364 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 16, 
VEGETABLES. 
8. d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Artichokes 
.. dozen 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Lettuce. 
dozen 
1 
0 to 
1 
6 
Beans, Kidney 
lb. 
0 
S 
0 
0 
Mushrooms .. 
punnet 
0 
0 
1 
6 
Beet, Red 
.. dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Mustard and Cress 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Broccoli .. .. 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Onions. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Brussels Sprouts 
.. i sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
o 
0 
s 
0 
Cabbage ., .. 
0 
0 
1 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Capsicums 
100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Potatoes. 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Carrots .. .. 
0 
S 
0 
4 
,, Kidney . 
cwt. 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Cauliflowers .. 
.. dozen 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 
0 
4 
0 
0 
Celery .. .. 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Salsafy. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
6 
Coleworts dcz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Scorzonera .. . 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Cucumbers 
.. each 
0 
2 
0 
4 
Shallots. 
.. lb. 
0 
S 
0 
0 
Endive .. 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Spinach. 
bushel 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Herbs .. .. 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes ., .. 
.. lb. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Leeks .. .. 
0 
S 
0 
4 
Turnips. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
SEED CORN. 
Last week particular attention was called to the importance of 
high farming. It might justly have been termed common-sense high 
farming, for it brought into combination strict economy and judicious 
outlay, and the matter is so important that we return to it. Let us 
say at the outset now, that the term “economy,” if used as it is here, 
in the sense of an avoidance of waste, is far more comprehensive and 
pregnant with meaning than if regarded in the ordinary manner of 
saving when and how one can. It is not economy to purchase or sow 
inferior seed corn. It is not economy to sow upon a foul seed bed, 
or upon undrained or poor land. Smaller farms, higher cultivation, 
and better seed is what is wanted. Capital must not be so wide¬ 
spread, but it must be concentrated sufficiently in order that what 
we do shall be done in the best way. Well and to good purpose are 
we now told that “ unless British farmers are prepared to abandon 
corn-growing altogether, it follows, almost as a matter of course, that 
they should apply themselves in every way possible to the economics 
of culture with the view of heightening production. The truest and 
best economy is not always that of sparing expense, and certainly is 
not the case here.” 
Do farmers generally so regard this most important matter ? We 
fear not. Take the ordinary type of farmer of any locality, and what 
do we find ? He grumbles heartily about hard times, but apparently 
has no thought of making a special effort to grapple with and over¬ 
come his difficulties, nor is he by any means willing to admit the 
possibility of doing so. Actual demonstration is the best argument 
with such men. They require something tangible to carry conviction 
to their sluggish minds, and there are plenty of shrewd clever men 
able to afford them such proof. It is true enough that it does not 
pay to grow Wheat at 36s. per quarter, but with this low quotation 
we usually see considerably higher rates, showing that there is Wheat 
in the market so superior in quality that buyers willingly give the 
higher price for it. If the question is asked. How is this superior 
corn obtained ? we may safely answer. By thorough cultivation and 
the selection of good seed ? That greater attention is being given to 
the value of good seed is undoubtedly true, and though there has been 
such an outcry about bad seasons and the low price of Wheat, it by 
no means follows that plenty of Wheat will not be grown next season 
in this country. 
A difference of 8s. per quarter for Barley and 6s. per quarter for 
Oats between the lowest and highest quotations of last week is 
an instance of the considerable difference in quality of samples 
upon the market. Oats are so frequently sown upon poor land that 
numerous inferior samples are to be seen in every market. Far better 
would it be to plough-in such poverty-stricken crops, or to cut them 
green for the silo, or to feed them off upon the land. We have an 
especial liking for winter Oats for either purpose, but value them 
still more highly as a safe corn crop, and take especial pains to 
procure our seed from the best source. Sown now upon such an 
excellent seed bed as the fine autumn has enabled us to prepare for 
it, this crop may not only be considered a safe and valuable one 
for the abundant yield of heavy corn which it usually affords, but 
we have always the option of turning it to account early in spring 
either for grazing or a supply of sound green fodder for the yards. 
Let us then qualify the popular cry of More green crops and less 
corn, and say Better corn, and strive to act upon it to the utmost of 
our powers. By all means let us have green crops in plenty, especially 
now, for in order to sow them we must stir and clean the land, which 
is no mean advantage in autumn. In winter the living roots prevent 
less of nutriment in the soil, and in spring it is optional to graze. 
