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merville to a Premium "for the greatest Number and most profite able Sort of Sheep."-The sheep-stock here noticed (consisting of the Merino breed, crossed with the Ryeland) amounted to 302 lambs, and 783 store sheep, total 1c85. The produce of them were, wool 12 packs, I score, worth 4461.-216 store-sheep, sold for 409l. 35.-132 fat sheep ditto and used, 2381. 16s. 28. Letting rams 5241. 10s. These sheep were depastured on 188 acres, with the run of 33 acres of turnips; and the whole receipt, deducting 261. for extra feed, amounted to 15921. 9s. 2d. Two Addresses to the Society, on the Subjects of improved Sheep by the Spanish Mixture, their Wool, and its Value in Superfine Cloth, &c. By C. H. Parry, M.D. F.R.S.-The first of these addresses contains some judicious strictures on the foregoing report, for which we must refer to the volume; only remarking that Dr. Parry, according to his estimate, makes the profit of Lord S.'s flock to amount to gl. Is. 3d. per acre. In the second address, hs communicates the result of his own experience with Merinos crossed with Ryelands, in the compressed form of propositions:

I That the wool of the fourth cross of this breed is fully equal in fineness to that of the male parent stock in England.

II. By breeding from select Merino Ryeland rams and ewes of this stock, sheep may be obtained, the fleeces of which are superior Both to those of the cross-bred parents, and of course to those of the original progenitors of the pure Merino blood in England.

III. From mixed rams of this breed, sheep may be obtained having wool at least equal in fineness to the best which can be procured from Spain

IV. Wool from sheep of a proper modification of Merino and Ryeland, will make cloth equal to that from the Spanish wool imported into this country.

V. The proportion of fine wool in the fleeces of this cross-breed is equal, if not superior, to that of the best Spanish piles.

VI. This wool is more profitable in the manufacture than the best Spanish.

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VII. The lamb's wool of the Merino-Ryeland breed will make finer cloth than the best of that of the pure Merino breed.

VIII. Should long wool of this degree of fineness be wanted for shawls, or any manufactures which cannot be perfected with our common coarse long wools, this can be effected by allowing the ram's fleece to remain on the animal unshorn for two years.

IX. That though I have never selected a breeding ram or ewe on account of any other quality than the fineness of the fleece, this stock is already much improved as to the form of its carcase, comparatively with the Merinos originally imported."

These remarks merit the attention of the breeders of sheep. Essay on Manures (to which was assigned the reward of the first Bedfordian Medal, voted by the Society 1804). By Ar

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thur Young, Esq., F.R.S.-This well arranged and ingenious essay, occupying too pages, is divided into two parts, the first treating of those manures which are dug or made on a farm the second of animal, vegetable, and fossil manures . It is impossible, in the narrow space to which we are confined, to do justice to this dissertation, in which Mr. Young well combines chemical with agricultural facts; and his remarks on the Nature of Dung, on the Nature and Properties of the Substances constituting the Animal Manures, and on the Food of Plants, are well intitled to the attention of the farmer. On the last of these subjects, Mr. Young appears to have exercised a truly philosophical research; and the result of his investigation is that hydrogen, which is very beneficial in vegetation, is found in a very considerable number of substances which are used as manures, and that there may be some difficulty in finding a single one that does not contain, emit, or attract it.' Some pains are taken to decide the contest between bydrogen and carbon; and we extract this part of the essay as a specimen of the genius which it displays :

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Hydrogen gas, obtained from filings of iron by sulphuric acid, I have often found highly beneficial to vegetation. I do not assert that even in this case it is positively free from carbon, but the quan tity is by far too small to permit the effect to be attributed to that

substance.

'An observation of Fourcroy throws no inconsiderable light on this subject. "Charcoal," says that eminent chymist, "decomposes water, having a greater affinity with oxygen, than that has with hydrogen."

