330 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 13 1887. 
prompt, energetic, intelligent practice. We have in the 
past year seen remarkable results achieved by the use of 
farmyard manure, and by a thorough timely system of 
cultivation and cropping. We hope, nevertheless, to see 
eventually chemical manures given a more prominent 
place in agriculture, unless indeed the great sewage 
problem is solved, and we are able to obtain fertilisers for 
the soil from our large centres of population. 
(To be continued.) 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
The rain which fell so quickly after harvest has caused such a free 
strong growth upon pastures that we have now plenty of green food 
both for cows and sheep. Late-sown Turnips are growing freely, but 
we shall not have them singled, as at best this crop can only afford 
some green food for lambs in spring, and there can be no useful roots 
from growth so late in the year. On the whole we shall be tolerably 
well provided with roots. Mangolds are almost without exception a full 
crop, Swedes about two-thirds of a crop, but early white Turnips are a 
failure. This is all the more vexatious from the fact of really good 
fields of white Turnips being common enough, owing we believe to local 
showers of rain having fallen at a critical time upon such favoured spots. 
Eye, Rye Grass, Trifolium, and other autumn-sown green crops are a 
full plant, and there is now an ample provision of green food for next 
spring. Field Potatoes were taken up some weeks ago, as soon as signs 
of supertuberation were visible. Where attention has not been given to 
this matter the crop of late Potatoes will probably be spoilt. We know 
some large fields of Potatoes now with the haulm fresh and green and 
full of growth, showing clearly that a lateral growth both from haulm 
and tubers has been induced by heavy rain after drought. When the 
tubers are taken up it will be found that they are worthless, the legiti¬ 
mate crop of tubers having practically become seed which has produced 
an abortive crop of small worthless tubers. 
Under present low prices for farm produce we are bound to curtail 
our labour expenses ; while doing so enough men and horses must be 
kept going to cultivate the land really well, for it is altogether a mistake 
to let land become foul, and thus entail subsequent heavy losses in our 
crops. The practice of economy is most desirable and praiseworthy, 
•but by all means let it be tempered with discretion. Drains should be 
seen to wherever there are faults or new ones are required. Ditches 
should also be scoured, and the mouths of all drains examined. Hard 
times have led to much negligence in the keeping of hedges and ditches 
in order, trim well-kept hedges being quite a thing of the past upon 
many farms. We regret to add that dilapidations in farm buildings are 
also as common now, and are an unmistakeable sign of poverty among 
andlords. 
SEEDS AND ROOTS AT THE DAIRY SHOW. 
Two well-known seed firms in Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading, and 
Messrs. Webb & Sons, Wordsley, Stourbridge, were represented by stands 
at the Dairy Show, held from October 6th to October 11th inclusive at 
the Agricultural Hall, Islington, London, N. The stands of both these 
firms were of an interesting character. That of Messrs. Suttons was 
found on the right immediately on entering the main hall of the build¬ 
ing. At the front were large piles respectively of Sutton’s Oxheart and 
■Golden Tankard Mangel, both valuable kinds, specimens of Sutton’s 
■Champion Short Top Kohl Eabi, and of the Grass Bromus inermis, which 
is recommended for soiling, hay, or silage. At the sides of the stand 
were numerous specimens of natural Grasses and neat cases of Grass 
seeds, showing Mr. Martin Sutton’s prescriptions for various soils. Th‘ re 
were also models of roots. Messrs. Webb’s stand was noteworthy for 
bunches of the firm’s specially selected corn, such fine varieties as 
Golden Drop, Square Head, Hybrid Kinver, and Kinver Giant Wheats, 
with Challenge White and Prolific Black Tartarian Oats, and New 
Golden Grain and Kinver Chevalier Barleys being represented. There 
were also sample bags and sacks of Grass seeds and seed corns, collections 
of garden seeds, cases of manure, and specimen roots. Some samples of 
natural Grasses neatly labelled added to the effect of the stand. In 
other portions of the Show, garden produce grown from seeds supplied 
by the firms named, and Messrs. James Carter & Co., 237 and 238, High 
Holborn, London, W.C., was observable, also farm roots in competition 
for prizes offered by Messrs. Carter and Webb. Farm food and fertilisers 
were represented in the exhibits of Messrs. Jenson, manufacturers of the 
fish potash manure, and Spratt, makers of feeding cakes, &c. 
REPORT OF THE SEED HARVEST OF 1887. 
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense perenne).—There is a moderate 
crop of English seed of good av. rage quality. Continental reports, 
including Italy, France, Germany, Denmark, and Russia, show some 
variation, but the latest information speaks of an average crop of well- 
ripened seed in these districts. The reports from America are not so 
satisfactory ; and, as last year, the indications are that the supplies of 
sound seed will not be more than the home consumption will absorb. 
Considerable damage appears to have been done to the American crop 
by the dry weather, and the samples will not compare favourably with 
European grown seed. Taken all round, European Red Clover will be 
good average quality, but, in consequence of the dry summer, the crops 
are somewhat lighter than usual. 
White Clover (Trifolium repens).—The small quantity of this seed 
produced in England is of excellent quality, and from America our 
correspondent reports “ very light crops.” In Germany and Poland the 
crops are excellent both in quantity and quality, and prices for this 
article will be expected to rule moderate. Reports from France are not 
so satisfactory. 
