half that quantity with one horse. They do not press upon the horse either up or down hill; they are convenient for coal, but cannot be tilted. Two good men will pitch and load from 60 to 80 qrs. of wheat in a long harvest day, and one man will unpitch them. Three carts and three horses will convey this quantity, with one boy to drive; but an extra cart and one more boy are required when the distance is greater. There is no binding the load. No such satisfactory practice could be done with waggons, and the cost would be in every way much greater. years ago my men were all in favour of waggons, two horses, IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES. NOT OTWITHSTANDING the glut in the London market of foreign cattle lately, we have to record, on the authority of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom," a falling off, in the month, of oxen and bulls of upwards of 2000 head-the number received during August of this year being 13,929, as against 16,104 in the corresponding month of last year. In the case of cows, however, there was an extraordinary increase, and it may be doubted whether that increase was of advantage to the country. For if it be true that all the ills that four-footed animals are heir to, come from abroad, then the increase of cows must be looked upon as a source of great danger. We have something like 12,000 extra on the month, no fewer than 13,099 having being received during this August; while last year only 1446 reached our shores in the same period. The number of calves received was also far in excess of that coming in the corresponding month of 1870-being 8025, to compare with 3801. The numbers of sheep and lambs were nearly doubled-106,521 being the number imported; the corresponding number in the like month of last year amounting to only 55,761. Swine, also, came in larger numbers during the month-10,098 being registered; last year, in the same time, just 9597. Bacon more than doubled in quantity--the precise figures being for the month of August 1870, 32,999 cwts.-this year it was 75,607. Of salted beef, however, we had considerably iess, no doubt owing to the fact that we had such an increase in the returns of live produce. Of meat, salted or fresh, there was a slight decline; but in meat preserved otherwise than by salting, a very large increase, the figures in August this year, being 19,877 cwts.-in the like term of last year, 1414 cwts. These statistics confirm the statements which reach us from abroadthat meat preserving is becoming very profitable. While on the subject of meat, we may also notice that there was a large augmentation in the imports of hams, the quantity received during the month being 3366 cwts., as against 810 cwts. ; but of salted pork we received only 7892 cwts., as against 13,034 cwts. During August we imported a much larger quantity of wheat than in the corresponding period of last year, viz., 4,110,189 cwts., as against 3,056,936 cwts. During the Imports and Exports of Agricultural Commodities eight months of this year that have passed, the total quantity of this commodity imported was 23,496,867 cwts., for which we paid. £13,744,940. Last year, up to the same date, we received only 19,788,933 cwts., and the cost was £10,191,049. Barley was in much larger supply, at a smaller outlay. Oats we received in smaller quantities. About peas the same has to be said, but beans we imported in greater quantity. The following tables shew the quantities. and the values of corn received during the month, with, in the case of wheat and wheat meal and flour, the sources whence derived:QUANTITIES. Month ended Month ended Oats Indian corn 251 VALUE. Barley.. £227,678 £307,930 670,459 483,938 125,380 30,969 43,411 122,881 743,266 719,865 QUANTITIES. Month ended Month ended With reference to other provisions we notice an increase in the import of butter, of upwards of 17,000 cwts., and of cheese more than 45,000 cwts., the exact quantities being, last month, butter, 122,452, and cheese 207,120 cwts., and the respective costs, £626,473 and £555,360. A country so well adapted as ours for the manufacture of dairy produce, should not be so dependent on the foreigner, as these statistics shew it to be. Eggs we received in diminished numbersonly 274,026 "great hundreds" being imported during the month, as against 339,331 in the corresponding period of last year. It would seem from this, and we would be glad if it were really the case, that poultry are being more attended to at home than they were wont to be. Foreign potatoes were in much less demand this year than last-the amount we paid for them during the month being only £5800. In August of 1870, we disbursed for the same commodity £13,716, and in the corresponding month of 1869 no less than £30,161. For poultry, game, and rabbits, alive and dead, we paid £5039, about £1300 more than in the corresponding term of last year. The imports of clover and grass seeds exhibit a great decline, being only 2297 cwts., not a half of what they were in August of 1870, nor a-sixth of the quantity received in 1869. We had, however, a much larger supply of rape, 91,807 cwts., to compare with 38,520 cwts. The quantity of cotton seeds received amounted to 6928 tons; and of flax and linseed 144,676 qrs., much about the same as the corresponding month last year. There was a tremendous increase in the import of