July 25, 1878. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
77 
are useful to stand the winter, and are very quick of growth, and 
will prove a partial substitute in case of a failure of the Swedish 
turnip. But for early feeding in the autumn or winter, parties 
often select the White Pomeranian, White Tankard, or Green 
Globe, but we have found that either of these sorts if sown early 
will not keep, and if not rotten they lose their feeding properties 
very quickly. We therefore recommend, as the result of our own 
experience, the Greystone or Red Mammoth sorts, as we find they 
do well both for early or late sowing, they grow quickly, they 
keep sound, and are very forcing for stock. When turnips are 
sown very early they require as much room in growing as Swedes, 
and they often produce as much weight per acre, and may there- 
fore be drilled at 2 feet between the rows. For later and winter 
feeding we think 18 inches the best distance. The time of sowing 
will of course vary according to circumstances, more especially as 
a second crop, but the best time for sowing the main crop for 
winter and early spring feeding is from the Ist to the 20th of 
July. The quantity of seed is of great consequence, and we recom- 
mend not less than 3 tbs. per acre, not only on account of the 
enemies to the young plants, but also because a thick plant always 
grows quickest and comes earlier to the hoe, also when the plants 
are thick and regular they may be set out by the hoeing machine, 
or by horse-hoeing across the rows; and where hand labour is 
scarce, and when the hoeing is required in the busy time of harvest 
these methods of hoeing will save the crop from’ serious damage, 
and the hand-hoeing may be delayed until the hoers are at liberty. 
Tt will be noticed that we have recommended a portion of guano 
as manure for late turnips, although it will be found in our article 
relating to Swedish turnips, we objected to its use. This, however, 
is to be explained by reason of the Swedish turnips having come 
to maturity, and also being required to be kept afterwards, whereas 
in late turnips they are not often arrived at maturity before being 
used as food for stock, and have, therefore, no time to decay or 
lose their value. There is no doubt that the light soils are best 
adapted for the growth of common turnips, not only because they 
grow more quickly after the autumn rains commence, but also 
because they can be fed-off with sheep upon the land without 
either injury to the animals or the succeeding crops. We haye-on 
this Occasion not made any remarks upon the latest period at 
which turnips can be sown and grown, as we hope to treat of this 
matter in another article at a future time, and more especially as 
relates to the growth of stubble turnips, as well as those sown at 
a late period with varying preparations and different objects in 
view. 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
Horse Labour—The horse-hoeing of Swedes and early turnips 
must be continued, for we have just passed a season almost un- 
paralleled for the production of weeds, and nearly everywhere are 
to be seen the weeds in advance of the work of destroying them. 
The cultivation for and drilling of turnips after green crops is still 
im progress, and in a few days the forwardest of the crops of 
peas and winter oats and also white Canadian oats, rye, &c., will 
be ready for carting to stack; in fact, we have seen a sample of 
new fresh-thrashed oats of the Canadian sort, and as we are now 
so close upon the general harvest for cereals of all kinds in the 
earliest districts, it will be well to anticipate the period, and be so 
prepared that all the horse labour as well as manual labour may 
be ready at the time required. There are many ways in which 
these matters may be forwarded beforehand—by drawing straw 
and reeds for thatching, making spars, é&c., also carting faggots 
for making rick-stands, for it is seldom now that much com is 
stacked in the rick yard as it used to be, because the ricks being 
made in or near the fields where the corn is produced, saves horse 
Jabour and saves time also, so necessary in securing the grain when 
it.is once in order. 
_ Hand Labour —We have often known farmers who haye de- 
ferred cutting corn at the proper time, saying they had other work 
to be done for a few days before they could commence harvest, 
and this is oftentimes the prelude to losses in various ways. If 
the corn is.over-ripe the grain becomes poor and weak, fetching 
a lower price in consequence, and in exposed situations we have 
known very serious loss by the grain being whipped out by wind. 
‘The early cutting of grain not only gives the best sample, but when 
cut and set up in shock, if it takes heavy rainsit will not sprout so 
quickly. ‘The quickset and all other clipped hedges should now 
‘be finished trimming, the sooner the better. We see also that a 
hedge-trimming machine has been exhibited at the Royal Agri- 
cultural Society’s Meeting at Bristol, and was approved by the 
Judges. This is a step in the right direction, and will save labour 
at the busiest period of the year. As fast as peas are cut the 
women can moye them on to the half the land, which will assist 
im drying them, and also enable the horses to plough half the 
Jand, and if required it may be sown daily with turnips, mustard, 
rape, and such-like crops, and when sown the peas if not dry 
enough for carting may be moved on to the other half of the 
jand, and thus enable the whole of the field to be seeded or 
ploughed before carting the crop of peas. A few days of horse 
Jabour.at that time are very important, because when harvest cart- 
ang of corn is once begun there is little time for other work until 
at is finished. The shepherds now will be very busy on all farms 
where sheep are kept, whether they are breeding flocks or sheep 
bought in for winter grazing. The draughts of off-going ewes and 
also of the wether lambs are now being made for sale; all these 
require careful selection as well as trimming to improve their 
appearance at the fair, or when sold at any time. In the grazing 
flocks which are now being bought for the winter feeding of 
roots on the land, also grazing on the stubbles and pasture land, 
if the purchases consist of lambs, especially if they are in good 
condition and well clothed with wool, it is an excellent and profit- 
able plan to shear the lambs at any time up to the 14th of August, 
as they not only cut a valuable fleece if they are properly 
washed, but it will be found that all the wool will be gained, and 
if sold fat in February or March following, the animals will be 
worth from 5s. to 7s. each more than similar animals not shorn. 
