Page images
PDF
EPUB

It is evident the estimated value of the carcass of the long-horned is too high: the kylo sells 1d. per lb. at least dearer. The original weight gives the result of profit, which is little short of the kylo; when there is no comparison in offal to carcass. The long-horned consumed a greater weight of food in 100 days, than the kylo did in 140.

The progress of the experiments created that degree of interest that made me anxious to proceed further: in consequence of which, I caused six very moderate three-years-old Highlanders to be tied up, the 27th of June, and fed them for the greatest part of the time with grass, cut from hedges, plantations, and walks, considered of little if any value. This experiment is highly satisfactory;-how much food of this kind does every farmer waste! and which is worse, suffers it to seed and multiply weeds! My first object in cutting my hedges was, to destroy weeds: the appropriation of a great deal of the worst grass to any beneficial purpose, was an afterthought. For the last month they have been fed with carrot and turnip-tops. I had no straw to spare, yet they have maintained their condition: one that appears to have failed took the soremouth, but has killed extremely well.

Calculation

June 27 st.

July

st.

Calculation of the Increase upon the six Highlanders.

July 6 | Aug. 3 | Aug, 23 | Sept. 6 | Oct.1

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Nov. 9

st.

st.

st.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

st.

47

51

48 47

[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

47

48

50. 52

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Whatever difference of opinion may arise as to the mode of calculation and the dates assumed, I conceive the advantages of soiling to be so apparent that no one can question them, either as applied to feeding horses, milch-cows, or to fattening. The communications received from various quarters fully prove the rapid progress it has already made. The benefits that will result from soiling to the general state of cultivation, will be greater than I should think it prudent to state (under all the indulgences I might expect) to the full extent of my opinion.

In concluding the labours of the year, I feel fully justified in anticipating the most rapid improvements in the agriculture of the county. To alter opinions, and to effect a change in habits and practice, are tasks of infinite difficulty: but the moment men are disposed to be convinced, the change is rapid beyond belief; such I believe to be the state of the public mind, as far as I can judge. May every thing which can tend to the general and individual happiness of the county have a prosperous issue.

The following abstracts for eight years, will shew the progressive improvement in the produce of the Schoose Farm. The accounts are posted every fortnight in the same manner, so that the result of the whole operations are brought into one point of view. Large as the produce may appear from 520 acres, I think.it may still be greatly augmented.

To

To what extent the rotation of crops may be carried where manure is to be procured, has not, I conceive, been hitherto ascertained by any thing which has yet been done in any part of the kingdom. I cannot see the extensive pastures which surround London and other great towns, without lamenting they are not turned to better account. These are situations where garden husbandry ought to be carried to its utmost perfection; which would augment the produce seven fold at least beyond what it is, and give employment to a number of additional hands. The best example of this is to be seen near Biggleswade.

Workington-Hall, Jan. 1808:

HONOURED SIR,

It appears from the accounts of the years 1800 and 1801, there is an extraordinary difference in their produce, which may in some measure be accounted for in the fluctuation of the price of grain. Oats were in a great measure bought in the year 1800, at a very high price; and valued to the farm, at the commencement of 1801, at 24s. the bushel, and not worth at the end of it more than 10s. per bushel; other grain in proportion. Hay was this year (1801) also a very failing crop, and said to be 300 tons short of what an average year would have produced. Some items, to the amount of 118 tons, had not been put into the stock.

I am, honoured Sir,

Your obedient servant,

Workington, Dec. 30, 1507.

WM. SWANBURN.

Schoose

SCHOOSE FARM ACCOUNTS.

The following farm accounts of the Schoose are unavoidably blended with work done for the collieries, so that they afford no fair data to judge what would be the profits of the arm under other circumstances. They exhibit, however, a faithful account of the produce, the increase of which is striking. Taxes of all kinds amount to 150l. per annum. Great and most essential improvements have been made, leaving at the same time from one to two rents-from this the taxes must be taken; and likewise a farther reduction for the interest upon buildings, which are upon a larger scale than are necessary. In this part of my management I should not recommend others to follow my example. The Flemish system of farming will require more conveniences for feeding cattle than the present mode. Truth has in all instances been the object I have strictly aimed at-and I trust I have in no instance shrunk from the disclosure of it, though it might be at the expense of self-condemnation. The accounts are vouched by my agent as they pass through my office, without my having any interference with them, so fearful have I been of deceiving myself.

Schoose

« PreviousContinue »