330 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
[ October 8, 1885. 
We greatly deplore the strong hold which Charlock has 
been suffered to obtain in the soil, and would urge upon every 
farmer the importance of destroying the first few plants, from 
which tens of thousands so soon spring. 
Late-sown root crops have again suffered severely from 
drought, especially Mangolds, but those sown early in the 
season got so strong a hold of the soil as to suffer little if 
anything from drought. We have also seen some fields of 
roots sown much too wide apart. Sow early in fertile soil, 
and only have the rows sufficiently wide apart for a careful 
use of horse hoes, and then a quick strong growth will follow, 
so that the large leaves will soon meet across the rows, tend¬ 
ing so materially to screen the soil from the direct action of 
the sun’s rays as to check excessive evaporation of moisture 
from it. We do not forget that of Mangold sown early in 
April a small per-centage are apt to run to seed, but the loss 
is trifling in comparison with the gain upon the entire crop. 
Although the experience of another year confirms upon 
the whole our objection to speculative farming, yet we 
never would oppose a moderate trial of anything at all likely 
to relieve us somewhat from the pressure of hard times. 
Maize, for example, has been grown successfully for silage, 
but we have also seen it used beneficially in the green state 
for cattle, and its culture for this purpose is spreading fast 
in the eastern counties. The idea that it would prove indi¬ 
gestible to animals if used green proves erroneous, due care 
being taken to use it before the stems become hard and 
tough, and farmers hail with delight a plant of such easy 
culture, yielding full 30 tons an acre of tender, rich, juicy 
succulent food, which is cut and carted from the field on to 
the pasture for cattle. It is not sown till June, and there¬ 
fore forms an admirable second crop for land sown with White 
Mustard early in the year, as we have shown. 
Self-binding reaping machines have done such good work 
this season that the general use of this wonderful labour- 
saving appliance is only a question of time. To get through 
the corn harvest in half the time it used to require is now 
easy by the aid of self-binders. Without them many a man 
has incurred a severe depreciation in the value of his best 
Barley through its exposure to heavy rain after it was mown 
and left lying in the swathe. 
The importance of land drainage has again been so 
forcibly impressed upon us that we must not omit mention of 
it here. The doing of it may appear costly, but depend upon 
it the outlay brings a speedier return, a larger interest than 
almost anything else we can do for the land. Without it all 
we can do is comparatively useless ; with it good culture is 
almost certain to be rewarded with success, bountiful and rich 
as is possible to obtain from mother earth. 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
The sowing of winter Beans has followed that of Rye and winter Oats 
closely. Wheat-drilling has also begun, and autumn work upon the 
land is now in full swing, so that what with this work and corn-threshing 
we are very busy. Particular attention is being given to careful prepara¬ 
tion of corn for market, so that if possible the bulk may be slightly 
superior to the samples rather than inferior. We pay close attention to 
this matter, for confidence once shaken concerning it is not easily restored. 
Barley yields well, and the price realised so far may he stated at a mean 
of 34s. per quarter, which to those who are so fortunate as to have grown 
six quarters an acre is a paying price, and it must not be forgotten to 
what good account the straw may be turned for chaffing. For this same 
reason Oats may also be regarded with a favourable eye. We never can 
agree with those who "are wont to assert that such and such land is not an 
Oat soil without striving to ascertain wherein it is deficient. If soil dcrs 
not contain the elements of fertility necessary for the food of the crons we 
desire to cultivate, is it not worth while to make good the deficiency ? Of 
course it is, and we must determine to find out all about the requirements 
of each crop, and the precise nature of the soil we have to cultivate, avoid¬ 
ing, of course, all rash experiments and extravagant expenditure, as indeed 
true knowledge of these important matters enables us to do. Again we 
say, let us strive more and more to combine science with practice, and see 
how much more we can wrest from the soil, and how little we can put 
into it in the way of nutriment to enable us to do it. May we not usefully 
add the oft-taught lesson—drainage, mechanical division, timely culture, 
judicious applications of manure, and careful cropping must all go band in 
hand if we are to still aim at being successful farmers ? Pray let us be 
teachable, earnest, energetic, and hopeful, for it is altogether contrary to 
our national character to submit tamely to hard times. Every step must 
be carefully weighed now, and there must be no wasteful expenditure of 
time or labour. This last is a matter demanding particular attention at 
this season of the year, when a large staff of men cannot he required on a 
farm. Get the bulk of the corn threshed as soon as possible, but pray 
don’t thresh the Wheat too soon, but give the grain time to harden, and 
then our earnest hope for hightr prices may in some measure be realised. 
The Seed Harvest of 1885. —The peculiar season ws have _expe¬ 
rienced has had the result of retarding the development and ripening of 
all kinds of seeds, and the report we are enabled to offer at date of writing 
is consequently not quite so comprehensive as that we are accustomed to 
make, but the general estimates we have embod ed may be relied upon. 
