338 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October IS, 1891. 
due care is taken to work all the lime into the interior of the heap ; 
it is then carted and ploughed-in at once, and is good for any land. 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
The flock now requires special attention to get the different sections 
of it well in hand for the coming winter. If our hint given a month 
ago about the autumn dipping of sheep had attention, the whole of the 
sheep have now clean wool, quite free from tick or scab, or parasites of 
any sort. They are thus free from irritation and the incessant itching 
which besets an undipped flock, and which tells so seriously upon con¬ 
dition. But there is another evil demanding our best attention, and 
that is foot rot, if we are so unfortunate as to have it among our sheep. 
We have repeatedly pointed out that there is no complete cure for this 
infectious disease. ' It can be subdued so thoroughly that there may not 
be a lame sheep in a flock, but once there and it may break out at any 
time. There need be no great number of bad cases in any flock if the 
feet are examined at least once a week, or more frequently if necessary. 
Let the patients have most careful and gentle treatment. If possible 
place all sheep with sore feet together, apart from the remainder of the 
flock ; then examine them daily, sponge off any discharge or filth from 
the affected part (usually between the claws), pare off any loose part of 
the hoofs, and carefully dress with Gell’s foot-rot ointment. Bad cases 
may require the affected foot to be placed in a bag secured to the leg 
with tapes. 
The most difficult cases are those having swollen feet without any 
exterior wound or discharge of pus. These we invariably treat by 
inserting the foot in a bag containing a linseed meal poultice, bathing 
daily till a discharge of pus is induced, when the swelling is soon 
reduced and the foot healed. 
There is much brutality on the part of shepherds hacking away at 
broken hoofs with a large, clumsy, blunt knife, causing much bleeding, 
and needless suffering to the sheep. Let masters see to this, for it is 
rare indeed that bleeding need be caused. To understand this every 
flock master should take some of the sheep in hand himself, treating 
and watching cases till they are cured. Many shepherds are difficult to 
manage, and are not willing to receive orders about the treatment or 
care of their charge. 
Nothing can be more deplorable than the sight of a neglected flock 
folded on Turnips now. They go limping about in the mud, rubbing 
their itching bodies against every hurdle they come to, and are never 
at rest or free from pain. Such a state of things is a shame and disgrace 
to all concerned in the ownership or care of the sheep, and the pity of it 
is that it might all be so easily avoided. 
REPORT OF THE CLOVER AND GRASS SEED HARVEST 
OF 1891. 
In reviewing the situation, kindly note that we simply express our 
opinions, doing so in good faith, but we cannot be responsible for the 
outcome, as it is impossible for anyone to predict the future. There are 
so many contingencies to be taken into consideration, which are beyond 
human control, that we can simply give what at the moment appears to 
us to be as nearly correct an estimate as it is possible to supply. 
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense perenne).—The reports from the 
Continent of Europe are generally disappointing, large areas were 
ploughed up after the severe winter, and heavy rains have since 
destroyed or damaged those crops that survived the winter. American 
advices speak of considerable damage in many districts by grasshoppers 
and weevil. 
There is a fair acreage of English seed being grown, the condition 
of which must be entirely governed by the state of the weather at the 
time the seed is harvested. Irrespective of origin many samples of 
Red Clover that we have seen bear evidence of being weather stained. 
American samples are again small and wanting in colour. Values at 
present show considerable advance upon those at the end of last 
season. 
White Clover (Trifolium repens).—The European crop of this article 
outside Great Britain is reported to be a fair one in quantity, but the 
quality will be beliw the average of previous years, the seed being more 
or les3 damaged by the excessive rains. American advices indicate a 
fair crop, but as this seed is always very much smaller in the grain than 
European seed it is not so much sought after. Present values about 
the same as at end of last season’s sales. 
Alshye Clover (Trifolium hybridum).—European reports of this 
crop are generally very unsatisfactory. The quantity produced is 
supposed to be smaller than it has been for many years, and where 
the rains have been constant and heavy the samples will be seriously 
prejudiced. 
American advices speak of a fair average crop of good quality but 
see 1 from this district will contain a larger quantity than usual of 
White Clover. 
Present prices are firm, but values may become a little easier than 
at the end of the selling season last year. 
Trefoil (Medicago lupulina).—Trefoil is a considerable crop both in 
England and on the Continent, but as much of the seed was not har¬ 
vested. until after the rainy season set in, the quality will be below the 
average of the past few years, and prices may be expee'ed to continue 
firm for bright samples. 
Lucerne (Medicago sativa) is a fair average crop. 
Timothy (Phleum pratense).—Again the quality of the new deliveries 
of this seed is very satisfactory. This fact, combined with the extensive 
area under cultivation, and the considerable surplus held over in the 
producing districts last year, will probably have the effect of making 
the market easy during the present season. 
Rope .—Reports from the producing districts, both in England and 
on the Continent, state that almost the entire crop was destroyed by 
winter frosts. Good conditioned seed comes high in price at the present 
time, and may be expected to reach even a higher range shortly. 