to plough-in as manure, or to obtain a crop of early corn that pays, 
and then we may get more grazing or follow with a root crop. 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
Horse and Hand Labour .—Favourable weather has enabled us to 
make considerable progress with the ploughing and sowing of winter 
corn. The plough turns up the land in excellent condition for the seed, 
which is a natural and satisfactory result of the free use of the broa<L 
share, cultivator, horse-hoe, and harrows since harvest. The paring and 
burning which has been done to an unusual extent will also tend to keep 
down wireworm, often so destructive to winter corn, the baneful OTects 
of the ravages of this troublesome pest being visible in brown patches of 
dead plants, which spread sometimes in badly infested land to a con¬ 
siderable size. The mild weather is so favourable to the growth of root 
crops that with the exception of Potatoes there will be no clearance ot 
roots from the land for another week or two, the late growth tending 
materially to add to the bulk of crops which invariably suffer ^ 
drought. Mangolds especially are fast swelling to a size little short of a 
fair average, and we now feel certain of an ample supply of this valuable 
crop. Land required for new Hop gardens should now be got ready for 
the planting. If it has a green crop upon it let this be at once ploughed 
in so that the land may be planted with the Hops as early as possible in 
November. Offers of plants termed “bedded sets ” are already in the 
markets, and such plants are the best. By planting in November we 
may with a favourable season obtain a crop of several hundredweight ot 
Hops per acre next year ; but if the planting is not done till the 
year, few, if any, Hops will be had. Our only resource when driven by 
stress of circumstances to plant late being the sowing of some rows o 
Swedes or Mangolds between the Hop rows, so as to get something ou 
of the land. We shall explain the process of planting at the proper 
time. , i 1 i.v V 
Live Stock .—So abundant is the late growth of grass that both sheep 
and cattle are doing splendidly, and the cattle will go into the 
better condition than usual. Dairy cows, too, haze a well-sustained now ot 
milk, and the butter is of the best quality, the sweet nutty flavour 
especially good. Acorns are remarkably abundant, and they will be 
collected at Is. per bushel by women and children. Sheep thrive wel 
upon acorns and grass, laying on fat very fast, and we shall keep a 
supply in store for winter feeding. Apples should now be gathered and 
cider made at once. We find old sherry butts answer best for this 
purpose ; they contain about 100 gallons, and the cider becomes very 
strong if kept for a year or two. If left too long upon the trees much or 
the fruit falls and is eaten by the cattle. Turkey poults are now good, 
and we are killing birds weighing 8 lbs. to 9 lbs. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Maize for Green Crop {G. J. S.).—The advice given you to sow Maize 
with Clover in spring was both vague and misleading. Maize when just out 
of the ground is so sensitive to frost that the plants are sometimes killed by 
it. It is owing to this fact that the sowing is not done till the third week in 
May ; then, with a favourable summer, it is a profitable green crop, admirably 
adapted for ensilage, especially if it can be chaffed before being put into tne 
silo. Maize will germinate and grow in most kinds of soil, but to grovz well 
it requires deep rich soil in thorough cultivation. _ Horse-tooth Maize is tne 
best sort for a green crop, and it should be sown in drills 18 inches apart at 
the rate of about two bushels of seed per acre. The late hot summer was 
especially favourable to the growth of Maize in this country, and numerous 
reports have been published of satisfactory cultural results. Mr. F. Marsnall, 
Eversley, Winchfield, Hants, states that in July under the influence of ram 
and sunshine his Maize grew at the rate of 18 inches per week, eventually 
attaining a height of 10 to 12 feet, and a weight of nearly 80 tons per acre, 
each plant averaging 4 lbs. in weight. This crop was cut and put full 
length into the silo on September 3rd, alternating with layers of second-cut 
meadow grass, a pressure of 400 tbs. to the square foot being applied 
subsequently by means of powerful screw presses. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Camdex Square, London. 
Lat.51° 32'40'' N.; Long. 0° 8' 0" W.; Altitude, 111 feet. 
DATK. 
i# A.M. 
IN TUB DAY. 
B 
*5 
1884. 
October. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 32« 
and Sea 
Level 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
1 Temp, of 
1 Soil at 
1 1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature. 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grass. 
Inches. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday . 
.1 
30.080 
48.7 
4 >.4 
N. 
52.9 
58.7 
38.1 
81.6 
33.6 
— 
Monday. 
r> 
36.601 
63.8 
51.4 
N. 
53.6 
61.8 
48-6 
90.7 
42.1 
0.014 
Tuesday. 
7 
30.193 
56.2 
53.0 
N.E. 
53.8 
63.8 
49.4 
102.6 
44.6 
— 
Wednesday ., 
8 
29.847 
50.1 
49.1 
E. 
54.2 
59.4 
48.0 
79.9 
45.6 
0.087 
Thursday .... 
9 
20.522 
48.5 
45.8 
N.E. 
53.2 
55.1 
33 1 
81.2 
31.3 
0.432 
Friday. 
111 
29 436 
4.3.7 
43.1 
N.W. 
51.9 
48 8 
39.6 
48.8 
32.9 
0.075 
Saturday .... 
11 
29.668 
80.8 
34.7 
N.W. 
49 8 
48 5 
38.3 
82.5 
34.7 
— 
29.979 
48.7 
46.2 
52.8 
66.6 
42.2 
81.0 
37.8 
0.608 
REMARKS. 
6th.—Cloudy all day. 
6th.—Ensettled; bright sun and showers alternately. 
7th.—Fair, with some sun ; occasional drizzle in evening. 
8th.—Fair morn ; rain in afternoon ; bright night. 
9th.—Bright early, but wet from 10 A.M. 
10th.—Wet day. 
lltb.—Fine, but colder. 
A variable week with great range of barometer, cooler, and the temperature now 
below the average for the period of the year.—G. J. Symons. 
