times a day, and although bay was occasionally given, yet, were 14 or 15lbs. cut straw added to the mixture, we are satisfied hay might be entirely dispensed with. We confess that we at first entertained some fears that so great a change of food might have a tendency to engender disease, but in this we were agreeably disappointed. The horses improved in condition, their skins were uniformly sleek and kindly, they also proved themselves more capable of undergoing fatigue and severe labour, all which were satisfactory proofs that the food given to them was congenial to their constitution; but, in order to prevent any tendency to disease, 6oz. of salt should be given to each horse per day. This plan, says Lewis, we followed, and the whole of our borses were never less affected with disease; and what at first originated from motives of economy, has thus continued to be adhered to as the best and healthiest mode of keeping farm horses we have hitherto met with. From my own experience, I am not able to contribute much information on the advantages of steaming food for horses, having only adopted the method very lately, and never having used potatoes. I find that very inferior hay is eaten readily after it has been steamed, and it regains some of the smell and flavour it has lost, which, if given to horses without steaming, would be wasted, and not be fit food for them.

There are several very good practical remarks in the Farmer's Magazine for December 1838, page 405, extracts from Roberts's Agricultural Economy, as to the quantity of food a horse will require during twenty-four hours; and also on the relative value of bay and oats at the market price. Thus 201bs. of hay at 31. per ton, will cost 64d.; and 20lbs. of oats at 22s. per qr., will be 1s. 3d. There is also another useful table, showing that a bushel of grain weighing 42lbs., will produce 25lbs. 2oz. meal and 16lbs. 14oz. husks; and a bushel weighing 30lbs. will only produce 16lbs. 1oz. meal and 13lbs. 15oz. husks. This clearly proves that the best and beaviest corn is the cheapest to use for horses, and that husks are cheaper to buy as husks than as poor corn. Another remark I request you to notice (page 406). He says, generally speaking, corn is much cheaper for horses than hay, independent of the extra work they will be equal to by being corn fed. Many may be surprised at this statement, but its correctness is easily proved. Every one that knows anything of the nature of fodder, and has been accustomed to attend to the feeding of horses, must admit that by weight hay does not contain of nutritive matter more than as one part to three of oats; thus 1lb. of oats contains fully as much real nutriment for the horse as 3lbs. of hay; without taking into consideration the superior condition and capability of a horse fed with corn. Thus 30lbs. of hay every day at 41. per ton will amount to 19/. 188. per year, whilst 10lbs. of oats every twenty-four hours at 24s. per qr. will amount to 131. 13s. each horse per year; but supposing a horse to have 10lbs. of oats per day, it will require some other substitute, such as chaff or cut straw, to increase its bulk to 30lbs. per day, before the functions of digestion can be carried on, but the value of this will be amply repaid by the extra work the horse is able to perform.

I find, from all the observations that I have made, that 30lbs. to 35lbs. of food per day is the average quantity that a farm borse requires to keep him in good working condition: the cavalry allowance is 12lbs. of hay and 10lbs. of oats, making 22lbs. ; post horses are usually allowed from 22lbs. to 26lbs. of food each day. It has been proved by Mr. Bro

therton, of Rainbill, near Liverpool, and others, that horses cannot be kept in working condition on corn entirely. It is related by Sir John Sinclair, that from the year 1802 to the year 1811, Mr. Brotherton had been in the habit of allowing eight horses every twenty-four hours three Winchester bushels of oats and one bushel of beans, but no hay or chaff. During that period he annually lost a great number of horses, varying from fourteen to seventeen on an average, which he attributes to his having given them too much corn, more than the stomach could digest. This led him to allow a small portion of hay, and he afterwards adopted the following plan:-To every eight horses he allows one bushel of oats, one bushel of beans, and three bushels of cut bay, and straw or clover, the expense of which be thus estimates :-One bushel of beans 12s., one bushel of oats 7s., three bushels of hay or straw 2s., or 21s. per day for eight horses, or 17s.6d. per week each horse, besides 5s. worth of hay per week, making the total expense of each horse 22s.6d. A considerable saving thus arises compared to feeding entirely with grain; and he states his horses are now as able to do their work as ever he knew them, and be has only lost one horse since he adopted the new plan. If he had fed his horses on the former plan at the price corn now makes, it would have cost him at least 36s. 2d. 'per week, instead of 22s. 6d. under the new plan, making a difference of 13s. 8d. per week on each horse, or 35l. 10s. 8d. per annum. When Sir John wrote the work to which I am referring, grain appears to have made double the price it does at the present time.

