These figures speak for themselves, and in passing, I will only draw attention to the large proportion of lime contained in the turnip and red clover crops, which I have previously pointed out as crops especially benefited by the application of chalk or lime. Here I think may be aptly quoted Liebig's minimum law, which though for the present may be scorned by practical men, is destined ere long to be acknowledged as lying at the root of all sound practice, and is a safe guide to all who are not unwilling to confess that the researches of scientific men materially assist us in working out our every-day practice. "Every field," says Liebig, " contains a maximum of one or several, and a minimum of one or several, nutritive substances. It is by the minimum that the crops are governed, be it lime, potash, nitrogen, phosphoric acid, magnesia, or any other mineral constituent; it regulates and determines the amount of continuance of the crops. Where lime or magnesia, for instance, is the minimum constituent, the produce of corn and straw, turnips, potatoes, clover, will not be increased by a supply of even a hundred times the actual store of potash, phosphoric acid, silicic acid, &c., in the ground. But a simple dressing of lime will increase the crops on a field of the kind, and a much larger produce of cereals, turnips, and clover will be obtained by the use of this agent (just as in the case of wood ash on a field deficient in potash) than by the most liberal use of farm-yard manure." It becomes, then, a matter of primary importance to ascertain whether or not our land requires chalk. It is generally taken for granted that where roots club," lime in some form must be applied to counteract this evil, and many years' experience has proved the soundness of such a conclusion. But I venture to think that there is a large area of land that would be greatly benefited by the application of chalk where the above direct proof of the necessity of applying it might be wanting, and where we must seek further for more subtle indications of the deficiency of lime

in the soil. Many practical men may be able to call to mind cases in which they have not been satisfied with the general yield of their crops-though great pains may have been taken in their cultivation, and large outlay may have been made in the hope of profitable returns. I think that I could mention land and certain fields on some farms in this district, where, although the roots may not actually "club," yet there are indications that something is amissthere is a short clover crop perhaps—a profuse quantity of weeds, or an unkind mechanical condition of the soil. Something is wrong, and yet we hardly know what. In such instances, I would suggest that it might be well to have the soil analyzed, and carefully to note the character of the weeds growing upon it. There are certain weeds which are almost a sure indication of a deficiency of lime; many of them flourish upon my own farm, and those farming land requiring chalk will, I feel sure, bear testimony that they are indicative of the absence of lime. Many must be able to call to mind instances where an application of chalk has entirely changed the unkind nature of the soil, and rendered land productive which previously was incapable of producing remunerative crops. I am disposed to think that "clover sickness," one of our stock grievances, is often owing to an insufficient quantity of lime in the soil, and it is stated by Sibson that the application of lime has, in some instances, proved a remedy for this disease. Another matter for practical consideration is the best mode of applying chalk, and the season of the year at which it is best to supply it. In connexion with chalking, I think there is one point which, though worthy of careful consideration, often is disregarded. I refer to the different quality and value of various kinds of chalk. It will often be found that chalk dug from different pits, though on the same farm, will vary considerably in chemical compositions and mechanical structure. Such is the case on my own farm. Suspecting it was so, I sent a sample from each of the pits I am working to be analyzed by Sibson. The

“No. 2,” Sibson remarks, "is much richer in pure carbonate of lime than No. 1, and has also a notable quantity of phosphoric acid, which enhances much its value for the land. The fact of its disintegrating better is much in its favour, and it is evident that this description of chalk should be used in all cases where obtainable. A less quantity of this would also suffice, and might be used in more moderate quantities than is customary in the district." I was anxious at the same time to ascertain whether chalk containing phosphoric acid might be considered in any way as a substitute for superphosphate in the cultivation of roots. Sibson replied as follows:-"A chalk containing phosphate would take the place, in part, of superphosphate, although it could hardly be taken as a substitute." It only remains for me to re

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mark that I have purposely connected the operations of chalking and liming, because what we endeavour to effect in this neighbourhood by the use of chalk, what others in different districts have accomplished by the use of lime-that is to say, chalk or other limestone passed through a kiln, and deprived of its carbonic acid, in which form lime is more potent, but still in many respects performs in the soil the same offices as chalk. Pure lime is largely used in Scotland, and there farmers are especially careful to keep their land sufficiently supplied with it. Liming also is systematically carried out in south Durham and Worcester.

UND

NDER the heading of "A Ramble through Newburgh Park," a writer in the Yorkshire Gazette gives us the following interesting information regarding the reclamation of waste, or rather moorland, which has been effected by the energy of Sir George Wombwell. After entering into the early history of the family, the writer proceeds thus:

Coxwold is the station for Newburgh, and from thence to the Hall the visitor can hardly fail to mark the beauty of the landscape, and fertility of the surrounding country. It is a

sweet scene, answering to Sterne's description of a land "flowing with milk and honey." On one side of Whitestonecliffe, the last range of the Hambleton Hills, at the end of which is rudely, but plainly suclptured, a "White Horse." Before you is the vale of Mowbray and the chimneys of Newburgh Hall, and all around is peace and quiet. But on the top of the hills are wild moorlands," many of them no doubt as still and beautiful, but as little useful in a practical sense as they were when our far distant ancestors trode them. To one of such places we shall