This circumstance explains much of the difficulty which attenda the insolubility of charcoal in water. Mr. Kirwan says, that the grand desideratum is to discover the means of rendering charcoal soluble in water. Dr. Ingenhouz says, that it is totally insoluble, and almost unalterable. But it is evident, from the observations of other chymists, that some bodies exist possessing this power. Pot

Consisting of 15 sorts, 1. Marle. 2 Chalk. 3. Lime-stone and lime. 4. Clay loam and sand. 5. Burnt clay. 6. The ashes of paring and burning. 7. Yard dung. 8. The sheep-fold. 9. Pigeon's dung. 10. Pond and river mud. II. Seed weeds. Pond and river weeds. 13. Hemp and flax water. vegetables. 15. Green crops ploughed in '

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12.

14. Burnt

2. Peat

+ Under these heads are included, Animal Manures. 1. Night soil. 2. Bones. 3. Sheep's trotters. 4. Hair. 5. Feathers.. 6. Fish. 7. Greaves 8. Woollen rags. 9. Currier's shavings. io. Horn shavings -Vegetable Manures. 1. Wood ashes. ashes. 3. Coal-ashes. 4. Soot. 5. Peat dust. 6. Pot-ash waste. 7. Sugar baker's waste. 8. Tanner's bark. 9. Malt-dust. 10. Rape cake. Fossil Manures. 1. Salt. 2. Gypsum.'

REV. APRIL, 1897.

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ash has this effect, according to Mr. Thomson. And Mr. Davy and Senebier remark the same thing of pure-alkalies, but not when combined with acids Dr Darwin also remarks, that "carbon absorbs with great avidity all putrid exhalations. These consist chiefly of ammonia, hydrogen, and carbonic acid, and are the immediate products of the dissolution of animal or vegetable bodies. Hydrogen and nitrogen produce ammonia, which, combining with carbon, may form a hepar carbonis; and by thus rendering carbon soluble in water, may much contribute to the growth of vegetables." In ano ther passage Senebier says, "he has found it insoluble in water; that alkalies alone have the power of dissolving some particles." Mr. Davy remarks also, that "charcoal and water in a bottle give out slowly some heavy inflammable air." Here is the interesting circumstance: If the solution of charcoal in water, whether by time, potash, or contact with soils, be attended with the extrication of hydrogen gas, no wonder that charcoal should act as a manure,

and

I have now before me four and twenty tumblers of water, with plants growing through pierced cork floats. Different substances are added to each; among others charcoal, which evidently acts as a powerful manure. But the superiority over the glass which has no addition is nothing in comparison with that of plants in another paratus, in which hyd egen gas from iron filings and diluted sulphuric acid, is thrown up to the roots every day. The superiority here is striking to every observer.

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That there is still some difficulty, must however be admitted. Chaptal observes, that gas extracted from a mixture of sulphuric acid and iron, holds more or less of charcoal in solution, because iron itself contains it. The desideratum seems therefore to be the application of hydrogen, free from carbon, as the means of really ascertaining to which substance the effect is to be attributed.

in what degree hydrogen is contained in, or formed by other substances which act as manures, is an enquiry of great importance.'

Mr. Young concludes with offering it as his opinion that an age of experiments will be necessary fully to elucidate the subject of Manures.

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On the Use of Tobacco-water in preserving Fruit Crops, by destroying Insects, and on the Use of the Striped or Ribband Grass. Bv Mr. Robert Hallett. A second Letter from Mr. Robert Hallett, on the Efficacy of Tobacco-quater in destroying Insects, infesting Fruit Trees.-The use of tobacco-water in destroying insects on trees is not new, as the editor observes: but, as tobacco is an expensive article, he suggests the trial of the infusion of some of our bitterest plants with the same intention. Striped grass is recommended as excellent summer food for cattle. In his second letter, Mr. H. tells us that he has em. ployed the tobacco-water with complete success for ten years. On employing the Poor in Parish Work-houses. By the late Benjamin Pryce, Esq.-It is a palpable misnomer to call those

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houses, in which the poor are congregated, work-houses, since little or no work is done in them. According to a report on this subject which we have elsewhere, seen, the earnings of the poor in work-houses amount on an average to 35. d. a head yearly, or to about half a farthing daily! Parish officers, who are desirous of making these houses answer their title, may derive assistance from this short communication; which is the result of much inquiry, and in which the principles inculcated are rational:

