458 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE 



state of fertility to raise Wheat. 



instituted by Mr. Pusey, in Berkshire, and by Sir John 



Thorold, in Lincolnshire. The saving of horse-labour 



is, without dispute, one-haJf. Specimens of the best 



class of these light and strong one-horse carts, combining 



good workmanship with cheapness, and fitted with 



improved axles, wheels, drags, and tilling irons of 



different sorts, are exhibited by several makers. ^ Uu- 



painted wood, well varnished, meets the eye without 



deception ; and displays the firmness and neatness of its 



joinings, as well as the goodness and durability of its 



Barley The chemist is always appealed to, ana ire material. The bodies of the best carts are placed upon 



sets about solving the problem, although it scarcely the axle without being bolstered up, thus giving greater 



lies in his crucible. He tells us that a crop of Oats facility for filling; less alteration of the weight 



Irela I ; or. at 1 t, that the soil must be in a higher 



On the other hand, 



there is no well authenticated fact to prove that 

 Wheat actually leaves the land in a more exhausted 

 .state than Oats or Barley does ; but, on the contrary, 

 an overpowering array of facts may be brought for- 

 ward to demonstrate that the soil is in a much better 

 condition, after having carried a good crop of Wheat, 

 than when it has merely produced one of Oats or 



The chemist is always appealed to, and he 



successful operation cmThe^TP^ 

 something like a large plough-^ 



clmed plane reaching ^ 



with an in 

 drain. On 



or 







e same side of the"^ **** « 



ought to be decidedly more exhausting than Wheat, 



as it removes a much larger amount of valuable 



matters than the latter ; for the grain of Wheat and 



Oats contain nearly the same per centage of nitrogen, 



while the amount of mineral matter is twice as great 



in the Oat as in the Wheat But this does not 



touch the question, as the mineral elements are 



thrown aside, and we have therefore only to deal 



with the nitrogenous. It is believed that the Wheat 



plant, in its growth, gets rid of rather more than 



3 lbs. out of every 5 lbs. of ammonia supplied in 



the manure: and the question to be discussed is, 



whether the Oats and Barley are as costly in their 



habits as has been maintained by Mr. Lawes, and 



broadly reiterated by Mr. Huxtable, in his pamphlet 



on "Present Prim.* Under such an array of 



authorities, the truth of this proposition is never 



questioned. It will he admitted on all hands, if 



Oats, under certain conditions, could economise the 



manure, so as that there should be as much nitrogen 



in the produce as there was supplied to them in the 



manure, that they are less exhausting than Wheat, 



in the sense on w r hich practical men evidently 



ground their opinions, viz., that it would take more 



guano or any other manure, whose principal element 



is nitrogen, "to raise a crop of Wheat, than of Oats. 



And it is here that practice and theory are at issue. 



Like daina.-ed clocks where hand and bell dissent, 



" Science" slugs bix, while " Practice" poin-ts at twelve. 



If the sweeping deductions of chemists were cor- 

 rect, the value of ail grains should be exactly in 

 proportion to the amount of nitrogen contained in 

 their produce. The relative prices which the different 

 kinds of grain bear in the market, however, indicates 

 that this can hardly be the case. The puzzle to 

 Englishmen would also be involved in a double 

 labyrinth— in the fact, that as high rents are paid for 

 land in arable cultivation in Scotland, where the low- 

 priced grains, Barley and Oats, are chiefly grown. 

 They must be surpassing farmers in Scotland to 

 achieve such results (and they have often been told 

 so) ; but we have long thought that " there is some- 

 thing in this quite natural, if philosophy could find 

 it out." We are well aware that current theories 

 are rather against us on this subject, but we feel 

 convinced that the whole circle of practical results 

 can be adduced in our favour, and that it is impos- 

 sible to discuss the systems of agriculture over the 

 British islands, without modifying, to a very con- 

 siderable extent, prevailing opinions and preposses- 

 sions. It has always been a source of some satisfac- 

 tion to us, that one immortal authority has expressed 

 himself in such a manner, that our modern chemists 

 will one day have either to refute the fallacy, or 

 illustrate the truth of his philosophy. Sir Humphrey 



his work 



Davy, 



2d 



in nis worK on "Agricultural Chemistry," 

 edit., p. 188, states — "In cases where plants 

 cannot absorb sufficient moisture, they must take up 

 more manure ; and in Ireland, Cornwall, and the 

 Western Highlands of Scotland, corn will exhaust 

 less than in dry inland situations. Oats, particularly 

 in dry climates, are impoverishing in a much higher 

 degree than in moist ones." 