White Mustard .—Fair average crop so far as present advices 
indicate. 
Swedes, Yellow and Wh ite Turnips ,—Crops of these seeds were got 
in under fairly favourable circumstances, but in addition to damage by 
the severe winter, the plants during the flowering period were in many 
districts attacked by a black flea, which rapidly destroys that portion of 
the plant, with the result that the outcome in bushels per acre is very 
seriously reduced. 
Scotch yellows are represented by very limited quantities, and at 
the present time make higher values than they have done for several 
years. 
Grass Seeds. 
Rye Grasses (Lolium perenne and italicum).—Early advances indi¬ 
cated fair average crops, but the rains that were experienced at a later 
period have had the effect of damaging the seed, and prices have been 
gradually and firmly advancing ever since. It is also believed there is 
a smaller average than usual. This fact, combined with the somewhat 
unusual and important demand for shipment, tends to make holders 
very firm in their ideas of price, and it is not expected that any im¬ 
portant change will be found in these articles during the year, in the 
shape of lower values. 
Agrostis stolonifera (Fiorin).—The home crop of this article is again 
a fair average one, and the market reports speak of satisfactory crops ; 
it should be borne in mind that American samples of Agrostis generally 
abound in ergot. 
Alopeeurus prattnsis (Meadow Foxtail) is again a fair average 
harvest, both in quantity and quality. Values may be expected to be 
reasonable. 
Cynosurus cristatus (Crested Dogstail) is a very short crop, both in 
Great Britain and on the Continent, and it is probable before the season 
is over this seed will be practically unobtainable in quantities. 
Festuea duriuscula (Hard Fescue) is a fairly plentiful crop, and 
seed has been harvested in average condition. 
Festuea pratensis (Meadow Fescue).—The report of this crop from 
the producing districts speak of a good average output, and reasonable 
prices may be expected. 
Poa pratensis (Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass).—The crop of this 
article is again very short, and as no surplus seed could possibly be 
carried over from last year, prices will rule high. 
Peas nemoralis and trivialis (Wood Meadow and Rough Stalked 
Meadow Grasses).—Smaller acreages than usual of these Grasses appear 
to have been under cultivation, and with only a moderate harvest prices 
are likely to be very firm.— James Caktek & Co., 237, 238, 246, High 
ffolhorn, London, and Mark Lane, E.C. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Guernsey Cows (IF. R. R .~).—If you go to a dealer you will, of 
course, have to give £20 and upwards. Watch for announcements of 
auction sales, and then you may obtain useful animals at the price we 
mentioned. There are usually plenty of such sales at this season of 
the year. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
CAMDEN SQUARE, LONDON. 
Lat. 51° 32' 40" N.; Long. 0° 8' 0" W.; Altitude, 111 feet. 
DATE. 
9 AM. 
IN THE DAT. 
1 
ui«H 
1891. 
October. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 329 
and Sea 
Level. 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
Temp, of 
sou at 
| 1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature. 
Dry.'! Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
snn. 
On 
grass 
Inches. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg- 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday. 4 
30.278 
48.6 
47.8 
Calm 
52.8 
62.6 
38.8 
89.2 
33.0 
— 
Monday. 5 
29.9S5 
47.9 
47.9 
E. 
51.9 
61.2 
41.0 
73.6 
34.4 
0.018 
Tuesday .... 6 
29.435 
57.1 
55.0 
S.3.E. 
;.2. i 
62.0 
48.2 
67.6 
44.3 
0.501 
Wednesday.. 7 
29.600 
55.1 
61.2 
s.w. 
52.9 
6'M 
50.2 
99 9 
47.G 
0.640 
Thursday.,.. 8 
29.840 
50.7 
49.3 
s.w. 
52.6 
61.2 
45.0 
97.0 
38.4 
0.010 
Friday . 9 
24.675 
60.8 
59.1 
s.w. 
52.9 
65.9 
51.4 
100.8 
47.9 
— 
Saturday .... 10 
29.814 
55.4 
54.7 
E. 
£3.7 
60.3 
50.0 
62.6 
43.3 
0.238 
£9.801 
53.7 
52.1 
52.7 
61.9 
46.4 
84.4 
41.3 
1.437 
REMARKS. 
4th.—Misty early; bright day. 
5th.—Misty early ; a 1 ttle sun in morning, bnt generally du'l and cold. 
6lh.—Dull drizzly morning ; wet from 1 P.M., and steady heavy rain from 3 P.M. to 
11 P M. 
7th.— Alternate bright fnnthine and cloud ; heavy rain at 11.45 A.M., and with thunder 
and bail at 0.50 p M.; bright afternoon, and heavv rain again from ll.o P.M to 
2 0 A.M. on 81 h. 
Stb.— Bright a'most turouehout. 
S;h.—Dull and damp early, genera’ly overcast in morning ; bright afternoon. 
10:h.—Overcast and misty till 10 A.M., then dull and showery. 
A damn week, of nearly average temperature.—G. J. STMONS. 
