348 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 18, 1883. 
Still we must consider that some of northern counties and Scotland suc¬ 
ceed best with spring-sown Wheat ; otherwise as a rule it is better to let 
the land lie over for Oats, drege, or Beans, than to sow late in an almost im¬ 
possible seed time, like the unfortunate seed time of last year. We believe 
that large areas last season sown late, say after the middle of November, 
had far better have remained until the spring and been seeded with early 
White Oats, for our experience tells us that as many quarters of Oats can 
be grown as sacks of Wheat, upon land as we cultivate for Wheat 
with manure. Some horses should now be employed in harrowing and 
rolling upon the autumn fallows which have been steam-cultivated 
on every opportunity which occurs of dry days ; because if the autumn 
rains which usually occur soon after this time should occur no more culti¬ 
vation can be done on the fallows. But the Wheat land will be getting 
into heavy and in good condition to receive the seed, especially upon 
Clover leas, but upon fallow surfaces ploughing and seeding daily and 
simultaneously is the safest plan of proceeding. 
Hand Labour. —As fast as the Wheat is sown upon any flat strong 
land, the surface water furrows should be struck and made out as soon as 
possible after the work is finished. Taking up Mangolds will require 
hand labour, also in the case of ploughing-in Turnips for Wheat which 
have been hoed and obtained good-sized bulbs, will require to be mown 
over to cut off the greens, the bulbs being picked up and chopped ; but 
the best plan of any, although more expensive, is that the roots should be 
passed through an old Gardner’s cutter and then spread. 
Men are now principally employed in filling and spreading dung 
both on fallow and Clover lea preparation for Wheat. Hedge-clipping 
should now be finished and borders trimmed, to facilitate scouring of the 
ditches upon the strong land farms. Upon some arable farms men may 
be employed in grubbing up fences and draining the ditches where 
necessary ; for it is difficult to understand why live fences should be 
required to separate the fields upon arable land unless required for 
shelter ; but again, shelter is only of use on pasture lands, because where 
sheep are fed on arable land they are, or ought to be, folded, in order 
that their droppings may be applied at the right time and place. The 
removing of the internal fences enables the home farmer to lay out 
his land in oblong fields, which is a great saving of horse and hand 
labour. 
Live Stock. —The value of all the best and forward ewes for lambing, 
both of horns and Downs, is still high, but less by from 5s. to 7s. than 
last year ; the top price for flocks of the finest horned early-lambing ewes 
in the kingdom has varied from 77 s. to 80.?. each, while fairly useful stock 
has made from 60?. to 70?. each, while some of the best early December 
lambing Down ewes have made as much as the latter figures. At present 
we may call the price of sheep in general about 5?. per head less than 
last year. Upon any of the dry well-cultivated soils in the home and 
southern counties these horned ewes not only yield more return than any 
other sheep for the food consumed when managed with judgment and 
liberality, but they will, both ewes and lambs, go to market in good 
time, enabling the farmer to sow his Lent corn early and in the best con¬ 
dition, a matter of immense importance when we consider that the 
farmers say they keep sheep to manure the land and bring full crops of 
grain. Milch cows are doing well yet, there being plenty of grass in 
most cases where pastures and park lands have been well managed, 
manured, and carefully fed during the summer months. Bullocks now, 
if not sent to market fat, should be put into the boxes and stalls for further 
feeding, and may with benefit receive their full allowance of 65 lbs. of 
Turnips or Cabbage per day, with 4 lbs. of cake, and 2 lbs. of bean meal 
daily, mixed with the cut roots, and get also good sweet oat straw 
in their racks, for let it be remembered that hay-feeding cannot be carried 
out with profit, in fact straw is chiefly required to promote the digestion 
of other food hy ruminating animals. 
The Seed Harvest of 1883.—We are now in a position to give 
some reliable information as to the probable output of the seed crop of 
the present season. Red Clover. —A satisfactory crop is anticipated in 
all the producing districts, although the bad weather experienced in 
Europe generally at the time we are writing may prejudice the harvest 
considerably. The area under red Clover in England is larger than 
usual. German and French reds are also cultivated liberally, and 
prospects are very satisfactory. Canadian and American reports 
anticipate a large crop of red Clover, but as this is considered inferior 
as compared with European-grown seed, the crop is not important in 
plentiful home seasons. The markets, however, of all kinds of red Clover 
being absolutely cleared, values remain moderately firm at present. Cow 
Grass. —A fair average crop of English seed is expected, some being 
well harvested before the present inclement season set in. We anticipate 
superior quality of this article to the last two or three years, with lower 
values. Alsike and White Clovers. —Some nice parcels of English Alsike 
have already reached our hands, and the home crop both of white and 
Alsike is generally satisfactory. Reports of Swedish and German Alsike 
are of only a moderate character, and fine samples of German and French 
white are scarce, commanding full values of last year. Trefoil is a 
plentiful crop both at home and on the Continent; qualities fair average, 
and prices under last season. Perennial and Italian Rye Grass. —The 
crops of both promise to be abundant, but the samples in some instances 
bear evidence of damage by rains. We have handled several handsome 
parcels at favourable rates as compared with last year. Timothy. —This 
crop is plentiful both in Europe and America, and as the home crop seed 
is always very superior in quality, the American supply does not get 
attention. Lucerne. —A good average crop ; samples bold, bright, and 
clean. Broad-leaved English Rape. —Fine samples are scarce, and 
last year’s values are readily reached. There is an abundance of German 
seed of moderate quality. Natural Grasses. —Fine cleaned samples of 
Foxtail, Fescues, Sweet Vernal, and Poas are reaching us in only 
moderate quantities, and command high prices. It should, however, 
be borne in mind that these qualities possess high germinating properties, 
in addition to freedom from weeds and rubbish, as opposed to lower 
grades sometimes quoted. Swedes and Turnips. —Undoubtedly the most 
unsatisfactory crop of the season. The Swede harvest was greatly im¬ 
peded and the produce reduced by the inclement early summer weather 
in England, whilst the continental crop, never a large one, is almost 
nil. Mustard. —This is generally a fair average crop, but a brisk 
autumnal demand has led to firm values for fine English samples. Hemp 
and Canary. —Plentiful crops anticipated, with moderate prices. Sum¬ 
marised, it may be understood that the seed harvest generally is above 
the average of the past two or three years, and in most cases finer quali¬ 
ties with more moderate values may be expected.— JAMES Carter & Co., 
High Holborn, London (and Mark Lane). 
