So that, in regard to this important part of our food bran or entire-meal loaf, yet that differs materially from necessary to all living animals, but especially to the the genuine brown bread which can be only produced by young who are growing, and to the mother who the farmers' grist, ground from red or dark-skinned is giving milk, the whole meal is three times more nou-wheat, wherein every particle of the coarser pollard is rishing than the fine flour." retained by a mill-cloth employed for the express purpose. If any credence be attached to chemical analyses, and in particular to the experiments of a chemist so thoroughly practical as Professor Johnston, the case of the superior value of whole meal bread is absolutely made out; and it would be found a circumstance of inestimable "The Deity has done far better for us, by the natural value to the entire community, were there a legislative mixtures to be found in the whole seed, than we can do enactment to the effect that no bread should be pub- for ourselves. The materials, both in form and licly baked and sold that was not made either proportion, are adjusted in each seed of wheat in a way from entire flour, or from the farmers' "one-way" more suitable to us than any which with our present grist before described. The latter, indeed, appears knowledge we appear able to devise. I conclude this article by an appeal to the final and conclusive arguments with which Professor Johnston supports his theory, and to its applicability in especial to the far-famed oatmeal of the north. to be the quality of the bread by mis-conception "The oat is more nutritive even than the whole grain termed "second;" and I can venture to assert of wheat, taking weight for weight. For the growing that the loaf prepared from flour of a quality so boy, for the hard working man, and for the portly pure and genuine as that obtained from the mill-matron, oatmeal contains the materials of the most ground "one-way" would bring thousands of converts to the opinion now so boldly, and with truth, advanced by Mr. Johnston. As a further confirmation of this theory, one more table of calculations is adduced; it is therein stated that “A thousand pounds of the three substances contain of the three several ingredients the proportions of Whole meal. Fine flour. Muscular matter ..... .156lbs. 130lbs. Bone material Fat...... ... 60 .170,, 28, 201 hearty nourishment. This it owes in part to its peculiar chemical composition, and in part to its being, as it is used in Scotland, a kind of whole meal." Many persons object to oatmeal on the ground of its possessing heating properties-referrible to the comparative high proportion of its oily material. Let us admit the fact, but in that case I must be permitted to recommend the use of oatmeal most particularly to persons of a spare or meagre habit. At all events they who know what true "round" oatmeal really is, must prefer it to every other variety. I ascribe its superior excellence to the admirable method of kiln-drying, obtained by experience; and as through the kindness of a friend I possess a quantity of the meal received direct from Edinburgh, I can honestly recommend it as incomparably superior to anything that is sold as oatmeal by our English corndealers. JOHN TOWERS. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FOR THE SMALL FARMERS OF IRELAND. No. I. SIR,—Believing, as I do, that the dissemination of sound agricultural instruction among the small farmers of Ireland would conduce most materially to the bettering of their condition, I am induced to request that you would favour me with the insertion, in your very useful and widely circulated Paper, of the few following remarks on the manner in which, I conceive, such instruction might be given, without calling into requisition any expensive machinery. Into the cause or this establishment perhaps not less than 2,000 teachers The public, I should think, are generally aware of the defer one of the greatest blessings they could confer on the small and ignorant farmers of this country. No individual can estimate more fully than I do the liberal and enlightened course of elementary instruction which they have been the means of dispensing to the public, notwithstanding the bitter and rancorous opposition which they have had to encounter. Could they not complete their good work by placing within the reach of the small farmer, through the instrumentality of their schoolmasters, that kind of knowledge which he so much requires? To speak plainly, why should they require the elementary teachers, when in training in Dublin, to spend so much of their valuable time in the acquirement of agricultural knowledge, if it be not intended that it should form a part of the instruction to be given in their respective schools? I do verily believe that, with the exception of the teachers of agricultural schools, few, if any, of the elementary teachers, on their return from the training establishment, have ever imparted a particle of agricultural knowledge to the boys in attendance at their schools; nor do I know that they have been required to do so. This, I would respectfully submit, should not be the case. The trained teacher of every national school, even should there not be a single perch of ground attached to it, could impart a very large amount of agricultural information to the boys in the higher classes