the seed, rendered impervious to moisture and atmospheric influence by a covering at top, hermetically closed, affording thereby the means of frequently ascertaining the degree of humidity within. The corn or seed, having an excess of moisture is previously desiccated. These tubular granaries-which may be laid under-ground, or partially or wholly above- consist of a metallic case, preferably constructed of sheet-iron, covered outside with a coat of hydraulic or other cement, and, if necessary, with a coat of preservative varnish. The cham bers are closed with an iron lid or plug, with a pad of leather, caoutchouc, or gutta-percha introduced between the parts in contact, and by an inner cover adapted to the neck of the chamber, hermetically sealed." A claim is made for the adaptation of examining tubes connected with the lids, and dipping into the interior of the store vessel. Sounding tubes can be inserted into these tubes, so as to bring up and ascertain the condition of the grain at any desired depth. As applicable to this method of storing grain in separate vessels, and also to the preservation of flour in receptacles, we here notice a method of preventing and retarding decay in accumulated masses of food, which depends, according to the patentee, on very simple principles. "This invention is based upon the theory that in vegetable substances which contain only a small quantity of moisture the process of decay always, or almost invariably the commences at the centre of the mass, and from thence extends in all directions. It is well known to millers and others engaged in the manufacture, storage, and transportation of flour, meal, and grain, that in these substances such is the case, the centre being frequently found soured and heated highly, while those portions near the outside of the mass are uninjured. It is also the case in hay or other substances of a similar nature. In order, therefore, to retard as much as possible the process, the nature of this invention consists in removing the centre of the mass, by placing therein an open tube or tubes, or by the employment of similar means, by which the mass is so distributed that, if decay commences at any point, it must extend to a very great distance in order to affect any considerable portion of the mass, and therefore its progress must be very slow. By thus removing the centre, the mass is also distributed in a body of less than one-half the thickness it would otherwise be; and thus it is believed that the tendency to decay is in a great degree prevented." The name of the patentee is Edward Loradoux Bellford; the date of the patent May 12, 1854. The principle, if correct, is of easy adoption in practice; it is applicable obviously to corn-bins and corn, or hay-stacks also. In these latter all the advantages of the tubes may be obtained, as suggested by the patentee, by placing a series of poles in the centre, so as to form a tube or ventiduct. There can be little doubt of the efficacy of the plan of a central tube, where air, warmed or otherwise, is forced through it by fanners, as already suggested. Should any of the methods above described be considered too much out of the range of ordinary practice, and granaries after the methods of our fathers deemed the best, it will certainly be worthy of all consideration whether in view of the on-all-sides acknowledged benefits derivable from passing currents of air through masses of grain-it will not be, to say the least, a common-senselike method of proceeding to make some simple arrangements by which currents of air could be brought in contact with grain as it lies on the granary floor. This could, at comparatively small expense, be effected by making the floor double, the upper part of perforated plates or tiles; or, what would be cheaper, constructing a series of channels, at greater or less distances, between the line of joists, with openings tending upwards to the granary, and into this double floor or through these channels, sending currents of air by artificial or natural means. The air passing through the aperture would permeate the mass of superposed grain, and be discharged through the ventilators at the top. In home-stalls or steadings, where stationary engines and fixed thrashing machines are used, the granary being in close contiguity with the apartments in which these apparatus are placed, every facility is fortunately given by which power can be adapted to the forcing of the currents of air through the channels we have described. With the scientific and practical evidence surrounding us in favour of the value of dried grain for breadproducing purposes, and of its preservative powers, and with a wide choice of plans by which this drying or desiccation can be easily, economically, and perfectly ensured, small excuse can be made for the farmer who complains of having grain, the deterioration of which in value and preservative influences arises from an excess of moisture-the cause, be it here noted, in nine cases out of ten, of the decay of grain. With the aid which the steamengine- an appliance of nearly every well-conducted farm-gives the agriculturist, a very slight exercise of iaventive ingenuity and constructive skill on his part will enable him to improvise some simple mechanism by which he can realize, in some measure, the effect of the summer's heat with the winds of early spring-a combination for the preservation of vegetable substances than which nothing can surpass. R.S. B. PREMIUMS FOR THE BEST SAMPLES OF BARLEY.