bay-making, and after harvest, before the potatodigging commences.

The subsoil, taking the time before and after loosening, is exposed to the atmosphere altogether for a period of six or seven months. Several acres will be in process at the same time. And, above all, the plan is so simple and attended with so little expence, that it comes within the power of the poorest cottier to carry it into effect.

In order to explain more fully the practical working of the system, and to show its cost, writes the very intelligent gentleman who drew up the narrative of the experiment lately tried at Belvoir, the assembled gentlemen and agriculturists (and many of the latter were scientific Scotchmen, connected with the different estates in the eastern division of the county Clare) were brought to a field which had been tilled diagonally, and compartments of four statute perches each were marked off, and men drawn indiscriminately from other work, were formed into squads of four each -each squad being supplied respectively with either spades, crowbars, or picks, and they were set to loosen the subsoil of the furrows, being directed at the same time to use no greater exertion than they were accustomed to use on ordinary occasions. The first set of four men, with their spades, furnished their compartment in 26 minutes. Those with the crowbars were next done, and lastly, those with the picks, but the difference of time was not material. A second trial was made, in a different part of the demesne, where it was supposed that the subsoil was more tenacious. Here, the spades took 33 minutes, the crowbars 36 minutes, and the picks 45 minutes. In this trial it was evident that on such land the picks were unsuited for this kind of work; and besides, the men, in using these tools, had to trample down the moved ground as they proceeded backwards with their work. The superiority of the spades being fully admitted, it was then suggested that a third trial should be made with the spades alone; and as some of the agriculturists thought that the bottom of the furrow was not left sufficiently even, in the former trials, to allow the water to pass freely into the drains.

This squad

of men, four in number, were directed to dig out the subsoil with an even bottom, and they completed the two perches allotted to them in 13 minutes; an evident improvement on the first and second trials, which could only be attributed to the experience they had now acquired. The two gentlemen who remained to watch the execution of this last work, had no hesitation in giving their opinion that it could have been done by task work in nearly half the time. But suppose the average to be 15 minutes, in a subsoil with a hard indurated crust it might take longer. This would be 2 perches per hour for one man, or 20 perches for the day of 10 hours. Twenty perches being half a rood, multiplied by eight, will give 160 perches or 1 statute acre. Thus, it will take eight days for one man to finish one acre of the first year's subsoiling, which, at 8d. a day, the wages of the locality, will come to 5s. 4d.; and the price of executing the furrows of the second year being 58. 4d. more, will make a total of 10s. 8d, as the expence of subsoiling one statute acre. In Scotland this operation costs about 30s, per acre; so that, between the expence of a subsoil plough, and the cost of a team of from four to six horses to draw it, which horses and ploughmen must have had previous training to enable them to accomplish

this species of work, few, even opulent farmers, in this country, could be induced to try this improvement.

With respect to the upright drains, Mr. Wilson prefers that they should be made of stone, with flat covering, as affording a more easy entrance to the water from the diagonal furrows; and he recommends that they should not be closed up till the water shall have had time to filter clearly through the bottoms of the furrows, to prevent any deposit of mould in the drains. During the deepening of the furrows, all stones that may present themselves are collected and placed in heaps at the top or bottom of the field, exactly opposite the lines marked out for the drains.

Mr. Wilson did not make any estimate of the expence of those drains, but in a late account of some subsoil draining in Scotland, the total expenditure was set down at 30s. ; so that when it is taken into account that manual labour is so much cheaper in this country, we may set down the cost of the drains under the Wilson system at little more than half.

Trusting that these compilations will be found sufficiently explicit, I have only to observe in conclusion, that a diagram of Mr. Wilson's plan, which that intelligent and benevolent gentleman permitted me to copy, is at present in the bands of Mr. John M'Gowan, Nelson-street, the very eminent engineer. I am, dear Sir, faithfully yours, JAMES R. EAGAR. Tralee, Strand-street, Aug. 5, 1842.