in his school; and he should in every instance be required to attend to the matter. would it then be, were it only for the sake of humanity, to place within their reach the means of obtaining it! I am well aware of the circumstance that the Commissioners of National Education have this laudable object in view; but I cannot conceal the fact that it is the general opinion of those interested on the subject, that they have been rather dilatory in carrying it into effect. That prudence and caution are necessary in embarking upon any important undertaking no one will venture to deny ; but, it is equally true that indecision, when due time has been taken for proper consideration, and when even the feasibility of the project has been fully tested, has the tendency in the mean time to create the impression that the plan is unworthy of adoption, or else to lead to the supposition that it will not be carried out with that spirit and vigour which would ensure its success. Perhaps the funds at the disposal of the Commissioners are considered inadequate for the purpose: if so, why not apply to the Government for an increase of the grant ? But it is not exclusively to the Commissioners of National Education that I would look for the proper development of this system. With all their influence they would feel their most strenuous efforts cramped, and their best wishes but imperfectly carried into effect, without the co-operation of the landlords. For the proper working of the system, therefore, the countenance and support of this influential body would be absolutely required. And can we suppose that a body of men, whose best interests would be thus consulted, would deny their aid to a course of instruction which would ultimately prove so beneficial to themselves? I should hope not. It is much to be regretted, however, that the great majority of them have already incurred the charge of apathy and indifference with regard to the condition of their tenantry. How far they have merited the impu But whilst I contend that in these schools (the common elementary schools) much valuable and useful information on the principles of agriculture might be communicated, it is from the proper working of schools of another description, viz., District Agricultural Schoolsto each of which not less than seven or eight statute acres would be attached, and in which agricultural education, both scientific and practical, would form a leading feature in the establishment—that I would look for the diffusion of that very kind of information on agricultural subjects which the small farmers of Ireland so much re-tation the present state of society will furnish them with quire, and which would be in such exact conformity with the circumstances of their case. In imparting to the youthful mind the best mode of cultivating the soil, the teacher would not have those deep-rooted prejudices to contend with which have hitherto characterized, in so prominent a degree, the conduct of the old and ignorant farmer, and which have proved so great a barrier to the introduction of the improved method of culture; but, on the contrary, he would enjoy the advantage of forming early impressions by implanting in the minds of the youth of his country those genuine principles of agriculture which would never afterwards in riper years be forgotten, but which would in the end produce a complete reformation in the husbandry of Ireland. It is an undeniable fact, that want of a sufficient knowledge of agricultural matters has in a great degree aggravated, if not contributed to, the present alarming distress which pervades the lower ranks of this unfortunate country. Even at the present time, were the small farmers properly acquainted with the green-cropping system and house-feeding of cattle, such knowledge would not only give them increased confidence in their own individual exertions, but it would also enable them to cultivate their small patches of land with the prospect of ample remuneration for their labour. How desirable an object sufficient evidence to enable themselves to come to a right conclusion on the point. Would to God those evidences did not exist, and that I were able to exonerate them from all blame in the matter! it would then afford me the greatest pleasure to award them that praise, gratitude, and thankfulness which their good actions would so justly deserve. Sure I am, however, that if they persevere in the course which has hitherto characterized most of their proceedings, both as regards their tenantry and the national system of education, they will be convinced in the end that in the one instance it was madness, and in the other folly. With respect to the former, the result will be the sacrifice of their incomes to the support of mendicancy; and with reference to the latter, the system has so clearly manifested its usefulness that it will ultimately triumph over every obstacle. And why? Because the principles of the system are based on equity between man and man. I would therefore earnestly entreat that portion of the landed proprietors, and also the clergy belonging to the Established Church, who have hitherto withheld their support from the national system of education on the silly pretext that their conscience will not permit them to countenance a system, one of the leading principles of which is opposed to proselytism, to abandon so illiberal and