764 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 



[Nov. 17, 1855. 





system ol thorough drainage and deep laboration of the 

 grou n d . Ver it as . 



Land Zh-ainage. — In your last (p. 732), Mr. Bailey 

 Denton draws attention to what he not inappropriately 

 terms the very extraordinary circumstance of drains 

 recommencing running upon a fall of the barometer 

 without any fall of rain on the surface. An analogous 

 phenomenon is recorded by Prof. Brocklesby, of Hart- 

 ford, Connecticut, in a paper read before the American 

 Association for the Promotion of Science, winch will 

 be found in the (American) "Annual of Scientific Dis- 

 covery" for 1854. He observed on two occasions that 

 the rising of the surface of the water in a spring near 

 the town of Rutland, in Vermont, was followed by a 

 fall of rain after an interval in one case of two or three 

 days and in the other of 24 hours. The spring rose 

 several inches, and overflowed. "On inquiry it was 

 ascertained from the residents in the vicinity that the 

 phenomenon was one of ordinary occurrence, and 

 that for the last twenty years the approach 

 of rain was indicated by the rising of the spring. Inte- 

 rested by these facts," says the professor, " I sought for 

 •others of a like nature, and requested through the public 

 prints information upon this subject from all who hap- 

 pened to possess it, and also upon collateral points which 

 were conceived to have important relation to this pheno- 

 menon. I was rewarded by the knowledge of only one 

 additional instance, existing in Concord, Massachusetts, 

 where a spring that supplies a certain brook is said to 

 •rise perceptibly before a storm. I have not been able 

 to ascertain the state of the barometer, either at Rut- 

 land or at Concord, at the times when the phenomenon 

 in question occurs ; nevertheless, I believe the true 

 solution will be found in the diminished atmospheric 

 pressure which exists before a rain. The waters of a 

 spring remain at any given level, because the atmo- 

 spheric and hydrostatic pressure combined exactly 

 counterbalance the upward force of the jet. The spring 

 will therefore rise either when the force of the jet is 

 increased while the atmospheric pressure con- 

 tinues the same, or when the latter is diminished, 

 while the former remains constant, and the eleva- 

 tion is greatest of all when the decrease in the 

 density ot the atmosphere occurs simultaneously with 

 an increase in the strength of the jet. The rising of 

 the water in the instances related cannot, I think, in 

 •view of the facts detailed, be fairly attributed to any 

 -sudden augmentation of force in the current of the 

 springs, but is to be regarded as the result of diminished 

 atmospheric pressure occurring at the particular times, 

 in perfect accordance with known meteorological laws." 

 On the same grounds we believe the fact stated by Mr. 

 Bailey Denton may be accounted for. If any of your 

 readers are in possession of similar facts they would be 

 doing a service to the cause of science by giving them 

 to the public in your columns. As to Mr. Stephens' 

 statement that a thermometer placed 18 inches below 

 the surface in a drained soil is "not sensibly affected 

 by the change of temperature in the atmosphere ;" by 

 4i changes' 1 he probably means fluctuations from day to 

 •day, as it is well known that the influences of the change 

 of temperature of the atmosphere from the cold of 

 winter to the heat of summer is felt to a depth varying 

 from 60 to 100 feet below the surface of the earth. B. 



D. T. In the " Cyclopaedia of Agriculture " you give 



a figure and short description of a separator for sepa- 

 rating different sizes of grain ; further details as to its 

 construction and the price at which it could be made 

 would oblige. [We believe it costs 12?. to 15/. Apply 

 to any of the chief agricultural implement makers.] 



Portable Buildings.— -[Mr. Porter, of Gas Street, 

 Birmingham, to whom we referred in connection with 

 corrugated iron roofing, has sent us a description of his 

 method of constructing and erecting portable buildings 

 of ordinary planks or boards, which we publish here as 

 being applicable we think to farmeries and shelter sheds.] 