Sir John also says, the article that, when the crop is abundant, can be best spared from human consumption, is the potato, which when steamed is an excellent food. 42lbs. of potatoes steamed with chaff will serve a horse twenty-four hours. And at any rate a feed of potatoes, if given to a horse, will not only diminish the expense of his maintenance, but is also conducive to his health.

I have been disappointed in obtaining from Mr. Bright, of Tiddesley, the method that he pursues in feeding farm horses. When I saw them in October, I thought them in better condition than any horses I had ever seen. Mr. Bright informed me he gave them some steamed potatoes, and very little hay, for be found it the most expensive food that could be used.

Sir John Sinclair states that in the year 1812, the expenses of cart horses were calculated at 11s. per week, or 281. 12s. per year: again at 391. Os. 7d., at 42l. 10s. 10d., at 35l. Os. 10d., at 27l. 16s. 10d., and at 341.12s. According to these items the expense of a cart horse in the best cultivated districts of Scotland, averaged 13s. 3d. per week. Supposing grain to be reduced in value one-third from the prices then calculated, the expense at the present time will be about 9s. per week. The following method, given in British Husbandry, costs 8s. 114d. per week:10lbs. of grain per day 9d.-5s. Sd., cwt. of hay per week 2s. 54d., and 14 cwt. of cut straw 18.3d. Mr. Curwen's method, with a portion of potatoes, costs 9s. 4d. per week. The Essex method, without potatoes, 11s. The Essex plan with potatoes alone, 53. 10d. My own plan 9s. 4d. per week. Mr. Tytler's, of Balmain, with gorse alone, 3s. 1 d. per week, and with gorse and corn 4s. 8d. per week.

I hope I have proved that the statement I made in the commencement of this paper is correct, that farm horses cannot be kept at a less cost than from 9s. to 118. per week during the winter season, under the usual systems in this part of the county.

a material change, and that a considerable increase of produce may reasonably be calculated upon, when the wheat plant finds a dry and porous subsoil, instead of, as heretofore, a wet retentive one. It is with a full conviction, not only of the practicability of this system in most situations, but also of its present and ultimate advantages, over cross draining, (which in this description of land 1 conceive to have entirely failed,) that 1 have submitted these observations to the consideration of the meeting; and I most earnestly recommend trial to be made of the plan I have proposed; feeling certain of its complete success, if the work be executed judiciously.

MR. DICKEN ON LIQUID MANURE.

At the close of our meeting, September 30th, when subjects for future discussion were proposed, I mentioned liquid manure as one of immense importance to the farmer; at the same time declaring my own ignorance of it, and my anxiety that some one better informed should urge it upon the consideration of the club.

The chairman and one or two others immediately said that ignorance of the subject was a strong reason why I myself, i. e., the ignorant person, should bring it forward. I confess I did not, nor do I yet, understand this reasoning; but as no one present seemed disposed to undertake the responsibility, I consented to do so, fully relying upon your kind indulgence, which I have before experienced.

It has been said that a sense of ignorance is the first step in the way of improvement; and if it be the means of stimulating to inquiry and exertion, it will most certainly prove to be so.

Agricultural knowledge must of necessity be more slowly acquired than knowledge of most other arts, because both the science and practice of it are complicated; the results, too, of agricultural operations are much slower in their development, and many of them, even with the most careful management, are at the mercy of circumstances which no wisdom can foresee or avert.

Hence arises the chief benefit of farmers' clubs, that each individual may become possessed of the experience of many, under a great variety of times, situations, and circumstances.

"It is only in modern days that the idea of applying artificial fertilizing matters to the soil, in a fluid state, has been seriously entertained by the cultivators of the soil. This great improvement has been one of the results of applying the researches of philosophy to the processes of the farmer-the fruit of carefully conducted experiments, first suggested by the sagacious observations of the chemist."

It appears strange that liquid manure should so long have been overlooked by those who are so deeply interested in the cultivation of the earth, because it is evident that plants can only derive their nutriment from absorption by their roots; consequently manures must be reduced to a fluid state before they can be of any real service.

As yet I have had no experience in the application of this species of manure, it is only of late that I have become convinced of its value, and that it is of the utmost importance, not only to the farmer but to the community at large, that our attention should be directed to it, in order that the best means of applying it may be speedily ascertained, and universally adopted.

