1-236 
THE FIELD. 
autumn, scarifying, collecting, carting off or burning off the 
stubbles ami other weeds, as some do, not only robs the 
laud of a vast extent of v.-duablo manure, but, when liar 
rowed and hud down in a flat state, sours and destroys that 
property so essential for the vegetating of the tender seed of 
the turnip-plant. As you well know, it was my practice in 
Scotland, in preparing 'liuid for the turnip crop, to plough 
deep in autumn, and, as soon after the corn was removed 
from the land as possible, turning down stubbles and other 
vegetable plants to decompose below ground during the 
winter mouths, at a depth not less than ten or twelve inches, 
according to the nature of the soil, thereby keeping the land 
open, allowiugthe frosts and storms of winter blasts, Nature's 
grand pestlolsers, to act powerfully and effectually upon it ; 
and since I came to this country 1 have scon nothing as yet 
to make me alter the system which 1 so long successfully 
practised when conducting the management of the extensive 
firm of Newton, upon the banks of the Teviot. Early aud 
deep ploughing lauds in autumn, however foul, are cleaned 
with more facility in spring than autumn ; the action of win- 
ter's stormy tide having so meliorated and loosened the 
ground that all squitch apd weeds that have not disappeared 
|>art freely from the soil with light labour, and which may 
be either burned or carted off as weather will permit. No 
one knows better than you the advantage of a good turnip 
crop to the farmer ; it enables him to double his manure by 
keeping an extra number of cattle in the stalls and yards, 
and sheep in the fields, thereby enriching the fertility of his 
lands in a very great degree. Deep cultivation affords un- 
dcniable proofs of the productive powers of the soil even of 
the poorest class ; aud it is by following such a system, with 
largely increased supplies of manure aud combined agricul- 
tural science, that landlord, tenant, and increasing popula- 
tion of this country are to be beuefitted. The fattening of 
cattle too, in supplying the market with beef, is a matter 
much to be noticed, and much depends on the system of 
management in the feeding department, both as to quantity 
and quality of that article ; and the principal points to be 
observed are, to see that beasts put in to feed bo well chosen, 
thriving, and hearty ; that the yards, stalls, and boxes are 
comfortable and well sheltered. Feeding cattle in yards is 
somewhat objectionable — the stronger ones rob the weaker ; 
they cannot be kept sufficiently warm, and the manure ex- 
posed too much to the iuclemency of the weather. In pro- 
perly constructed boxes, cattle can be kept comfortable, aud 
fed to more advantage in point of economy. Those fed in 
stalls get stiff in their joints, pained in the legs, aud greatly 
retard the laying on of beef. Hours of feeding must be 
pointedly attended, the cattle provided with a littering of 
cleau straw morning aud night, aud properly curried once a- 
day. These necessary rules being promptly executed will 
add greatly to the general improvement of feeding cattle in 
boxes, stalls, or yards. Men whose practice has been exten- 
sive, and who have been engnged in and acquired knowledge 
from results of experimental proceedings, are abler far to 
judge of the superiority of systems to be adapted in the 
farming of lands and other routiue business of the farm than 
those merely possessing ideas of a theoretical nature, and, as 
you say very properly in your excellent letter, that such 
individuals are calculated to do much damage to the cause of 
agricultural improvement. — I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully, 
Cotwall, 21st October, 1854. W. Thompson. * 
Leases. — The Duke of Richmond, in the clmir of the 
Smithfield club last week, uttered the following sensible 
remarks on the subject of leases r — 
After visiting the north and coming to the south of 
England, he must say he was greatly surprised at the re- 
luctance eviuced by the tenant- farmers to accept leases. 
That, he thought, was a palpable mistake ; and lie hoped 
the time would soon arrive when they would all ask for 
leases. On these questions he always looked at what he 
should do if he were a teuaut-farmer himself ; and if he 
were a tenant-farmer, with the requisite capital, he should 
certainly put aside much of the feeling which his own 
tenants entertained. For in Sussex it so happened that he 
had not a single tenant who held under a lease. “ No,” 
they said, “we have never yet had a lease, and we don't 
think a lease necessaiy, for we do not suppose you will 
ever do anything else than what is just towards us." Well, 
that was a very pretty compliment, undoubtedly ; but if 
lie were a tenant farmer in the possession of a good capital, 
he would never consent to lay it out upon any man’s laud 
without some sort of security. Indeed, he had no hesita- 
tion in saying that no prudent man would do so. This 
was an important question ; and, as president of the Smith- 
field Cattle Club, ho felt that it was a part of his duty to 
advise the farmers of England to ask for leases ; assuring 
them that he himself would be too happy if all his tenants 
were to ask for them tomorrow. 
