8 
On Farm- Bui/dinqs. 
that it is advisable to have one fluted and another plain, to apply 
as circumstances may require. There is a newly-invented thresh- 
ing-machine, which works by what is called a patent lietj-drum, 
instead of the flanged drum and rollers, which is said not to break 
the straw at all, and in other respects to perform its work admira- 
bly, and with a saving of one-third of the power — in which case 
four horses will do the work of six ; but not having seen it in 
operation, I can only speak from report. I have heard also that 
some maltsters in the south give a preference to barley threshed 
by flail — the reason for which I never heard assigned ; and it is 
notorious that in this county, and those of the south of Scotland, 
hardly any other is used but what is threshed by machines, and 
no objection is ever made to it. It is possible that grain may be 
bruised in threshing, or broken off so close at the end as to injure 
its germinal powers ; but that must arise, I imagine, rather from 
some defect in particular machines than from any fault generally 
applicable to the system. On the other hand, however, it is an 
established fact, that, in the markets of the north, wheat threshed 
by machinery commands a higher price by some shillings per 
quarter than that threshed by flail, and for this obvious reason : — 
take two stacks of wheat, equal In quality and condition ; let one 
of them be taken in and put through the machine, and the grain 
is dressed up and sacked before night : let the other be put, on 
the same day, into a barn to be threshed by flail — it takes a man 
a fortnight to knock out the corn very imperfectly, and each night 
the produce of the day is added to the heap till all is finished : 
this heap consists of chaff and grain, resting all the time on a 
ground-floor, and though the floor be perfectly dry, yet the grain 
is said to acquire, if not actual dampness, still a degree of tough- 
ness, in grinding which any miller can detect ; hence arises his 
objection, and the difference in the price he offers. 
The buildings described in the annexed plans are of stone- 
masonry, well roofed with Memel timber, and covered with the 
best Welsh slate. It might seem desirable to give an idea of the 
cost of such buildings, but it is impossible to do so with any de- 
gree of correctness, owing to the great difference that frequently 
exists between one locality and another in the kind and quality of 
building materials, and the distance at which they are to be pro- 
cured ; but any landlord, wishing to build a set of offices, can at 
any time ascertain what the expense would be to him, by first lay- 
ing down his plan, and taking in estimates for the work. 
My friend Mr. Nash informs me that four large barns on the 
property in Cambridgeshire which is in his own occupation, con- 
sisting of 1030 acres, of which 850 are under the plough, would 
cost in building 2400/., besides some fitting up with boards and 
threshing-floors. According to the system pursued in the border 
