860 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 



why the effect of the Utter is so greatly increased 



when they are rendered more soluble by means 

 of sulphuric acid. Again, p. 65 : u Silicate of 



ie secretary of the Koya! Agricultural Improvement 

 Society of Ireland. This personal feeling bade 

 fair to tear the society asunder ; and that this 



| verted into luxuriant pastures aud ierul 



i_7 1 ■ i v- 1« i. v- vri '«u fcvr n.ai VI1C DUl'tci^ «*oM**v»v.fc , *»«.v» v ..^. v „...., 



potash, by increasing the proportion of silica, may has not been the result is due, we think with Mr. D. J. 



of solubility.'' Wilson who spoke well upon the subject, rather to the 



be obtained of all different degrees 

 Again, same page : u AH these substances 

 soluble in rain water, and still more soluble in water 

 containi; a larger proportion of carbonic acid." Again, 

 p. 66 : "It is necessary, if we would investigate the sub- 

 ject properly, to prepare from the first a whole series of 

 mixtures of different (degrees of, no doubt intended) 

 solubility. 11 Again, p. 69 : "As we cannot suppose that 

 the mineral constituents of the same land vary in their 

 solubility in different years from unknown causes ; that 

 i one year they are more soluble than in another," &c. 

 if, then, there are different conditions of solubility — if 

 there is a state of solubility — if one ingredient is 



soluble than another — if we can obtain dif- 



and 



saeher. 



more 



ferent degrees of solubility 



or less soluble, and still more soluble — if there is 

 different solubility, why should there not be a semi- 

 solubility ? I am aware the last passage has a 

 different object in view, but it also conveys 

 the idea In the author's mind of one ingredient being 

 more soluble than another. Now, sir, I trust if your 

 correspondent sought information he has obtained it ; 

 if he cavils with the use of a word I have justified it ; 

 and if he means to say I have put an improper word 

 into the mouth of a most scientific personage, I say 

 that the word was my own, and that I never intended 

 to use it as that of another. Your correspondent says : 

 u Neither do I see how manures can be too soluble, 

 provided they are not washed out of the soils by the 

 rains." If my lecture had been fully reported, your 

 correpondent would have found that I discussed this 

 question also, and he would have been saved the necessity 

 of displaying that non-acquaintance with the first prin- 

 ciples of chemistry which the above remark exhibits. 

 Why, it is because of the great and inevitable tendency 

 of highly soluble manures to be washed beyond the reach 

 of the infant plant that manures so prepared have not 

 been found to be as efficacious as those containing a 

 portion soluble, neutral, and insoluble. A mere tyro in 

 chemistry knows wells that an ingredient in a highly 

 soluble state is immediately taken up by water 

 and must accompany that water wherever it goes ; 

 and we all know that the tendency of water is not 

 to remain near the surface of the soil. What is 

 the use, therefore, of a manure that has nothing to 

 recommend it but its high state of solubility I We 

 know that the chief ingredient in the straw of Wheat 

 is silica, of which it contains 70 00 per cent.; we know, 

 also, that the chief ingredient in Wheat is phosphoric 

 acid, of which it contains 50-00 per cent. Whilst the 

 silicates are drawn upon from the very commencement 

 of the growth of the crop, the great body of the phos- 

 phates are not required until the development of the 

 ear, when the grain which chiefly feeds upon them 

 first begins to use them. If then your phosphates are 

 highly soluble, and the rain is constantly carrying 

 them into the earth beyond the reach of the plant 

 before it is sufficiently advanced in growth to draw 

 largely on them, are they within reach of the plant at 

 that time when it most requires them for its nourish- 

 ment ? We must not be led astray by mere theorists 

 upon this all important subject ; but must, casting aside 

 all prejudices, quietly, coolly, calmly, and dispassionately 

 bring common sense to bear upon its discussion ; we shall 

 then find it impossible to maintain the position that 

 soluble manures are as beneficial as those prepared to 

 meet the requirements of vegetation in its different 



goad sense of a large body of the Society than the angry 

 discussions which have been reported or believed to 

 have existed. u I was asked," said Mr. Wilson, " what 



I belonged to — what part I intended to take — 



M 



party 



Two 



with which of the two parties I would be found ? 

 parties!* said I; * why, there are three parties.' 