And here I cannot help commenting on the great value of our library, for in it we may find the most valuable information at a trifling expense. In searching for information on the subject before us, my chief difficulty has arisen, not from a paucity of well-written articles, but from the want of ability to select, abridge, and bring before the club the information and experience of others.

I must first beg to draw your attention to the value of liquid manure, and secondly to the means of obtaining and applying it.

The liquid is, in fact, the very essence of all putrescent manures; and not only so, but urine, of which a large portion is composed, contains (as Sir Humphry Davy informs us) "the essential elements of vegetables in a state of solution." He adds-"During the putrefaction of urine the greatest part of the soluble animal matter that it contains is destroyed: it consequently should be used as fresh as possible; but if not mixed with solid matter, it should be diluted with water, as when pure it contains too large a quantity of animal matter to form a proper fluid nourishment for absorption by the roots of plants."

The best written proof with which I have met of the powerful effect of liquid manure, and of the profit derived from it, is the report of Mr. T. Oliver, a Scotch farmer, of the drainage of Edinburgh.-Johnson on Fertilizers, 212.

The system there pursued is in fact irrigation. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, if we are convinced of the value of liquid manure, the next thing to be considered in relation to it is the best means of collecting and applying it, and the expense of doing so.

Wherever cattle are kept in buildings or yards, there must be considerable drainage, and this should be collected by small drains into a tank placed in the most convenient situation, the size of which must be in proportion to the quantity likely to be collected; this part of the subject is largely treated of in Johnson's work on manures, and in the Farmer's Magazine.

But this manure does not depend upon drainage only. It may be made, and that effectually, at small expense, and where there is a sufficient supply of water, to any extent. In Holland it is actually made systematically, and in this country also to a small extent. The results aro most satisfactory. Since our last meeting several members of our club have had the gratification of witnessing Mr. Wilday's system, practised on his small farm near Atherstone.

For some time past he has been in the constant practice of collecting and making liquid manure. His whole plan appeared to us complete and satisfactory, and I think it may well repay any other of our friends the trouble of seeing for themselves.

It consists of carefully collecting the whole of the drainage of his yard and buildings, and also the droppings of his cattle in the fields. As much of this latter as is sufficient to make the liquid of a proper strength is thrown into the tank, and mixed with water, and after being well stirred and beaten together, is carried to the land.

Some writers assert that it is requisite to keep the liquid in the tank some weeks before it is applied to the land, that it may ferment; but Mr. Wilday is of opinion that it gains nothing by fermentation. The remaining, and by far the greater portion of the dung collected in the fields is mixed with earth, to be applied as compost wher

ever it may be required; but for this Mr. Wilday declared that he really had no need, from the fructifying nature of the liquid. He said he really did not know what to do with the compost heap, although it contained some hundreds of loads of the richest description. It must be remarked, however, that his whole occupation is in turf, with the exception of one small field.

I have since found the same plan recommended in the Farmer's Magazine for November 1839, page 355. The expense of the whole will be that of a tank, a pump, and a water-cart. On this point I beg to refer you to the Farmer's Magazine, September 1840, page 181.

Thus, in whatever way we view the question of liquid manure, to which our society now directs the attention of the English farmers, an abundant field of research presents itself on every side: it is evidently an investigation likely to repay the cultivator for the labour he may be induced to bestow upon it. By such manures nourishment for vegetation is more equally diffused through the soil, and becomes more speedily serviceable to the crop, than by any other mode of cultivation. Thus we see a much smaller quantity of manure, if uniformly mixed with land, is sufficient for all the purposes of fertilization than is commonly believed. Such investigations must be of the highest interest to the farmer and to the public in general, for they relate to the increased produce of the land of England, and not only does a fortunate experiment carry with it its own reward, but even an unsuccessful one is not without its advantages; it serves, at least, as a beacon to other cultivators, and affords that satisfaction which ever accompanies the acquisition of knowledge.

THE PATENT STUCCO PAINT

CEMENT.

An extraordinary sensation has, we understand, been created in the building world by the introduction of a perfectly new description of cement or stucco, which promises from its peculiar advantages both of properties and price, to supersede any hitherto introduced. The proprietors of this important discovery (which is secured to them by patent) are gentlemen of very independent means, and have been prompted as much by a desire to benefit the public as themselves, by the publication of their invention. And they have with a caution (we think worthy of imitation) postponed its introduction until after some years' trial by the severest tests, being subjected to atmospheric changes in situations so exposed that has fully satisfied them they had rightly reckoned on the capabilities which they assert it to possess.

