22 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 2, 1890. 
the most economical and certain method of imparting fertility to 
the soil. That this would be done more generally we have no 
doubt if each farmer would keep well within the compass of his 
means and only hire as much land as he could afford to manage in 
the best possible manner. 
WORK ON THE HOME FARM. 
The last week or two have been very busy ones at the homestead, an 
extra supply of all kinds of our home farm produce having been required 
for Christmas festivities. Care was taken to send an ample store of 
Oats, hay, and straw up to the Hall stables in good time for the extra 
horses, of which there are always several coming and going at this 
season of the year. Carriage horses are easy to calculate for in com¬ 
parison to hunters, as they consume a given quantity of corn with very 
little variation ; but for hunters there must be an unlimited supply, 
■only taking care to have it slightly crushed before delivery to the 
stables. It should never be forgotten that much corn is wasted by 
being used uncrushed, as it is very liable to pass through the stomach of 
an aged or overworked horse without being digested. There is a'decided 
preference for old winter Oats both in hunting and training stables, and 
the home farmer should make it part of his especial business to always 
have a full supply of this corn, well screened, and weighing at least 
42 lbs. to the bushel. A few old Beans are also much liked. 
Good meadow hay will always pass muster with stable managers, but 
individual fancies are wont to crop up for savoury Clover and Sainfoin 
hay, or sweet old Rye Grass hay. We have always found it good 
policy to make all reasonable concession to meet such fancies, as they 
are practically harmless, and the difference in value is immaterial. It is 
a good and economical plan to arrange to supply such stables regularly 
with chaffed forage, so that by mixing winter Oat straw chaff with that 
of hay and stover much saving of hay may be effected. Nothing but 
the best Wheat straw is considered suitable for light horses, but we 
continue to mix a large proportion of the best Barley straw with it, and 
when the threshing has been well done we have no complaints. 
Perhaps really good butter is more highly appreciated at this season 
erf the year than any other. Enough cows have calved recently to 
enable us to reserve cream from their milk for the daily churnings for 
the table butter pats, and so avoid all risk of the unpleasant flavour 
which is apt to be found when cream from stale cows is used. The 
most scrupulous care is taken with cowhouses, yards, and food now, so 
aa to avoid all risk of imparting any taint to the milk. There is also a 
sink in the milking shed with water laid on, a hand bowl, soap, and a 
coarse roller towel to ensure clean hands for the milking. 
REVIEW OF BOOK. 
Farm Live Stock of Great Britain, By Robert W iLLACE, F.L.S., 
F.R.S.E.. &c. Second edition. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd, 
Tweedale Court. London : Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. 1889. 
Not an easy matter is it to find a niche in agricultural literature 
for any new departure, however novel may be its features, but in 
“ Farm Live Stock ” Professor Wallace has certainly done so. Very 
modestly does he tell how he has striven to render his work of 
especial value as a text-book for students of agriculture, and of interest 
to the general reader. He has done much more than this, for a careful 
perusal of the work has brought conviction that it may be taken as a 
guide and counsellor by farmers generally. Take, for example, the 
■“ General Management ” of pigs. Here we have the form of the sow, 
the time and full particulars of breeding, and are told how a sow may 
be induced “ to have five litters in two years by beginning to feed the 
young on milk at two or three weeks old,” which goes to show that 
■early maturity in breeding as well as in fattening is possible under good 
m.anagement. Under such treatment a sow is ready for breeding at the 
age of six months. The first litter is put at the reasonable number of 
•six or eight pigs, and subsequent litters at ten or twelve. 
“ Pigs,” we are told, “ are the most economical meat producers on 
the farm. They consume more food per 100 lbs. live weight than either 
sheep or oxen, and have much greater capacity for assimilation in the 
intestines, though their stomachs are small. They consequently 
require concentrated or digestible food.” Much other useful informa¬ 
tion is given, and amongst it we may call particular attention to a 
table setting forth the cost of producing a stone (14 lbs.) of pork, which 
shows that a net profit of Is. per stone may be had in addition to the 
manure. This calculation is based upon the assumption that pig meal 
costs, inclusive of grinding and carriage, £5 7s. lOd. per ton, but 
reference to the lowesc quotations shows that it can be had for con¬ 
siderably less than this. 
Equally forcible and useful examples might be quoted of cattle, 
sheep, and horses, but we give preference to pigs, because we cannot 
too frequently impress upon farmers the fact of upwards of eleven 
million pounds (£11,000,000; being paid annually to foreign producers 
for the pork, lard, bacon, and bams imported into this country, all 
which could so clearly be produced by British farmers profitably. 
Assuredly we have no just right to clamour to the State for proteccion, 
or help of any sort, when we will not help ourselves. 
Among other special features of this useful work are its photc- 
p.raphic illustrations of typical animals of the various breeds, with 
oistori? sketches, based upon the standard works of Youatt, Coleman, 
Low, Shields, Pringle, Wrightson, and Sheldon. This novel method of 
illustration is commendable as conveying a good general idea of the 
characteristics of each breed, but as yet it fails to emphasise prominent 
individual features as the pencil of an artist would do. The principles 
of breeding are clearly set forth, and are of much value, as also are the 
points of breeds and cross-breeds, and the author's estimate of their com¬ 
parative value for the production of milk and beef. 
