1212 
THE FAR M, 
Farming, always a hazardous pursuit, has been rendered 
doubly so during the last few years, by the failure of the 
potato-crop, disease amongst cattle and sheep, and mildew 
in wheat, especially in the fens. Still, as science becomes 
more developed, and the constituents of soils, and the in- 
gredients of plants and roots, more understood, many of 
these evils, we hope, may be remedied. Fanning, Mr. 
Me chi says, in his recent lecture on agriculture, before 
the Society of Arts, although a most agreeable occupation, 
is notoriously a slow business, attended with small profits. 
Fortunately it is so, otherwise our towns and cities would 
be comparatively deserted. In times of abundance, whe- 
ther arising from unusually large harvests, as in the last 
(although I hear the yield is not of that fabulous character 
it was at first supposed), and when the high price of wheat 
is owing to the demand not being equal to the home supply, 
although it is supposed we have an excess this year over 
that of 1853, owing to the bounteous interposition of Pro- 
vidence, of two and a-half million quarters in our home 
growth alone ; but, ns it is impossible all our growth can 
avail us before another harvest, it is supposed we shall 
require an importation of foreign wheat and flour to the 
extent of some two to two and a-half million quarters to 
keep down prices within an available limit, and place us in 
security against the exigencies and contingencies of war, 
and the possibility of a bad harvest next year, or in times 
of scarcity, when the price of provisions of nil kinds is 
rising. Extensive fluctuations in the price of corn must 
always upset those nice calculations which economy of 
farming produce; and in no year have the fluctuations 
been so great as in the present, varying nearly 100 per 
cent. ; and in many of the large farms there is a difference 
of .£1,000, balance-sheets exhibiting, at the same time, 
all the phases of agricultural prosperity and adversity. A 
wise agriculturist will, when things are prosperous, put by 
a portion of his gains to meet future difficulties, as there is 
generally a reaction in prices of agricultural commodities, 
as in manufacturing ones; and he should not invest his 
balance in enlarged buildings which may be a dead 
weight hereafter in times of difficulty. The home con- 
sumption of wheat is about 17,500,000 quarters, or about 
one quarter per head, off about 3,500,000 acres ; added to 
which we generally import annually from five to seven 
million of quarters, with other grain in proportion ; 
but a thorough knowledge of agricultural produce 
and live stock would tend to prevent those panics 
and fluctuations in the value of our produce which 
we have of late years experienced, so as in some 
measure to regulate supply and demand. The Govern- 
ment, through the Poor-law Board, in 1853, undertook the 
collection of agricultural statistics in Norfolk and Hamp- 
shire, and by the agencies of the board of guardians where 
practicable, the large measure of success which attended 
that experiment to obtain reliable information on a most 
important subject, considered in connection with the com- 
plete success of a somewhat similar operation in three 
Scotch counties, led to a renewal of these undertakings in 
1854. The experiments of the present year embraced the 
whole of Scotland, and the following counties in England 
and Wales, viz„. .Norfolk, Suffolk, Southampton, Wilts, 
Leicester, Berks, Worcester, Salop, the West Riding of 
York, Brecon, and Denbigh. A statistical committee is 
appointed, with the chairman of the union for its chairman 
where practicable ; and by employing, with the concurrence 
of the guardians, the clerk of the union as classifier, and 
the relieving officer os enumerator, most satisfactory results 
have ensued, as agricultural statistics will enable the farmer 
to adjust, in some measure, the supply to the demand, and 
thus the great fluctuations in the price of wheat will be pre- 
vented. Owing to a prevalence of south-westerly winds 
during the past week, the arrivals from the northern parts of 
Europe have not been so great as usual, consequently wheat 
has advanced from 2s. to 4s. per quarter ; barley has also ad- 
vanced a little; other grain being generally much the same 
since we last remarked upon it. Farmers, then, cannot 
complain, with wheat at 8s. per bushel, and meat at nearly 
8d. a pound, and can manage to eat their Christmas dinner 
this year without regret. 
FARMING PROSPECTS. 
LAND DRAINAGE AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. 
