THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
September 30. 
418 
salted; and the mutton sometimes sold, sometimes con¬ 
sumed at home. 
These holders are encouraged by all means to rely on 
themselves for manure; little is bought. This is as it 
should be. The land brings about «£3 2s. Gd. per acre 
under the allotment system, whilst the contiguous fields pay 
a rent of about <£4 per acre. A well is sunk in each allot¬ 
ment, and every facility afforded to the holders, both as to 
water and conveyance for manure. 
On looking over these allotments, I saw several features 
of high culture, and in general they were pretty clean for so 
untoward a season. They had mangold, swedes, potatoes, 
curled kale, carrots, onions, Drumhead cabbage, and various 
little matters, as rhubarb, and such conveniences; and, 
on the whole, I was gratified at tire general success. 
Many faults exist in the modes of cropping, arising 
from mistaken policies; but how can we expect anything 
else ? His Grace would do well to employ somebody to 
get up a few plain and simple directions, in the form 
of a neat little hand-book, one to be given or sold to 
every holder, pointing to the best modes of cropping, 
whether separate or mixed, and showing forth a good 
economy in the use of the produce. Much more is to be 
effected in the way of mixed cropping than these people 
imagine; and it is, indeed, truly lamentable to see how much 
ground is lost through a want of sound information in this 
respect. Of one thing I am persuaded, that the land is 
capable of carrying any crop with which we are acquainted, 
in the most capital style. Some parts are rather adhesive, 
and people who hold land of this character, and are igno¬ 
rant of first principles, should be taught the improvement of 
the mechanical constitution of the soil, of which, in general, 
they have no distinct conception. Burning, and the appli¬ 
cation of sand, lime rubbish, and even the application of 
the burnt ashes of the moor, are practices which cannot 
he too highly commended, and are within the reach of every 
one. 
I. may mention, in conclusion, that a most interesting 
Horticultural and Botanical Society has this year been 
established at Alnwick, under the auspices of His Grace, 
and that it has proved very successful, although but in its 
swaddling-clothes. Rule 3 of this provides that occupiers 
of allotment gardens, and scholars, shall be admitted to 
competition on the annual payment of the small sum of 
sixpence, and each allotment holder is entitled to two tickets 
of admission to each exhibition ; so that every stimulus is 
held forth to tempt to industrial habits. 
Some who read these remarks may think that such are 
merely local affairs ; I think far otherwise—their bearing on 
future generations, to say nothing of the present, is incal¬ 
culable, and it may truly he styled a national affair. Wherever 
gardening industry is brought out, cleanliness, system, thrift, 
and even taste, will follow ; and I need hardly point to the 
moral and social influences, and even to Christianity itself, 
as being equally assisted by such a useful auxiliary. The 
Duke has a school in what is termed the “ Green Bat,” to 
which I must beg to advert, inasmuch as it is in some 
degree connected with the allotment system, and the Horti¬ 
cultural Society. Over the frontage is the following in¬ 
scription 
“ For tlie education of 200 poor boys. 
This School was erected and founded by Hugh, Duke of Northumberland, 
On the 25th day of October, 1810. 
In commemoration of our Sovereign, George the Third, 
Having on that day completed the 50th year of his reign.” 
This school is conducted on the Lancasterian system, and 
every youth has a garden, for which he is responsible. A 
handsome parallelogram is set apart adjoining the school, 
and this is intersected by a broad and compact walk, on either 
side of which is a nice flower border of a yard in width, well 
filled with handsome herbaceous plants, annuals, bedding 
flowers, &c.; and it is truly delightful to witness the assi¬ 
duity of the youths in trying to excel each other. Their plots 
are about four feet wide by nearly twenty long ; and a two- 
feet alley sejiarates the contending parties. We have before 
observed, that a rule of the Horticultural and Botanical 
Society provides that the children of this school shall be 
admitted to competition, on payment of the small sum of 
sixpence; and we are told that a most interesting and 
animated competition took place at the last meeting. 
One thing struck me as wanting: some arrangement 
by which the boys might be taught the rudiments of botan¬ 
ical knowledge, or, at least, a taste for correct nomenclature; 
and I ventured to suggest to Mr. Collinson, the very 
respectable master, the propriety of having every plant in 
the borders correctly named, and of furnishing the youths 
with labels, in order to secure a continuance of the object. 
A few packets of annual seeds, too, might be put in their 
hands on each returning spring, and a few elementary works 
on botany and vegetable physiology placed in their library. 
