456 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Jane 8, 1886. 
and its requirements to impart as much certainty as possible 
to the work of its cultivation. Our work can never aim at 
the precision of mere mechanical effort because results must 
always be influenced by changes of weather, but it is possible 
by high cultivation to impart a much greater degree of 
certainty to it than has hitherto been achieved generally. 
Take for example two meadows, one drained carefully, and 
with equal care bestowed upon the regular and timely appli¬ 
cation of manure to it; the other undrained, and either un¬ 
fertile or manured very late. In the first we have early 
growth and a hay crop of singularly uniform abundance ; in 
the last, late growth and a hay crop so seriously affected by 
weather that a few weeks of dry weather in April and May 
proves fatal to it. The condition of the Wheat crop at the pre¬ 
sent time may be taken as another example. Field after field 
may be seen with plants of sickly hue and stunted growth, and 
such Wheat fields are largely in the majority ; but there are 
others, or rather there are farms where the whole of the Wheat 
is in excellent condition, the plant is already nearly a foot in 
height, and its dark green hue is entirely satisfactory. Not 
simply is this high colour and free growth to be traced to the 
use of chemical manures alone. We know farms where sheep 
were folded upon Clover which was followed by Wheat that 
now is positively rampant in growth, affording additional 
proof of the importance of sheep-folding in farming. Upon 
one of our farms there is a twenty acre field of Wheat, 
part of which had dressings of home-mixed chemical manures, 
but the other part had no manure, the bailiff being strong in 
his assertion that it required none. He now probably regrets 
being so positive, for the plant on the unmanured part 
though fairly robust is poor in colour and weak in growth 
in comparison with the rich dark green and almost rampant 
growth of the other part. We do not much regret this, for 
the lesson is a valuable one, and we shall be able to ascertain 
exactly how great is the advantage of using the manures we 
have so often recommended. 
Having regard to the important part which chemical 
manures must play in the future of farming, we may mention 
that in the opinion of some practical men we have been some¬ 
what rash in so strongly recommending the same sorts and 
quantities of manures for the use of farmers generally. 
Well, it may be that we have been a little positive about a 
matter of such immense importance, but then have we not 
reason ? The results achieved in Sussex and Aberdeenshire 
have been so remarkable that we dare risk something in our 
ardent desire to see similar results in other parts of the 
country. So confident are we of the general value of the 
manures, that we have used several hundreds of pounds 
worth this season for the crops upon our Suffolk farms, and, 
judging from the appearance of the crops now, we have 
reason to believe our expenditure was a wise one. How few 
farmers will try and ascertain for themselves what is best for 
the soil of their farm ! Knowing this, and knowing too 
that potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen are the chief 
elements of fertility with which it is necessary that all soils 
should be stored, we have ventured to recommend them 
generally, confident that though there might be some waste 
by the use of more of one or other sort of manure than was 
necessary for certain soils, yet the general result must be so 
good as to prove highly beneficial. Earnestly do we wish it 
known that we write open to correction, for certainly we can 
claim that the end and aim of our teaching is the improve¬ 
ment of farming, the good of farmers, and if any of our 
readers can help in so good a cause, most cordially do we 
invite their co-operation. 
(To be continued.) 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
The first sowings of White Mustard have come np well, and if the 
weather continues showery some nitrate of soda will be sown broadcast over 
this catch crop, our object being to induce strong growth for ploughing 
in as soon as the seed pods are fully developed. The land now under 
this treatment was both poor arid foul last year ; we have got it clean, 
and hope now to so store it with fertility that it will yield really full crops 
next year. Swede-sowing both on the ridge and flat has been done under- 
favourable conditions ; the Mangolds are growing freely, 60 that on the 
whole we have reason to hope for a good root crop and an ample store 
of food for next year. The frequent showers that have fallen since our 
last note was written have done much good to the hay crop ; all the grass 
is growing freely, and we may now safely conclude that the crop will be- 
abundant. Nettles, Thistles, and Docks have also shot up on grazing 
pasture, but we have not yet been able to cut them down, as all available 
labour has been given to keeping under weeds among spring corn- 
Showery weather renders this an arduous undertaking ; our difficulties 
have been increased by careless work of the labourers, who, having taken 
the work to do by the acre, appear to care for little besides getting over 
the ground as fast as possible. It is of course the bailiff’s duty to see 
that such piecework is well done, but we find it necessary to give 
frequent attention to it in order that our wishes may really be carried 
out. Charlock, Thistles, and Couch Grass are our most troublesome 
weeds, which it is no easy matter to keep within reasonable bounds, 
for when once these pests become established in the soil they cling to 
it with a persistence that is most disheartening. There is, however,, 
nothing for it but equal persistence on our part in our efforts to 
eradicate them, for we cannot hope for really full crops while the land' 
is foul with weeds. Sheep-washing and shearing must now have 
attention, and especial care be taken to put quiet careful men at the work. 