At the meeting of the East Norfolk Agricultural Society, on the 13th of September, Lord WODEHOUSE, in an excellent specch, remarked that, proud as he was to see the exhibition of that day, yet it should be recollected that fine as those animals were, they were kept more as vehicles of manure the sheep were nothing more than a dung cart, and were as economical, in fact cheaper than having to purchase manure. But then every one present knew that what was produced from the farm-yard was the best; and, although many discoveries had been made, still nothing was equal to the manure from the yard. It was, however, not to be denied, that some assistance was wanted. He remembered an anecdote of an old farmer, who, upon being told of the great improvements made by Mr. Coke, said, "give me muck; I do not care about squire Coke:" and Mr. Coke was I believe of the same opinion. There was no doubt that muck was the main ingredient, but under the present state it was necessary to obtain a great addition : if their object was to produce greater crops, and exclude the foreigners, which he feared they never should be able to do, their land must be much better farmed. With regard to additional manure, for that they must look to the great chemists of the day, who had done their part; they must look to Sir. H. Davy, and read with careful attention the work of Professor Liebig. If they followed the instructions of these great men, they could not fail to increase their produce. He did not pretend to be an experienced agriculturist, but from the experience he had, he thought that next to the produce of the yard, came bone manure. But Professor Leibig had recommended a mixture of sulphuric acid and bone manure. He had tried this, and was trying it at this moment, but he could not see any difference between that and the common manure ; and if the crop comes to perfection, the bone ma

nure and sulphuric acid will not be less expensive and more economical. There were two descriptions of agriculturists-one who are by their skill and industry daily increasing their great wealth, and will ultimately arrive at the highest position; and others who like myself, left-shoulder farmers. The industrious farmer is a far different personbe labours incessantly from morn till eve, and passes many a sleepless night in considering his plans. We left-shoulder men make the experiments. If they succeed, they are adopted; if not, they laugh at us. But it was important to have such experiments tried.

At the Liverpool meeting, SAMUEL SANDASH, Esq., one of the Vice-presidents, observed that the Secretary had said something about guano, and if any gentleman here would give the results of some experiments, he would be glad to hear him. He had tried it himself, and had made notes of the results, which he would give if required, although they might appear insignificant as compared with others in the room. The first time he made use of guano was in rows of peas, but very few appeared above ground. He tried the same in three rows of carrots. He put one pound of it in one row, two pounds in another, and three pounds in the third. The carrots with one pound came up very well, those with two pounds still less, and with the three pounds none at all. He also tried it with turnips. He put in the first four drills 90 yards by each ten pounds of guano at the bottom of the drill, without manure. He then covered it over and sowed the turnips, and it appeared to be a very promising good crop. In the second four drills be put the manure on the top of the drill, and mixed the seed with it. It nearly destroyed the seed. On the third four drills he put five pounds of guano at the bottom of the drills along with some manure, and that was the best crop of all. After giving some results with respect to potatoes, which were inandible, he said that he had tried it for wheat, and the ground on which guano was used produced 343lbs., whilst the same quantity of land manured in the ordinary way produced only 324lbs. He said guano was a very valuable manure, if properly understood and properly applied, but it required great caution.

The Chairman asked if there was any gentleman present who would give the results of guano. was sure the company would be glad to hear him.

He

R. NEILSON, Esq., said he was induced to try guano for wheat. He had a piece of land of ten statute acres, which he worked up with guano, Out of the ten acres seven were entirely destroyed by the strength of the manure, and the other three were preserved in consequence of his not putting so much of the manure on. These had produced a very fine crop, some of which had been shown that day, and that from a wheat that was not large in the head. He tried the guano with mangel wurzel, and found that four or five cwt. of it were as good as twenty tons of the farm-yard manure. It was decidedly an advantageous manure for cheapness, if it were properly introduced into the soil, but he did not think it would answer well for top dressing. It ought to be mixed up with the manure and harrowed in. With turnips it had the same effect. Wherever the seed was in contact with the guano, or put into the drill where the guano was sprinkled on it, it destroyed it. The heat of the manure was so powerful that it ought

to be harrowed into the land, and remain some short time for the soil to absorb the virus of the manure before the seed went in. He had made a mixture of charcoal guano and farm-yard manure, and he found that answered the best. He believed guano was a decidedly valuable introduction into this country, and of great benefit to the farmer, even if he was obliged to repeat it year after year. The expense was slight, and the convenience of putting it in was obvious. It had only to be more generally tried to be more generally used (Applause).

Mr. CRACKENTHORPE, as an instance of bigoted prejudice, remarked that he might as well attempt to persuade his neighbours at Eastham, to manure their ground with turtle soup as with guano (much laughter). They say their fathers and grandfathers never did so, nor would they; but he had seen some fields of turnips in his neighbourhood sprinkled with it, and they were not equal to his own (hear, hear). Forty tons to the acre had been spoken of by the Chairman as an extraordinary quantity, but he had never had less than from thirty-five to forty (hear). For this he had to show a silver tea-pot, a silver sugar basin, a silver cream jug, and prizes of 5., 6., and 21.; therefore he thought that he was no loser, and that his example might encourage others to do the same (hear).