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.— The monthly 
meeting of the Council of this Society was held at their offices, 
26, Charles Street, St. James’s, on the 2nd inst. In the unavoidable absence 
of Lord Carrington, who is now in America, the chair was taken by Mr. 
Joseph Druce. The Secretary stated that there were at present on the 
books of the Society 616 pensioners, ten having died during the past 
three months ; and that since the last meeting of the Council £1765 
had been received from subscriptions and other sources. Cheques 
amounting to £3865 for quarterly pensions and current expenses were 
drawn. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Chickens ( B. A. C.). —It is not easy to rear chickens in so confined a 
run. You would perhaps have done better to coop the hens, and let the 
chicks run over the whole available space. Do you give them green food 
and gritty matter, and keep the runs very clean ? Minorcas or Houdans 
of a good laying strain would probably suit you best. 
Farming on Poor Soil {Anxious). —The soil being poor and the climate 
bleak we recommend you to grow Italian Rye Grass from foreign seed, also 
Lucerne; and as your land is of a dry sandy nature the manure best 
adapted for both these crops is liquid manure saved at the cow stalls. 
Before, however, attempting to grow these crops, a good dressing of chalk 
or lime is necessary. If it has not received any, from 20 to 25 tons per acre 
of the former would be a fair dressing, and 150 to 200 bushels of lime per 
acre. With regard to the application of artificial manures, bone super¬ 
phosphate and nitrate of soda are essential, the former to be applied (when 
the seed of any grasses are sown) about 4 cwt. per acre, the latter (between 
every cutting of the grass) 1 cwt. per acre. If you obtain the number of 
this Journal dated July 24th, 1879, you will find full information as to 
cultivation, &c., of Italian Rye Grass ; and the same information as to 
Lucerne in this Journal for 22nd of May, 1879. Both can be obtained at 
this office. If you require to lay down land to grass for constant feeding 
you will find all the required information in this Journal, also in numbers- 
dated the 5th, 12th, and 19th of February, 1880. 
Lucerne (IF. IF).—Lucerne will be found too great a risk of being 
damaged by frost if sown in October; it is best sown in May under the 
directions as given in this Journal, May 22nd, 1879, page 388. On gravelly 
soil the land should be broken by the subsoil plough below the depth of 
ordinary ploughing, otherwise the roots of the plant cannot go down, ancl 
will not succeed. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Camden Square, London. 
Lat. 51° 32' 40" N. ; Long. 0° 8' 0" W.; Altitude, 111 feet. 
DATE. 
9 A.M. 
IN THE day. 
n 
« 
1883. 
October. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 32« 
and Sea 
Level 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
j of Wind. 
| Temp, of 
Soil at 
1 1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature. 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grass. 
Inches. 
deg. 
deg. 
dev. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday . 
7 
30.478 
47 
: >.y 
N.W. 
49.7 
57.6 
39.8 
86 7 
3.3 3 
— 
Monday. 
8 
30.',43 
55 > 
•4.5 
Calm 
50.9 
62.3 
47.3 
71.7 
484 
— 
Tuesday. 
9 
30.434 
55 
2.5 
W. 
52.4 
59.4 
52.4 
69.0 
52 3 
— 
Wednesday .. 
10 
30.099 
5 ■ 
0.4 
N. N.W. 
52.2 
56.2 
43.8 
61.9 
38.5 
— 
Thursday ... 
11 
29 882 
51.8 
51.8 
N.E. 
52.0 
60.2 
46.9 
75.7 
41.8 
— 
F-idav. 
12 
30.075 
49.7 
H.6 
N. 
51.8 
58.4 
47.8 
85.4 
39.7 
— 
Saturday .... 
13 
30.196 
48 8 
48.3 
E. 
51.4 
61.0 
4-1.9 
79.3 
34.4 
30.230. 
51.3 
50.4 
j 51.5 
593 
45.6 
75.7 
41.2 
— 
REMARKS. 
7th.—A fine day though cloudy. 
8th.—Fine and mild, but not bright. 
9th.—Misty morning, dull day. 
10th.—Foggy dark morning, brighter in afternoon, but generally misty . 
11th.—Misty dark morning, fine mild day. 
12th.—Fine and mild. 
13th.—Fog at first, fine mild day. 
A very fine week, calm and dry, with high barometer.—G. J. SYMONS. 