-Last year Messrs. Blizards and Godsall offered a prize of a silver cup, of ten guiness' value, to the farmer who should sell them the best sample of Barley, not less than two hundred bushels in quantity. The competition was sharp and close, and the results were so satisfactory, that the firm immediately advanced upon their first attempt, and for the succeeding year offered two cups, upon the same conditions, one to be competed for by growers in the counties of Gloucester, Worcester, and Hereford; and the other by those of Oxford, Wilts, and Berks. The cups were adjudged on Wednesday last, and about fifty samples were shown from the first-named counties, and ten from the other three. The judges, Messrs. Ashby Saunders, brewer, of Cheltenham; W. Turk, maltster, Cheltenham; and W. H. Gillett, corn-merchant, of Swindon, decided that one prize was due to J. Hall, Esq., of Ripple, Worcestershire; and the other to W. T. Hayward, Esq, of Little shown by Mr. Lane, of Ripple, who won the cup last year. Whittenham, Berks; and they highly commended the barley The various competing samples were ranged on Messrs. Blizards' stall in the Corn Exchange, and formed a very great attraction during the hours of business. The event was celebrated by a dinner at the Swan Hotel, which was attended by a great number of the agriculturists and merchants of the neighbourhood, as well as many from a distance. THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.-PROCEEDINGS IN COUNCIL. The recent proceedings of the Royal Agricultural Society have been of more than usual interest. In addition to the general business of this period-where shall we go? and what shall we do?-there have been two or three special questions to consider. Amongst other matters, the Council have proposed to find becoming successors to such men as Mr. Pusey and Professor Way. They have publicly announced that the Society required a new Editor and a new Chemist. To only a certain extent have these wants been supplied. The new Editor, in short, is not forthcoming; and the Directorship is still to remain with the Triumvirate. If these gentlemen can devote the time they have hitherto given to the work, we see no reason why they should not continue to conduct it. The late proposition, indeed, by no means ignored their claims or abilities. We take it to be no secret that this was but another reading of the Sibyl's volumes. Instead of the three editors, the charge was to have been confided to one of them, with such assistance as he might require, and at a salary of five hundred a-year. After the question had been twice adjourned, the General Council have refused to sanction this recommendation of their Journal Committee. They have, however, left three hundred per annum at the disposal of the same editorial staff. Tested by the position, tastes, and habits of Mr. Pusey, it may be some time before the one right man turns up. The solution of their other difficulty has been apparently more readily arrived at. With high recommendations and long experience, Professor Voelcker now reigns in place of Professor Way; and has already read himself into office. It was only, perhaps, when hearing the opening lecture of his successor, that the Society could have felt the peculiar loss of such a man as Mr. Way. As a teacher by word of mouth-stripping science of its technicalities and pedantry-there are few, indecd, equal to him. We never listened to any one more easy to follow, or that so clearly impressed upon his audience those points they should remember. Professor Voelcker, in short, followed close on a well-graced actor, and the comparison was involuntary. We should be the last to damp the spirit of the new comer, but it must be confessed that as a lecturer he has something to learn. It could scarcely be supposed that he has had the experience in this way we know him to have enjoyed in the West of England. As a writer on the chemistry of the farm Professor Voelcker is clear, plain, and forcible; while his brother-chemists all testify to his great professional attainments. As a speaker, on the other hand, he is often rambling and illogical. The first half-hour of his inaugural address on the old hackney common-places of Science and Practice, was unquestionably a mistake. One almost tired of waiting for what he was coming to. While warmly welcoming their present officer, the Society have given their old ally but a cold good-bye. We think, though, this want of expression is more with the Council than the general body of Members. Professor Way was, and deservedly, a very popular man with the farmers; and he will be so still. There has been plenty of work to do, beyond even the consideration of these important appointments, and many the references to the sub or working committees. The Implement committee has, more particularly, been called upon. First of all, they have to reply to a memorial from the exhibitors of steam cultivators who ascended the heights at Salisbury. The point of this petition, which is being fully canvassed in our columns, is, that the steam plough should have a little more fair play at Chester; and this the Implement committee is to look to. It is really gratifying to see with how much good feeling the different inventors of steam ploughs are working on to the one great end. Mr. Fowler and Mr. Williams are about to unite their forces; while Mr. Fowler, in a letter addressed to us only this week, bears witness to the results arrived at by Mr. Smith of Woolstone :-" Mr. Smith has kindly consented to show his farm as a practical proof of the value of steam cultivation; and I intend to station a suitable person in the neighbourhood, to wait on those wishing to see it." Or you may have the effect of such a system on the farms of Mr. Mechi, Mr. Hobbs, or Mr. Killin; and this very week Mr. Williams is to begin on a forty-acre piece in the occupation of Mr. Owen, the chairman of the London Farmers' Club. In good truth, the steam plough is again looking up-one