At the West Suffolk Agricultural Association Meeting, on the 30th of September, Mr. SHILLITO said the agriculturists present had been called upon to state, as far as they could, what they considered to be the best mode of cultivating their lands, and he would touch upon the question of manure. He would begin by stating what he had done on the farm he occupied under the Marquess of Bristol. If he were asked what natural manure was best for land, he believed he should be borne out by the opinion of men of the first ability and practice in his reply, that no manure was so substantial and sound as that made from fat animals; but if he were asked what was best as an artificial manure, he must answer that in his idea that would depend principally on the soils. On his Barrow soil he had never found from bones the advantage there should be for the outlay and expense; he thought there was not the staple in the land to make them beneficial. He was induced to use it in consequence of some observations of a practical farmer from Lincolnshire, who thought it would suit his land, as it had been found very advantageous on the Wolds of that county. He boned 50 acres last year, but it failed in producing the result he expected, and he had since tried it on various parts of the farm with no better success. With oil and rape cake he had been more fortunate both on turnips and wheat. If he were asked which was the best crop to apply it to, he should say he would sooner use it to wheat than turnips, and his reason was this At the time the wheat was put in the earth was moist, and the rape-cake had better effect at that season of the year than when applied to turnip land, if it happened to be dry. He was not going to destroy the bone crusher, for he had tried bones on a different sort of occupation, peat fen land; and he had also observed the result of them when applied by his neighbours on such land, particularly on that farmed by Mr. Paine, of Risby. That gentleman used it for coleseed, and had as fine a piece of coleseed as he could wish to see. He tried it himself, and boned on his Fon Farm 33 acres for colesced, using 10 bushels per

:

acre, in rows 15 inches asunder, and he thought he might challenge the county to produce 33 such acres of coleseed on land which 40 years ago did not cost 51. per acre; indeed he did not know if it was not better than he wished, for he thought he should have to mow off the top before it was fed off.

Next year, instead of ten bushels, he should put on only seven, and he then thought it would be sufficient to feed off.

Mr. GEDNEY condemned the use of artificial manures, as when a man bought them he was apt to become a lazy fariner, and to forget what he had at home which would do much better. He was not much of a light-land farmer, but if bones answered anywhere he was sure they answered on a light soil. His friend, Mr. Shillito, thought ten bushels too much, and that seven were enough; he (Mr. Gedney) was sure that none at all were sufficient for that land for profit-the very small quantity applied, 7 bushels per acre, could not avail in producing any great return. He believed that in this country, if they wished to benefit the soil, it must be done at great cost-with a little they could not do a great deal, but with a great deal they might do a little.

Mr. SHILLITO said he should be happy to shew Mr. Gedney the result of the coleseed being boned, and this he could easily do, as he desired his men to leave a stetch without any, and it could be plainly perceived where it was put on. Where it was boned, the coleseed was two feet and a half high, where no bones were it was not a foot high. He thought therefore that he had good grounds for his calculation, that if he put the coleseed at 18 inches and 7 bushels per acre it would be sufficient.

At the recent meeting of the Essex Agricultural Society, Mr. PALMER, M.P., in acknowledging his health which had been drank, observed that he had done what little he could to promote the interest of agriculture in this district, and he would appeal to Mr. Philby and other gentlemen to whom he had stated some little experiments he made, 18 months ago, as to the effect of different kinds of manure and stimulants on the land. He tried different sorts of manure on a piece of grass land, and a piece of arable. On the arable land he put stimulants, such as saltpetre, soda, and such like things; and the first year it appeared to have a great effect on the crop, but in the following year he could find no benefit from it. His land was of a strong description, and when he applied chalk or lime, whether on arable or pasture, he saw no benefit arising from it the first year, but the second year both arable and pasture so treated showed a great advantage over every other part. He took the same average value per acre, viz., 25s. for saltpetre and soda, and the cartage of chalk being heavy, the same for that.