This is accounted for by the animals being more comfortable 
during the winter months, the wool being shorter and more im- 
pervious to rain or snow. When lambs are winter-fed without 
being shorn the wool opens along their backs, lying down on 
either side. This allows the wet to fall on the skin and trickle 
down the sides of the animals to their great discomfort. This 
process of shearing is now facilitated by the use of a shearing 
machine which we have seen, and it is an ingenious invention by 
which a large number can be shorn in one day. 
BRAHMAS IN COMPETITION 
FOR CUPS. 
IsHALL be obliged by your inserting a few lines on the above 
subject to call the attention of committees of shows to the 
unfairness of giving cups between Light and Dark Brahmas; as 
the Darks are naturally the larger birds of the two the cups 
almost invariably go to them. I think exhibitors of both classes 
ought to be placed on the same footing. I have taken a good 
many cups, but never won when it was between the Lights and 
Darks. I was awarded one for my Light Brahma hen at Dun- 
mow and Mr. Lingwood for his Dark Brahma, but as there was 
only one cup between the two classes the Committee gave it 
to him, although in catalogue it stated I had the cup awarded 
me. I haye written to the Secretary, but. have had no reply. 
In the report of the Boston Show it is stated the Lights asa class 
were the best, yet the cup went to the Darks. I should suggest 
that cups be done away with, making the prizes equalPHILIP 
Hates, Palgrave, Diss. 
DARK AND LIGHT 
CLECKHEATON POULTRY SHOW. 
TueE tenth annual Show was held at Cleckheaton on Saturday 
last, when one of the hottest days of the season contributed to the 
tenth success of the Society, there not haying been a single un- 
favourable day as regards the weather, and as usual the gathering 
was very large. The arrangements were very good for an open- 
air show, but so terrific was the heat that one fowl and one Rabbit 
died, and many others had to be bathed with water to prevent 
them dying also; but the attention of the stewards was unremit- 
ting, and many of the birds were placed in their hampers to pre- 
vent other fatalities. 
Game headed the list, but many of the birds were very ragged, 
although some were good. Dorkings a very good lot, as also 
the Cochins, the first and second of which were capital Buffs, 
and third Partridge. Spanish—First a grand even pen, second 
the pen containing the doubtful hen, and third a fair pair. In 
Brahmas the two winning pens were very good Darks. Ham- 
burghs had but three classes, but they were about the best section 
of the poultry. Game Bantams were good, but a little shabby in 
feather. In any other Bantams, first was a most lovely pair of 
Whites, perhaps the best in the fancy ; second and third Blacks. 
In chickens a handsome pen of Buff Cochins were first ; second 
very good Light Brahmas ; and third Darks, and the class a very 
good one. Ducks were very good in all classes. 
Of Pigeons Carriers were first, the winners being Duns, both 
cocks and very good. Pouters, first a Red cock in grand form, 
second a Black, better but rather flat. Tumblers, the Birmingham 
cracks alone, the hen first and cock second. Fantails very good ; 
a beautiful Squeaker was first. Dragoons all noticed, the winners 
Blues. Jacobins, first Red and second Black. Turbits, first a 
Blue Spikehead, and second what is now rare, a good Shellcrown. 
Owls, first White African and second a Blue English. Antwerps 
were very good indeed in both classes, especially the winning 
Short-faced Dun. 
Rabbits had only four classes. First in Lops was the well-known 
Fawn doe from Blackburn, second a grand Fawn-and-white doe, 
also very good. Himalayan and Angora were not a good class ; 
the new French-Grey Angora first and a fair White one second. 
In Silver-Greys there were only five, but all were good and of the 
most correct shade. In the Variety class first was a good Silver- 
cream, second a Silver-blue Dutch well marked, and very highly 
commended a correct Silver-cream, but a little moulty. 
SOAR es Ee akek variety.—Cock.—1, R. Walker. 2,3. Brown. 3, A. 
Swires. Black Red.—1,H.C.Mason. 2,R. Hemingway. 3, W.Rudd. Brown 
Red.—1, W. Firth. 2, W. Rudd. Duckwing, Blue or Grey—l, H.C, Mason. 2 