We consider that truth is shadowed forth in this 

 passage ; and although it may not be expressed in the 

 language of our modern nomenclature, it broadly 

 states a principle which has been entirely overlooked, 

 and has been a fruitful source of confusion in some 

 quarters. We intend to go somewhat into detail on 

 this subject ; but before we enter upon it, we shall 

 glance at the opinions of Mr. Lawes, regarding the 

 effects of nitrogenous manures on the Turnip, which 

 may furnish a key to our inquiry. R. 



■ty 



upon the horse's back in ascending and descending 

 hills ; and in rough roads less lateral pressure 

 on the wheels, and less jostling of the horse ; 

 and the wheels are made upon the principles 

 best calculated to sustain the lateral and perpendicular 

 pressures of the load when in motion ; and are less 

 liable to cut into the land, from the tire of the wheels 

 being perfectly cylindrical (which form gives the true 

 rolling motion required), whilst the spokes are at the 

 same time sufficiently dished. Frames are also^ con- 

 structed so as to make one of the small carts into a 

 complete harvest cart, with plenty of foundation to 

 build the load securely upon. Compactness and strength, 

 without studs or spindles, or ornamental carving, seem 

 to be the chief attributes of the framing ; and simplicity 

 rules the action of the various contrivances for tilling 

 and tipping with ease and celerity. The prize carts of 

 W. Busby, of Newton-le- Willows, Bedale, Yorkshire, 

 cannot fail of drawing attention ; and Crosskill's carts 

 and wheels not only merit but command inspection. 

 His improved one-horse cart and harvest-cart is made 

 broad and low, without a single mortice, slot, sole, or 

 nail ; and is intended to carry 30 cwt. loads. Crosskill's 

 celebrated wheels are made almost entirely by machinery. 

 The naves are of iron, cast upon steel pins, by which 

 process they become so hard as to resist the tile. When 

 the spokes (made of well-seasoned Oak) are properly 

 driven, the wheel is fixed in a lathe and the end of each 

 spoke is turned with the greatest possible accuracy, to 

 fit double-shouldered sockets, bored with equal precision 

 in the fellies. The fellies, too, are turned in a lathe. 

 After which the hoop tire is cut, bended, bevelled, and 

 affixed by machinery, with an accuracy and firmness 

 that cannot be equalled by any hand process. The 

 arms on wrought-iron axles are also turned (without 

 boxes, &c.) by self-adjusting machinery, and case- 

 hardened. The body of the carts consists of Oak 

 framework, and strong red plank sides; the shafts 

 and shelvings of Ash. 



Among the carts of other exhibitors, worthy of ex- 

 amination, we may mention that with revolving axle, 

 invented by E. Harding, of Oldsprings, Market Drayton, 

 and the Clydesdale tilt-cart, of Harveys and Tait, 

 Strathaven, Scotland. Among waggons, we advise a 

 look at Crosskill's, which is of simple as well as strong 

 construction ; it is furnished with a break worked by a 

 small wheel in front, a useful appendage in hilly dis- 

 tricts. W. Squires, of March, Cambridgeshire, exhibits 

 a well-made road waggon, but which, from the absence 

 of lock-holes, can turn only in a long curve. Braby and 

 Sons, of Duke-street, Upper Stamford-street, show an 

 extraordinary-looking waggon, which is likely to remind 

 some old fashioned farmers of a bird cage. The sides 

 are formed of thin iron spindles, holding up the raves 

 or side-bars, and made of an elegant waving form, like 

 Hogarth's " line of beauty." It is a beautiful specimei 

 of carnage building, and runs with a pole instead of 

 shafts. Its advantages in strength and durability on the 

 rude roads, and in the all weathers of a farm, we are 

 unable to state. 