of the most encouraging proofs of its progress being the spirit evinced by its several supporters rather to aid than to retard each other. Then, there have been numerous suggestions as to the trials of the steam-engines-the "Blue Ribbon" honour of the agricultural year-with already a manifest auxicty as to "who is to win?" and every district with its own favourite. And further, the President has called the attention of the Council to the completion, this year, of the triennial arrangement for the trial of implements at the Country Meetings of the Society, and to a consideration of the propriety of its renewal or continuance for the future. Acting on this hint, a committee, consisting of the members of the Implement Committee, and of Mr. Howard, Mr. Shuttleworth, Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Huskinson, and Mr. Amos, is appointed, with power to con fer with a deputation from the body of the implement makers, and to report to the Council at their next monthly meeting in June. It may be asked who are responsible for all the good or evil doings of this Implement Committee, and we give, accordingly, the elements of its construction:-Chairman, Colonel Challoner; Lord Portman, the Speaker, the Hon. W. G. Cavendish, Sir A. Macdonald, Sir J. V. Shelley, and Sorely to the disappointment of Oxford, the Country Meeting for 1859 is to be held at Warwick-a very good selection. The Society has no need as yet to run upon a beaten track. There is plenty of fresh ground still to be broken up. In addition to its convenience of situation, Warwick has other attractions to recommend THE NEW MANURE-CLAY FROM THE We congratulate the agricultural world on the improved tone pervading the teachings of its scientific instructors. Theories are enunciated cautiously, and modestly guarded with allowances and provisoes; and research in the laboratory is duly acknowledged as elucidating rather than dictating practical husbandry. Take, for instance, some most valuable papers in the last "Part" of the R. A. S. E. Journal. The Rev. Mr. Bowditch has discovered a new source of manure-namely, in the purification of coal-gas by means of clay, which absorbs the ammonia hitherto unarrested by the ordinary process. Carbonate and sulphate of ammonia thus acquired by the aluminous soil used, are doubtless good fertilizers; but what will be the effect of the sulphocyanide of ammonium and other metals which it also retains in considerable quantities? Well; "sulphocyanic acid is found in the saliva of man and the sheep, and must either be taken in the food as such, or produced in the body by the vital processes. Mustardseed, again, is known to contain the sulpho-cyanide of allyle. Horseradish and Alliaria officinalis contain the same substance. The garlic and common onion contain an oil which differs but little from that of mustard, &c. With these examples of analogous compounds in the animal body and in vegetables, there seemed little risk in applying sulpho-cyanides in quantity." Again: Many compounds of cyanogen, produced by the distillation of coal and retained by the clay, found corresponding ones in the urea and uric acid of urine and guano; the hydrocyanic acid of bitter almonds, peach kernels, the leaves of the cherry laurel, &c., when distilled, and other compounds of both kingdoms of Nature, which it is beside our object to discuss." Now, what we have to praise is, that instead of directly seizing the conclusion that the doubtful substance must be a fertilizer because it is found in the animal and vegetable organism, this chemist is content to take these facts as simply warranting the risk of a practical trial, and GAS-WORKS. tests in the field whether or not the ingredient he believes to exist in onions will injure or improve them when applied as a manure. Accordingly he tries the clay, and greatly augments his crop. "At present," he says, 66 any attempt at producing analyses to account for visible effects, and saying thus and thus these substances act-hence, and not elsewhere or otherwise the fertilizing power is obtained-would be, in my opinion, unpardonable presumption. The analyses must be explained by the phenomena: the phenomena must not be tortured to fit the analyses. I have hitherto withheld the results of much labour on this ground, and propose to learn from, and not to impose interpretations upon, Nature. Chemistry is honoured by becoming Nature's handmaid: it is made coutemptible when put forward as her guide." One of the most successful experiments with the new manure-" clay from the gas-works"-was its application to turnips. "This was the very application which theory would indicate. Here was the most sulphurized of all manures being applied to the most highly sulphurized of our field crops. The question put was, Will excess of sulphur in manure promote excess of growth in turnips?'.... The crop was inspected by many, who all agreed that they had never seen it surpassed." Yet this was on a piece of poor soil in a garden. Of course, the usual explanation is ready enough: "The ammoniacal salts and other compounds of nitrogen promoted this luxuriant growth of turnips-the sulphur played but a subordinate part;" and chemists, unfortunately, lend their authority to this opinion, asserting that soils always contain an abundance of sulphates, and therefore farmers need not trouble themselves to add sulphur. "But is this so? May not the superior action of dissolved bones, superphosphate, and similar compounds, be due in a great measure to the sulphuric acid they contain, and not simply to soluble phosphate which does not exist in the soil, or insoluble phosphate 'in a fine state of divi sion?' I confess myself strongly of the opinion," says | tend to deteriorate the land-we