20 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 5, 1893, 
ewe immediately after the lambing, make a point of each ewe being 
kept there till it allows the lamb to suck freely, and it is seen to take 
food well and to be in satisfactory condition. Then it may go to the 
large general fold where other ewes and lambs are kept at n'ght and on 
rough days till the lambs are well advanced in growth and strength. 
REPORT OF THE CLOVER AND GRASS SEED 
HARVEST OF 1892. 
The seed harvest for 1892 was a memorable one in many points. 
It will be remembered that in 1891 we had to report an unfavourable 
condition of things, which was fully lubstantiated long before the 
English sowing season had approached its end. The scarcity of fine 
quality Clovers in particular became early apparent and caused values 
to rule very high. At a later period the entire absence of these higher 
grades left an opening for the cheaper classes which were readily 
snapped up, and as a consequence the new season opens with a market 
that is absolutely bare of yearling offerings. 
In England the circumstances governing the new crop are very 
similar to those prevailing at the previous harvest, a long and severe 
winter followed by a generally ungenial summer with an over-abundance 
of autumn rains, has brought about a very unsatisfactory result, and in 
addition to this unkindness of the season at home, in Germany the 
crop is short, and, owing to the drought, for similar reasons the crop 
in France is almost a failure. In America the outlook is uncertain and 
unfavourable, prices rule high, and samples are vveak, washy, and 
inferior. 
Red Cloveh (Trifolium pratense).—The English crop, which a 
month or two ago promised to be an average one, has been seriously 
interfered with by the late rains, and is likelj’^ to come considerably 
short of earlier estimates. The quality, it is anticipated, will under any 
circumstances be better than last year. Continental reports, including 
Italy, Germany, Denmark, HolLnd, and Russia, are very conflicting ; 
in some districts a fair yield of sound seed is expected, whilst from 
others the accounts speak of short and unsatisfactory crops. The crop 
in France is so far a failure that they have none to export, and are 
buyers rather than sellers. The American crop is reported from 10 to 
20 per cent, under the average, and this yield, if taken as correct, means 
that little will be exported. Judging of the standard qualities from 
samples that have come into our possession, it may be reasonably 
expected that the Red Clover crop, taken all round, will be a short crop 
in all the chief producing districts. 
White Cloves (Trifolium repens).—In England a larger acreage 
than usual under this Clover bids fair to show extra good quality. 
From the Continent all sorts of statements reach us. From Moravia and 
Silesia we are told the harvest is bad ; from Poland and Bohemia we 
learn that the output is exceedingly meagre ; from certain parts of 
Germany and France we hear of better things from some localities. 
American reports present a material shortage in quantity, with small 
seed, wanting in quality. So far as we have handled samples, the 
European seed, although bright, is small in grain and very dirty. 
Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum).—The small English acreage 
held promise of a fair yield a month or two back, and it remains to be 
seen how far the last incessant rains have interfered with this prospect. 
Reports from Germany, Austria, and Sweden are so far satisfactory. 
From Canada the latest information speak of a good crop, well 
harvested ; the quantity of actually available seed, however, is unfor¬ 
tunately restricted by a deficiency in the area under cultivation. 
Cow Grass (Trifolium pratense perenne).—In direct sympathy with 
Red Clover, this crop is likely to be much under the general average, 
and really choice parcels will as usual command good money. 
Trefoil (Medicago lupulina)—is reported below the average. 
Samples we have already handled are bold but somewhat discoloured ; 
choice and bright seed is held at exceptionally high rates. This crop, 
however, is always an extensive one, both at home and abroad ; and 
whilst the fine grades are certain to go dear, medium qualities will in 
our opinion be obtainable at more reasonable figures. 
Lucerne (Medicago sativa) —An under average crop is reported, 
and prices may be expected to have an upward tendency. 
Timothy (Phleum pratense).—Unfavourable accounts are given of 
this crop, both in America and Germany, and higher figures are expected 
to rule. The British crop is too infinitesimal to affect values. 
Rape appears to be a fair average crop, harvested, both at home 
and abroad, in excellent condition. The samples now offering are very 
black and dry. 
White Mustard. —'This is a disappointing crop, poor in quality and 
bad in colour. The quantity under cultivation seems much smaller than 
usual, and what is consequently a scanty harvest has been largely bought 
up by the mustard grinders. The values now prevailing for this article 
are higher than they have been for many years. 
Canary still stands at a very high figure, in con;equence of unsatis- 
fac'ory reports from the leading producing districts. 
^ Swedes and Turnips. —The advent of the new crop has caused 
prices of many varieties to ease a little. The harvest, however, is a short 
one in most districts, and values, more particularly of Swedes and Scotch 
Yellows, are likely to continue high. 
Perennial Rye Grass —Little of one-year-old seed appears to have 
been left over, either of Scotch or Irish growth, consequently prices have 
ruled high throughout the summer. The new crop is reported from all 
parts to be deficient in yield, but this seems to be partly met by an 
increased acreage under growth. There is no doubt the long and con¬ 
tinued winter seriously prejudiced the prospects of the plant, particularly 
in the seaboard districts in the south of Scotland, and as a result the 
natural weight per bushel is certain to be some pounds lighter than in 
an average season. Prices are likely to advance. 