The Champion' Land-draining Match. — T he match 
announced to take place under the patronage of Sir William 
Bowyer Smijtb, Bart., M.P., came off on the 5th inst., on 
Great Tawney Hall Farm, in the occupation of Mr. William 
Sw order. Sixteen companies of four each set to work with 
great spirit at half-past ten a.m. aud completed their task at 
half-past one p.in., each compauy being recommended by a 
gentleman of the county. The draining was executed in a 
most creditable style, and the prizes were awarded by Sir 
William Bowyer Smijtb, who briefly addressed the company 
present on the events of the day. The judges were Mr. 
Thomas Stokes, Mr. James Stalli brass, and Mr. W. Brown. 
The following is a list of the competitors for the prizes : — . 
Employed by 
1 Sullibrass, Jm. .. II. Green, S. Green, J. Green, J. VVclsbv. 
2 Mackintosh ... W Sitoli, K. Flock, W. Monk, G. Hull. ' 
3. Hick*, Daniel .. J. Tavemor, M. Fresh water. S. Grayling, J. Clark. 
•J Palmer, John .. Mluon, W. Brown, A. Taylor, J. Durrington. 
6. Sworder, Wm .. J Clark, T. Bai», 1). Wclsby, \V. lla-s. 
stoke*, Tb<«. .. D. Knight, J lattice, E. ilcad, W. Norri*. 
7. Hull Ilarc, K'q. . . G. Turner, J. Cox, W. Crisp, J Speller. 
A. Arkwright, Esq. J. Caudle, sen , J, Caudle, jun., J. Caudle, W. 
Caudle. 4ili prize, £ 1 . 
!/. Mandi.T. C , E*q. W. Pain, C. Gale, G. Gale, W. Gale 1st prize. A'4. 
10. l’alnier, K*q. ... . J. Reeve*. J. Radley, J. Grayling, J. Radley. 
3rd prize, £ 2. 
11. Sworder, Win. .. T. Cox. J. Wright, T. .Spearman, K Wright. 
2nd prize, i'3. 
12. Lord Pctre J. Wade, C. Cro»by, J. Amtell, J. Abbott. 
13. Phillip*. Exq. .. D. God*ave,T. God&avc, 8. Chapman, J. Chapman. 
14. P.rainston, E>q. . . D. Parish, W Berry, S. Roots, 1. Westwood. 
1 Smijtb, Sir W. B. 8. Crahb. E. Nightengale, J Wood, R. Merridny. 
HI Sword, r. Win. T. Wood, G. Brewer, S. Gray, W. Jennings. 
In addition to the above, each competitor received 2s. Cd 
LIVE STOCK. 
Bale of Prime Bulls. — O n Friday last, being great market 
day, Mr. E. Bussell sold by auction, in the yard of the Oak 
hotel, Leominster, six superior young bulls, the property of 
M r. Roberts, of 1 viugton Bury. There was a large attendance, 
and the competition was keen. King James, u four-year-old, 
by Walford, dam by Original the 3rd, sold for £80 ; Uncle 
Tom, by King .Tame*, dam by Coningsby, calved, Jan. 2, 1853, 
£49 ; Raglan, by King James, dam by Original, calved Dec., 
1S53, £35; The Morning Star, by North Star, dam by Sir 
Andrew, calved Oct. 1853, £60 ; Fairfax, by King James, 
dam by Woodman, calved Oct. 1853, £67; and Basket*, by 
King James, dam by Sir Andrew, calved Jan. 1854, £37. 
At the same time a yearling hull of great merit, belonging 
to Mr. Turner, of the Leeu, Pembridgo, was sold for £42. 
Fat Stock Sale at C'oi.ey Farm, .Shropshire- -This 
important sale of truly choice and valuable fat stock, the 
property of Sir T. F. F. Boughey, Bart., took place on Monday 
lust, when the sum of £'2,4(*2. 11s. was realised by Mr. 
