1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 73 



(*> been given to the maker, Crosskill, of Yorkshire. Much attention isria) 

 -J devoted to the manufacturing of manure. Independent of new ar- ^\j 

 / tificial manures daily brought into market, that of the farm-yard is 

 not neglected. The manure heap has become an object of care, be- 

 ing roofed over to throw off the rain. Liquid manure tanks of a cir- 

 cular form are becoming general, as they afford the largest area at 

 the least expense of walls. Metallic or glazed earthen pipes are laid 

 from the tanks to the fields on the farm, the liquid manure being 

 forced through by a pump, and distributed principally over grass land 

 by a gutta percha hose. The management of cattle has been care- 

 fully improved. Shed feeding in boxes 8 feet by 12, and never re- 

 moving the manure until the animal is sent to the butcher, is a plan, at 

 present favorably received. A layer of peat mould or vegetable soil 

 is first placed in the bottom of the box to absorb the urine, and layers 

 of cut straw placed over it as required. Manure of good quality is 

 thus made. Others use no straw at all for litter — but house the cattle 

 on boarded floors with wide joinings, to allow the urine to fall through 

 into prepared channels leading to the tank. The solid manure is 

 mixed with water, agitated in the tank, and forced along the pipes to 

 irrigate grass land. The rearing and fatting of cattle is well attended 

 to just now. Cattle of a rapid growth and aptitude to fatten being 

 desirable, it is the farmer's object to procure such feeding stuffs as 

 will best second his ends. Linseed and oil cake are largely em- 

 ployed — the former being s:eeped in cold water becomes gelatinous, 

 and when mixed with cut hay and straw, turnips, &c. in winter — 

 chaff, cut grass, &zc. in summer, forms a nutricious matter for fatten- 

 ing cattle. The manure produced from this kind of feeding will be 

 rich and of primary importance. Think of a farmer in Berwickshire 

 paving £310 last season for manure ! 



The manufacture of sugar from the beet goes on successfully — the 

 prepared article is equal to the best cane sugar. I use it. Sir R. 

 Kane has completed 167 analyses of beet root in different stages of 

 its growth, with the view of determining the correct value of the 

 plant. 



The cultivation of flax is taking place on 3 more extensive scale 

 this season than heretofore. Many cultivate it for the sake of the 

 seed to fatten cattle — the fibre being but of secondary importance. 

 The want of local markets, and a quick and easy plan of preparing 

 the fibre for market, are difficulties yet to be removed. Claussen's 

 process, although ingenious, has not given entire satisfaction. A gov- 

 ernment enquiry was appointed to investigate its merits — their report 

 I believe is not yet handed in. 

 Op Agricultural education is making rapid progress under the Irish Na- c 

 f^tional Board. There are sixty-two model and ordinary agricultural^ 



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