At the Waltham meeting, on the 26th of September, Mr. T. BEASLEY, Vice-president, made the following observations :-In the system of agriculture that prevailed, he always experienced surprise at the waste of manure which he observed in almost every quarter; the waste of this ingredient he felt convinced was equal to the amount of the artificial manure that they purchased at such expence. riding through villages after heavy showers, they must have perceived that every gutter was filled with liquid manure. He thought that no farmer

In

alive to his own interests, and sensible of his responsibility, ought to delay a week in constructing a reservoir for the collection of liquid manure. He was about to hazard a bold saying; but in his opinion what might be produced by the wasted manure, if it was only properly taken care of and judiciously applied, would pay the interest of the national debt. Mr. Beasley added, that he did not allude to the waste in farm-yards only; but to that in large towns, in addition thereto. He had It another observation to make respecting lime. was frequently lying two or three months in small heaps, to be saturated with wet, and lose all its stimulating qualities; he would urge them to use it as soon as possible after it was brought from the kiln. He mentioned these things for their consideration, because every farmer was bound not to leave a stone unturned in order to make the soil yield as much as it possibly could; to make two blades of grass and two ears of corn grow where but one grew before, and two oxen be bred where but one was previously fattened. This was a duty incumbent upon all.

NEW KIND OF MANURE.-Count Hompesch, a Belgian gentleman, has taken out a patent for the preparation of a manure more powerful and cheaper than any yet invented. His plan is said to consist in fixing all the volatile parts of night-soil and other such substances by means of the ashes of the oolitic shale of Portland. The shale is em

ployed, in the first place, as a source from which oil, turpentine, and other substances are extracted; the residue goes to the preparation of the manure, which is said to be converted somewhere on the Isle of Dogs, and sold in a dry state, in the form of bricks. As the materials to be thus employed are inexhaustible, and at present almost valueless, it is expected that the preparation of the fertilizer in question will become a matter of great national importance. As people have become too wise to wonder at sugar being made from old rags, so will they be equally prepared to hear that oil, and tallow, and soap, are to be fabricated from the hardened mud of the coal mines; for such is "shale."

ROSS FARMERS' CLUB.

The usual annual meeting of this society took place on Thursday, the 27th Oct., on which occasion their ploughing match came off in a field of clover ley on the Bollin estate, within a mile of the town.

Twenty-one competitors made their appearance on the ground by half-past nine o'clock, all appearing like true and sturdy ploughmen resolved to win the several prizes offered by the society. Mr. Price, the hon. secretary, having previously allotted out the half-acre quantities, which they were to plough in three hours, and having assembled the competitors, each drew his number, which being placed on his hat, he proceeded with his plough and pair of horses to the corresponding number marked on pegs placed in the ground against each lot. The signal having been given for starting, away they went, "whistling o'er the lea." The sun shining forth in its autumnal glory, with the numerous assemblage of spectators, presented a most lively and interesting scene.

The judges, Messrs. Rudge, Marfell, and Merrick, having arrived on the ground on the completion of the work, and carefully examining the several performances, ultimately awarded the society's premiums as under:

No. 6. Mr. A. Dowle, Llangarren, owner; T. Matthews, ploughman, 2h. 34m., 2l. 10s. No. 10. Mr. H. Higgins, Fawley, owner; W. Howells, ploughman, 2h. 57m., 14. 10s. No. 13.-Mr. T. Phelps, Sellack, Lewis, ploughman, 2h. 25m:, 17.

owner;

J.

owner;

No. 1.-Mr. B. Street, Llangarren, W. Phillips, ploughman, 2h. 30m., 15s. No. 11-Mr. T. Woodhall, The Bollin, owner; H. Rudge, ploughman, 2h. 12m., 10s. And to the unsuccessful candidates, 2s. 6d. each.

An iron two-wheel plough, of modern construction, belonging to Mr. Higgins, of Fawley, and a single wheel DP plough, peculiar for its construction, and for which the makers (Barrett and Co., of Reading) received the Royal English Agricultural Society's prize at Liverpool, as the "lightest in draught," belonging to Mr. Price, of Benhall, were much admired on the ground.

The society afterwards sat down to an excellent dinner, laid out in their room at the New Inn, the display of which, and the excellent wines, were much admired by about 45 or 50 of the most influential agriculturists of the neighbourhood, including a fair sprinkling of the respectable inhabitants of the town. Henry Chillingworth, Esq., of Grendon Court, the president of the year, assisted by Thomas Woodhall, Esq., as vice-president, conducted the routine of toasts in the most able and eloquent manner.

