains, from 3 to 

 6-inch ditto for main drains. No collars or socket 



Soil or turf is found to answer better than 



In 



pipes 



welfar 



e. A shepherd is required where a breeding 



* Copies of this treatise, with strong binding for schools, may 



*>e obtained, at the reduced price of Id., 



kry of the club. 



by applying to the secre- 



collars or socket pipes round the joints. in going 

 through quicksands we take the drain half a foot below 

 the level, and till to the level with sound loam or clay. 

 —I have found great benefit by using air pipes or tanks 

 in the fences. — About six acres on the average go to 

 each outlet. 320 acres drained. Two outlets of open 

 drainage. — Soil light loam. Subsoil clay and soil mixed 

 on the red sandstone series. — About 7 feet above the 

 level of the sea, with a rain fall on the average of 

 18 inches. From Rev. R. Brook, Gateforth House, 

 Yorkshire. 



XXXIX. — The result of drainage operations on all 

 descriptions of land has been satisfactory. — The drain- 

 age adopted is the parallel system.— The prevailing depth 

 from 3 to 12 feet deep. — No difference in draining 

 between arable and Grass land. — The direction of the 

 minor drains with the fall, in all cases, sometimes in the 

 furrows, but generally otherwise. — Two-inch pipes for 

 minor drains, and from 3 to 8 inches for man drains. — 

 No benefit by giving air at places to either main or 

 minor drains. — The average number of acres dis- 

 charging at the several outlets about eight. — The soil 

 and subsoil, loam with both gravel, sand, and a clay- 

 subsoil. — The geological formation, red sandstone. 

 From Sir S. Crompton, Bart,, Woodend, Thirsk, 



drainage operations on all 



The drainage is 



Yorkshire. 



XL. — The result of my 



descriptions of land is satisfactory 



arallei, with one or two exceptions of " herringboue." 

 —The prevailing depth is 4 feet.— In arable land we 

 drain generally 8 yards apart ; in Grass we have not 



differen in draining iween arable and Grata land, 

 except that perhaps the drains 00 the Grass land are at 

 somewhat greater distance.— The direction of the drains 

 is with the fall 1 have followed the furrows where the 

 ridges M'e high and the furrows low, on account of the 

 ex use. — I have used for minor drains 1^-ineh pip 

 and collars in gravelly soil, and 2 inch pipes in stiff soil, 

 and from 3 to 6-inch pipes for main drains, and in some 

 cases 8 inches. — The average number of acres dis- 

 charging at the several outlets varies. The average is 

 7 or 8 acres. — The soil and subsoil is various, but chiefly 

 Wrong clay or clay and gravel mixed with veins of sand. 

 John Hawkins, Hitchin, Nov. 25. 



XL11I. — My land draining ha* been perf tly satis- 

 factory.— I have made parallel drab and according to 

 the fall of the ground, from 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet. 

 No difference has been made between arable and pasture 

 land. — As to the direction of the drains, the farrow* 

 have not been attended to. — In furrow drains 2-inch 

 pipes have been used, and in mains, 4, 5, 6, and some- 

 times 8-inch pipes have been required. No collar 

 or socket pipes used. — No aperture ior air has been ever 

 left. — Average size of the fields is about 16 acres, each 

 having its own outfall, s< me into larger mains with 

 8-inch pipe. — A sandy clay ; some parts a pure sand, 

 and others a stiff clay.— Stratums of limestone prevail 

 throughout. T. W. (raster, Craster Hall. 



XLIV. — The result of my drainage operations on all 

 descriptions of land has been very satisfactory. — The 

 drainage adopted is parallel— The depth abont 4 feet 

 and from 27 to 30 feet apart. — The distance between 

 drains in Grass is 6 feet greater. — The direction of the 

 minor drains is with the fall, without regard to ridges. 

 For minor drains I have used If -inch pipes, and for mains 

 from '2 £ to 5 inches. No collars. — The average number of 

 acres discharging at the several outlets is 9 or 10. — 

 The il and subsoil generally stiff blue clay and stony. 



The geological formation magnesian lime, and red 

 sand rock. — The mean height of the land above the sea 

 level is 250 feet, more or less. — The average depth of 

 rainfall is about 28 inches. From Sir William Lawson, 



Bart., Brough Hall. 



XLV.— My land draining has been most satisfactory, 

 and more particularly so when followed up by proper 

 cultivation. — A parallel system entirely has been 

 adopted. — From 4 to S feet— The Grass land is drained 

 wider apart and deeper, generally from 40 to 60 feet 

 apart, and 5 feet deep ; tillage 30 feet apart. — Always 

 with the fall, and without respect to furrows. — Two-inch 

 pipes have been used for minor drains, and from 3 to 

 6-inch pipes for mains, without collars or sockets. — Not 

 exceeding 5 acres, 3-inch outlets ; not above 9 acres, 

 4 inches ; and above 9 acres, 6-inch outlets.— Soil varies 

 from strong loam to tough clay ; subsoil clay very hard, 

 and mixed with stones. From the Hon. G. F. H. Russell. 



XLVL— My drainage operations have been perfectly 

 satisfactory on all descriptions of land.— I adopted the 

 parallel system.— The prevailing depth of ordinary 

 drains is 4 feet, but in some cases 5 feet.— I have placed 

 the drains a greater distance apart in the Grass lands. 



The drains are placed in the direction of the greatest 

 fall. Where the old ridges were very much raised and 

 where there was any fear of the land not being laid 

 perfectly level I have followed the furrows.— I have used 

 2i-inch cylindrical pipes for minor drains, and 4-inch 

 and 6-inch do. for mains.— I consider direct openings 

 into any drain very objectionable, consequently I have 

 not made any places to give air.— The average number 

 of acres discharging at an outfall may be stated at 

 15 acres.— The soil is heavy and very tenacious and 

 the subsoil a particularly retentive clay. The minor 

 drains are placed from 21 to 25 feet apart in tillage 

 lands, and from 25 to 50 feet in Gra«s lands.— The 

 geological formation is the usual Northumberland coal 

 formation, being white sandstone, shale, clay, Ac. — 

 Height above the level of the sea ranges from 300 to 

 500 feet. Mi / Le Bell, Hinham. 



XL VI I.— My drainage operations on all descriptions 

 of land have been satisfactory. — I have adopted a 

 parallel system. — Four feet 6 inches.— Placing the 

 drains wider apart on Grass land.— The minor drains 

 are placed in the line of the greatest fall.— Two and a 

 half-inch round pipes for minor drains, and 4 and 6-inefe 



