The increase of wages, and advance in materials, may enhance the expense from 101. to 201. beyond what it was estimated at five years ago.

In corroboration of what I have stated, I shall subjoin the accounts I have received from various persons, who have adopted the feeding with steamed potatoes*.

* I have found the washing clothes by steam, in the same mode as potatoes, to answer extremely well, and to be attended with a great saving of labour. The clothes are steeped in cold water for 12 hours; then rubbed with a preparation of soap and soda, or pearl ashes; a pound of soap and a quarter of a pound of soda, to a stone of clothes. All that is requisite, is to have a a tub of plane-tree, or fir without any iron. They require steaming for about an hour, and are afterwards washed out in cold

water, taking care to change it frequently. Farmers will find this well worthy their attention.

Observations,

Observations, by the Bishop of Landaff, on Mr. CURWEN'S Method of Steaming*.

I AM now with Mr. Curwen, at Workington, and have seen his manner of steaming potatoes, and apply. ing them as a substitute for hay in the feeding of horses. I understand that he has transmitted to the Board of Agriculture an account of the process, and that he is a candidate for a medal. The committee must be sensible that potatoes have been used, not only as a substitute for hay, but for corn; and with cut straw, both for hay and corn. Notwithstanding this, Mr. Curwen's experiments are, in my opinion, greatly deserving the attention of our society; they are carried on with great accuracy, and on the most extensive plan; and I can bear witness to the excellency of the machinery with which the process is conducted, and a saving of labour will be made by Mr. Curwen, in a new machine he is about to erect, by the substitution of a wheel, to be moved by a rill of water, in turning the washer. I thought Mr. Curwen entitled to this testimony, which may be mentioned to the committee, but as too unimportant for the consideration of the Board. ·

Communications of the Board of Agriculture, vol. IV.

Additional

Additional Communications on Steaming

TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD SHEFFIELD. MY LORD,

CONCEIVING it may not be unacceptable to your Lordship, to be made acquainted with the progress that feeding of horses upon steamed potatoes and cut straw, as a substitute for hay, is making in Scotland, I take the liberty of inclosing you a letter upon the subject. I have now had some years' experience, and am more than ever confirmed in my opinions of its efficacy, and the saving both to the individual and the public. I sent a person, a few month since, to R. S. Dansie, Esq. of Clater Park, Herefordshire, to erect an apparatus, and to put them in the method. of conducting the feeding; and have the satisfaction to find it answers extremely well, indeed it cannot fail, if fairly tried. I wish his Grace the Duke of Bedford could be prevailed upon to make the experiment; The extensive scale of his Grace's feeding would make it an object of consequence, and call the public attention to it. The soil near Woburn would answer very well for the growth of potatoes.

Extending the culture of potatoes is an object of great national importance, as leading to an increased growth of bread corn. Potatoes are sold in the markets of this county from 2 to 3d. per stone, but may be imported from Scotland, free of all charges, at ; hay is selling from 8d. to 10d.; since Octo

Communications, &c. vol. V. p. 210.

ber,

ber, I have steamed 300 daily; allowing that quantity to be equal to half the number of stones of hay, the saving will be, at 7d. per stone, 11. 17s. per day.

I beg your Lordship's pardon, for occupying so valuable time.

much of

your

I have the honour to be, &c.

WORKINGTON HALL, Jan. 26th, 1806.

J. C. CURWEN.

Copy of a LETTER to JOHN GRIEVE, Esq.

DEAR SIR,

Edinburgh.

Charlestown, Oct. 31st, 1805.

I SHOULD have written you last night, but was prevented by the fatigue of my ride, I did not forget your boiler, but was informed by Mr. Stainton, that they had not any ready-made boilers of any kind.

In feeding their horses, the Carron Company pro. ceed upon Mr. Curwen's plan. They have three tubs steaming at a time, two of potatoes, and one of chopped straw, chaff, or dusting seeds; they empty one tub of potatoes into a large mash tub, by way of bottom layer, then the tub of chopped straw, and last, the remaining tub of potatoes, and the whole is wrought and mixed up with a large wooden pestle; to this they add a small quantity of salt: a bucket is brought to each horse, with his feed of corn (bruised between rollers) in the bottom, and his proportion

of

of potatoes is filled in above. When it is emptied into the manger, the corn is, of course, uppermost, and the horse feeder puts his hand through the feed to mix it.

The proportions they give to their large horses in the work are, at mid-day, 7lb. of potatoes (raw weight) to each horse, and one pound of cut straw, mixed with his usual quantity of corn. In the evening, fourteen pounds of potatoes, and the same quantity of straw mixed with his corn, or they mix the straw in the proportion of the potatoes. They cook twice a day, and give the feed warm. At their collieries, where their horses are smaller, they give six pounds at mid-day, and twelve at night.

The Carron Company bought their potatoes this year at 6d. per boll, and I have to-day bought 200 at the same price. I understand the scheme is adopted at the Kinnaird Colliery at Alloa and Halbeath, and Mr. Beaumont and I follow these examples. I find, by experiment, that a boll weighs 22 stone avoirdu poise.

I am, &c.

W. WOTHERSHOON.

By a Scotch newspaper, I observe his Grace the Duke of Bedford had viewed the coal-works at Halbeath, a few weeks ago, and amongst other objects had noticed the steaming apparatus for preparing potatoes. I trust the having seen it, and heard the report of its success, may induce his Grace to be the introducer of it into Bedfordshire. The Rev. St. John