446 
Farming of Dorsetshire. 
ditching, and other species of agricultural labour form tlie 
subjects of competition. The Blandford society, confining its 
encouragements to the labourer, distributes an income of 200/. a 
year, chiefly in clothing. In this district also penny clubs exist 
in almost every parish, and it was calculated by one of the 
founders of such societies that, at the present Christmas time, 
2000/. was spent by these clubs in clothing. The Winfrith 
Farmers' Club was established in 1847, " a social society for the 
purposes of general information," and with such good effect that 
it is recorded as the opinion of a practical farmer, that " since 
the establishment of this club the Lulworth Castle estate has im- 
proved 30 per cent." Its first rule provided that " we shall 
meet eveiy Wednesday fortnight, at 5 o'clock, at the house of 
each member successively, for the purposes of discussion." A 
record of these discussions was kept ; they were of an eminently 
practical nature, and, as throwing some light upon the farming of 
the district, some of the resolutions of the club may not be out of 
place here. Resolved — That oats and vetches are the earliest anil 
cheapest artificial food in preparation for the wheat crop, to be 
followed by rape and tankard swedes, or, if too late, by mustard. 
Two bushels dry bones, 1 cwt. Peruvian guano, and 60 bushels 
ashes, were found an admirable dressing for turnips. Turnips 
for stall-feeding are recommended to be taken up the latter end 
of November or December ; and for sheep in the field, it was 
recommended to cover them with two turns of the plough ; the 
drag exposes them when wanted, and helps the land admirably. 
Corn for horses is recommended to be bruised. The following 
prices for labour are recommended : for mowing wheat, 2s. 2d. 
per acre ; Lent corn, 2s. ; for chopping, tieing, and stacking 
wheat, 8d. In sheep management, it is recommended to supply 
ewes before lambing with a moderate quantity of turnips and a 
plentiful supply of hay. After lanabing, turnips, mangel wurtzel, 
rye, followed by winter tares, clover, and Italian rye-grass : that 
the lambs be weaned the latter end of May or June, and be put 
on French grass, young clovers, and winter vetches, a change of 
each, where procurable, to be given each day. Rape is strongly 
recommended, and cut swedes ; with injunctions to allow the use 
of rock salt, and to feed often — the oftener the better. Upon 
the question of the breaking up of downs, it was unanimously 
resolved that poor pastures, and even pastures of moderate 
quality, should be converted into arable. Mustard is recom- 
mended as a good thing to be sown after tares on strong land, 
when too late for turnips, to be always fed before it comes into 
bloom. Barley is not considered good winter-feed for sheep, 
unless steeped. American and Moldavian barleys are recom- 
mended for quantity ; Nottingham for light soils ; and it is recom- 
