THE FIELD 
io;o 
the author's design was to indicate the remedial advantages 
possessed by the different watering-places in England, and 
to point out the curative qualities of the various mineral 
springs which exist in this country. On these points his 
views arc well considered and just, and Ins work contains 
important information respecting the sanitary effects of these 
mineral springs, and the benefits m a medical point of view, 
to bo derived from residence in the English watering-places, 
lie describes with discrimination the complaints that are 
likely to he alleviated by such residence, ami brings together 
a collection of facts and reasoning which must prove of the 
highest utility to all who resort to those abodes of recrea- 
tion. One great advantage of the work is its concise form ; 
and it may truly be said that it conveys a very large amount 
of accurate intelligence in a very littlo compass. 
A rvon ; or, the Trial s. A Legend. By C. MrrcnELL Charles, 
Author of “ H anion and Qatar ; or, the Two Races.” In 
2 vols. G. Itoutledge and Co. 
In his highly-imaginativo romance of Hainan and Cat or, 
Mr. Charles has acquired a reputation in one of the higher 
walks of literature, which his present production every way 
sustains. Legendary story lias eivdently powerful attractions 
for him, and his taste has been well formed, upon tho most 
approved models. The scene is laid in Brittany, in the mid- 
dle of the fourteenth century, and tho romantic and stirring 
incidents upon which the tale is founded arise out of the 
contest for tho dukedom of Brittany, which at that time was 
being carried on between Charles of Blois and the Earl de 
Montford. Into this historical fabric the siege of Nantes 
enters, and tho author displays much skill in availing him- 
self of it to invest his tale with tho greatest interest. The 
force, brilliancy, and imaginative power of his stylo are con- 
spicuous through all parts of the book, aud we confidently 
venture to promise a rich treat to all novel readers disposed 
to enter upon its perusal. 
Punch's Pocket Book for 1855. With Illustrations by John 
Leocli aud John Tenniel. 
How anybody can be found bold enough to desecrate this 
gem of pocket books by the insertion of cvery-day memo- 
randa and petty cash accounts, we know not, but, should 
such individuals exist, at the end of the year they can 
scarcely congratulate themselves upon having added anything 
to its literary merits. The “Pocket Book for 1855 is 
perhaps better than any of its predecessors, and this is say- 
ing a great deal. Leech's “Baby Show" is admirable, aud 
Tenniel's headings are full of quaint propriety. In the 
literary department, where all is so good, it is hard to select 
any one article for special praise : fun. point, and moral go 
hand-in-hand, nor does Punch, in this his little annual, forget 
to hit “ folly as it Hies.” 
Lectures in Connection with the Educational Exhibition of the 
Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce. G. Rout- 
ledge and Co. 
The Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce has 
always aimed at the promotion of education, and rendered 
great service in this cause before the educatioual societies 
now flourishing were in existence. Being this year in its one 
hundredth session, the society was desirous that the celebra- 
tion of that event should be marked by some prominent 
measures, indicating its settled conviction that it is to an 
improved education of all classes that the nation must prin- 
cipally look for a progressive improvement in its arts, manu- 
factures, and commerce. In May. 1852, under the presidency 
of the Marquis of Linsdowne. K.G., it was resolved, on the 
motion of Earl Granville, that the society should offer to 
receive into union the Literary and Scientific Institutions, 
Philosophical Societies, Athemoums, and Mechanics’ Insti- 
tutes which are established in all parts of the United King- 
dom. Three hundred aud sixty-eight of these bodies have 
already been taken into the union ; and, at the conference of 
their representatives, in June, 1853, the council was particu- 
larly invited, and undertook to hold an Educational Exhibi- 
tion, at the opening of the next conference, in the present 
year. 
Such was the origin of the Educational Exhibition which 
has just been held by the Society of Arts, at St. Martin's 
Hall. 
The council of the society was desirous that the exhibition 
should be complete and instructive ; and it was regarded as 
very important to exhibit, as far as possible, a representation 
of the means of education in France, Prussia, Belgium, 
Hanover, tho German States, Holland, Norway, Sweden, 
Denmark, Switzerland, aud the United States of America, as 
well as in the United Kingdom aud the colonies. The 
council applied to the Foreign and Colonial Departments of 
her Majesty's Government, who most readily assisted in 
making known the object the society had in view, aud in 
commending it to the best consideration of foreign states and 
the governments of colonies. The Treasury granted the 
privilege of admission, duty free, for all articles sent for 
exhibition and not for sale. Most heartily was the invitation 
of the society responded to both at homo and abroad, and 
the exhibition (the first of the kind ever formed in any 
country) has been regarded by all concerned or interested in 
education as most successful. 