The robust and healthy poor who are able to maintain themselves, should be admitted into workhouses with great caution, and be considered as temporary guests only, to be removed as soon as they can find employment elsewhere. The employment to be provided for the inhabitants of these receptacles of poverty and imbecility should be such as is suited to their strength and capacity: it should be something easy to learn, and in which they could instruct or as sist each other. The articles should not be in much danger of being spoiled by the inattentive or unskilful; and they should also, as far as circumstances will admit, (for such poor at least as are not likely to remain in the workhouse) be something in which, after their discharge, they can be employed with advantage to themselves in their own habitations or for masters in the same parish or neighbourhood."

On feeding Stalled Cattle on Oat-Chaff, &c. By John Exter. The chaff here meant consists of unthreshed oat sheaves cut into chaff. To his process of feeding, Mr. Exter adds a recommendation of the North Devon Cattle.

Report of the Committee appointed by the Bath and West of Eng land Society to survey the Farm, &c. of Mr. White Parsons at West-Camel, in the County of Somerset, taken the 9th and 10th of August, 1803, in claim of a Premium which was adjudged to him. This report does not admit of abridgment.

Reflections on the high Prices of Provisions in Times of Scarcity, and especially of Bread-Corn. By W. Matthews.-Though the remarks in this paper are just, they have not the merit of novelty.

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in Jersey to his Friend in Glamorganshire on the Use of Vraic as a Manure. By J. Franklin, Esq.-The mode in which this sea-weed is collected, and its ashes are applied as a manure, are here described: but the detail cannot be generally interesting.

On the most profitable Size of farming Cattle. By Charles Gordon Grey, Esq.-That the smaller kind of animals come soonest to maturity, and ever pay most for their food,' is the doctrine of this gentleman.

On Slating. By Mr. Lewin Tugwell.-A plate is annexed to illustrate this new method of slating; in which the objects

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attempted

attempted are lightness, flatness, the prevention of rifting by the wind, and economy; without the engraving, however, it cannot be particularly illustrated.

On the Utility of making Family Wines from several of our Garden Fruits; especially for benevolent Uses. Extracted from an Address on different Topics, to the Board of Superintendance. By W. Matthews.-As foreign wines are excluded by their high price from many families, Mr. M. recommends the cultivation of the black currant, (which he prefers to the white and the red,) and of vines in favourable situations, for the purpose, with the help of sugar, of making wine. In a letter annexed to this paper from Dr. Anderson, a certain degree of acidity in the fruit is represented as necessary to give made wines a zest; the mixture of spirits with wine is reprobated; and three years are stated as necessary to elapse before made wines are fit to drink.

Remarks on sundry important Uses of the Potatoe. By a Member of the Society. he experiments here detailed relate to the making of potatoe-flour, which is obtained from the root boiled, dried, and ground; and which is said to keep longer at sea, if barrelled up, than wheaten flour. 100 lbs. of potatoes yield 25 lbs. of flour.

On Planting. By Thomas Davis, Esq.-Various directions. are here given, respecting the kind of trees proper to plant; the age and condition of young trees fit for planting; the previous preparation of the land; the situations; the time of planting, &c.; and as these hints proceed from a person of experience, they will be deemed worthy of notice,

Calculations, shewing the Advantages to Lords of Manors, from the Practice of Leasing on Lives. By the Same.

On the best Periods for Leasing and entering on Lands, for Landlord and Tenant: in a Letter to a Farming Gentleman. By the Same. The calculations and reasonings in the first of these papers are adapted to the feelings of the aristocracy; in the second, Mr. D. decides generally that Lady-day is the best for the landlord, Michaelmas for the tenant.

On the Management of Marsh Lands, Irrigation, &c. By the Same. It is recommended, after having drained marsh lands, to keep them perfectly dry; to feed as hard as possible with stock of the cow kind, and to employ such manures as suit the soil. Mr. D. advises in irrigation not to attempt too much, but to proceed slowly, and under the direction of experienced judges.

A brief

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