312 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  20.  lt>98. 
If  the  straw  and  pulp  are  mixed  a  day  before  use  a  gentle 
fermentation  is  set  up  and  the  food  will  be  more  digestible,  but  the 
■fermentation  should  not  get  too  far  advanced,  or  harm  may  ensue. 
Whilst  the  heap  is  warm  it  will  be  good  and  most  acceptable  to 
'the  stock,  but  it  will  not  be  wholesome  after  it  has  cooled  down. 
Dried  grains  and  malt  culm  are  excellent  foods  to  mix  with  the 
above.  For  breeding  or  holding  stock  no  other  artificial  will  be 
necessary,  but  for  feeding  cattle  oil  cake  must  be  added,  but  given 
separately.  The  grains  or  culms  should  be  well  mixed  with  the  chop 
and  pulp  an  hour  or  two  before  use. 
When  referring  to  the  use  of  malt  we  chiefly  had  in  view  the 
sheep,  as  the  latter  are  kept  so  close  upon  Turnips  in  many  parts 
•that  the  wholesomeness  of  the  roots  makes  a  great  difference  to  the 
health  of  the  animals,  and  if  Turnips  are  none  too  plentiful,  besides 
being  woody  and  unwholesome,  it  is  best  to  add  to  them  one  good 
meal  per  day  of  cut  straw  mixed,  or  rather  flavoured,  with  a 
mixture  of  malt,  bean  or  pea  meal,  decorticated  cotton  meal  and 
grains,  also  a  little  locust  meal  if  it  is  easily  available.  Half  pound 
per  head  per  day  of  this  given  in  cut  straw  late  in  the  afternoon 
will  encourage  the  appetite  and  stay  well  on  the  stomach  during 
the  long  winter  night. 
If  linseed  cake  be  given  in  addition,  as  we  should  recommend, 
it  had  better  be  given  just  before  noon.  But  whatever  hour  be 
•chosen  to  give  any  artificial,  that  hour  must  be  adhered  to  punctu¬ 
ally,  for  if  the  animals  be  kept  waiting  beyond  the  usual  time  they 
become  very  uneasy,  and  wander  restlessly  about  the  fold,  which  is 
not  conducive  to  good  feeding.  It  is  just  the  same  with  cattle,  and 
any  observant  farmer  will  see  at  once,  on  inspecting  a  flock  or  herd, 
whether  the  shepherd  or  herdsman  really  understands  his  business. 
WORK  ON  THE  HOME  FARM. 
Although  we  have  had  a  few  hours’  rain  and  showers  pas9  over 
occasionally,  still  the  weather  on  the  whole  remains  dry.  The  rain  that 
ha9  fallen  has  had  no  effect  on  the  dry  soil,  and  only  a  very  temporary 
one  on  pastures  and  roots.  It  has  certainly  given  the  Turnips  a  much 
fresher  and  less  limp  appearance,  but  we  must  have  more  to  do  permanent 
good. 
Seed  ploughing  seems  to  be  as  far  off  as  ever.  We  have  seen  a  few 
ploughs  at  work,  but  it  is  more  like  turf  paring  than  ploughing.  How 
sufficient  soil  can  be  found  to  cover  the  seed  gra  n  would  appear  to  us  an 
insoluble  problem.  Perhaps  a  good  plan  would  be  to  break  up  the  sod  of 
such  a  thin  ploughing  and  get  it  well  worked  down  into  very  small  pieces, 
then  wait  until  the  land  can  be  properly  ploughed  ;  after  which  ploughing 
the  Wheat  might  be  drilled  at  once  with  a  fair  chance  of  doing  well. 
Potatoes  are  nearly  all  up,  and  the  harvest  of  the  tuber  has  been  as 
favourable  as  t  ie  harvest  of  the  grain.  The  crop  we  should  estimate  as 
about  an  average  one,  but  much  above  the  average  in  quality.  There  is 
little  disease,  and  they  h  ve  been  stored  in  such  clean,  dry  condition,  that 
there  should  be  no  fear  of  disease  in  the  pie.  They  have  come  up  a  little 
too  clean,  for  at  £3  a  ton  a  little  soil  is  well  sold,  and  very  little  of  mother 
earth  will  get  to  market  this  year. 
We  hear  of  the  new  Potato  “  Up-to-Date”  yielding  15  tons  per  acre, 
but  cannot  vouch  for  the  truth  of  it  ;  personally,  we  find  10  tons  a  paying 
crop,  and  are  quite  satisfied  with  that  quantity. 
With  fine  weather,  and  practicable  work  scarce,  the  thrashing  machine 
is  kept  well  employed.  Large  Quantities  of  Barley  have  been  knocked  out, 
and  supplies  have  been  heavy,  but  demand  has  been  equal  to  it,  and  prices 
have  risen  since  last  week.  W  heat  is  weak  ;  this  may  be  due  to  the  want 
of  demand  for  seed,  as  many  farmers  do  not  buy  until  they  are  ready  to 
sow. 