In connection with this exhibition, the council organised 
a series of lectures on subjects relating to education. The 
assistance of individuals, eminent for their talents and zeal 
in the cause, was sought and obtained, and every lecturer 
gave liis services gratuitously. During the period that the 
exhibition was open, lectures were delivered once, and very 
frequently twice, a day. Mauy of these lectures were de- 
livered either from scanty notes or none at all, aud it is to be 
regretted that no record of them remains. The present 
volume contains such as the authors had either previously 
written or have subsequently prepared from their notes, and 
have kindly and generously placed at the disposal of the 
publishers. 
The Home Book of Household Economy. G. Routledge & Co. 
We cordially recommend this little treasury of domestic 
hints to the hundreds of young married ladies unskilled in 
household affairs, who, anxious to appear good housekeepers, 
are ashamed to betray their ignorance to their domestics ; 
and who will not be unwilling to acquire from the experience 
of others some knowledge of that useful art of manage- 
ment which, carefully put in practice, is one of the great 
means of rendering homes happy und prosperous. 
This little volume contains valuable information upon 
servants, hospitality, furniture ; the laundry, the cook, 
cooking for the poor ; receipts for cleauing, pickling, pre- 
serving ; home-brewing of ales, wines, liqueurs, sauces, &c.; 
cooking receipts, management of poultry, miscellaneous re- 
ceipts ; and last, not least, sick-room management and 
cookery. | 
Travels of an Arab Merchant in Soudan. By Bayle St. John. 
Chapman aud Hall. 
This is an abridgement of Dr. Perron's French version of 
the Arabic narrative, by Sheikh Mohammed of Tunis, de- 
scriptive of bis journey in two of the most remarkable 
black kingdoms of Central Africa — Darfur and Wadai. This 
work contains much that is interesting, fresh and peculiar 
view's of manners, many good stories and characteristic anec- 
dotes, and boars witness to its own authenticity. Mr. B. St. 
John has reduced it to a popular form without losing any 
of its value. The work is well printed, and produced in a 
manner to support the character of the firm from which it 
emanates. 
Pigeons and Rabbits. By E. S. Delemer ; G. Routledge & Co. 
Another of the books for tho country, with capital illus- 
trations by Harrison Weir, and containing every informa- 
tion relative to the breeding and proper management of 
pigeons and rabbits. 
AGRICULTURE. 
PRODUCE AND CONSUMPTION OF CORN IN THE 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Mr M'Culloch has given in tho new edition of the “ Encyclopedia 
Britanniea " the following details with respect to the production and 
consumption of tho different varieties of corn in the United Kingdom in 
ordinary years : — 
Estimate of the Extent of Land in the United Kingdom under the prin- 
cipal Description* of Crops in 1850-54; the Average Produce per 
Acre- the Total Produce; the Produce under Deduction of Seed; and 
4i.. 4 ........ a. t 'TW/*! Xfeslup rtf xtirh Pradurr. 
Crops. 
Acres in Crop. 
Produco 
per Acre. 
Total Produce. 
England. 
Wheat 
Barley 
Oats and Rye . 
Beans «fc Teas . 
3,600,000 
1.000,000 
2,000,000 
500,000 
Quarters 
!| 
4* 
32 
Quarters. 
11,250.000 
5.400.000 
9.000,000 
1.875.000 
Potatoes, Tur- 
nips, & Rape 
Clover 
Fallow 
2.500.000 ) 
1.300.000 $ 
800.000 
£7 per acre. 
fl5 per acre. 
£15 per acre. 
11,400,000 
Scotland. 
Wheat 
350,000 
3} 
1,137,500 
1,800,000 
6,000.000 
150,000 
9.0S7.500 
1,200,000 
50,000 
100,006 
200,000') 
Boons & Poas 
3 
Potatoes .... 
£7 per acre. 
£15 per acre. 
£16 per acre 
35,000 
3,290,000 
Ireland. 
1,200,000 
1,120,000 
11,000,000 
13,320,000 
Barley 
Oats 
Potatoes .... 
Fallow 
320,000 
2,200,000 
1,400,000 
300, 0"0 
3J 
5 
£8 per acre. 
£15 per acre. 
£12 per acre 
Totals 
19,475,000 
49,932,500 
Crops. 
England. 
Wheat .... 
Harley 
Oats and Rye . 
Beans k ,1‘eas . 