Italian Rye Grass. —In close association with its more permanent 
relation, this useful Grass is reported short from all parts, both in Great 
Britain and France, for the same climatic reasons. At the present time 
values are about 50 per cent, higher than those prevailing in an ordinary 
year ; and these figures will be most likely maintained. 
Mangel. —This crop has been sadly affected by the hard winter,, 
which killed a large portion of the bulbs out for seed, and is likely to 
come in very short in quantity and deficient in size. The continental 
crops are in many parts in direct sympathy with our own, and it is only 
in favoured districts, that have escaped the weather, that anything like 
a satisfactory yield is expected. 
Natural Grasses. 
Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernal).—There is a very poor 
crop of this Grass, the plant having suffered severely from frost during- 
the period of tender growth. 
Agrostis stolonifera (Fiorin).—This is reported as under the 
average crop both in Germany and America, and prices are likely to rule 
high. 
Alopecurus pratensis (Meadow Foxtail).—This is again one of 
the shortest crops in Germany. On the other hand, the Russian and 
Scandinavian harvests are reported an average. Clean seed, free from 
maggot, is likely to command good money. 
Cynosurus cristatus (Crested Dogstail).—This Grass is the 
mystery of the season, being practically a failure in England, Ireland, 
Holland, and Germany, and all other producing districts. In our own 
experience a grower who controls a large producing district, and who we 
usually look to for ten to twenty tons at least, is only able to offer two 
to three tons, and that at an almost prohibitive price. In view of thia 
the values must remain abnormally high. 
Dactylis GLOMERATA (Cocksfoot).—There is every likelihood of a 
sufficiency of this Grass, what with the New Zealand, American, con¬ 
tinental, and British crops, to meet all ordinary demands. 
Festuca tenuifolia (Fine-leaved Fescue).—This crop is usually 
very light. Reports state that even less has been harvested this season 
than the preceding year, which gave a very limited supply. As its 
principal use is in the formation of lawns and pleasure grounds, this 
Grass is not an important factor in the supply. 
Festuca duriuscula (Hard Fescue).—Is again under an average 
crop, and prices are likely to advance considerably. 
Sheep’s Fescue (Festuca ovina).—The same may be said of this 
useful Grass. 
Festuca pratensis (Meadow Fescue).—Both in Britain, Germany, 
and America this Grass is reported exceedingly short, and more money 
is already asked for fairly clean samples. The small quantity at present 
produced in New Zealand scarcely affects the market. 
Festuca elatior (Tall Fescue).—This Grass is even less plentiful 
than in previous years, and true samples will command high prices. 
PoA TRiviALis AND NEMORALis (Rough-stalk Meadow Grass and 
Wood Meadow Grass) are average crops of generally inferior quality. 
Heavy and well matured samples will secure high prices. 
PoA PRATENSIS (Smooth-stalk Meadow Grass).—Reports from the 
Continent and America speak of a good average crop, and prices will be 
much more reasonable than of late. 
As in previous years, there is an abundance of inferior Grass 
seeds of all kinds in the market at all sorts of prices.— James Carter 
AND Co., High IIolioTTi. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Camden Square, London. 
Lat. 51° 32' 40" N.; Long. O'" 8' 0" W.; Altitude. Ill feet. 
Date. 
9 A.M. 
In tde Day. 
Bain. 
1 
1892. 
December. 
1 Barometer 
1 at 32°, and 
1 Sea Level. 
Hygrometer. 
Direc¬ 
tion of 
Wind. 
Temp, 
of soil 
at 
1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
Sun. 
On 
Grass. 
Inchs. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
Inchs, 
Sunday .. 
25 
29-952 
26-8 
26-1 
N. 
37-3 
32-7 
23-8 
45-2 
18-1 
— 
Monday .. 
26 
30-132 
25-8 
24-7 
N.E. 
36-G 
35-1 
24-3 
50-7 
18-3 
— 
Tuesday .. 
27 
30-259 
19-9 
19-0 
W. 
35-4 
33-8 
16-7 
35-3 
12-1 
— 
Wednesday 
28 
30-355 
27-8 
27-6 
W. 
35-3 
29-9 
18-3 
35-1 
15-5 
— 
Thursday.. 
29 
SO-066 
28-9 
28-8 
w. 
34-J 
32-2 
26-0 
33-0 
20-3 
«- 
Friday 
30 
•29-879 
2-2-9 
22-7 
N.E. 
34-2 
32-7 
20-4 
33-3 
13 1 
— 
Saturday .. 
31 
29.852 
32-4 
31-4 
E. 
34-0 
34-0 
22-0 
352 
17-2 
— 
30-071 
26-4 
25-8 
35-4 
32-9 
21-6 
38-3 
16-4 
— 
REMARKS. 
25tli.—Almost cloudless throughout. 
2i5th.—Cloudless morning ; bright afternoon and evening. 
27th.—Rather dense fog in morning; clear after 1.30 p.m. 
28th.—Fog all day ; dense in morning and evening. 
29th.—Fog, generally very dense, till 11.30 A.M., when it cleared completely and very 
suddenly, but began to accumulate again soon after noon, and was thick by 
1 P.M.; cleared again at night. 
30th.—Fair, but slightly foggy in morning. 
31st.—Overcast, but free from fog. 
An absolutely rain and snowless week, completing a drought of seventeen days. 
Very foggy and extremely cold. Only one week has been equally so (December 20th to 
26th, 18M) for at least ten years.—G. J. Symons. 