trace our steps, though the energy of Sir George Wombwell has transfigured it. Passing through the Deer Park, which embraces an area of 500 acres, we rapidly rise to the hilly ground topping it. We pass through a grove of beeches, almost as fine as the Burnham beeches of arboricultural fame, and past a cover, where a fox is always found when he is wanted. In the higher reaches of the Park, there is nothing but wild moorland covered with ferns, brushwood, and briars, giving shelter to numberless rabbits. Ascending higher you come to the Lion Lodge Farm, where signs of active life and change begin to appear. On this hill top to which we have now ascended, facing the valley and overlooking the Hall, a great change has taken place within a short time. Four years since, that is, in 1867, it was simply a hill top clad with brushwood and ferns, and hardly worth is. an acre. Now fine crops adorn and enrich it. The steam-plough has been at work here. Let us turn to this 25-acre field which was only broken up last year. Previously it grew thistles and briars. This year it bears a good crop of potatoes, untouched by disease, and probably worth £18 an acre. To the left of it is a 25-acre field which has only been broken up this year, and will be sown with oats next year. The treatment is the same in each case, though different experiments are tried with happily the same beneficial results. The land is broken up with the plough, pared or scarified or stubbed, and then sown down with rape or turnips or potatoes according to the season, or the propabilities of success in each case. Another field was only broken up this year and was sown with turnips on the 20th of June. The crop is a capital one, not patchy but really good, and would stand a comparison with any in the neighbourhood. Another section of moorland was ploughed up on the 12th May 1870, then sown with rape, which was eaten off with sheep, and this year it bears an excellent crop of oats. The fields which have been longest under cultivation lie facing the valley, and bear this year very fine crops. They are 36 acres each in extent.

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One of them bore crops of potatoes two years in succession; this year it bears a splendid crop of oats, and in 1867 this land was not worth IS. an acre. The second of the fields was sown down with turnips the first year, then with potatoes, then with two crops of oats in succession. A different arrangement was tried with the adjoining field, where the land was first sown down with turnips, then crops of oats followed in two successive years, and this year it bears a splendid show of turnips. Perhaps this experiment might have had a little effect on the trial of St Quintin versus Lett, for whatever might be said on the other side, the method in question certainly appears to have answered here. It ought to be added that geologically the land lies on the limestone, and two perennial springs bubble up, one on the side of the hill, the other near the top of it. From these two natural fountains the land may be watered at convenience. In all, the reclaimed land round or near Yearsley Moor amounts to 390 acres, which, with 200 acres near the Hall, makes about 600 acres entirely farmed by Sir George Wombwell. The steam plough was used in some cases, and in other instances horses were employed, and very heavy work it was for them. In the fields first broken up, six pairs of horses were nearly used up, and any one going over the fields which slope to the valley rather rapidly, and are at the same time undulating, will be surprised that no more were knocked up. Mr Watson, the farmbailiff, calculates roughly that the outlay amounted to £10 or £12 an acre before a farthing could be obtained from the land, and no little credit is due to the enterprise of Sir George Wombwell, who ventured the outlay on what, after all, must be called an agricultural speculation. But that it pays, we have evidence before us. Paying is the test of quality in more than commercial pursuits. The man who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before, may be a benefactor of his species, but his example will not be followed unless he can shew that a lasting profit can be made over the cost of production. There, another spirited landlord is breaking up the moorland in order

to add not less, let us hope, to his own pocket, than to the extra productiveness of the country. How carefully these changes have been considered at Newburgh we see in another direction. All this newly reclaimed land lies high, and the wild blast from the east comes sweeping down the valley in stormy It comes fresh from the sea, which may be seen from this neighbourhood in a clear day. Hence the land requires shelter, and some three or four new plantations have been laid out, which, in a few years, will not only act as a cover to the crops, but will add picturesqueness to the landscape.

seasons.

Now let us away to the farm house on the top of the hill, and on our way thither we may note that the whole of the reclaimed land has been fenced in with a good wall. Beyond the wall, the moorland crops up again; but on this side, the land bears "golden grain" or green crops, fresh and healthy looking. The farm house is the residence of the hind, close to the gates topped by two sculptured lions, which give the name to the lodge. It is a plain newly-erected building, but comfortable and substantial, with everything about it that denotes studied substantiality and pracThere is an admirable fold yard in which are some excellent cattle, stables where some of the famous grey draught horses of Sir George are kept, and a capa

tical use.

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cious barn, roomy enough for a place of worship in a populous district. In an outhouse is an apparatus for steaming chaff, linseed, or potatoes. It is a most useful farm house accompaniment, combining economy in the use of fuel, with high practical utility in its general application. It is the invention of Messrs Amies, Barford, & Co., of Peterborough, and no encomium can be too high for it as it is spoken of here, but we are told the price is against its popularity, and this may probably afford a gentle hint to the inventors, to make a cheaper one if they can. A waggon rully, standing under a shed, meets with the same enthusiastic praise, but without the disadvantage of high price. It is a handy and even an elegant vehicle, combining the advantage of extreme lightness with handiness for carrying heavy loads. It was constructed by Mr Barker, of Dunnington. There is a deficiency of water at the Lion Lodge Farm, and Mr Watson is aboutto sink deeper for it, and as there are two perpetual springs on the other side of the hill top, we may anticipate that the experiment will succeed.

Such is the newly-erected Lion Lodge Farm. A few years years ago, the lodge stood, or would have stood if it had been erected, in the middle of a wild moorland. Now it is the head-quarters of practical improvement and what we may call good farming.

HE utilization of the sewage of towns and villages is a subject which still continues to press itself upon the attention of the public; and the progress of the farms devoted to that purpose is carefully watched and scrutinized, from a pecuniary point of view, in this country. The farm at Banbury has attracted a good deal of notice, and we now propose to chronicle the latest results arrived at there. The farm consists of 138 acres, and the whole, with the exception of a small portion, can be placed under irrigation.

At the close of 1870, the recorded sales of produce, including ryegrass, roots, oats, mowing grass, and other crops, amounted to £1435, 12s. This was exclusive of the keep of certain horses belonging to the Board of Health, and which are only occasionally employed on the farm. All expenses were covered by the receipts, and according to the official statement, a small surplus remained. At all events, the ratepayers are satisfied that the irrigation of the land is better than polluting a river, and incurring