unmeaning an opposition, and to permit truth to vindicate its superiority over error by its moral and renovating influence on the hearts and conduct of the people. The liberty of worshipping God according to the dictates of the conscience is one of those principles of the British Constitution which the liberality and enlightenment of the present and future ages will never again suffer to be tampered with. All opposition, therefore, to the just and liberal regulations of the Commissioners will ultimately fail, as in truth and conscience it should do; and I fondly hope and trust that the day is not far distant when this most desirable end shall have been attained. I have said that the influence of the landed proprietors is absolutely necessary in furthering the working out of this system of national agriculture, and I shall just briefly refer to the way in which, it strikes me, their services, in conjunction with those of the Commissioners of National Education, would be required in effecting this object. 1. The landed proprietors should act generally as patrons of the national schools on their estates: if not, they should be members of the committees of such schools. 2. They should have at least one agricultural school on each of their properties, provided it were sufficiently extensive, to which they should attach seven or eight statute acres, at a fair rent. 3. The teacher should be required to pay the rent of the farm, and to bear the expenses of cultivation. In return, he should enjoy the profits arising from his management, and also his fixed regular salary. No teacher should be appointed to such schools but those who had been previously trained on the national model farm, and had received a certificate of competency. 4. All permanent improvements upon such farms should be borne by the landlord; and every encouragement that could be reasonably given to the teacher should not be withheld. 5. The landlord should have the liberty of exercising a judicious surveillance over the management of such farms; and, in conjunction with the commissioners, insist upon the exemplification of a regular rotation of cropping, house-feeding of cattle, the proper method of collecting, preserving, and applying manures, &c., &c. 6. The prosperity of the system would mainly depend upon the degree of influence which the landlord could judiciously exercise over his tenantry, in inducing them to permit their boys, when in attendance at school, to devote a portion of their time to the cultivation of the farm. This, I consider, would be the greatest difficulty to be surmounted; but I would have little fear of the result were the landlord to take up the matter, and particularly so could he induce the clergy to join him. tural establishments for the proper accommodation of a limited number of boarders. 2. The Commissioners should contribute-as they very considerately at present do-a certain moiety towards defraying the expense of the boarders, and the remainder should be paid by their parents or guardians. 3. A class-room should be attached to each agricultural school, for the accommodation of the class during the time set apart for giving agricultural instruction. 4. Agricultural Inspectors should be appointed, whose duty it would be to report upon the management of these schools, and suggest such improvements from time to time in the working of the system as they might consider necessary and beneficial. 5. In every school in connection with the Board, whether agricultural or elementary, an agricultural class should be formed from the boys in the higher classes, and special instruction on agricultural matters be regularly given by the teacher. 6. In each of the agricultural schools there should be, in addition to the head teacher, either an assistant teacher or a paid monitor, as the presence of the head teacher would be occasionally required on the farm in giving directions or instructions to the pupils on farming ope rations. HALESWORTH FARMERS' CLUB.-The usual monthly meeting took place, on Friday the 4th June. The subject for the evening's discussion was the "effects of the game laws," which was introduced by Mr. R. Haward, in a speech consisting principally of extracts from the evidence taken before the House of Commons' Committee of 1845-6. A discussion then ensued, in which several members took part. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to:-1. That in our opinion the present game laws are the causes of grievous oppression to many, and of ruin to some of the tenantfarmers of Great Britain. 2. That the facilities they offer for a large preservation of game tend to cause a greatly diminished production of the necessaries of life, materially lessening the resources of the country. 3. That by causing an inferior cultivation of the soil they reduce the demand for agricultural labour, and greatly injure the labourers and their families. 4. That they are the cause of frightful demoralization and crime among the poorer classes. 5. That the expenses attending the prosecution of game-law-offenders, the maintenance of them and their families during punishment, 1. Provision should be made in each of the agricul- and the employment of the police in their apprehension, It would be, perhaps, presumptuous to offer any suggestions to the Commissioners respecting the manner in which the system should be carried out, as there is no doubt they would do so efficiently; still, a remark or two may not be altogether inappropriate. are serious burdens to the community at large, a great | other reasons we respectfully yet firmly recommend a portion of such expenses being paid by parties totally thorough revision and amendment of such laws, beuninterested in their convictions. 