( From our Correspondent) 
As long as the Corn-laws existed, the question of drainage 
and other agricultural improvements, whether temporary or 
permanent, was not much mooted, and for this reason — the 
then existing fluctuating duty operated as a premium ou the 
gTowth of corn in this country to the exclusion of foreign 
articles, and farmers went on doing their beat in their usual 
jog-trot way. But the gradual advance in the price of land, 
occasioned by the increase of the population, and the wealth 
iuvested in the land, derived from manufactureaud commerce, 
gave a powerful impetus to rural industry — augmenting agri- 
cultural capital, and calling forth a more enterprising race of 
cultivators — laid the foundation of that success which has 
placed us in the high position we now occupy among other na- 
tions of Europe. Within the last few years still further im- 
provements haviug taken place by land-draining and subsoil- 
ing, economy of farming and labour, causing much laud to be 
enclosed for the purpose of cultivation, contrary to the 
general supposition that, on the repeal of the Corn-laws, 
much poor land would go out of cultivation ; thus at once 
facilitating the improvement of an immense quantity of com- 
mon-lands, causing exchanges of lands and the division of inter- 
mixed lands, and providing remedies for the defective or incom- 
plete execution of the powers of the general and local Enclosure 
Acts throughout the country. With a view, then, of meet- 
ing the position of farmers upon the repeal of the Corn laws 
in 1640, when their prospects were not so bright as they are 
at present, and of improving the natural resources of the 
country as a set-off to the withdrawal of Parliamentary boun- 
ties, a bill for the improvement of agricultural tenant-right — 
giving to tenants a compensation for unexhausted improve- 
ment* before the conclusion of their tenancy, as also reme- 
dies for enforcing the payment of tenants’ farm-fixtures, either 
by the landlord or by the incoming tenant, and which were 
subsequently embodied in the Landlord and Tenant Act of 
15 Viet. c. 25— was brought into the House by 
THE FIELD. 
Mr. Pusey, the then member for Berkshire ; ns also numerous 
Acts enabling owners of settled estates to defray the expenses 
of the drainage of these by way of mortgage, to be paid off 
by instalments ; as also other Acts authorising the advance of 
public mouey, to be limited in amount, to promote the im- 
provement of laud in Great Britain and Ireland by works 
of drainage. It is no wonder, then— although the present 
autumn aud winter has been almost the driest on record (so 
much so that many wells have been dried up altogether) — 
wbcu we remember the unceasing rains which lost year 
steeped our fields, brimmed our brooks, and deluged our 
valleys, that wo should consider, more energetically than at 
any previous time, whether the arterial or general truuk 
drainage of the kingdom cannot bo put aud kept in a more 
perfect condition, especially as experience in other districts 
tells us that, with a further reduction in the amount of surface 
evaporated by means of drying aud wanning the soil to a 
greater depth, a still greater amelioration of climate and 
additional healthfuluess would result. It is well known the 
Nene River, in its frequent swellings, often overspreads ten or 
fifteen thousand acres between Northampton and Peter- 
borough before it euters the Fens, the Ouse probably damag- 
ing a greater extent by inundating in a similar manner, and 
rendering the land for many mouths totally unfit for culti- 
vation. " It is a wise provision of Nature," said Mr. Smith, of 
Deau atone, in 1846, “ that just in proportion as soils contain 
clay, and are impervious to water in their original condition, 
so do they contract the more when affected by rains ; whereas 
drift Boil, which is full of sand aud stones, aud which is more 
open in its original condition, contracts less when it is laid 
dry, Btill it becomes open enough for the percolation of 
water ; so that a distance of from eighteen to twenty-five 
feet from drain to drain would be found to be a good prac- 
tical distance.” Ou stiff clay lauds he advocated frequent 
drains, at close intervals, of the depth of three feet, or shal- 
low depths not exceeding thirty inches. And Mr. Bailey 
Denton, in the recent discussion at the Farmers’ Club, “ Ou 
the results arrived at from the several systems of drainage 
in practice during the last few years,” called our attention 
particularly to the depth of drains, distance between drains, 
arrangements of system, and direction of drains ; but the 
club, as I have already stated, could not arrive at any defi- 
nite result, and for this reason you cannot generalise. 
I am indebted to an experienced Berkshire drainer for the 
following statement : — “ Take, for instance, a ridge or hog’s- 
back, from east to west, on either side of which is a rather- 
steep stiff clay subsoil — aspect, north and south. Now, 
that drainer of antiquity, the sun, will act on the south 
side so as to open the clays to the drains, and give the 
worms greater facility to work and act upon them. On the 
north side the practice would evidently be different — the 
sun and the worms not haviug the same facility to act as 
percolators — hence, it becomes a question for consideration 
by practical men, whether the drains on the north side 
should not be more frequent and shallower — by, say a third — 
than on the south side. This, however, is only oue instance 
of the many diversities of circumstances to bo considered ; 
viz., the different sorts of clays and sands, springs and sub- 
soils (porous or adhesive), or various surface soils, the degree 
of fall, and aspects, which we sufficient proofs that no 
general rule can be defined, other than acting on the sound 
practical common sense of the operator. Soapy clays 
require more frequent drains than stiff clays, aud the 
drains may be made to run diagonally through the furrows 
into the main drain, which should be connected with the 
ditch or outlet.” 