Hens  have  laid  well  so  far,  but  the  eggs  are  beginning  to  dwindle 
down  in  numbers  now,  so  prices  are  hardening,  and  we  can  get  Id.  each 
for  them. 
LIVERPOOL  DISTRICT  FARMERS’  EXHIBITION 
October  15th. 
The  ninth  exhibition  of  the  above  Society  was  opened  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  North  Ilaymarket  on  Saturday  last  by  the  Lord  Mayor  of  Liverpool 
v  Alderman  John  Houlding)  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assemblage  of 
leading  farmers  and  horticulturists.  The  Lord  Mayor’s  remarks  were 
much  to  the  point,  more  especially  as  regards  the  question  of  milk  on  the 
v^ontinent,  which,  he  said,  went  through  a  process  of  freezing  in  the 
factories,  and  could  then  be  easily  separated,  and  was  in  excellent 
condition. 
Mr.  Webster  said  he  was  sure  all  would  be  delighted  at  the  interesting 
statement  made  by  the  Lord  Mayor,  and  instanced  various  places  in 
.Lancashire,  where  similar  operations  were  being  conducted  with  much 
success. 
5r-  McMurray,  Mayor  of  Bootle,  supported,  and  later  on  in  the  day 
•c--!  Stanley  and  Mr.  Brighouse  were  taking  the  greatest  interest  in  the 
^proceedings.  Lord  Stanley  remarking  that  everything  the  House  of 
Stanley  could  do  to  help  forward  for  the  good  of  agriculture  they  would 
willingly  do. 
Mr.  Brighouse  in  an  excellent  speech  urged  all  connected  with  the 
land  not  to  cling  altogether  to  old  ideas,  but  to  use  scientific  principles 
also,  bearing  testimony  to  the  value  of  artificial  manures.  By  inculcating 
science  with  practice,  he  was  quite  sure  that  the  British  farmer  would  be 
able  to  hold  his  own  against  the  world. 
The  Show  itself  was  one  of  great  excellence,  and  to  make  it  more 
attractive  to  outside  visitors  the  Committee  included  grain,  Potatoes,  root, 
vegetables,  fruit,  hay  and  straw,  the  wonderful  display  brought  together 
eclipsing  all  previous  efforts.  The  grain  classes  were  well  contested, 
Messrs.  Webb  of  Wordsley  offering  several  special  prizes. 
One  long  stage  running  the  length  of  the  large  tent  with  plates  six 
deep  was  not  nearly  sufficient  to  hold  the  handsome  Potatoes,  and  nowhere 
could  a  faulty  dish  bo  found.  *  Mr.  E.  Tinsley  won  in  the  class  for 
Sutton’s  Early  Regents.  For  any  other  early  round  Harbinger  won  for 
Mr.  P.  Davies.  For  second  early  kidney  Mr.  E.  Tinsley  won  with 
Twist’s  Perfection  ;  second  early  round,  Mr.  J.  Johnson  won  with 
White  Perfection,  also  for  any  other  shaped  with  Sutton’s  Seedling, 
and  for  variety  Snowdrop.  Messrs.  J.  Halsall  and  T.  Alty  won  with 
Lymm  Greys  and  Reading  Giants,  the  last  named  exhibitor  also  winning 
with  Up-to-Date  and  Fidler’s  Colossal.  Mr.  Johnson  won  with  Sutton’s 
Abundance  and  Late  Bruce  ;  Mr.  Raymond  with  Satisfaction  ;  and  for 
late  round  red  or  coloured  with  Vicar  of  Laleham.  Mr.  Tinsley  won 
with  Late  Maincrop  ;  Mr.  T.  Rimmer  with  Farmer’s  Glory  ;  Mr.  P. 
Davies,  any  late  round,  with  Saxons. 
For  any  shaped  coloured  Potato,  not  round,  Mr.  J.  R.  Newton  won 
with  Peerless  Rose  ;  and  in  a  similar  class  for  round  Mr.  G.  H.  Colin 
with  Vicar  of  Laleham.  In  classes  for  coloured,  not  round  (late  variety), 
Mr.  D.  Bowen  won  with  Edgecote  Purple.  Several  of  the  newer  varieties, 
and  those  for  specials  given  by  Messrs  Sutton  &  Sons  ;  Daniels  Bros, 
Norwich  ;  Mr.  Wm.  Kerr,  Dumfries  ;  Mr.  Hutton,  and  Messrs.  Fidler  and 
Sons,  Reading,  were  not  ticketed  before  our  representative  left,  but  those 
amongst  the  newer  ones  honoured  were  Challenge,  Fidler’s  Queen,  Prize¬ 
winner,  and  General  Roberts. 
The  display  of  roots  was  grand,  almost  all  our  well  known  firms, 
including  Manchester,  Chester,  and  Liverpool,  offering  special  prizes. 