About a fortnight is required after the washing before the wool is in 
condition for shearing, the sheep being kept upon grass or green crops 
where the wool cannot become dirty again. Some few scars are always- 
found upon sheep that are restive under the shearing, and time must be 
allowed for them to heal before the dipping in Cooper’s mixture is done- 
We like this summer dipping to be done as early as possible in July, as, 
it then serves to keep off attacks of flies, which so frequently prove trouble¬ 
some to the sheep. We consider negligence in such matters highly 
reprehensible, leading, as it does, to much suffering among the sheep. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Grass Manure ( W. T. II .).—Professor Jamieson’s formula for Grass has 
been published more than once in this Journal, and is repeated as follows :— 
£ cwt. nitrate of potash, f nitrate of soda, J cwt. superphosphate of lime, £ cwt. 
steamed bone flour. This is for an acre, and should be applied in February. 
Some excellent and successful agriculturists consider muriate of potash 
answers as well as the nitrate and it is much cheaper, and we know of an 
instance where sulphate of potash (kainit), which is cheaper still, has 
proved very satisfactory. Particular manures have not precisely the 
same effect in all soils, and on cold wet land i cwt. of sulphate of ammonia 
has been found more effectual than J cwt. of nitrate of soda. With the 
judicious use of concentrated manures of the nature indicated, and the: 
prevention of weeds, the yield of bo h Grass, grain, and root crops might 
be easily doubled in many districts in this country; and we are convinced, 
that farming in the future cannot be profitably conducted without a liberal 
yet intelligent use of what are commonly described as artificial manures, 
but which are nevertheless very real in their effects. We are glad you 
consider our farm articles generally instructive, and are obliged by your 
suggestion. 
Condensed Milk (Inquirer ).—The following extract from Professor 
Sheldon’s great work on Dairy Farming may help you :—“ There are various 
methods and recipes for condensing and preserving milk, among which ttm 
following may be mentioned. 1, Add sugar, evaporate to one-fourth, 
solder in cans. 2, Add carbonate of soda ard white sugar, evaporate to 
dryness, cut into cakes. 3, Add sugar and alkali, evaporate to dryness, 
crush, powder, and bottle. 4, Evaporate to one-half, beat up white of egg, 
simmer, skim, strain, and boil. 5, Carbonate of soda one-half drachm, water 
one fluid ounce, dissolve, add milk one quart, sugar one pound, reduce to 
syrup in a steam bath, and finish the evaporation on plates in an oven.” 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATION?. 
Camden Square, London. 
Lat. 51° 32-40" N.; Long. 0° 8- 0" W.; Altitude, 111 feet. 
DATES. 
D A.M. 
IN THE DAY. 
a 
& 
« 
1886. 
May. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 328 
and Sea 
Level 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
Temp, of 
Soil at 
1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grasH 
Inches. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday . 
30.01)5 
53.3 
52.0 
N.E. 
53.2 
64.2 
48.7 
84.S 
49.0 
Monday. 
24 
29.913 
55.4 
54.1 
N. 
53 0 
56.2 
50.6 
60.4 
42.9 
1.272" 
Tuesday. 
25 
29.699 
56.2 
52.1 
S.W. 
52.4 
62.3 
46 7 
104.4 
42.3 
0.075- 
Wednesday .. 
26 
29 627 
54.8 
54.1 
w. 
52.5 
61.2 
49.4 
107.3 
46.2 
0.287 
Thursday ... 
27 
29.387 
50.8 
49.7 
S.W. 
52.4 
60.7 
49.8 
107.6 
45.2 
0.<'88 
Friday. 
28 
29.700 
53-9 
46.4 
S.W. 
52.2 
59.8 
45.5 
112.3 
40.3 
0.012 
Saturday ... 
21) 
29.865 
54.0 
47.8 
s. 
51.6 
63 3 
44.2 
104.6 
38.9 
0.010. 
29.755 
54.1 
50.9 
52.5 
61.1 
47.8 
97.3 
43.5 
1.751 
REMARKS. 
23rd.—Distant thunderstorm early, with heavy rain; dull and damp, except from 5 to- 
7 P.M. 
24th.—Fair till 10 A.M.; then almost continuous rain day and night, 
25th.—Fine, with some sunshine. 
2etn.—Fine, with a good deal of sunshine. 
27th.—Heavy rain early; dull first part of morning; fine and bright after; gale in after¬ 
noon and night. 
28th.—Fine and bright, but with a short sharp shower abont noon. 
29th.—Fine early ; occasional showers iu morning ; lovely afternoon and evening. 
A week with a good deal of bright and pleasant weather, though there was only one- 
rainless day, and the total rainfall is large. Temperature about one degree below that oi 
the preceding week, and nearly three degrees below the average.—G. J. SYMONS. 