 This method of constructing portable buildings, of wood 

 or iron, has been carried out on a considerable scale 

 (chiefly in the latter material) for emigrants' houses and 

 stores ; but in using corrugated iron plates for the sides 

 and roofs of houses it is necessary, on account of the 

 rapid transmission of heat and cold through the metal, 

 to have an inner lining of non-conducting materials, of a 

 more or less expensive description ; and while this 

 answers for buildings of a more important and permanent 

 character, in localities where the ordinary building 

 materials and labour are comparatively dear, it enhances 

 the cost and the bulk of what are required as portable 

 and temporary buildings, to an objectionable degree. It 

 is with the view, therefore, of meeting this objection, 

 that the plank houses are designed, and as they consist 

 of materials so familiar to every one under ordinary 

 systems of construction, little more is needed here than 

 a description of the peculiarities of this method, of which 

 the simplicity is its chief recommendation. It consists, 

 then, mainly in the construction and adaptation of up- 

 right grooved posts, formed of wood and metal, in such 

 a manner as to combine cheapness of construction with 

 lightness, strength, and durability. The metal grooves 

 of these posts are fashioned to receive the ends of the 

 planks forming the side walls of the building, and pre- 

 sent, in a neat and pleasing form, both on the interior 

 and exterior of the wall, a perfect metal covering to the 

 joints, from the ground to the eaves. The posts are 

 either shod with iron, for driving into the ground, or 

 fitted to a sill of timber, to be laid on a more or Xem per- 

 manent foundation. The planks or boards (having; in 

 view a sufficient strength, and an economical arrange- 

 ment in the spacing of the upright posts) are generally 

 about 14 inch in thickness, 9 inches in width, 9 feet in 



length, and weigh about 23 pounds each. These are 

 laid on their edges, one upon another, their ends passing 

 down the metal grooves of the posts ; the bottom plank, 

 in some cases, being sunk a few inches into the ground. 

 (When thinner boards are used, it is necessary to employ 

 a greater number of the posts, or to give stiffness by 

 the addition of an intermediate upright of some kind). 

 Where they are not likely to be injured in transit, or 

 the building too often removed, the edges of the planks 

 are " ploughed and tongued," u halved " or u bevilled," 

 otherwise, for the sake of economy, and to avoid the 

 risk of injury by a little rough usage — very likely to 

 occur at the hand of carriers and persons inexperienced 

 as workmen — the edges are left quite plain and the 

 horizontal joints covered with a strip of metallic canvas 

 or asphalted felt, either entirely on the inside, or passing 

 between the edges of the planks, turned upwards on the 

 inside, and downwards on the outside of the wall. The 

 upper and lower planks alone are " fixed" to the posts, 

 and these are secured by screws passing through the 

 metal lips of the grooves. The upper plank is fixed 

 with a space of about 2 inches between it and that next 

 below it. This aperture serves for ventilation (mode- 

 rated where desired by a strip of canvas or cloth, or of 

 perforated zinc) and admits of the easy adjustment of 

 the lower planks, should they slightly shrink or expand 

 from excessive heat or moisture of climate. Thus it 

 will be seen that with a number of the grooved posts 

 formed exactly alike, and a quantity of planks or boards 

 sawn to a uniform size, and without "fitting" of any 

 kind, the side walls of a house may be rapidly put 

 together by persons totally unaccustomed to ordinary 

 construction or mechanical operations. As regards the 

 roofs, a simple arrangement of boards reaching from 

 the top planks of the walls to a ridge board (supported 

 by light posts or partitions in the centre of the house) 

 and covered with metallic canvas, tarpaulin, or asphalted 

 felt, sent out in rolls of convenient size and weight, will 

 be sufficient in many cases. It may be preferable, in 

 some cases, to have the roofs of corrugated iron, in plates 

 or tiles of convenient size for handling ; this material, 

 whi ch is very light and strong, being of more durable nature 

 than the felt covering on boards, and equally well suited 

 for removal and re-fixing. The cost is somewhat greater, 

 and its adoption will be governed by circumstances. 

 Where boarded floors are required the materials are 

 arranged like the other parts of the houses, with a re- 

 gard to their probability, and to the facility with 

 which they may be put together at their destination. 

 This method of construction, it will be seen at once, is 

 suitable for a variety of purposes, and for none does it 

 appear to be of more value than for farm buildings of 

 various kinds, for fences, and for folding sheep. For 

 the latter purposes, the planks or boards can of course 

 be narrower and fixed at any suitable distances apart. 