 ' Three 1 ' exclaimed the person who addressed me ; 

 ' why, I only heard of two — the secretary and his party, 

 and a section of the council.' * Well/ I said, ' I feel 



able mud hovels of a past age were demolished* 1 ** 

 superseded by comfortable and well-arranged hn?M 



nfn euitnhla onrl e „K^ ft .a:„l l.:„ j T , "* uu U<llllfl| 



Implements fZ 

 sat construction ^ 



of a suitable and substantial kind 



and 



are now universal there. 



there is another party stronger than either of the two 

 parties, and stronger than both put together, and that is 

 the party of the Royal Agricultural Society. That is 



_ __ _ __ the party that I beloug to, and, notwithstanding the 



if substances are more i previous expressions of angry feeling, I do hope that 



111 • I* 1 * /" I . 1 • VI* * 1 It* 



before we leave this room we shall convince the public 

 that that is the stronger party.' " We give below an 

 abridgement of the address of Mr. Gartlan upon the 

 occasion — he having been apparently the spokesman of 

 the general sense of the members. It had been pro- 

 posed to adopt the report of the Council. Mr. Gartlan 

 moved the following amendment : — 



"That the further consideration of the report be adjourned, 

 and a committee of nine members of the society be appointed to 

 inquire into, and report to an adjournment of this meeting, to be 

 held on the last Thursday in January next, on the several matters 

 that have tended to produce dissension and discord in the 

 society, and on certain charges of insubordination and negligence 

 mad** against the secretary, and on certain allegations of irregu- 

 larities in the awards of certain of the society's prizes and 

 premiums made against members of the council of the society; 

 and that Jt be an instruction to snciflMpmittee to take into its 

 consideration the several laws, bye-law?; rules, and regulations 

 of this society, with a view (if they think fit) to suggest such 

 additions, alterations, and amendments therein as may be neces- 

 sary for the more harmonious working of the society for the 

 future— this meeting being of opinion that the bickerings and 

 disputes that have latterly taken place have a direct tendency to 

 lessen the influence of the society and to impair its usefulness." 

 He said :— I deeply feel, and every gentleman who takes an 

 interest in the well-being and well-working of this society must 

 frel, that such scenes as have been enacted in our council-room 

 for the last few months cannot co-exist with the harmonious 

 working of this society. Either the secretary should yield, 

 I respectfully submit, or the council should yield. The documents 

 which have been handed about, the letters which have been written, 

 and the discussions which have taken place, prove as distinctly as 

 possible that there is not harmonious working within our 

 council, and I deeply regret that we cannot shut our eyes to this 

 fact, that our secretary has leagued himself with one section of 

 the council. I don't say the section that have taken the part— if 

 I may use the expression— of the secretary are wrong. Far be it 

 from me to say that. I say that is the matter that is to be 

 inquired into; and I hope and trust that when the heat, and the 

 recriminations, and the party discussions have died away, those 

 highly respectable gentlemen who have banded themselves 

 together, upon the one side and upon the other, will meet together 

 or at least a portion of them, in the council-room, as Irishmen 

 should meet when they discuss the affairs of a society like 

 the present, harmoniously, like educated and enlightened gentle- 

 men. I freely admit that there are matters to be inquired into. 

 I freely admit that irregularities have taken place. I refer to 

 three particular instances. The first is in reference to the secre- 

 tary. I cannot shut my eyes to this fact, that he and the council 

 have not worked harmoniously together. I hope and trust 

 that the result of that committee which I am about to propose 

 will be this — that whatever differences of opinion have 

 existed between the council, or a section of the council, 

 as Mr. Hamilton suggests, and the secretary, probably by 

 some mutual concession, by some mutual understanding, 

 that disagreement might be put an end to; for I cannot 

 shut my eyes to the fact that there has been an attempt made, 

 it is said to raise an unworthy cry against Mr. Harkness, 

 because he happens to be a Scotchman. I do not adopt that sen- 

 timent I have stated in private, and I repeat in public, that 

 had I been a member of the society when the secretary was 

 appointed, probably I would have imagined that in Ireland might 

 have .b-en found an Irishman to fill that office: but I say that 

 Mr. Harkness was no party to that resolution. You are pur- 

 chasers with notice; you selected him knowing where he was 



in "iL*? f T- 7 faCt ° f his not being an Iriah man gives him 

 an additional claim upon your fair consideration. The next 



stages of growth. I have to apologise, sir, for the length 



to which this letter has run; the censure must fall upon • y~ IT" — T " F "" J ' vul ltt11 CUIlsl «erauon. me next 



ffij5K»-t^s^^-,SKs 3 «=$y ssaassass Ess 



from one whose chief object is that of investigating a 

 great truth, and that yon are always happy in bringing 

 the minds of your agricultural friends to dwell upon both 

 a.des of a question in which they are so deeply interested. 