Holland, the auctioneer, in three hours. The sixty-two 
cattle averaged nearly £25, the fat pigs near £8, and the 
six Ross wether sheep about £4. 1 5s. each. Some of the ewe 
sheep were disposed of at reasonable prices, the demand for 
mutton previous to Christmas being not so great as that for 
beef. The sale was well and respectably attended, and the 
number of cattle immediately taken away shows the in- 
creased requirements of the trade. 
SPIRIT OF THE AGRICULTURAL MEETINGS. 
It is much to be regretted that the meetings of the agricul- 
tural societies are not made more practical. We have read 
a multitude of reports during the past week, and very few 
of them contain more than speeches about the war, or of 
mutual compliment. The business of agriculture, for 
which they ostensibly meet, appears to be quite forgotten. 
We have only found one that has any extractable matter, 
that was a dinner of the East Penrith Association, where 
manures were earnestly and intelligibly debated We take 
two or three passages that will be instructive. Mr. John 
Burgess, who had exhibited some remarkable turnips, said 
of them : — 
TURNIP GROWING. 
The turnips he had this day shown were all grown 
and tilled with only oue day between them, aud they 
all had the same amount or value of manure per acre, 
except one piece, where he tried Peruvian gnano, and 
there the turnips were not fit to show in comparison with 
the others. Not that he would deprecate the use of the 
Pemviau guauo on any farm, but other manures suited his 
soil much better. He had found Bolivian guuno, or super- 
phosphate and Peruvian guano, auswer much better ; and he 
believed that Mr. Basely aud others, who had had Bolivian 
guauo from him, had found that it exceeded Peruvian guano 
to a very great extent. We had been paying for Peruvian 
guauo very smartly ; and he hoped, if we could obtain the 
same results from Bolivian guano, fanners would be able to 
put in their green crops more economically. In 1853 he 
tried six sorts of manure. There were, first, the super- 
phosphates — Lawes's, Purser’s, Norriugton’s, aud the London 
Manure Company’s ; aud those four varied very little in their 
produce. Lawes’s always stood highest in price aud in name, 
but in its result it was best only to a trifling extent. Her- 
rington’ s and Pm*Ber’s were quite on a par ; and then came 
the London Manure Company’s, the produce from which was 
about 1 ton 8 cwt. less than from Lawes’s. He also tried the 
difference between superphosphate and guano together, and 
superphosphate alone; superphosphate alone was uot worth 
so much by 25 per cent, as guano and superphosphate ap- 
plied together. Two cwts. of superphosphate aud 2 cwts. of 
guano would produce more than 6 cwt. of superphosphate 
alone, or 4 cwt. of Peruvian guano alone. Mr. Burgess stated 
the produce of Peruvian guano as twenty-eight tons per acre, 
while that of Bolivian guauo was about twenty -five tons. But 
iu a corn crop Peruvian guano was entirely exhausted ; while 
the effect of Bolivian guano aud of the four phosphates would 
remain distinctly visible ; so that if a heavy corn crop was 
got out of the laud with Peruvian guano, the guano was all 
extracted, aud it was necessary to apply something else after- 
wards. As to bone, he opened the drills and sowed it in the 
bottom, and the effect was visible in every row ; but if the 
bone had been scattered over the land, the com crop would 
have been irregular. If Peruvian guano had been used, 
another manure would have beeu wanted afterwards. Peru- 
vian guano would do its work well the first year, but tliev 
must not expect to get a crop of wheat or bailey after putting 
iu 4 cwt. of Peruvian guano ; that was not treating the land 
fairly. He might mention another experiment with Peru- 
vian guano. He sowed Peruvian guano, and in seven weeks 
he cut five tons of hay per acre, and the gentlemen who in- 
spected the farms said it was as good hay as they had ever 
seen. He was therefore certain that Peruvian guauo would 
puy for grass as well jus for any other thing ; and then it had 
a lasting effect — it could be seen two years following. 
