The Allotment System. 
101 
trees, bushes, and fences, absolutely excludin2 sun aud air, and producing next 
to nothing to the cultivator ! lu an open field-allotment the sun and air are 
freely admitted ; the land is more easily kept clean, and the state of cultiva'-ion 
patent to all the neighbourhood. (3) 1 believe example has a strong influence 
in promoting good and cleau cultivation among all classes of occupiers. With 
a view to encourage it amongst the allotment tenants of the district, a society, 
called the ' Silsoe and Amptliill Labourers' Friend Society,' was established 
about seventeen 3-ears ago. It offers several prizes annually for competition, 
and great interest is excited among the exhibitors. This society is under the 
patronage of Earl de Grey, and has Lord Wensleydale as president ; while the 
stewards consist entirely of tenant farmers, who thus evince their sense of its 
usefulness. The subscribers comprise the clergy and gentry of the neighbour- 
hood, and the exhibition is invariably fully attended. In fact, all classes unite 
to promote the object it has in view ; and the result is an exhibition of fruits, 
vegetables, &c., that would surprise any one who had never before witnessed 
it. I believe this to be a most useful institution ; and, where allotments 
prevail to any extent, I would strongly recommend the establishment of similar 
associations." 
The almost universal testimony of experience on this subject 
confirms the conclusion to which, after Mr. Trethewv's paper, 
the discussion before the Central Farmers' Club led — that the 
system may always be expected to benefit both labourers and 
their employers, exceptino: under extravagant misguidance or 
neglect ; i.e., excepting (1) where the land set apart for the 
purpose is altogether unsuitable in character, or {2} too distant 
from the cottages of the allottees, or (3) where an excessive 
extent is permitted to the tenantry, or (4) an excessive rent 
demanded from them, or, lastly, (5) where the tenantry are left 
entirely to themselves, and no effort made to excite their rivalry 
or pride in good cultivation. 
A landowner, proceeding upon the plans adopted so success- 
fully on the estates of the Earl of Ducie and the Earl de Grey, 
and in the spirit so admirably exemplified at llitcham, may, I 
think, confidently expect a great improvement in the condition of 
the labourers on his estate, and this as the result of an effort 
attended by no cost to himself. 
VII. — Anbury ; and the Analysis of Diseased Turnips. 
By Dr. Augustus Voelcker. 
It is well known that turnips grown upon light sandy soils are 
much more frequently affected by " Anbury," or " fingers and 
toes," than roots grown on stiffer land, containing a fair proportion 
of tlie four chief components of all soils — clay, lime, sand, and 
%'egetable matter. 
The cause of these disorders in the turnip-crop is justly re- 
ferred in most instances to the absence or insufficiency of lime in 