take another instance Mr. Bowditch, "that the sulphuric acid is a very potent agent in bringing about the good results which are so familiar, from compounds in which it is used; and when we recollect the raising of a crop of turnips by watering the drills with dilute sulphuric acid only, and the other successful experiments collected by Johnston ("Experimental Agriculture,” p. 104-5.), I cannot help attributing the success with turnips, above described, as much to the sulphur compounds as to the compounds of nitrogen. Does not the known efficacy of woollen rags as a manure point in the same direction? I know, of course, how large a proportion of nitrogen they contain, and how this is usually dwelt upon; but is it considered that they contain an amount of sulphur which is capable of forming 12 per cent. of their weight of anhydrous sulphuric acid, and that the hop, for which they are almost a specific, contains a sulphurized oil nearly, if not altogether, similar to the oils of mustard, garlic, onions, &c. ?" There is independence of view in these remarks, a breaking away from the beaten track of Liebig and Lawes, and the customary authorities, and an opening up of fresh ground for thought on the subject of plant-food-that we both admire and approve. The following shrewd observation indicates one cause of our long subservience to nitrogen as the royal manure: 'When nitrogen compounds can be purchased more cheaply than at present, other ingredients of manure may perhaps receive closer attention than they now obtain. The extreme importance, and increasing price of nitrogen, has pushed it somewhat beyond its true position." 66 Passing by the proposal of the new manure for grass lands-in which we are reminded that "all the nitrogen of wool and hair came originally from the soil, and most of it from grass;" that "the five millions of pounds of sulphur on the sheep's backs of this country were principally derived from grass," and thus the continuous removal of minerals without return must of our author's moderation in the presence of startling and very winning results from his experiments with the new manure upon potatoes. "The 'potato-disease' has an interest for everyone, whether he be a producer or consumer; and as an experiment of last year bears upon the subject, it should be known." Of 3 acres of Prince Regent potatoes, 21 acres dressed with the gasclay were free from disease, and on the remaining half acre the principal portion of the crop was affected; the disease appearing badly in all the district, namely, Wakefield. Whereupon we have these observations: "I was prepared for the better crop which accompanied the special manure, but its influence over disease was entirely unexpected. I think also it is unexplained. If the disease be owing to the attack of a fungus, and if sulphur in some or all of its combinations be a preventive, and if carbonic acid and arsenic (both of which exist in small quantity in the clay) prevent its attack or its growth, we may account for the prevention in this particular case; but where the whole subject is so entirely beyond the limits of our present knowledge, it appears more becoming to hesitate in the expression of opinion. What is certain is, that the attack of disease, and of course the presence of a fungus, could be traced down the stems below the earth to the tubers, where it stopped when these were in contact with the gas-manure, and to which it extended in all other cases. But an isolated instance does not prove that we have here a specific against disease, nor even that the action of the same agent will be the same on other soils and under other circumstances. Trials alone can do this, and trials in sufficient number to warrant an induction." A great discovery seems here to be close at hand; and yet it is the part of wisdom to restrain the first impulse to hail with rejoicing the apparent new truth, and wait with patience for the tardy proof or too speedy disappointment. THE MEMORIAL FROM THE EXHIBITORS OF STEAM CULTIVATORS. We proceed with the memorial which Mr. Collinson Hall, Mr. John Fowler, junr., Mr. Charles Burrell, and Mr. John A. Williams have addressed to the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society: tors, after their immense pains and pecuniary sacrifices, to be placed before the assembled agricultural world in a position where their powers could not possibly be displayed. "" We, the undersigned exhibitors of steam-ploughs "As the third offer of the Society's premium has at Salisbury, are of opinion that the trial of those again brought the subject under our notice, and as we machines at that meeting was of an unsatisfactory cha- cannot but think that the withdrawal of those schemes racter, and not such as was calculated to develope their at present most prominently before the public from merits, but rather, by putting them into exceptional competition would be prejudicial to the progress of the circumstances, to injure them in the eyes of the public, invention, and would greatly detract from the interest and was not consistent with the importance of the sub- of the Society's meeting at Chester, we would respectject, or a fair return for the large outlay incurred by fully request that the Council would consider whether us in exhibiting them there." Here we pause to ex- such terms and conditions of trial could be arranged, press, not our approval of the construction of this sen- and published previous to the day of entry, as would tence, but our hearty assent to its statements. Every-enable those intending to exhibit to judge of the advibody who saw the ground will testify that the trial was amockery, and that it was a hard case for the inven sability of their incurring the heavy expenses neccssary