Capt. J. Vivian said that he believed most persons might 
grow roots if they used proper means. He always grew 
them ; and could now show, in fields where the land was dry 
and poor, crops of turnips as good as could be shown in the 
neighbourhood. He particularly mentioned a field of eight 
acres. The great secret of growing roots, it appeared to 
him, was to give the land proper rest. Many people, to put 
in their turnips, went muzzling 4 the land in March or April ; 
but that was a plan which he never pursued. He generally 
put his crop into the wheat ariHhes ; as soon as the corn was 
cleared off the ground, he thoroughly cleaned the ground so 
jis to give it a nice winter's fallow ; and then, iu the spring, 
he could put iu his root seeds as early as lie pleased. As to 
manure, none that he had tried could possibly compete with 
Peruvian guano ; with the exception of farmyard dung, 
which he always used, if within reasonable distance for car- 
riage. The crop being put iu iu good time, he never ceased 
cleaning aud hoeing if, from the time the turnips were first 
seen to break rows. He believed that thousands of acres of 
turnips were destroyed by the fly from the want of early 
hoeing. By early hoeing, the fly was destroyed. He em- 
ployed at least ten persons all the season through in cleaning 
his green crop3, and he believed there was an advantage of 
8 or 10 per cent, in favour of well-cleaned crops compared 
with those badly cleaned. 
Mr. John Burgess said the roots he had shown that day 
were tilled in very poor land, to try which root would pay 
him best — the different sorts being grown with the same 
amount of manure. There was one root for which he did 
uot get a prize, but which he fancied would be very valu- 
able, to be eaten early ; it had beeu the admiration of every- 
one who went through his Hold, and saw how quickly and 
beautifully it grow, with the same amount of manure as the 
other roots. He thought that one great object of this 
society's field inspection and show of roots should he to 
stimulate some person to propagate seed for the next seasou. 
A gentleman had spoken favourably of the Green Tankard ; 
aud ho (Mr. Burgess) thought it a very valuable root to be 
eaten early. There had been shown to-day a class of man- 
gold wurzel8, which were very small, but their beautiful 
tip-roots, and their neatness of growth, deserved commen- 
dation. On the subject of Mr. Laity’s allusion to the starv- 
ing the fly, Mr. Burgess thought that to starve the fly was a 
positive euro for that evil to the turnip crop. If a man 
could get ready his land three weeks before he put in the 
seed, he would save £1 an acre on such soil os his, and 
would starve the fly. Iu connection with this plan, Mr. 
Burgess recommended the laying cabbage-leaves on the land 
for three or four weeks. He stated that a Mr. Sowbey, who 
had written a pamphlet on the subject, said that by adopt- 
ing that plan ho had never lost a crop by the fly. 
Mr. Burgess added that he, himself, had never last a crop 
since he had used superphosphate, lie advocated Lawes's 
superphosphate, aud advised farmers, in making their 
purchases, not to be tempted by high prices, hut to deal with 
respectable men. He recommended that with every crop of 
turnips should be put in 1$ cwt. of superphosphate per acre • 
he was certain that this would be a cure for the fly, while it 
would be of great assistance iu bringing the root to maturity, 
and of proper shape. In explanation to Mr. Permewan, of 
his suggestion for getting rid of the fly, Mr. Burgess said if 
the land was wrought fine three or four weeks before putting 
iu the crop, the fly would come to life, aud die for want of 
food, before the seed was put in. His use of cabbage-leaves 
on the ground was to prove whether the flies were alive or 
not ; because, if there was nothiug else to eat, the fly would 
feed on those leaves. 
Land and Mining. — At the dinner of the Cnllington 
Agricultural Association, the Rev. R. Berkeley, of St. 
Cleer, Liskeard, alluding to burdens on land, is reported to 
have said : — 
When he spoke of agriculturists he included himself in 
the number, and his opinion was that it was a monstrous 
injustice that certain burdens should he levied on the 
agricultural iuterest, whereas every privilege had been with- 
drawn. The burdens he alluded to were the highway-rate 
and the poor-rate. They had growing up in their immediate 
neighbourhood an iuterest that was bringing great wealth to 
certaiu parties. He knew that it was so in the district in 
which he lived, where the mines were prosecuted with 
great vigour. But those mines did not contribute at all to 
the poor-rate, or if they did iu a measure, it was handed 
over as a gift, whereas it ought to be insisted on os a right. 