Of Harness, we have scarcely yet observed any spe- 

 cimens ; one article that we did see, however, we con- 

 sider well worthy of being made known to the public. 

 A. Low, of Dundee, exhibits a mouth-bag for horses, 

 having a gauze-wire front for facilitating respiration. 

 It is labelled * Humanity for the Horse." This admir 

 able improvement explains and recommends itself. 



Division G. Drainage Implements. — Among the 

 sets of draining tools exhibited, including spades, 

 bottoming tools, shovels, picks, pipe-layers, scoops, 

 gauges, &c, the workman will find many that seem 

 by far too heavy to suit his sinews, and in shape 

 not exactly according to his taste. But out of so 

 large an assortment he may also select many most 

 valuable instruments for easing and improving his 

 labour. Mapplebeck and Lowe, Clayton, and other 

 manufacturers, show specimens of their tools, of first- 

 rate workmanship and quality. Clayton's patent drain 

 consolidatov, consisting of a horizontal bar or weight of 

 iron, wedge-shaped, so as to fit the sides and bottom of 

 a dram, and having a long upright handle to be set to 

 any depth, appears to be a useful tool. It acts as a 

 rammer, and from its length seems calculated to per- 

 form much the same office upon the soft bottom of a 

 drain that a carpenter's plane does upon wood, viz 

 level its lesser inequalities. But the manufacturers of 

 Sheffield, and other towns, exhibit sets of tools for 

 draining and all other agricultural purposes ; and we 

 may hereafter be more particular in our description. 



Many machines have been invented for the purpose 

 of applying horse-power to the excavation of drains, 

 but hitherto with only partial success; nnd, indeed, 

 implements of this kind cannot be entirely successful 



xcept in clay soils, free from stones. We noticed some 



board is a sword-coulter, s l op i n2 £** *4«^ 

 drain bottom to the plough beam*- . }""** W 

 side, the land side of the plou3 ?LT ? «*7 % 

 of the drain, having a circular c^h '^^^ 

 side of the drain. % lis ^ta^l^ « 

 at bottom, so as to make the Eh °? rd *• q£ 

 A wheel follows the inclined plane / pro P* *J 

 and two others run upon the land in W^* ^ 

 and can be steered by a long lever from ££?* *J 

 horses are required m order to open a 



30 inches deep, 18 inches wide at 

 bottom. 



t0 P> and 5 i,^ 



E. Alexander, of Taylorton, Stirling, exhibit* 



of two ploughs, which, by followi 

 a drain 30 inches in depth, 

 the different parts much 

 described. 



nior 



each 



^ 



ThepWiple ^'^ 



rr-k a .* resembles the 



rhe first-furrow plough cute 



■ 





acre per hour. The second-furrow plough Z 

 farther depth of from 10 to 12 inches iA*' 

 drain to the exact breadth of the tiles, to tke*5 





from 15 to 18 inches, 15 inches wide at tor. 

 bottom, and is drawn by 12 horses, dobsL^ 



30 inches, throwing the furrow or slice "to thTll! 

 opposite to that which receives the furrow fromfoi! 

 plough. This also requires 1 2 horses, and cZ5 

 one Scotch acre per hour. These ploughs hafS 

 several prizes, particularly of the Highland jfc 

 tural Society, and of the Stirling Association. 



The most extraordinary drainage implement is, hot. 

 ever, that invented by Mr. Fowler, of MelUhaajrT 

 shire. Its principle is now well known ; it caakifc 

 making a mole plough draw a string of wooing 

 into the tunnel formed by its passage. The bP 

 attached to an upright blade about 7 feet loJ 

 9 inches broad, and 1 inch thick, which canbenifci« 

 lowered vertically in its broad-arched girder-like t». 

 by means of a pinion working in teeth on itstakedw 

 A strong sword coulter precedes it. The capstan tonei 

 by the horses has not to be shifted, and fa 

 unwound at intervals, as is generally the ease wift oaJeT 

 ploughs, but is itself moved on continually as the hones 

 go round it. The contrivance for anchoring, so is t» 

 obtain a purchase, the novel and simple apparatoi hi 

 lifting the heavy frame upon its carriage wheels, must to 

 seen either in reality or in picture, in order to be \a&r. 