Cauliflowers  and  Carrots  were  models,  Messrs.  C.  Warburton,  W.  Shep¬ 
herd,  J.  R.  Carter,  and  B.  Ashton,  gardener  to  the  Earl  of  Lathom,  Orms- 
kirk,  winning.  Celery,  Beet,  Parsnips,  Leeks,  and  Onions  were  of  highest 
quality,  but  Tomatoes  were  not  too  good. 
Fruit,  with  the  exception  of  Apples,  was  not  in  great  quantit}-,  but  the 
quality  excellent.  For  culinary  Apples  Mr.  G.  H.  Colin  won  with  Peas- 
good’s  Nonesuch,  also  special  with  Mere  de  Menage,  also  for  culinary 
Pears  with  Uvedale’s  St.  Germain.  For  dessert  Apples  Mr.  Mackarell 
won  with  Ribstons,  and  for  Pears  Canon  Blundell  with  Marie  Louise. 
The  special  for  dessert  Apples  and  Pears  went  to  Messrs.  T.  Lunt  and 
Robert  Bennett  with  Cox's  Orange  Pippins  and  Williams’  Bon  Chrltien. 
For  any  other  variety  of  fruit  Mr.  S.  Milliken  won  with  Muscat  of 
Alexandria  Grapes. 
Amongst  the  trade  exhibiting,  Messrs.  Dickson,  Ltd.,  Chester,  were 
noticeable ;  they  had  a  handsome  contribution  of  Apples,  Potatoes,  and 
other  produce.  Messrs.  Dickson  &  Robinson,  Manchester,  a  varied  col* 
tion  of  choice  varieties  of  Potatoes  and  various  roots.  Messrs.  W.  Kerr, 
Dumfries,  Potatoes  ;  Mr.  Henry  Middlehurst,  Gateacre,  Liverpool,  Swedes  ; 
and  Mr.  W.  Ker,  Liverpool,  a  fine  miscellaneous  stand.  Notwithstanding 
the  heavy  rains  in  the  morning,  the  interest  taken  by  visitors  was  such  as 
to  keep  the  show  crowded  all  day.  The  success  of  the  show  is  largely 
due  to  the  admirable  President,  James  Birch,  Esq.,  and  the  indefatigable 
exertions  of  the  joint  Hon.  Secretaries,  Messrs.  Austin  Peppin  and  Robert 
Mawdsley. 
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 
1898. 
October. 
Barometer 
at  32°,  and 
Sea  Level 
Hygrometer 
■ 
Direc¬ 
tion  of 
Wind. 
Temp, 
of  soil 
at 
Shade  Tern, 
perature. 
Radiation 
Tempera¬ 
ture 
Rain. 
Dry. 
Wet. 
1  foot 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
Sun 
On 
Grass 
Sunday  ....  9 
inchs 
30-038 
deg. 
51.2 
deg. 
46-9 
N.E. 
deg. 
55-1 
deg. 
60-1 
deg. 
41-6 
deg. 
85-7 
deg. 
36-2 
inchs. 
0-079 
Monday  ....  10 
30-124 
49-2 
48-7 
N. 
54-7 
68-9 
47-1 
89-1 
44-9 
— 
Tuesday  ....  11 
30-032 
45-6 
45-2 
N.W. 
53-9 
53-9 
41-9 
71-4 
40-9 
— 
Wednesday  12 
29-983 
48-8 
46-1 
N.W. 
52-4 
59-9 
41-9 
97-3 
37-0 
— 
Thursday  ' . .  13 
29-927 
45-9 
45-4 
N. 
52-0 
55-3 
40-4 
83-6 
33-6 
— 
Friday .  14 
29  721 
29-225 
50-4 
49-3 
E. 
51-7 
58-9 
40-7 
82-4 
35-6 
0.098 
Saturday....  15 
51-2 
49-2 
E 
52-0 
52-6 
49-8 
55-1 
.47-3 
0-081 
29-864 
48-9 
47-3 
53.1 
57-1 
43-3 
80-7 
39-4 
0-258 
9th.— Sunny  morning;  clouding  over  about  noon,  and  rainy  from  X  p. m.  to 
8.30  p.m. 
10th.— Overcast  morning  ;  frequent  sunshine  in  afternoon. 
11th.— log  early,  then  overcast  and  spots  of  rain  at  noon  ;  sunny  afternoon. 
12th.— Bright  sun  till  3  P.  m.  ;  heavy  and  rather  threatening  clouds  towards 
sunset. 
13th.— Overcast  early  ;  faint  sun  at  midday  ;  fog  from  3  p.m. 
14th.— Overcast  early  ;  faint  sun  for  three  or  four  hours  at  midday,  overcast  later, 
and  rain  from  10  p.m. 
15th.— Rain  till  3  A.M.,  overcast  and  damp  morning  ;  frequent  rain  after  4  p.m. 
A  week  of  average  temperature  and  small  rainfall.  Little  fog  and  a  fair 
amount  of  sunshine. — G.  J.  Symons. 