Our little weekly Cottage Gardener, I venture to say, 
would be found a welcome addition to their table. Thus 
the youths would gradually acquire a taste for the sweet, as 
well as the useful. 
If I have fallen into any error in the details, I shall be 
obliged by a correction; and I cannot but repeat my 
obligations to Messrs. Robertson and Collinson, for their 
readiness to afford every opportunity for acquiring all neces¬ 
sary information. Lastly, it is well to observe, that since 
the establishment of these allotments, vegetables have been 
much cheaper to the townsfolk, and, of course, more abun¬ 
dant. This is a bearing of the subject hitherto overlooked, 
and one of importance. It would be well, in the event of 
more serious losses still in the potatoes, for folks to find 
themselves readily reconciled to the use of other roots.— 
It. Errinuton. 
GREAT YARMOUTH & EASTERN COUNTIES 
POULTRY ASSOCIATION. 
the first show of this Society was held at Yarmouth on 
the 16th inst., when upwards of 600 birds were exhibited, 
occupying about 200 pens. The attendance was very 
numerous, aud great satisfaction was expressed at the very 
excellent arrangements of the committee for the accom¬ 
modation of the poultry, and the convenience of visitors. 
Amongst the birds shown were some extremely fine 
specimens, and attention was particularly drawn to the 
pens containing the geese, ducks, and turkeys. 
The number of entries of Cochin-China Chickens of 1852 
was so large, and they were so generally meritorious, that it 
involved the judges in no small trouble and difficulty to 
arrive at a satisfactory decision. 
The Golden-laced Bantams shown by the Honble. Mrs. 
Astley, of Swanton House, Thetford, were very good, and 
so also were the Silver-laced Hamburghs of Mr. Frank 
Astley, of Byburgh Hall. A cock and two hens of mag¬ 
nificent Black Cochins were shown by Mr. Fairlie, of 
Cheveley Park. The Spanish were but middling. The 
Dorkings of the same kind, and the. Game, must fall into the 
like category. 
As a whole, the show was a successful one; hut the 
Cochin class exceeded one-half of the whole show. 
The judges on the occasion, were Dr. Homer, of Hull, 
G. J. Andrews, Esq., of Dorchester, aud Mr. J. Baily, of 
London. 
list of prizes. 
Cochin-China— 75 entries—Cock and 2 Hens—full-grown. {Buff.) 
H. Sams, Esq., Clare, Suffolk. ( Brown or Partridge.) C. Punchard, 
Esq., Haverhill, Suffolk. {White.) G. C. Adkins, Edgbaston, Bir¬ 
mingham. 
Cochin-China —Cockerell and 2 Pullets, 1852. (Buff.) 1st. H. Gilbert, 
Esq., Kensington. 2nd. C. Punchard, Esq., Haverhill. 3rd. Miss E. J 
Watts, Hampstead. 4th. J. Fairlie, Esq., Cheveley Park. 5th. Capt. 
Squire, Mildenhall. 
Cochin-China —Cockerell aud 2 Pullets. {Brown or Partridge). 1st. 
C. Punchard, Esq., Haverhill. 2nd. Miss E. Watts, Hampstead. 
Cochin-China —Cockerell and 2 Pullets. {White.) Six competitors. G. 
L. Peters, Esq., Birmingham. 
Black Spanish— 10 entries—Cock and 2 Hens. The Honble. Mrs. 
Astley, Burgh House, Thetford. 
Dorkings —9 entries—Cock and 2 Hens. The Honble. Mrs. Astley. 
Chickens. No prize awarded. 
Malays —3 entries—hut not deserving. 
Polands —8 entries—Cock and 2 Hens. Mr. R. M. Brand, Great Yar¬ 
mouth. 
Game— 4 entries—Cock and 2 Hens. Mr. A. Cannell, Cringleford, 
Norfolk. 
Hamburghs, Siloer-spangled —6 entries—Cock and 2 Hens. G. A. 
Marshani, Esq., Stratton, Norfolk. 
Hamburghs, Golden-spangled— 8 entries—Cock and 2 Hens. Mr. 
Thomas Church, Acle, Norfolk. Prizes were also given for chickens 
of the above, 1852, to Mr. Thomas Barber, Acle, The Honble. Mrs. 
Astley, and to F, IPEstrange Astley, Esq. 
Bantams, Gold-laced—^ entries—Cock and 2 Hens. Honble. Mrs. 
Astley. 