We entirely agree with Professor Wallace upon the evils of the 
rough-and-ready treatment of foot-rot by driving an entire flock 
periodically through a trough containing a certain specific. The plan 
it elf is a bid for carelessness. Foot-rot is contagious, and the only safe 
method of treatment is to take each case, and treat it strictly according 
to its special requirements. The author’s advice about other diseases of 
farm animals is equally sensible, and his description of the symptoms of 
different ailments may be taken as a guide which will not mislead. Of 
swine fever we are told the symptoms are “ costiveness in the first and 
diarrhoea in the second stages, with dullness, shivering, great thirst, and 
listlessness ; the skin covered with red and black patches.” Surely 
nothing can be more graphic or pointed, for we have every prominent 
symptom before us at a glance. 
In the last chapter we have examples of stocking farms in the 
southern and midland counties in full detail, the difference in the 
requirements of light and heavy lands being Ighown, and a balance 
sheet is appended showing an amount of profit which farmers generally 
would be glad to realise in these hard times. Without dwelling upon 
the calculations given to show how such profit is realised, we may 
usefully commend them and the teaching of the entire book as eminently 
calculated to promote that which the author has evidently at heart— i.e, 
the prosperity of British agriculture. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Egg-bound Hen {Jas. Jlelshy'). — There are various causes, amongst 
others overfeeding, a soft-shelled or very large egg blocking the egg 
passage, &c. Oil the passage with a feather, or inject into it some sweet 
oil. Hold the affected part over a pailful of boiling water, which will 
greatly assist the expulsion of the egg. Handle the bird very gently, 
as rough usage is apt to break the egg inside of the bird, which generally 
proves fatal. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
CAMDEN SQUARE, LONDON. 
Lat. 61° 82'40''N.; Lon*. 0° 8'0" W.; Altitude. Ill feet. 
DATE. 
9 A.M. 
IN THE DAY, 
a 
*3 
1889. 
December. 
Barome¬ 
ter at 32® 
and Sea 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of Wind. 
Temp, of 
soil at 
1 loot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature 
Dry. 
Wet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grass 
Incbcsi. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
dee. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday. 
in 
S0.432 
339 
33 8 
N. 
£7 9 
45 7 
33.5 
47.1 
28.4 
0.015 
Monday. 
16 
30.44'» 
45.3 
418 
W. 
S87 
50.9 
33.4 
536 
29.9 
0.032 
Tuesday .... 
17 
80.474 
50.4 
50.1 
8.W. 
40 9 
53,2 
452 
54.9 
43.9 
Wednesday.. 
18 
30.294 
6 >.6 
49.5 
s.tv. 
42.9 
601 
48.1 
536 
46 9 
0.042 
Thursday.... 
19 
30.360 
35.8 
36.8 
N. 
43.0 
4n.6 
34 4 
50.7 
27.S 
.... 
Friday . 
5N) 
59 726 
45 3 
43.8 
S. 
41-9 
46.1 
35.7 
49.3 
32.1 
0.050 
Saturday .... 
21 
29.811 
40.2 
38.4 
s.w. 
40.8 
52.2 
34.6 
56.8 
2iJ0 
0.295 
30.220 
43.1 
423 
40.9 
49.3 
37.8 
52.3 
33.3 
0.434 
REMARKS. 
l.lth.—Fine early ; dull damp day, with drlzr.le at mid day. 
16th_Damp early, fair morning, drizzle in afternoon and evening; very mild. 
17th.—Mild and dull. 
18th.—Cloudy and mild morning ; drizzle In afternoon and evjning; e'ear night. 
I'Jth.—Dense fog till 10 A.M. when gradually clearing and bright sunshine from noon. 
20lh.—Fine early, drizzly morning, squalls of rain and wind from noon to 1 r.M ; fair 
afternoon ; clear night. 
21st.—Fine early ; dull and damp from 10 A.M.; showers in the eveniilg. 
A mild, d.amp and showery weeh; temperature -1“ above the average.—G. J. ST.Vf INS 
DATE. 
9 A.M. 
IN THE DAY. 
0 
1 
1S89. 
December. 
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 
sun. 
On 
grass 
Inchefl. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
dc(r. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sunday. 
23 
29..569 
52 2 
510 
S.W, 
419 
5?.9 
41 8 
58.1 
88.0 
0.153 
Monday. 
23 
30.001 
41.9 
41.4 
N.W. 
42 9 
50.4 
41.8 
3.’>.6 
0.070 
Tuesday .... 
24 
29.724 
50.2 
49.6 
8. 
42.9 
52 8 
41.6 
58.2 
>7.7 
0.056 
Wednesday.. 
2.5 
3".487 
&5 6 
35.0 
W. 
42.L 
449 
32.8 
53 8 
27 i) 
— 
Thursday.... 
2? 
30.584 
84 2 
.64.2 
s. 
89 9 
42.3 
81.4 
44 2 
;69 
— 
IMday . 
27 
534 
339 
37.3 
^.B. 
89.9 
40.1 
33.9 
41.8 
— 
SUurday .... 
Vi 
39.289 
31.2 
80.6 
E. 
38.9 
S8.1 
30.9 
8f.2 
CO 9 
— 
30.170 
40.6 
S99 
41.2 
45.2 
36.2 
49.2 
32.1 
0.279 
REMARKS. 
22nd.—Wet till 7 A.M.; flue morning, with some sun; wet afternoon and evening, 
S-Ird.-Sunshine all the morning, dull afternoon and evening. 
21 th.—Showery morning; fair aft irnoon with some snn-hine; c.ear night, 
2',ih.-Flne and oright thronghouE. 
26 lh.—Fine, but without sunshine. 
27th.—Coudy throughout. 
28 h.—Cloudy and co d. 
Considerable variation of temperature, hut the mean very rear the aveiage.- 
C. J. SYMONS. 