 stood. This remarkably ingenious engine seenalMj 

 to effect extensive improvements upon smoothing 

 either level or sloping. The wood employed (f&fts 

 the ordinary faggot-wood used as fuel), is est if "ma 

 long square pieces, and pierced by lathe drills, &t, ft 

 8s. per 1000 feet ; and thre 3- quarters of a mile of pip 

 are laid per day, with the labour of 3 horses and 3 wo, 

 The names of Clayton, Whitehead, Scraggs, Will* 

 Ainslie, Brodie, &c, are known as those of the te 

 manufacturers of drain-tile and pipe machines, ft 

 cannot now stay to remark upon the relative merits i 

 the vertical and horizontal actions, the advantage 

 peculiar fastenings for the die-plates, of different «fr 

 trivances for cutting, &c. These machines are moiet 

 less complicated, and a description of them seen* 

 belong more to the machinist and implement m»* 

 turer than to the farmer. The results of the W 

 instituted by men who understand the merits of tW 

 machines, are of far more value than any mere <mt«* 

 their principal features and peculiarities. At Ex* 



REPORT ON THE AGRICULTURAL SECTION 



OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION. 

 No. X.— We have but little to remark upon the 

 articles coming under "Division F. Agricultural 

 Carriages, Harness, aud Gear." It is certain— not 

 merely a lew people's opinion-but certain that a more 

 extensive substitution of Onb-horbe Carts for the 

 heavier carts and waggons now in very general use 

 would be of incalculable benefit to the distressed English 

 farmers. One advantage seems to be that they^cost 

 one-third less outlay when stocking a farm ; while there 

 is no farming purpose to which w: jons or &rge carts 

 are applied for which one-horse carts are not also 



With fat horns « waggon as proved by the trials | kllko, Scotland, V mJU to havT^'in very 



Clayton's machine was by far the most superior in J* 

 of the labour rehired to produce a certain qoMttjt 

 pin, ; while Whitehead's 1 i inch pipes " were deci^ 

 superior in quality, and a much greater mimi*r«" 



produced in a given time." , w 



Division H. Dairy lMrLEMEjro.-Scatterea m 



among the implements are to be found churn*" 

 cheeee-pres^s, milk-buckets, and other uteMjMj* 

 which we have not time to enumerate, we r^ 

 mend farmers' wives not to miss a sight ot tne 

 and stand, milk-pails, butter-tub, butter pruAJJ 

 boards, and milk-strainer, manufactured anfle 

 by J. Jolly, Vale of Aylesbury. Bairekhj* j 

 dffferent sor'ts, dash-churns, paddle-whedj^J 

 American churns that bring butter q^vjp, 

 be inspected. We were pleased with the »J* ^ 

 table churns, invented b, P. R. Dmp««M» 

 which have six actions. This chum ^g^ 

 rectangular box parted into two, in each* w 

 vertically a circular dasher. The P**^j££< 

 it just above and below the range of the ^J rf4fc 

 which ascends as the other descends ^ '^ bv4 r* 

 construction is that each box affects the J^^ 

 lifferent actions— vertical, horizontal, ana 







atmosp 



w |l P# < a* 

 f the charo, 



ti 



The dashi-n are moved by cords P atoU '- _ 

 manner rou. id a rigger on the top « ~ &aty 

 this U alternated by either a wheel and cran* 



pendulum. Z, A. C* 



ROYAL iaWCCLTUaAL COLLEGE. 

 Examination Papbe. — Jl * i1 ' r ' Febfltff 



1. Describe the acts of husbandry **« 



last, in fields, Nos. 7, 9 (6, 10), 11, -£ . rf ^br^ 



2. Describe the treatment of the *a*v _. dnriDg the 

 ing cows, and calves, on the College *arm, 



ahove period. „ _ rotr- e**%** 



3. How many weeks do the mare, , 



sow, go with young ! , -j io yo» *J3 



4. When, and on what kind ol *"&*•£ 

 urn Beans t What are the most cooirtt* ^ ^ 

 Describe the nsual methods of aowuij, u 