 Asa means of sheltering sheep, in exposed situations, 

 this kind of fencing may be made very useful. Where 

 timber suitable for the planks or boards already exists 

 upon the estate, it will be necessary only to obtain the 

 44 Patent Posts," and the ordinary labourers, assisted 

 perhaps in the more important structures by a carpenter, 

 will find no difficulty in erecting the buildings, the 

 simple construction of which admits of their being as 

 easily taken to pieces, when desired, carried to another 

 site, and re-erected, without injury to the several parts. 

 The want of stabling is very frequently felt by persons 

 having, on short leases, dwelling houses and land without 

 such accommodation, and for which they are unable to 

 make satisfactory arrangements with the landlord. 

 The system of construction here treated of offers a 

 means of supplying that want, in the shape of a cheap 

 temporary building, removable by the tenant at the 

 expiration of his lease ; and here it may be well to 

 point out an advantage in this system which may 

 hitherto have escaped notice, viz. the convertible state 

 of the planks or boards, should a building no longer be 

 required, and it be found desirable to dispose of, or to 

 convert to other purposes, the materials of which it is 

 composed. From the description already given of the 

 manner in which the planks are connected with the 

 posts, it will be seen that they are not injured by a 

 number of nails, as in the usual modes of construction, 

 nor are they so slight, or so fixed, as to be injured by 

 warping, or by splitting from shrinkage or swelling. 

 It is scarcely necessary to point out any other of the 

 many purposes for which buildings and sheds of this 

 kind may be adopted with advantage, as they will natu- 

 rally suggest themselves to those who may be in want of 

 a cheap and ready mode of providing themselves with 

 dwellings, workshops, farm buildings, stables or out- 

 buildings, of a more or less temporary character. 



Agricultural Shows. — It appears another class of 

 animals will soon be admitted to compete at agricul- 

 tural meetings. u Baby shows" were supposed to be 

 imaginary, advertised, and noticed in " Punch " to 

 amuse the public ; however, report speaks of such 

 exhibitions becoming fashionable. It will be necessary 

 to place the "babies" on the only list open to them, viz. 

 sucking pigs. Of course their birth, parentage, &c, 

 whether pure Saxon, or a cross of Norman or Celt, will 

 be duly recorded, in order to ascertain the most 

 improved breed. The mothers should also appear in a 

 dress to show off the figure, and produce certificates of 

 marriage, general health, number of children born 

 within a certain period, &0. ; a statement should also b 

 made of the nourishment swallowed during the time of 

 feeding the " baby puppy " Frater.-—l'S. If baby shows 

 are fabulous this may be consigned to the flames. Falcon. 



Wheat Growing. — There is a notice in your Number of 

 Saturday of a publication by Mr. Cooke on Wheat 



growing. It appears that he assumes that 48 bushels 

 are to be obtained per acre by proper management and 

 capital, but in stating this assumption you do not go on 

 to quote from his book the way that his end is to be 

 attained. Will you be so good as to inform a sub- 

 scriber if this is laid down in the work, or if not can 

 you recommend any publication which would contain 

 such practical advice as to aid in the attainment of such 

 a result as Mr. Cooke supposes to be possible \ S. E. 

 [Mr. Cooke does not give detailed instructions. These 

 are to be found in systematic works on agriculture. See 

 Blacker on " Small Farms," and 0. O. Roberts on 

 "Agricultural Improvement the Antidote to Agricul- 

 tural Distress. " J 



Farmers' Clubs. 