6. That for these and lieving the same will be a great national advantage. enough to enable plants to absorb it in very sensible quantities. It may not be amiss here to state that by Dr. Marcet's analysis, sea water in one thousand parts contains 26.660 chloride of sodium (table salt), 4.600 sulphate of sodium (Glauber's salts), 1-232 chloride of potassium, 5.125 chloride of magnesia, and 1.5 sulphate of lime (gypsum); and by the continual eva SIR, -How vain are all human calculations! In the early spring I fondly promised myself the pleasure of writing some half-dozen letters on the economy of plants, when I was for the third time subjected to so severe an attack of inflammation in the face that Iporation of sea water into the air, its salts are by the could neither read or write; so that I cannot refer to what I have already said on this subject. But truth requires no study in the utterance; and I am told Milton sang no less sweetly for being blind. winds and clouds spread over the whole surface of the earth, and being subsequently carried down by the rain, furnish to vegetation those salts necessary to its existence. And this is the origin of the salts found in the ashes of That there is a vast difference in the relative fertility plants in those cases where the soil, of itself, could not of different soils, no rational man can deny; and that have furnished them. As to the carbon of plants, it is judicious and plentiful manuring has immensely increased incapab of entering directly, in its solid state, into the productiveness of the land, is also self-evident. their circulation, and can only be absorbed by the miBut that the earth of itself has much less to do with the nute vesse of the roots and leaves in its gaseous or development and perfecting of vegetation than is gene-liquid form; and although the atmosphere itself contains rally supposed I will endeavour to explain; and to him but abou one-thousandth part of its weight of carwho will receive the best authority on earth it is written, bonic acid in the state of gas, yet, small as this prethat even when "there was not a man to till the ground, portion appears, it is quite sufficient to supply the that the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding whole race of living beings with carbon, and all growing seed, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in plants with woody fibre for the next thousand years, itself." Therefore there must have been a period in the even if it were not renewed. But there is also another earth's history when no vegetable matter existed in the inexhaustible source of carbon, viz., sea-water contains soil. We now and then are told that humus is decaying one hundred times more carbonic acid than does the vegetable substances; that mould is decayed vegetable air, and Lagrange and others found sea-water also conmatter, and without which living vegetables cannot tained ammonia in large quantities, which is fully conperfect their seed; but there must have been a time firmed by Marcet, who says, "When the solid saline when there could have been neither vegetable mould or residue obtained by the evaporation of sea-water is humus, and the first plants must have grown and heated in a retort to redness, a sublimate of sal-ammoniac So that the same conditions which susripened without the aid of either animal or vegetable is obtained." matter, consequently must have been nourished from tain living beings on the land are combined in this me the air alone. We know that certain marly soils raised dium, in which a whole world of other plants and from very great depths beneath the surface, and con- animals exist. And the roots of plants are constantly taining no animal or vegetable remains, will yet without engaged in collecting from the rain those alkalis which manure yield luxuriant crops; and some plants grow formed sea-water, and also those of the water of springs, and increase in size when suspended in the atmosphere, which penetrates the soil; for without alkalis and and without coming in contact with the soil at all; and alkaline bases but few plants could exist, and without that many plants-bulbous flower-roots, for example-plants the several alkalis would gradually disappear will thrive in distilled water only, provided they have from the crust of the earth. How difficult to underfree access to atmospheric influence; or, if duly stand the intricate processes by which nature works up watered, when sown in leaden shot, or even in ground glass, and must have received their carbon and nitrogen from the air. Hence the benefit of top-dressing with brick-dust or burnt clay for these substances, though in themselves inert, nevertheless have so strong an affinity for ammonia, that they attract it from the atmosphere, and detain it near the surface of the soil quite long | Adderbury, May 5. these raw materials into her many beautiful productions! yet how interesting it must be to know her ways; how useful even partially to find them out! And the endeavour must be deferred to a future letter. I am, Sir, yours &c., J. W. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. The half-yearly Audit of the accounts of the Society | the papers to be read and the practical discussions to was held at the Society's House, in Hanover Square, on take place at their Weekly Meetings may be made known Friday, the 21st of May: present, Colonel Challoner and some time previous to such meetings, in order that parMr. Raymond Barker, on the part of the Finance Com- ties interested in the particular questions to be brought mittee; and Mr. Thomas Knight, Mr. Alderman Tawney, forward at the respective dates so pre-arranged, may be and Mr. C. Hampden Turner, as the Auditors on the part enabled to attend the Weekly Meetings on those occasions. of the Society. The various accounts having been examined and approved, the Auditors expressed their entire satisfaction at the manner in which they were kept, and agreed to the Balance-Sheet to be presented as their Report to the General Meeting. Colonel Challoner Miscellaneous Communications.-Dr. Gesner translaid before the Auditors the statement of the Funded mitted from Nova Scotia a further supply of the tuberProperty of the Society, and informed them that an ad-ous roots of the Saa-gaa-ban for trial in this country.— dition of nearly £2000 stock had been made to its invested capital during the previous six months. A Special Council was then held, for the purpose of taking into consideration the Report of the Council to the General Meeting, Colonel Challoner in the chair. The various points of the proceedings of the Council during the past half-year having been discussed in detail, the Report, as arranged under these topics of business, was, on the motion of Mr. Raymond Barker, seconded by Mr. Milward, finally agreed to accordingly. The General May Meeting was held at the Society's House, in Hanover Square, on Saturday the 22nd of May, the Earl of Egmont, President, in the Chair; of which we gave a report in our last week's paper. Consulting Chemist.-Mr. Pusey, M.P., gave notice that at the next monthly council he should move that Professor Way be elected the consulting-chemist of the Society. Mr. Moyle, of Western Canada, expressed his willingness to communicate the result of his experience in the use of the Canadian Gypsum sent over to England for trial by members of the Council.-The Rev. T. J. Powell transmitted specimens of diseased potatoes from Brecknockshire, and a statement of the ravages of the wire-worm among the wheat crops in that part of the country.—Mr. Salvin explained in the library the management and peculiar advantages of the Belgian Stove presented by him to the Society.-Mr. Nicholls, of Hyde-park Place, laid before the Council a copy of his Prize Essay on the Condition of the Agricultural Labourer, reprinted from the Journal by permission of the Journal Committee, and published by Mr. C. Knight in A Weekly Council was held on Wednesday last, a form adapted for general circulation-Mr. H. Strafthe 26th of May: present, the Earl of Egmont, ford, of 4, Moreton Villas, Camden Town, prePresident, in the chair; Duke of Richmond; Lord sented a copy of the new volume of his continuBridport; Hon. S. T. Carnegie, M.P.; Hon. R. H. ation of Coates's Herd-book of Shorthorned CatClive, M.P.; Hon. Captain Dudley Pelham, R.N.; tle, illustrated by thirteen lithographic portraits of Hon. Major Nelson Hood; Sir Francis Lawley, Bart. ; celebrated bulls of that breed.-Mr. Young called Sir Robert Price, Bart., M.P; Mr. Baines; Mr. Thos. the attention of the Council to his mode of distriRaymond Barker; Mr. John Raymond Barker; Mr.buting water or liquid manure over extensive tracts of George Raymond Barker; Colonel Blagrave; Mr. land.-Lord St. John transmitted an outline of the Burke; Rev. T. Cator; Colonel Challoner; Mr. Com-plan of an agricultural school intended to be established merell; Captain Evans; Mr. Hillyard; Mr. Fisher at Kimbolton, in Huntingdonshire, and to be opened at Hobbs; Mr. Kinder; Mr. Laycock; Mr. Milward; Midsummer next.-Dr. Murray's paper on the "Fertility Mr. Parkins; Captain Parkinson; Mr. Salvin; Mr. of the Soils of Egypt" was referred to the Journal ComAyshford Sanford; Professor Sewell; Mr. Hampden mittee. Turner; Mr. Geo. Turner; Mr. Thos. Turner; Professor Way; and Mr. Wilbraham. The Council then adjourned to the 2nd of June. Papers and Discussions.—Colonel Challoner and Mr. A MONTHLY COUNCIL was held at the Society's Raymond Barker gave notice that at the next Monthly house in Hanover Square, on Wednesday, the 2nd Council they should move that the Journal Committee of June; the Earl of Egmont, president, in the chair. be requested to make a report to the Council at their The following Members of Council and Governors were Monthly Meeting in July, of the best means, in their present: Earl of Lovelace; Hon. R. H. Clive, M.P.; opinion, of classifying the different manuscript papers Right Hon. W. Bingham Baring, M.P.; Sir Charles at present in the hands of that Committee. Mr. Slaney Lemon, Bart., M.P.; Sir Robert Price, Bart., M.P.; also gave notice that he should bring under the consider- Sir John V. B. Johnstone, Bart., M.P.; Colonel ation of the Council, at its next Monthly Meeting the Austen; Mr. Thomas Raymond Barker; Mr. John desirableness of making some arrangements by which Raymond Barker; Mr. Bennett; Mr. Brandreth; Mr. |