to such a competition." Though the members of these sentences do play a that there is nothing in the nature of the prize which little at 66 cross-purposes," still, in spite of the compo- prohibits a suspension of judgment, while this object sition, it is clearly to be understood that the exhibitors may be in process of accomplishment.” Let the are not again anxious to purchase "a pig in a poke;" Council state plainly whether they understand their and, as we shall see, they have good reason for re- own offer in this sense-whether they will award the quiring precise explanation of what awaits them at premium to the steam machine that is found the most Chester. "economical substitute for the plough or the spade,” "As we observe that the judges in their report of the no matter whether coulters, shares, and mouldboards be trial at Salisbury express the opinion, that the word-parts of it or not, so long as it fulfils the object in view. ing of the premium can never justify a judge in giving This is, the tillage of land by steam-power as a prize whilst a plough is used,' it is we think essential effectively and more advantageously than by horses. that it should be clearly stated whether any or all those plans which we represent are excluded by the wording of the offer of the premium from competition." "We would also suggest that to insure such a trial of these machines as the importance of the subject deserves, a much longer time is necessary than can be given during the show week by the judges, who have Now, five of the judges understand by the words of a great many other duties to attend to; and that the Society's offer, "an economical substitute for the it would be of great importance that the judges of this plough," a machine that shall "turn-over" the soil in department should have their whole time at their a different manner to that of the plough. No modified disposal for this subject, as no fair comparison with form of plough, having share and mouldboard, and horse labour can be instituted except by a lengthened turning over a furrow-slice by a screw-wedge action, trial." We hope that this request will be comcan receive a prize at their hands. They must have a plied with; and that the steam-cultivator may new variety of tilling implement. But two of the not be left for the cursory inspection of the judges, judges understand the terms to mean, a substitute for after examination and trial of the thrashing machines, the common or horse plough. That is, a steam ma- chaff-cutters, and mills. Let us have a trial of chine which can economically take the place of the several days' duration, with coal weighed, time taken, present horse plough, no matter whether effecting pre- and work measured; and in a situation favourably cisely the same or a better tillage operation. They adapted to this young class of invention, rather than want either ploughing, or some other process equally selected and laid out so as to baffle the inventors with effective, done by steam-power instead of horses. The unfair and unusual obstacles. Let us not absurdly test thing you "substitute" for another is not necessa- general efficiency by means of a maximum of difficulty. rily of a different kind; but it may be either of the "The length of time that elapses between the publicasame or of a different kind, provided only that it tion of the judges' report and the adjudication of the "stand in place of" or answer the purpose of the prize also exercises a very prejudicial effect on the other. It might be argued, indeed, that "substitute business to be done at the meeting. So much so that, for a plough" must perform the work called plough-in our opinion, a machine known not to be competing ing; otherwise, it would not take the place of the old for the premium stands a better chance of obtaining implement; and not being able to accomplish the same orders on its own merits than one upon which a report end, could not be called a "substitute." But why is expected in a few months, and for which the public quarrel about words? Mr. Wren Hoskyns says, are likely to wait." There can be no reason why the "When it is already evident that a plough worked by judges of the steam cultivators should not give in their steam-power gets rid of some of the evils incidental, on report while on the spot; though it is perhaps too certain soils, to that worked by horses, it becomes quite much to expect the necessarily elaborate reports upon conceivable that retaining substantially the same all the numerous classes of machinery and multitudiform, it might yet come to get rid of those remaining. nous "miscellaneous articles" in the show-yard. The nominal objection could hardly survive the real the judges of steam cultivators, reapers, thrashing maone, since the only object of substitution is the complete chines, and steam-engines at any rate, if not of other removal in the substitute of the defects in the original. important machines, have time to conduct the neces This accomplished, substitution is literally as well as sary experiments, and afterwards compose their separate substantially attained, for there is nothing in the reports, before or during the public show-days. And etymology of the word to prohibit similarity of form for this purpose the work should be more divided than in the instrument which shall furnish the whole of heretofore, rather than more classes forced upon fewer the qualities required. ...; while it is equally true judges. Let THE TRIALS OF THE THRASHING-MACHINES. SIR,-The inclosed paper was laid before the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, at the meeting yesterday. If you can find room for it, I shall feel obliged. Long Sulton, May 6, 1853. I am, Sir, yours sincerely, J. A. CLARKE. |