 Standuk Grove Qrady. 



u fT% »l a< !-Z l beg u*° i , nform yonr correspondent 

 J.I. a. that brown bread requires the dough to be 



made raoister than white. 1 have no doubt his cook 

 makes it of the same consistency, whereas brown flour 

 will take half as much more water than white. The 

 best and brownest bread is made from Wheat ground as 

 it comes out of the mill without any bran or stuffs taken 

 out If «J. T. B." can get such flour, and his cook will 

 put the extra quantity of water, I feel sure he will be 

 'Satisfied with the hrpnd ¥w» 



Sorttt 



Royal 

 .half 



yearly meeting of this society took place this day. 



MhihSrfl? ™ *" m J^t gve*t dbmmon h*s been 

 exlnbited at meetings of the Council latterly, and that 

 the conduct of the secretary has generally afforded 



;S °r ^ Ul t Be diff <™ have arisen. The 

 «^n^f T Cl1 ^S»8«H«lmeeHn ? recommended 

 very considerable modifications of the office of secretary ; 



rj£Z S ' ^ 8 I PP08e " wiU be S eneraU y admitted, a 

 l e t!l ^ n ft. 1 manner in **ich the duties of that 

 office had been hitherto discharged. And at the meeting 

 which has just w happily passed a ] arge gatherin „ J| 

 members took place the question no Lit which tad 



wkhht . lhen V? d T whi <* ^eh came prepared 

 *Hh his opinion, being the merits of Mr. Harknesa as 



tL F a u ™*° Captain Bail. I certainly do believe that in 



nflimw ofth **P'? m ««?i there might be pleaded the statute 

 of limitations I believe it is five years ago. Be it four or five 

 years I don t care which ; but on the face of the proceed- 



hff IZ a m °2 th , b 5? k in the councLl this is <* uite apparent, 

 undonhLw a / d ° f . thRt T P™»™ * 9 a « irregularity that did 

 undoubtedly creep m. I don't conceal the fact that there is 



cun hm wlfi' r>° f 2 P /?r lu P *? dispute * I believe U i^a draining 

 cup hut with the details of it I am perfectly ignorant. I am told 



that the committee of the society has come to a conclusion upon 



mftV r w 11 ^- eet i ng ; ? ut tt has 80 gently occurred, that the 

 matter is fresh m the minds of all parties, and I think there can 



be no objection whatever that it, too, should be considered by the 

 committee. Now the last matter to which I think the attention 

 01 the committee should be pointed is this-is it not notorious, is 

 it not too notorious, that the meetings of our council in these 

 latter times have not been conducted with that order, regularity 

 good feeling and harmony with which the meetings of a societv 

 w £ 1S ° Ught t0 ** re gulated ? If the council is of that nature 

 mat tne society at large has not sufficient power over them to 



?n e ^ n M UCh , P ^ oceediugs ' l think tbat a ^mraittee should be 

 appointed calmly to look at the constitution of the council and 



lawTtlT h if^f Ch a Cbanse Sh -? ,d i n0t ^ made in^eby? 

 laws-tnat if there are men upon it who will not, and are deter- 



mined not to pull harmoniously with other member^ of the 

 council some means should be obtained for ejecting them from the 

 council. (Loud cries of hear, hear, and applause.) 



Mr. Gartlan's amendment was carried, and a com- 

 mittee of nme members, two gentlemen from each pro- 

 vince, with his Grace the President of the Society as 

 chairman, were appointed in accordance with it to 

 report to an adjourned meeting. 



Jump, near Plymouth, Dec. 5.— A number of agri- 

 culturists assembled to take into consideration the pro 

 priety of forming an Agricultural Society. M r Thomn" 

 son referred to the history of the Highland Societv io 

 show the effects of combination for the purpose of aeri 

 cultural improvement. A superior system of farming 

 was introduced, superfluous fences were rooted onf 

 thorough draining put in extensive practice • f ur „ 

 heaths were cleared away in every direction, and con 



- -jiese rem**ii 

 show what had been accomplished through the aid 

 direction of an agricultural society in his°native coun^ 

 and he had no doubt whatever that a societv of nV' 

 description, properly managed and spiritedly backed W 

 the nobility and farmers of this district, where so mu I 

 room for improvement existed, could not fail indoin*2 

 incalculable amount of good ; therefore he would tab! 