Mr. Bailey Denton also remarked that it was impossible 
to lay pasture land to dry, for be had invariably remarked 
that, in the recent dry summer aud autumn particularly, 
both in low-land meadows and upland pastures, those 
lands which had been most thoroughly drained by deep and 
frequent drains where those which had preserved the 
freshest and most profitable herbage, and he advocated a 
minimum depth of four feet where outfalls would admit ; 
whilst Mr. Bullock Webster, another practical drainer, 
advocated a depth of three feet on retentive clay subsoils, 
at moderate distances, when surcharged with under water 
as more efficacious than at a greater depth. Drainage may bo 
performed by tile, turf, plug-wood, aud bush or furze, tile- 
draining being the most durable, and generally costing from 
£3. 10a. to £5, according to the way the work is done. 
At first, a particular sort of mole-plough was used, which 
took out the soil to the depth of eighteen inches ; but now 
the agricultural world is much indebted to Mr. Fowler, of 
Bristol, for his perseverance in exhibiting bis draining- 
plough, as from time to time be has improved it. Draining 
is done before subsoiling. By subsoiliug you give the water 
a clearer passage from the active soil, and the soil should 
be always open to the depth of eighteen inches, in order 
that the water may go right away and admit the air ; and 
Mr. Smith, of Deanstone, says a couple of yeare ought to 
elapse between the time of putting in the drains, and breaking 
up the subsoil, or a great injury would be done to the active 
soil. There have been several drainage-of-land bills to facili- 
tate outfalls, now embodied iu Lord Lincoln’s Act, 10 & 11 
Viet., providing that those parties who wish to make 
any improvements, aud to obtain an outfall through 
their neighbour’s property, should have proper esti- 
mates sent in to the authorities in London, and that 
public notices should be given, so that any one living in 
the area of the district to be drained should have timely 
uotice of what was intended ; aud Mr. Ker Seymour's Bill, 
which was unsuccessful last session, provided for the 
widening of rivers as outfalls, aud suggested a mode of 
arbitration and compensation before the Enclosures Com- 
missioners, which was thought too inquisitorial, aud conse- 
quently, not palatable to the House. But, provided the 
rights of property are kept inviolate, and properly respected, 
there is no reason why extended special powers should not 
be given to tenants-for-life by Act of Parliament for works 
of drainage, and the other improvements so much wanted 
on entailed estates (tenants-in-fee can do as they like), 
without infringing upon the limitations of settlements; 
and, it has often struck me, now that wo hear so 
much of drainage and land-improvement companies, 
their powers are exceedingly apt and opportune, as they are 
now doing what tho Government ought to have done on the 
issuing of the report of the Agricultural Customs’ Com- 
mittee of 1848, or why be at the trouble aud expense of 
issuing it, aud summoning practical men from all parts of 
the country to give their evidence on the subjects? And it 
would save an immense amount of inconvenience aud ill- 
will if these improvements, whether temporary or perma- 
nent, were carried out by these companies instead of 
being half done, as they now are in many cases, by grumbling 
landlords, or by tonauts-on-commission, at £5 per 
cent., or at so much per acre, under the now fashionable 
tenant-right agreements which are fast superseding leases 
in what are called the high farming counties. E. B. A. 
Farmer's Club, 
39, New Bridge-6treet, Blackfriars. 
FARM NEWS. 
In North Nottinghamshire, all the clay wheats have found 
a capital hod ; and the plant, which has already made its ap. 
pearauce, has a very promising aspect. Some of the seed on 
the strong soils went in rather rough, but the recent fiu e 
rains have softened the soil and prepared the seed for germi- 
nating. — Contracts were taken at the Royal Clarence Victual- 
ling-ynrd, Gosport, by Rear-Admiral Courtney, yesterday 
week, for 2,000 qrs. of wheat, at an average of 74s. per quarter. 
— The Franccd' Outrc-Mcr confirms the intelligence that a largo 
dep6t of guano had beou discovered at the Aves Islands, a 
group situated 11 deg. 59 min. north latitude, and G9 deg. 
15 min. west longitude. These works were visited by tho 
Ardent steamer, which found there an American vessel 
already in possession of the islands. The crew had raised 
a sort of fortification, on which they had placed two guns 
and fifty men were taking in a lading of the manure. TLo 
quantity existing on these rocks was estimated at 250,000 tons. 
— A Vermont paper says : “ Among the conspicuous men in 
the Vermont Legislature is Mr. B. G. Brigham, of Fairfield. 