Haddington, Oct. 2. — The probable causes of frequent 

 failures in winter Wheat, and the best mode of top. 

 dressing that crop. — Mr. Hope, of Fen ton Barns, said, 

 As I am not prepared to admit that failure in winter 

 Wheat is at all the rule in this county, I think the first 

 part of the question would have been better stated by 

 substituting occasional for frequent failure. I maintain 

 that if land is properly drained and filled with manure, 

 and freed from weeds by the cultivation of green crops, 

 good seed Wheat selected and sown in proper season, 

 an abundant crop is as certain as anything else can be 

 in this changeable scene. Doubtless it is exposed from 

 the moment it is sown to the depredation of insects and 

 . various kinds of vermin, which devour the seed, the 

 J blades, and stems in every part of its progress, and 

 even the grain when it is forming in the ear. The 

 weather also is often detrimental, biting frosts may 

 altogether destroy it, or blight, rust, mildew, and smut 

 may affect the quality and diminish the produce. But 

 experience has shown that much may be done at least 

 to mitigate these evils, if they cannot be altogether pre- 

 vented. Frost very rarely destroys Wheat on dry land, 

 unless where it has been too early sown, and become 

 what is called "winter proud." Blight or mildew 

 seldom seriously affects the crop when it is thick on the 

 ground, unless vegetation is very rank from the direct 

 application of manures, or from the confined or shel- 

 tered position of the ground ; but we know that an 

 application of 1^ or 2 cwt. of common salt sown in 

 spring is certain to secure straw of the brightest colour 

 and grain of the finest quality, though in fine seasons 

 this diminishes the produce, which prevents it being re- 

 commended for universal adoption. We are all aware, 

 too, that washing the seed in a solution of blue vitriol is 

 a complete check to smut ; any one who has crops 

 damaged by this has his own carelessness or laziness 

 alone to blame. Even the ravages of the Wheat midge, 

 which at first sight appear to be almost beyond human 

 control, and which annually give me for a short time 

 more anxiety than all other causes, I feel persuaded, 

 can, to a certain extent at least, be mitigated by sowing 

 only the shortest strawed aud quickest blooming varie- 

 ties. Still, without doubt, there is here and there an 

 occasional failure of winter Wheat, and we often 

 enough see indifferent fields. I frequently observe that 

 a better crop would have been obtained had a more 

 suitable period been selected for sowing the seed, or 

 had the ground been in a somewhat different state. 

 Practical experience alone must teach every farmer 

 what period for sowing is most suitable for his soil and 

 locality, and these vary so much, that no man can 

 venture to dogmatise either on that or the quantity of 

 seed necessary for an acre. Wheat also requires a 

 certain degree of consistency in the soil, in order to 

 produce a full crop. Even heavy soils are better to be 

 damp above so as to work down freely, but there should 

 be no clagging, and the horses' footsteps should be fully 

 obliterated by the harrows, otherwise the blades will be 

 yellow in spring, the straw short and feeble, the heads 

 down, and the crop only a half one ; indeed, in these 

 cases it is better to leave the land only half harrowed. 

 The result is pretty much the same, if light land is sown 

 very dry, as then the plants die out in spring from want 

 of consolidation in the soil. Pressure with heavy rollers, 

 aided by topdressing, if promptly done, will generally 

 prove beneficial. From what I have seen, and lately 

 heard, 1 am inclined to think that on light soils land 

 should not be ploughed at all after a green crop, hut 

 that the Wheat should be sown and covered by grubbing 

 litly ; or, if the soil is remarkably light, I would prefer 

 a crop of spring Wheat as the more certain. The occa- 

 sional cause of injury to Wheat fields in this county, 

 though it was more common 20 years ago than now, was 

 the larvae of small flies, named, I believe, Chlorops and 

 Oscinus, eating into and destroying the centre stems of 

 the plants in spring. In fields affected by them, the 

 plants die out altogether when they are seized on after 

 ceasing to derive support from the seed ; otherwise, they 

 often recover amazingly. Wheat sown after plain 

 fallow is most liable to their attacks. Ploughing in the 

 seed has been sometimes resorted to, to give the plant, 

 it was said, a better hold of the ground. Wheat sends 

 out roots from the seed, but however deep you bury »> 

 when the stem reaches the suffice, the coronal roots 

 spread out, and the under roots die off, while the plant is 

 weakened in proportion to the depth of soil it has ha 

 to force itself through. From delay in springing, the deep 

 sown may have continued to derive support from the see 

 when what was nearer the surface might be destroy e 

 from want of it. Ail the benefit derived from deep 

 seeding may be obtained from la e sowing, while, gene- 

 rally speaking, the stronger and more vigorous P Ia ° 

 obtained from seed deposited near the surface are 



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