Potatoes, tur-"t 
nips, & rape > 
Cloyi r ) 
Fallow 
Hops 
Gardens 
Scotland. 
Wheat 
Barley 
Oats 
Beans and Peas 
Quarters. 
9,642,857 
4,628,572 
7,714,286 
1,007,143 
23,502,858 
Fallow 
Potatoes ") 
Turnips > 
Clover .) 
Flax 
Gardens . 
Ireland. 
Wheat 
Barley 
Oats 
Potatoes., 
Fallow . 
Flax 
Gardens . 
Totals.... 
Produce under 
deduction of Seed. 
947,917 
1,500,000 
5,000,000 
125,000 
7,572,017 
1,000,000 
933,334 
9,166,067 
11,100,001 
42,265,770 
Average 
per 
Quarter. 
45s. 
27s. 
20s. 
28s. 
£ s. £ 
20,690,428 5 
6,248,372 4 
7,714,286 0 
2,250,000 4 
26,000,000 0 
•13s. 
26s. 
20s. 
28s. 
40s. 
2 If. 
20s. 
Total Value. 
780,000 0 
3,750,000 0 
67,439,28 13 
2,038,021 11 
1,1150 000 0 
6 , 000.000 0 
175,000 0 
7,700,000 0 
17,463,021 11 
11,200,000 0 
2,100,000 0 
300,000 0 
• 25,8S6,666 12 
110,788,974 16 
Mr. M'Culloch estimates the consumption, as follows, viz. — 
1. Consumed bv man : — Qrs. Total Qrs. 
Wheat 15,500,000 
Oats, rye, and muslin (a mixture of 
e and wheat; 10,650,000 
Barley for malting, food, kc 
Beans and peas ns meal 
6,000,000 
700,000 
32,850,000 
2. Consumed by tho lower animals : — 
Corn (principally oats) used in tho 
feeding of horses and other ani- 
mals, in distillation, manufacto- 
ries, Sic 16,350,000 
Total consumed by man and tho 
lower animals, &c 49,200,000 
It is to bo seen from the former estimate that tho corn produced in 
the United Kingdom applicable to consumption 
Qrs. 
Amounts to only 42,265,770 
But to this lias to bo added — 
Foreign com annually entered for consumption 
at an average of tho seven years ending with 1802; 
viz.: — 
Wheat and wheat flour Qrs. 4,281,185 
Barley 87", 786 
Oats and oatmeal 1,162,646 
Bye 90,510 
l’eas and beans 605,759 
6,929,780 
1 Consumption 49,195,556 
We believe that these estimates are very nearly accurate; but, 
perhaps, the breadth of land under wheat, ,nnd its production, are a 
little overrated. 
POULTRY. 
HATCHING AND FEEDING OF CHICKENS. 
I am aware that these recommendations to leave natural operations 
to nature ore contrary to what arc frequently found in books, hut I am 
merely writing the results of my own experience, and I have always 
found tho more the hatching-hens are meddled with, tho worse tho 
result. It is a notorious fact, thnt when a hen steals a nest in some 
copse or place where she can remain unmolested, she almost invariably 
brings forth a more numerous and stronger brood than when she sits In 
the hen-house. The chickens require neither food nor drink on the 
day on which they are hatched ; in fact, both are injurious, as they 
interfere with the natural digestion of the yolk, which Is absorbed Into 
the bowels at the period of hatching, and constitutes tho first food. If 
grits, oatmeal, &e., are spread before the hen on the twenty-first day, 
she is induced to leave the nest, and the lust-hatched chickens, which 
are perhaps not yet dried, are unable to follow, and being weakly, perish ; 
or unhatched eggs may he left. If undisturbed, the hen seldom leaves 
the nest on the twenty-first day, and on the twenty second the chicken 
will be found strong enough to follow her, and any unhatched eggs may 
be destroyed, for those chickens that are not then able to follow her will 
seldom be found to repay the trouble that may be taken with them. 
The plan of cramming pepper-corns and other spices down the throats 
of chickens is cruel in the extreme, and, moreover, exceedingly Injurious, 
I have found the best food to bo two-thirds sweet coarse oatmeal and 
one-third barle.v-mcal, mixed into a crumbly paste with water; thus is 
very much relished, and tho chickens make surprising progress upon it ; 
they arc also very fond of o little cold oatmeal porridge, and, by way of 
variety, I sometimes give them a few scalded grits, dusted over with a 
little barley-meal, to cause them to separate. Milk is frequently used 
to mix the barley or oatmeal, but from the extent to which it is then 
exposed to the air it soon becomes sour in summer, and is injurious 
if employed in that state ; no more food, therefore, should he mixed with 
milk than can be eaten in a couple of hours. Sopped bread is by no 
means desirable, the chickens become weakly and affected with diarrhoea 
from its use ; in fact, it has not that degree of solidity which is requisite 
to afford an opportunity for the exercise of the natural grinding action 
of the gizzard. A little chopped onion, or, still better, some finely shred 
green onion-tops mixed with the food, is very advantageous, and, in tho 
opinion of many persons, lessens very much the susceptibility to roup. 