A '.tike Clover (Trifolium hybridum).—Some very bright samples of 
English-grown seed have come into our hands, for which moderate 
prices are asked. From America the report is, “ moderate crop, ad¬ 
vancing in price,” so that we need hardly expect to look to that 
district for supplies. On the other hand, reports from Germany, 
Poland, and Sweden are very satisfactory, so that fine European samples 
may be expected at reasonable prices. 
Trefoil (Medicago lupulina).—The dry summer has had a bad eff ct 
upon the quantity of seed produced, both in England and on the 
Continent. Samples that have come forward are somewhat small, but 
good in colour. 
Lucerne (Medicago sativa).—This crop is reported to be an average 
one. 
Timothy (Phleum pratense).—Very unfavourable accounts are given 
of this crop both in the United States and Germany, and considerably 
higher prices are expected to rule than last year. 
Rye Crosses (Lolium perenne and italicum).—Accounts of the 
English, Irish, and French crops state they are most abundant, and 
better in quality than for many years. As an instance of this, it may 
be mentioned that the natural weight for Perennial Rye Grass this 
year is 28 lbs., whereas for several years it has been about 24 lbs. 
Rap ■. —Ts a fair average crop, harvested in excellent condition, 
and the samples are very bright and black. 
Mustard. —Fair average crop. 
tnede and Turnips. —The burning summer secured the samples 
“ shot dry,” but the produce is exceedingly short in many varieties. 
Natukal Grasses. —Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernal).— 
There is a very fair crop of this Grass, showing an exceptionally high 
standard of germination. Agrostis stolonifera (Fiorin).—This is a good 
average crop, both in Germany and America, but, as this Grass is very 
subject to ergot, samples free from the impurity command good prices. 
Alopecurus pratensis (Meadow Foxtail).— This is again one of the 
shortest harvests of the Natural Grasses, and samples are not numerous 
that will give the average germination for the past two or three years. 
Cynosurus cristatus (Crested Dogstail).—Is a good average crop in 
England, Ireland, Holland, and Germany; brighter in colour and 
higher in germination than it has been for some previous years. 
Dactylis glomerata (Cocksfoot).—Is only a moderate crop. Reports 
from New Zealand have not beeen satisfactory. European samples have 
a high standard of vitality, and command higher values than they did 
this time last year. Festuca tenuifolia (Fine-leaved Fescue).—This 
crop is usually very light, but as its principal use is for the formation 
of lawns and pleasure grounds it is not an important factor in the 
supply. Festuca duriuscula (Hard Fescue).—Is again a good average 
crop, and seed of high germination. Festuca pratensis (Meadow 
Fescue).—Is perhaps the most satisfactory of any Grass crop of the 
year, with germination exceedingly high, and many of the samples 
absolutely pure and free from objectionable features. Festuca elatior 
(Tall Fescue).:—This Grass is more plentiful than in previous years : 
but as the supply is still under the demand, the best samples command 
high prices. Poa trivialis and nemoralis (Rough Stalk Meadow Grass 
and Wood Meadow Grass).—Are good average crops, fine in quality. 
Poa pratensis (Smooth Stalk Meadow Grass).—Reports from Europe and 
America speak of a fair average crop, but many American samples are 
very deficient in vitality.— James Carter & Co., 237 and 23S, High 
Holborn, London. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
CAMDEN SQUARE, LONDON. 
Lit. 51° 32' 40" N.; Liu?, (D8- 0" W.; Altitude, 111 feet. 
DATE. 
9 A.M. 
' 
IN THE DAY. 
■ o at 
v 35 — j 
Hygrome- 
a . 
Shade Tern- 
Radiation 
C 
ter. 
V a 
pL- , O 
perature. 
Temperature 
a 
K 
October. 
In 
On 
SA a 
Dry. 
Wet. 
So 
Max. 
Min. 
sun. 
grass 
Inches. 
deg 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday . 
2 
3 '.307 
517 
49.3 
y. 
52 2 
57.6 
45.2 
75.9 
39.9 
Monday. 
3 
30.401 
53.1 
49.1 
N. 
52 3 
57.7 
47 8 
70.2 
42.4 
_ 
Tuesday .... 
4 
30.382 
52 6 
47.9 
N. 
52.6 
59.1 
49.2 
72.7 
47 6 
_ 
Wednesday.. 
5 
30.337 
522 
47.8 
y. e. 
52.8 
54.6 
50.0 
59 2 
48-3 
_ 
Thursday .... 
6 
30.177 
50.9 
40.8 
N. 
62 8 
57.3 
43.4 
914 
47.4 
_ 
Friday . 
7 
30.055 
50 4 
47 6 
N.W. 
53.0 
61.1 
48 2 
102.3 
46 9 
_ 
Saturday .... 
8 
29.937 
52.1 
49 0 
s.w. 
532 
63.6 
47.6 
101.9 
44.4 
— 
30.228 
51.9 
48.2 
52 7 
58.7 
431 
824 
45.3 
- 
REMARKS. 
2nd.—Cloudy all day. 
3rd.—Dull and calm. 
4th.—Overcast all day, and almost without wind. 
5th.—Overcast and calm all day. 
6th.—Dull early, fine after 11 A M. 
7th.—Fine, and at timei bright. 
8th.—Fine, bright, and pleasant. 
Temperature much the same as in the previous wok but the nights warmir; 
generally calm and cloudy; no rain.—G. J. Symons. 