The parties growing wealthy on mines thus gave very 
scantily for the maintenance of the poor, whom the mines 
were the cause iu a great degree of creating. This he had 
come to regard as a grievance, and for several years, as a 
member of the Liskeard Boax*d of Guardians, he had annually 
brought forward iu that board a petition to the House of 
Commons begging of them to right this grievous wrong. He 
had not succeeded yet iu passing it through the board, but as 
long as he remained a guardian, so long would he contiuue to 
press that petition. If they would move in it in the way 
they ought, and show altogether their sense of the injustice 
to the agriculturists, some remedy would be applied. There 
was some encouragement in the fact that oue of their 
county members had exerted himself nobly to press the 
subject on the attention of the Government. That gentle- 
man was Mr. N. Kendall, the member for East Cornwall 
and he wished not to withhold praise from others to whom 
it was due — to Mr. Robartes and the members of the western 
division — (hear, hear) — who had supported Mr. Kendall ; to 
the last was due the honour of having introduced the matter 
to public notice, and of having induced many to take up 
the question. He would recommend that in every parish iu 
which the injustice was felt a petition should be prepared, 
calling on the House of Commons to redress the wrong, ami 
apply a remedy. 
The dinner at Golding's Hotel was well attended, and 
was ably presided overby Augustus Coryton, Esq., of Pen- 
tillie Castle, supported by Sir Willian Call, Bart., Deeble 
Boger, Esq., &e. 
FARM NEWS. 
The Stockport bench of magistrates, on Saturday, con- 
victed Mr. Thomas Wilson, a corn miller, in the mitigated 
penalty of £5 and costs for having in his possession a large 
quantity of mineral white, or sulphate of lime, aud other in- 
gredients used in the adulteration of flour, contrary to the 
statute 6 and 7 Wm. IV. cap. 37. A strange migration we 
hear of from the Pacific. A thorough-bred bull of the 
Durham breed and seven heifers, part of a drove of 113 head 
of cattle, had arrived at Sacramento from the Eastern States 
by the Salt Lakes. — Californian Paper. A friend of mine 
has at this moment a portable railway of about a mile in 
length in daily operation on his farm. I believe it is the 
first time in this or any other country of its practical appli- 
cation for husbandry purposes, aud most admirably aud econo- 
mically does it do its duty either in taking crops or putting 
on manure. It is constructed of wood, in sections of twenty 
feet long, with bands of iron sufficiently broad, about a 
quarter of tui inch thick, aud nailed to the rails. — Corre- 
spondent of the Times. A rather extraordinary fall iu the 
price of pork occurred at the Exeter market last 
Friday. On the previous market day the price was 
as high as 10s. 3d. per score, whereas on the following 
Friday the price fell to 8s. and 9s. per score. A very largo 
quantity of pigs was left unsold eveu at this reduction. 
Iu furtherance of the proposal of J. E. Dennison, Esq., 
arrangements have been made by Mr. R. White, of the Swan 
Inn, Mansfield, to receive contributions (to the Crimean 
Army Fund) of hams, cheese, tiacon, &c., when they will be 
packed and sent direct to-the committee's depSt, in Loudon. 
Up to the present time, sixty hams, twelve cheeses, oue flitch, 
and sundry pieces of bacon, besides a number of chaps, have 
been received ; and as many more are promised, it is hoped 
they will be sent iu without delay. We understand that 
the gross weight of the contributions passing through the 
hands of Mr. White alone, will not be less than a ton 
and Urlialf It is with much regret we record the death of 
Mr. James Slight, engineer, and curator of models to the 
Highland aud Agricultural Society of Scotland. This event, 
the result of a severe inflammatory attack, took place on 
Friday. Mr. Slight was born at Tranent in 1780. As a 
country wriglit, he laid the foundation of that acquaintance 
with agricultural details and agricultural implements which 
characterised him in the latter part of his career. He acted 
as a superintendent under Mr. R. Stephenson, the celebrated 
engineer, iu the construction of the Bell-Rock Lighthouse, 
and other important works. About twenty-five years ago a 
connection was formed by Mr. Slight with the Highland aud 
Agricultural Society of Scotland. A large number of the 
models exhibited iu the society’s museum attached to the 
clmir of agriculture in the university were constructed by 