It is a matter of regret that 20 years ago, when the great improvements at the west end of the metropolis were projected, this composition was yet unknown. We should not now have the eye offended by the diseased and patch-work plastic attempts at stone imitation, which disgrace our best streets, and which, with all their assumption of solidity, are suffering from rottenness and decay; nor would the unfortunate tenants have just cause to complain that the winds and wet of heaven carried colds and rheumatism through the very walls of their domiciles. We have had an opportunity of seeing some specimens of this cement that have for three years been exposed by the sea-side in a situation subject to the storms of winter and the heat of

summer, and in a climate which is well known as not the most dry in the kingdom;* and we were surprised at finding a complete growth of granite stone, from what was, when laid on the walls of the building, a sort of fluidized substance mixed with sand. We could hardly, in fact, find a more appropriate name for the composition than a fluid stone. It may be applied by a common plasterer with his ordinary tools, over any surface, be it brick, or plaster, or old stucco, or wood, or slate, or even glass itself (such is its tenacity); any building covered with it becoming encased in stone, resisting and defying as it ripens or becomes hard, any action of the atmosphere either of wet, frost, or heat, increasing in hardness the more exposed it is, and is arriving at maturity and perfection when other cements and stuccoes are beginning to perish. We know not that we could impart more valuable information to such of our readers as are interested in building property, either as holders or speculators, than the introduction of such a commodity as this. We leave it to our more scientific cotemporaries to dilate upon the chemical analysis of this discovery, being ourselves satisfied that we can now, at a very moderate expense, transform our brick cottage into a stone villa, that shall protect ourselves and our successors from the inclemencies of the weather, and enable us to feel that in one sense at least, under the protective influence of this cement, our house is our castle. A variety of the specimens of this cement are to be seen at the offices of the agents for the patentees, Messrs. Mann and Co., 5 Maidenlane, Queen-street, Cheapside.

REMARKS

ON THE MANAGEMENT, OR RATHER MISMANAGEMENT, OF WOODS, PLANTATIONS, AND HEDGE-ROW TIMBER.

We have just received a volume, with the above title, from the pen of Mr. West, the author of "Remarks on the Turnip Question, &c." Mr. W. has selected two very important subjects; for who will venture to assert that in the whole range of rural economy, there are others of so much greater importance as to rank above them?

We do not intend at this time to renew the discussion of the "Turnip Question," although we are of opinion that it cannot be discussed too often when it is in proper hands-the hands of practical men ; but we appeal to the "Remarks" themselves for proof of the paramount importance of the turnip crop to the farmer; and as to the subject now before us, we really think that viewed in the light in which it is placed by Mr. West, it has the strongest possible claim upon the nobility and gentry of the country. If it be true, as alleged by our author, that an improved system of management as applied to the "Woods, Plantations, and Hedge-rows" of our beautiful country, would yield to proprietors a large increase of revenue, and create a new and fruitful source of employment for the industrious poor, we do not conceive that any of our readers will differ from us when we say that an improved system ought to be devised. We do not say it with reference to this book or any other, but we say without fear of contradiction, that with the prospect immediately before us, every source of employment for those who * Plymouth, where the cement is manufactured,

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live by their labour, and by that alone-every means which ingenuity can furnish of giving them wholesome work-should be thankfully caught at; and as Mr. West has entered at large upon the question, with the professed view of showing that a much greater number of men may be employed in the management of woods, &c., than there has heretofore been, we devoutly hope that as the proper season for operations of this sort is approaching, all who possess "Woods, Plantations, and Hedge-row Timber," will procure the book, and institute a rigid inquiry as to their state and condition. We hope frequently to advert to this subject again, and we shall occasionally introduce an extract from the "Remarks." We were particularly struck with a reference which Mr. W. makes at page 61, &c., to a large plantation in Lincolnshire, belonging to Christ's Hospital, which he adduced as an instance of gross mistake in the original mode of planting, and of subsequent "mis-management." We would respect fully invite the attention of the governors of "that splendid charity" to Mr. W.'s remarks thereon, which we give below.