Bed Clover. —In consequence of the dry and somewhat irregular season, 
the English crop is later than usual, and it is expected that the great 
scarcity of animal food from the same cause will induce many growers who 
had intended to take seed to convert the crop into cattle food. The low 
prices also realised last year has led to a smaller acreage than usual being 
left for seed, so that it is not expected the English crop will be a very 
large one. The reports from France, Italy, Hungary, Denmark, and other 
producing districts speak of an indifferent output, the extreme drought 
having greatly prejudiced the prospects, and everything depends upon a 
good rainfall, which at the time of writing has not been generally expe¬ 
rienced. From America the reports are not propitious : in fact, the esti¬ 
mates of the crop are so short that it is expected large purchases of 
European seed will have to be made to meet the deficiencies for home con¬ 
sumption. Cow Grass. —The limited crop of this article, the production 
of which (in reliable seed) is entirely confined to England, promises to be- 
a fair average, with a quality equal to that of last year, and values will 
probably open at last season’s closing prices. The importance of this crop' 
is being more recognised every year, inasmuch that foreign Cow Grass is 
always of doubtful quality, and does not compare favourably with best 
English samples. White Clover. —There is a fair average crop of English 
seed, which is expected to he harvested generally in good condition. 
Reports from Germany, France, Hungary, Netherlands, &c., and other 
continental producing districts, point to the crops being less plentiful than 
last year. The quality all round is expected to be quite up to last year’s 
average, and the ultimate output may yet exceed present expectations.. 
Alsike. —Some very nice English samples are coming forward, and will 
be sure to command good values, as the crop of this article on the conti¬ 
nent is smaller than it has been for several years. Canadian and American 
reports are a little more satisfactory, but the small quantities these 
districts produce for export have no effect upon the general values or 
supplies. Trefoil. — An average crop both in English and foreign seed, and 
reasonable prices are at present asked for bright and bold seed. Lucerne.. 
—This crop is likely to be a fair average one. Timothy .—Reports not 
yet perfect. Italian Bye Grass. —The English and Scotch crops have 
been secured in fine condition, and quality will be above the average. 
Values are at present ruled by reasonable prices. Perennial Bye Grass . 
—This is also an abundant crop in excellent quality, and can be bought at 
present time upon favourable terms. Bape. —Is better in quality and 
lower in value than for many years. Swede and Turnips .—In quality 
exceedingly good, but the crops have come in very shoit in many districts. 
Values may increase as the season advance. Mustard .—A good average 
crop, but an exceptionally brisk demand for home sowing for spring food 
has caused values to harden considerably. Canary and Etinp .—Reports 
not yet perfect. Natural Grasses. —These may be considered satisfactory 
as to average crop, and samples generally possess higher standards of 
purity than they have shown in previous years. There is necessarily a- 
great range of values in these articles, as the price entirely depends upon 
vitality and purity. As usual, there is an abundance of low quality seed 
upon the market at all sorts of prices.— James Cartes & Co., 237 amt 
238, High Uolborn, London. 
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. 
0 
■8 
S3 
1885. 
Sept, and October. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 32« 
and Sea 
Level 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
Temp, of 
Soil at 
1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature. 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min 
In 
snn. 
On 
grass 
Inches. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
d»*(? 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday . 
27 
29.910 
449 
42.5 
N.W. 
50.7 
54.2 
33.7 
87.4 
27.7 
— 
Monday. 
28 
30.027 
46.6 
43.5 
N. 
49.4 
56.1 
35.2 
99.8 
28.8 
0.372 
Tuesday. 
29 
29.7: } 6 
56.8 
55.7 
N.W. 
50.4 
63.6 
45 6 
99.2 
39.5 
— 
Wednesday .. 
30 
29.6 7 L 
56.7 
52.1 
S.W. 
51.8 
61 2 
46.7 
69.6 
41.1 
0.082 
Thursday ... 
1 
29.605 
49.4 
45.8 
s.w. 
52.2 
57.7 
45.6 
89.3 
38.6 
— 
Friday. 
2 
30." 19 
51.5 
48.7 
S.W. 
51.2 
59 8 
44.2 
80.4 
39.3 
0.10» 
Saturday ... 
3 
29.888 
51.9 
46.7 
w. 
52.2 
60.9 
47.3 
104 8 
42.3 
— 
29.837 
51.1 
47.9 
51.1 
59.1 
42.6 
90.1 
36.6 
0.563 
REMARKS. 
27th.—Fine autumn day. 
£8th.—Very fine. 
29th.—Rain early, dull and overcast throughout, but much warmer. 
30th.— Dull morning ; rain in afternoon arid evening. 
1st.—Fine day, but very slight shower in afternoon. 
2nd.—Dull, with brief bright intervals; rain and wind at night. 
3rd.—Glorious morning and fine day. 
The temperature continues to fall, and is this week considerably below the average, 
with sharp white frosts on 27th and 28 th. September proved a very wet month, the total 
being 4-80 inches.—G. J. SYMONS. 