After the usual toasts of "The Queen," "Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales," "The Queen Dowager and the rest of the Royal Family," the PRESIDENT gave, amidst much applause, "Lord Ashburton, the Patron of the Society;" "The Members of the County, who had so handsomely come forward to render the society their countenance and support;" "The Royal English Agricultural Society;" "The Herefordshire Agricultural Society." Among the toasts given of several gentlemen residing in the neighbourhood of Ross, who had lent their aid and support in furthering the objects of the society, we noticed those of "K. Evans, Esq., of the Hill;" "S. W. Compton, Esq., of Walford;" "Thomas Brooke, Esq., of Pencraig Court;" "William Bridgman, jun., Esq., of Weston;""John S. Collins, Esq.;" " William Hooper, Esq.;" "The Rev. T. P. Symonds, of Pengethley," as well as other members of the club.

The PRESIDENT gave the following toast:"Success and utility to the Ross Farmers' Club," introducing it and enlarging on it in the most able and enlightened manner, and which was received with the most deafening applause. The next toast drunk, "Henry Chillingworth, Esq., the President," was received with the warmest plaudits, who fully responded to it, assuring the society of his earnest and hearty desire for the well-being and prosperity of the institution, in whose power it was, if properly supported, of conferring the greatest advantage on the agricultural community of the neighbourhood, and particularly on the deserving, sober, and industrious labourers. The PRESIDENT then gave "Earl Somers, the Friend and Supporter of Agriculture," after which he read the award of the committee, of the premiums to agricultural labourers, &c., as follows:

"To the married labourer in husbandry who has brought np the greatest number of children without parochial assistance, with a general good character." A premium to Edward Morgan, recommended by the Rev. T. P. Symonds, as having reared nine children, and worked on his farm for ten and a half years, 17.

To the second in this class. A premium of 158., awarded to John Burford, recommended by Mr. Wm. Jones of Baysham, for having reared a family of eight children, and living in his service thirty-five years.

To the third in this class. A premium of 10s. to Richard Davies, recommended by Mr Thomas Woodhall, of the Bollin, for having reared six children, and having been in his employ twelve years.

"To the farm labourer who has been employed by his master the longest period." A premium of 17. was awarded to Michael Cole, recommended by Mr. W. Jones of Baysham, for having lived in his father's service and his own for a period of fifty-one years without interruption.

To the second in this class. A premium of 17. was awarded to Thos. Matthews, recommended by Mr. F. Rootes, of Weston, for having lived without intermission in his grandfather's and his own service for twenty-five years.

To the third in this class. A premium of 10s. to Thomas Taylor, recommended by Mr. Timothy Marfell, as having lived in his service thirty-seven years. This premium would have been greater, but Mr. Marfell not being a member of the club, the committee could not consistently allow the man to become a competitor.

"To the waggoner who has lived the longest period in his present service." A premium of 21. was awarded to Thomas Roberts, recommended by Mr. Wm. Jones of Baysham, for a servitude in that capacity of twenty-five years.

To the second in this class. A premium of 17. was awarded to Wm. Caton, recommended also by Mr. Wm. Jones, for having lived in his employ on another farm a period of thirteen years.

To the third in this class. A premium of 10s. to Joseph Williams, recommended by Mr. Thomas Williams, of Llangarren, for a servitude of thirtythree years. The latter premium would have been higher had Mr. Thomas Williams been a member of the club, but the excellent character given to the candidate induced the committee to notice it.

"To the woman who has done the most out-door work on any farm annually, and is still employed." A premium of 11. was awarded to Elizabeth Husbands, recommended by Henry Chillingworth, Esq., for having worked on his farm ten years.

To the second in this class. A premium of 10s. was awarded to Jane Morgan, recommended by Mr. Wm. Price, of Benhall, for having worked on his farm, in the employ of his predecessor and himself, a period of twelve years.

"To the female servant in husbandry who can produce the most satisfactory character for long servitude, and general good conduct. No candidates. To the second in this class. No candidates.

"To the shepherd who has reared the greatest number of lambs, &c." Lord Ashburton's premium of 31.; T. B. M. Baskerville, Esq's. premium of 21.; and the society's premium of 17. to the third best in this class, will be awarded at Midsummer next.

The CHAIRMAN then gave, "The owners of the teams whose ploughmen had gained the premiums," which was followed by the toast of "The honest and industrious Labourers." Then suc