He owns and cultivates 1,300 acres of land. Among his 
barn-yard items are 220 cows, twenty horses, and five yoke 
of oxen. Iu his dairy he makes butter only. The average 
yield of butter from the milk of each cow is 150lbs. Two 
huge ‘ dasher' churus are set in motion by two ‘ horse- 
powers,’ and the butter is * worked’ by the old-fashioned 
* paddle.’ His stock of cattle consume about 500 tons of 
hay annually. 20,0001bs. of pork, 500 bushels of wheat, 
from 400 to 500 bushels of corn, 1,000 bushels of oats, and 
from 1,000 to 2,000 bushels of potatoes, are among his yearly 
products.” — A Swedish turnip, of the “ Skirving variety," 
was taken up a short time since from a field at Madeley, 
Staffordshire, occupied by Mr. Hill, weighing, without the top, 
24. Jibs. — Mr. W. Baylis, at the Red Horse, Shipton, Oxou, 
bos now in his flock a ewe, mother of twenty-five lambs, all 
of which she fostered ; she had two single ones, ten doubles, 
and oue three, at a butt. — Of the 150,000 tons 
of flax annually brought into the United King- 
dom, it appears that 60,000 tons come from Russia. — 
In order to success iu potato cultivation four things must bo 
attended to. 1st. A moderately dry friable soil, deeply 
stirred before planting. 2nd. No direct application of 
manure of any kind. 3rd. Whole sets of middling size, 
and sound. 4th. A clear space of twenty inches between 
the sets along drills. — If grass land be exhausted by con- 
tinual mowing, you may get it up again soon by pasturing 
sheep and giviug them food ou the land. Three cwt. of 
guano, in compost with a lot of ditch mould (if you can get 
that free of weeds), will set the land up at once. Italian rye- 
grass may be sown in August on fresh-stirred stubble, hut is 
best sown in April. — Agricultural Gazette. 
THE LAND. 
So tar as tiie season has gone, there is every reason 
for anticipating a good crop next year. The land lias been 
remarkably well cleaned and prepared, and a large breadth 
of wheat will certainly bo sown. 
Useful Application of Sewage.— At a meeting of tho 
Manchester Town Council, a week or two ago, a letter was 
read from Mr. Samuel Brooks, iu which that gentleman made 
the handsome offer of placing £1,000 at the disposal of the 
council, to be expended in preliminary inquiries, and pre- 
miums for plans and experiments, as to the value of the 
nightsoil of the city. Mr. Brooks estimated the anuual value 
of the sewage of the city of Manchester at £100,000 a-year, 
and his letter referred to the importance not only of properly 
disposing of it for agricultural purposes, hut of rendering it 
subservient to other useful objects. The thanks of tho 
council were unanimously voted to Mr. Brooks for his offer. 
Supposed Antidote against the Potato Disease. — Tho 
result of every inquiry or experiment tending to throw light 
on the mysterious failure of the potato, is worthy of atten- 
tion ; and whether the cause is atmospherical or whether tho 
disease arises from the want of some element in the earth to 
promote its growth, are points for investigation. Acting upon 
the latter theory, and knowing that where wo found the 
potato diseased the stalks have generally gone prematurely to 
decay, I was induced to try the following experiment with a 
view to stimulate the growth of the stalk. Having a small 
plot of land, I grew potatoes on it for three years in succes- 
sion, and the last year (1853) two-thirds of the potatoes were 
diseased. In the spring of this year, I planted half the same 
land with potatoes, manured as usual ; the other half I 
planted in a similar way with the addition of silicate of potash, 
which was neither more nor less than clinkers, or half vitrified 
residuum of coal, adhering to the grates of furnaces. This I 
caused to be ground very fine, and placed in the rows with 
the manure. The produce which I have now got is all right ; 
the stalks remaining green and strong up to the time the 
potatoes were taken up, while in the other half-plot of land 
the stalks decayed early and the potatoes were veiy much 
diseased. For the information of the agriculturist, the article 
can be got in almost any quantity for merely carrying it away ; 
the only expense will be the grinding, and it requires to be 
ground as fine as possible. I have to add, that I consider tho 
clinkers superior to ashes for this purpose, inasmuch as ashes 
produced from wood (potashes) require siliceous earth to bo 
added and fused with them ; coal, on the other hand, con- 
tains a considerable quantity of siliceous earth and alumina 
or clay, which only chemically combines when melted or 
vitrified. In this neighbourhood the clinkers are always re- 
jected by tho agriculturists, and when used at all, it is only 
for repairing public roads. — T. B. in Mark Lane Express. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
The Duty on ConN. — From an official paper just issued, 
it is shown that in the year ended tho 5th of January last, 
the duty on corn amounted to £529,247, and in the preceding 
year, £404,385. 1 
Tiie Agricultural Society of Clermont, in the depart- 
ment of the Oise, has recommended tho use of that agricul- 
tural nuisance couch-grass ns a substitute for malt in the 
making of beer. 
According to a circular issued by M. J. Franke, a wine- 
dealer of Cette, the whole produce of the vineyards in tho 
south of France this year scarcely reaches one-sixth of ou 
average. Prices are “ enormously high,” but with only a 
year's consumption in hand there is not “the slightest chance 
of a fall." b 
Management of Milch Cows in Fall and Winter.— In 
almost every agricultural paper in tho country, inquiry 