 the voice of the meeting whether or not they entertaX 

 the same view. The meeting were unanimous in opinion 

 witli Mr. Thompson, and nominated a committee t§ 

 carry out the necessary arrangements for the establiA- 

 ment of the) society, to be named the "Maristow Agricu 

 tural Society," and to report at the next meeting to be 

 held at Jump on the first Monday of January next! The 

 chairman again addressed the meeting at considerable 

 length. He made numerous remarks upon the practice of 

 agriculture, crops, and rotation of crops, describing and 

 criticising the Lois- Weedon system of cultivation • he 

 thought the Rev. Mr. Smith very fortunate in having a 

 piece of land capable of bearing such treatment, and 

 instanced the failure of the Lois^ Weedon syste»- 

 under the hands of the Rev. Mr. Forester, Vicar of 

 High Ercale, in Shropshire. He then offered some 

 remarks upon soils and their combinations, upon 

 manures and their application, and depreciated the 

 plan of laying small heaps of manure on the land for 

 some time before ploughing it in. Mr. Rowe, Woolwell 

 thought that a good way of applying farm-yard manure 

 was to plough it into the soil as soon as carted from the 

 farm-yard. He would recommend the utility of covered 

 yards or sheds in which the manure could be made or 

 laid up and fermented before being carried to the field. 

 He considered that the very essence of their farm-yard 

 manures was washed into the water courses by the 



Mill, described 

 He had all 



rains of heaven, 

 his 



Mr. Harris, Phinx 



manure. 



practice in preparing 

 the manure of his place collected 

 in the yard and mixed with 

 tion of 3 cwt. of salt to about 

 Salt, he thought, retained 

 fermentation, and destroyed 



into one heap 



in the propor 



loads of 



thfc ammonia, accelerated 



ihe larvae of insects, 



salt 

 20 



dung. 



together with the vitality of many seeds which might 

 be in the manure. He procured, a short time ago, 

 3 tons of salt, at 1 5s. per ton ; from that, he was satis- 

 fied the cost could not be any objection to its use. He 

 made some appropriate remarks upon the keeping and 

 trimming of field hedges, and commented upon the 

 expense of cleaning weeds from the crops, where a bad 

 system of cultivation prevailed. He thought that by 

 paying proper attention to the preparation of the farm- 

 yard manure, the trimming of hedges, and deep culti- 

 vation, cereal crops would not require any weeding at 

 all. Intelligence, industry, and perseverance were 

 necessary to the proper advancement of agriculture. 

 It was his opinion that the society which they were 

 about to form, if properly conducted, would prove of 

 immense benefit to the district. 



i&otttcs of 



On the Advantages that would accrue to the Landed 

 and Agricultural Interest of the United Kingdom from 

 a general Act of Parliament to enable Owners of Settled 

 and Encumbered Estates to Borrow Money fir & eir 

 Improvement upon the Security of the Estates tkemelves. 

 A Letter to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Essex. Ky 

 Chas. F. Humbert, Land agent, Watford, Herts. 

 Piper & Co., 23, Paternoster Row. 

 " The only means by which the owner of a limited or 

 settled estate can without making an immediate outlay 

 erect farm buildings, engines, or machinery, maK® 

 roads, reclaim, enclose, and fence uncultivated land,&c. t 

 for instance, is through the intervention of one of the 

 four existing private companies known as " The Lww- 

 owners' Drainage and Inclosure Company/ 9 1847, I n 

 West of England Land Draining Company," 1» 45 > 

 " The General Land Drainage and Improvement Com- 

 pany," 1849, and " The Lands Improvement Compaq 

 1853, each of which exists under a special Act of r - 

 liamenr, empowering it to effect upon land improvemen^ 

 of the kind above named, as well as drainage ; »° 



charge the cost of the works upon the inherita ^ neSf 

 the form of an annual rent-charge, and to one of tn 



companies a landowner must of necessity a PP? y m 

 wish to charge upon those who may come alter 

 their reasonable share of the cost of the improveme 



quote this passage from the » bo Tf na 5L 

 pamphlet. The object of Mr. Humbert is to sboW "j^ 

 as the sanction of the Inclosure Commissioners is ne *\^ 

 before any of these companies can complete the en f^* 

 ment by which it undertakes the drainage or other 

 ( provement of an estate in consideration of a rent-cnarg^ 

 upon that estate for a certain number of years, 

 sanction ought to be the only thing needed to eti * m ^ t 

 owner or tenant for life to borrow money foT ^ n \y 

 purpose in any quarter. Legislation hitherto nas J^*^ 



he may contemplate." 

 We auote this 























and 



waa 