hops, the quantity received amounting to 20,504 cwts., to compare with 1160 cwts. in August of last year. The expense was more than proportionately great, the sum paid being £63,400, while in the like month of 1870 it was only £2803. In the course of last month we imported 17,000 tons of bones more than in the previous August, the quantity being 9953 tons, and the value £63,740, to compare with 8249 tons and £52,933. It will thus be seen there was little difference in the value of the article, but what little alteration there is, is in favour of the buyer, to the almost inappreciable extent of a penny per ton-the price this year, as given in the Returns, being £6, 8s. 2d. per ton; last year, it was £6, 8s. 3d. There is a great falling off noticeable in the imports of guano, only 6225 tons being shipped, as against 32,078 cwts. The cost is £54,203, to compare with £418,926 last August. If there be no mistake in the Returns, the quality must have been as deficient as the quantity—the price, we find on working the matter out, being only £8, 14s. 1d. this year, while in the same month of last year, the value was £13, 1s. 2d. We cannot discredit the accuracy of the Accounts, but such a discrepancy requires explanation. To tell where the guano came from, which the Returns ought to do, might throw light upon the sub ject. There was a slight falling off in the imports of oil-seed cakes, there being about 900 tons less received than in the corresponding month of last year—the precise figures being 12,983 tons, as against 13,891 tons. The cost, however, was greater, notwithstanding the diminished supplies, the sum paid last month being £137,643, as against £113,112, in August last year. Our imports of wool during August were greatly in excess of those of the corresponding month of last year, although Australia shewed a falling off. To the continent of Europe, and what are described as “other countries," it will be noticed from the subjoined table, the excess is due. The Country Gentleman's Magazine 253 The Garden. ORNAMENTAL CONSERVATORY. NE of the greatest achievements in Ο hot-house buildings is the modern conservatory. It is considered one of the luxuries pertaining to a most complete whole in gardenesque adornments. Its place and position, notwithstanding all that may be said to the contrary, is as an adjunct to the mansion house, or castle, or villa. A wellproportioned house, suited to the character and style of the architectural pile which it adorns, and is adorned in turn, is one of the greatest achievements in hothouse building. The architect has to consider more than mere æsthetic effect. He has to take cognizance, which, by the way, he often doesn't, of what climate would be, and what would not be suitable for the growth and health of the plants that are intended to beautify the interior. In days past, there seemed to be an absence of forethought, or a want of knowledge of the requisites that plant life demands, and so we had heavy massive stone erections, grand enough in themselves as subsidiaries to the principal pile or block, but so dark and dreary-looking that what plants were put in alive and well became wan-coloured, their branches elongated without that consolidation of tissue, and their leaves were shooting forth without that amount of chlorophyll which is so necessary towards maintaining health and increasing the dimensions of the plants in a stable way, that death was the inevitable issue. sented, whatever were the character and style of the house. And so we have had in modern times both elegant and useful houses, in keeping with the style of architecture-be it Grecian or Gothic, or any other style; and what with the other adjuncts of lawn, or pleasure ground, or flower garden, we have had, and continue to have, many pleasing combinations. We intend from time to time to present a set of houses of all kinds, combining elegance with economy. In the meantime, by the kindness of Messrs W. L. Boulton & Co., Norwich, we illustrate the following group, as presenting, more or less, features of importance for such of our readers who may be inclined. to build, and who doubtless desire to have such plans before them as may meet their individual wants, before finally coming to a decision. is The ornamental conservatory, fig. 1, very suitable for an adjunct to any villa of Grecian style of architecture, where symmetry prevails to a marked extent, and symmetry is always more or less pleasing to the eye of man. It is sufficiently lofty to admit such conservatory plants as Palms, Tree Ferns, Camellias, Australian Dracænas, and such like plants that do best in a mild atmosphere. As a rule, tropical conservatories are few. The plants that are generally grown and flowered, or grown for other beauties, are too subject to the inroads of insects, and require too much attention for the privacy which it is This state of things, however, was not long desirable at all times to have about conserto continue. Plant admirers and plant col- vatories in connexion with mansions. Morelectors set their face resolutely against the over, the temperature is too stifling-more prevailing custom or fashion of conservatory like a preparatory room for a Turkish building, and determined upon insisting that bath, and thus not by any means an light, and light in abundance, must be pre- eligible atmosphere for either ladies or |