"It is impossible, at this distance of time, to fix the exact amount of blame or responsibility which of right attaches itself to the name of Poutey, for instance, who planted an immense tract of land near Lincoln, belonging to that splendid charity, Christ's Hospital. Tradition, which however may do him injustice, accuses him of having contracted to plant with larch and oak, and having, on some pretence or other, substituted Scotch fir. Whatever was the precise amount of responsibility attaching to him, I know not; he might be following out the letter of his instructions, for aught I can tell, but it is quite certain that, even with the then imperfect know ledge which was possessed of the value of larch, a very great mistake was committed in planting nearly a thousand acres of land, which was well adapted both for oak and larch, with profitless rubbish like that which is now seen upon it. A work of that magnitude ought not to have been intrusted to any one who, either from mercenary motives or from limited views, was capable of falling into such a gross error, as to the interests of his employers. It is no exaggeration to say, that if the Skillingthorpe plantation had been planted, as it ought to have been, with oak and larch, together with a few spruce firs, and if Poutey had left suitable instructions with those who had to take care of it after his superintendence had ceased, it would now have been, at the most moderate computation, fifteen hundred per cent. more valuable than it is. If it were private property, I should not presume to add what I now feel myself at perfect liberty to do, with reference to its present condition and the future prospect respecting it.

"It is at present almost universally a Scotch for plantation; these are of a most miserable size compared with what they might have been under good management, and they are withal very coarse. There may be seen among them just larches enough to perpetuate the folly of the original planter, and to excite, at his periodical sales, the keen regret of the present steward that he has not more of them to sell. There are also a few oaks of such quality as fully to prove that they would have thriven well had they been planted. Further, the Scotch firs are so thick, and they are feathered down so low, that the planta tion is not healthy. It is true that under the present much improved management, an attempt is being made to remedy this evil, and it is quite clear that the condition of the trees will be greatly bettered, but the misfortune is and here I come to speak of the pros.

pects of the plantation—that they are not worth culture. I have no hesitation in stating this to be my deliberate opinion; the timber-if timber it can be called-is worth almost nothing now, and in such a locality I can see no probability of its ever realising, so as to justify those in whose care it is placed, in continuing it as it is. The plain and obvious course of the managers of this fine estate then is, to stub up the Scotch fir, and replant the land with oak and larch.

"In further proof of the propriety of this opinion, I would remark that, in this locality, both oak and larch fetch very high prices, and there are probable grounds for expecting that they always will do so; while, if the present race of Scotch firs should stand as long again as they have already stood, they will make comparatively little.

"It is not too much to say, that if this plantation was the property of a private gentleman, the Scotch firs would be extirpated as speedily as follows, and a systematic plan, providing that a certain number of acres should be stubbed and replanted every year, would at once be laid down; but public bodies are not so easily moved, and it is therefore to be feared that in this case, the public will not, for some time to come, derive that benefit from the property which would certainly be the result of proper management.

"The whole might be re-stocked with suitable kinds of trees without any considerable outlay to the hospital, if arrangements were made with a party capable of carrying out some such comprehensive plan as the following:-viz., an agreement with a responsible person, carefully worded, providing that he should stub or grub up a stipulated number of acres at the commencement of a sort of lease; taking the stuff, either in part payment, or wholly if it were sufficient, and that he should, on such terms as could be agreed upon, continue to grub up and plant a specified number of acres every succeeding year.

"In twelve years, if the work were well done, there would be some return from the thinnings of the piece first planted, and the rate of return and profit would from that time continue to increase every year, until an amount would be realized which would much more than equal the largest expectations of the Governors."

REVIEW.

JOHNSON'S FARMER'S ENCYCLOPÆDIA. Longman and Co.

During the progress of this unique work we have from time to time expressed our high approval of its arrangement, and the good judgment displayed in the selection of matter for the different articles. It now comes before us in a complete and finished form in one bulky volume, and we venture to affirm advisedly, that there is no encyclopædia on husbandry which will be found so useful to agricultural libraries, farmer's clubs, or the cultivators of the soil in general, as Mr. Johnson's elaborate work. The labour of arranging and compiling such a volume must have been immense, more especially when we observe how extensively the author has himself contributed to its pages learned and practical essays on every branch of science. The alphabetical arrangement of the articles will be found to be of considerable advantage to those who will have to turn very frequently to it for information. Every subject of interest to the cultivator of the soil appears to have been touched