With regard to animal food, there is none equal to the natural supply of 
worms and insects obtained by tho hen ; small worms, or a barrowful 
of mould, containing an ant's nest, may be given if the chickens are in 
a confined situation, and will ho found far superior to boiled ege, 
chopped meat, or any more artificial substitute. Curds are frequently 
used, and. I believe, furnish the best substitute for the natural insect food ; 
but I have had no experience in their uso, as I have never kept, nor even 
think it desirable to keep fowls or at all events to rear chickens, in 
situations where their natural food Is unattainable. It is requisite that 
chickens should either have a constant supply of food or be fed at very 
short intervals — even every hour is not too often if practicable. — Pro- 
fitable Poultry , by W. B. Tegetmeier. 
To the Editor of The Field. 
Dear Mr. Editor, — I can fancy that for the last fortnight 
you may have been looking out for the sight of my hand- 
writing, and wondering why 1 have been idle. In good sooth 
there is very little to write about at this time of the year, 
and I am one of those who think that it is neither politic nor 
right to worry our readers, at unseasonable times, with 
matters winch can have but little interest for them. I might 
indeed hash up some old article on grey ling fishing, or 
trolling for pike, and endeavour to convince the world, if not 
myself, that I am adding a valuable contribution to the stores 
of angling literature, aud encouraging hosts of piscatorial 
neophytes to betake themselves to the study of the gentle 
science. But if I cau humbug the world, I am not so great 
a proficient in the art to gull myself. And, so as the old 
Scotch phrase is, “ Let that flee stick to the wa\" Talking 
of angling literature, I have au article on the stocks, which I 
trust some day or other may prove not uninteresting to the 
readers of The Field ; and I may also ask them some day 
to accompany me in a walk through the shops — I suppose I 
ought to use the more fashionable French word “ Magasms 
— of the great tackle manufacturers in Loudon. But both of 
these must, for the present, be put on one side. 
I have heard of very little news interesting to anglers, 
except that a club of gentlemen, who rent part of the Test, 
near Whitchurch, have been trying the artificial propagatiun 
of trout in those waters with very great success. From my 
own experience, indeed, I should hardly have thought it 
necessary. So far as numbers are concerned, a fishery may 
be overstocked as well as understocked, and perhaps the 
former is the greater evil of the two. What is gained in 
number is lost in quality, and I would sooner catch one good 
fish, in good condition, than a dozen undersized starvelings, 
that are neither good to look at, to play with, nor to eat. On 
the other hand, I shall be curious to see what the effect of 
the cross will be in two or three years’ time, if I am spared 
to live so long. At all events, they will have my best wishes, 
and those of all honest craftsmen for their success. I have 
only one word or two to add : — 
1. To pike-fishers. — I am inclined, on the whole, to prefer 
natural to artificial baits. In choosing tlieso baits, do not 
forget the largest baits generally kill the biggest fish. And 
I am also inclined to believe that roving with the live bait is 
the most killing way of all. If you cannot get the natural 
bait, the artificial ones, particularly those flexible ones sold 
by C. Farlow (I speak of his, because I am more fa mili ar with 
them, though, no doubt, other artists are equally successful), 
make an admirable substitute. I know they have been found 
very killing in the waters above Winchester, and I also saw 
them used to great advantage in the river Luck, county 
Roscommon, Ireland. For snap-fishing, the same artists 
invisible spring hook is also admirable. 
2. To grayling-fishers. — The little duns, particularly with 
a palo yellow body and blue hackle, will kill if anything will- 
I saw the fish rising freely about three o’clock in the aftei- 
noon, on Thursday la-st. C. Farlow has just dressed some 
flies after the patterns given in a new publication devoted to 
grayling fishing, by Jackson (and which deserves a separate 
notice of itself), which cannot be too highly praised. In this, 
as in everything else, the proof of the pudding, &c. I am 
afraid you will be weary with this dull note, and still more 
so if I scribble on ; so, no more at present from “your loving 
friend,” The Hampshire Fly-Fisher. 
October 31, 1854. 
