408 



Trial between the Wafer-drill and 



wlio have acted as judges at its shows, and to compare the form 

 and symmetry, the quality and touch, of the prize animals with 

 others in the same class. The advantage thus arising to them- 

 selves could not easily be obtained in any other way. These 

 improvements are again spread among the great body of agricul- 

 turists, who are so enabled to participate, by improving their 

 own flocks and herds, in what becomes an incalculable benefit 

 to the nation at large. For early maturity and aptitude to 

 fatten increase to a considerable extent the food of the people, 

 and thus confer a general benefit on our common country. 



The gracious interest manifestly taken by our beloved Sove- 

 reign and her Royal Consort in the proceedings of this Society, 

 as evinced by them at the show at Windsor, proves how deeply 

 they feel the importance of this Society and the interest of agri- 

 culture which it was formed to encourage. 



Samuel Jonas. 



Ichleton, Camhridgeshire^ 

 iVov. 3, 1852. 



XXI. — On a Trial hetween the Water-driU and Dust-drill in 

 growing Turnips. By Ph. Pusey. 



As at our annual trials of implements the delivery alone of the ma- 

 nure by the different drills can be tried, it seemed to me that it 

 might be of use to farmers if I tried the comparative effect produced 

 on the crop by the ordinary drill and by the water-drill. Accor- 

 dingly, after feeding off some vetches towards the end of July, I put 

 in two acres of turnips with Chandler's water-drill, and, within five 

 days, four acres more with a prize turnip-drill made by Hornsby. 

 The ground was almost too wet, so that the water-drill had no 

 advantage on that account. The quantity of manure was the 

 same with each ; it was rather large, because the season was late, 

 6 cwt. of superphosphate per acre. The water-drilled turnips 

 took the lead, and kept it in a most extraordinary way till De- 

 cember, when the weighing took place and the following result 

 appeared *, — 



Turnips, 



Superphosphate. Tons. 



Water-drilled . . 6 cwt. . .13^ 

 Dust-drilled . . 6 cwt. . . ^ 



I cannot account for this enormous difference : I never saw so great 

 a difference before, and should not expect it again ; but after 

 some years' experience of the two drills, I have determined to 

 abandon the use of the dust-drill in flat-drilling and to use the 

 water-drill only. For there is, firstly, the advantage that you 



