by the judges were generally commended. The Challenge Cups, which have to be won three times successively, were awarded as follows: For thorough-bred stallions to Mr. Dickenson (first time of winning); stallion for agricultural purposes, Mr. Robinson (third time); brood mare for road or field, to Mr. J. Peel, (three times), with Jessie, and for the brood mare for agricultural purposes to Mr. Openshaw. The sheep show displayed very much advancement. In spite of opinion to the contrary, it seems that Leicesters, and Shropshire Downs will do in Lancashire as well as anywhere, for certainly we never saw better anywhere else. This is probably due to the drainage which has been carried on of late years, for to no improvement are sheep so sensitive as this. The pigs were also superior. Amongst the poultry, although a small show, the Dorkings, Spanish fowls, game birde, and Hamburgs were exceedingly good. The hunters entered for the Guild cups were required to leap three hurdles 4 feet 6 inches high. This part of the exhibition was witnessed with the greatest interest by the assembled thousands, the successful clearing of the barriers being hailed with acclamation. The money paid at the extrance was as follows: Trial of implements, £23 5s.; on Wednesday, £483; Thursday, £181. PRIZE LIST. CATTLE. SHORTHORNS.-Bull, two years old and upwards: first prize to Lieut.-Colonel Towneley, silver medal and £10; second to ditto, Society's silver medal and £5. Bull, above one and under two years old: first prize to Lieut.-Colonel Towneley, silver medal and £10; second to ditto, silver medal and £5. Bull calf, under 12 months old: first prize to Lady Pigot, Branches Park, Newmarket, Suffolk, silver medal and £3; second to T. Atherton, Chapel House, Speke, Liverpool, silver medal and £1 10s. Cow or heifer, above three years, and in calf or milk: first prize to R. Eastwood, Burnley, silver medal or £5; second to Lady Pigot, silver medal or £3-the class highly commended. Heifer, above two and not exceeding three years old, in calf or milk: first prize to Lieut. Col. Towneley, silver medal or £5: second to ditto, silver medal or £2 10s.; highly commended, W. F. D. Dickinson, Ulverston. Heifer, not exceeding two years old: first prize to Lady Pigot, silver medal or £3; second to R. Booth, Warlaby, Northallerton, Yorkshire, silver medal or £1 10s.; all the rest commended. Heifer calf: first prize to Lieut.-Col. Towneley, silver medal or £2; second to J. Peel, Knowlmere, Clitheroe, silver medal or £1-the class commended. CATTLE OF ANY BREED.-Bull, calved previous to the first day of Jan., 1860: first prize to J. Dickinson, Upholland, silver medal and £10; second to J. Patterson, Ulverston, silver medal and £5. Bull, calved since the first day of January, 1860, and more than two years old: first prize to R. Rigby, Ulnes Walton, silver medal and £10; second to J. Whiteside, silver medal and £5. Bull, above one and under two years old: first prize to R. Thompson, Thistleton, Kirkham, silver medal and £5; second to W. Boulton, Furness Abbey, silver medal and £2 10s. Bull calf, under twelve months old first prize to T. Atherton, Liverpool, £8; second to J. Bownass, Lancaster, £1 10s.; commended, W. Kendall, Ulverston, and B. Baxter, Skipton. Cow, in calf or milk, and above three years old: first prize to B. Baxter, Skipton, £5; second to G. Howarth, Blackburn £3. Three dairy cows: first prize to Rev. L. C. Wood, £5; second to B. Baxter, £3. Heifer, not exceeding three years old, and in calf or milk: first prize to J. Dickinson, Wigan, £5; second to B. Baxter, £2 10s. Heifer, not exceeding two years old: first prize to J. Patterson, Ulverston, £5; second to B. Baxter, £1 10s. Heifer calf: first prize to B. Baxter, £2; second to J. Woodhouse, £1. EXTRA ENTRIES.-White shorthorned heifer, R. Eastwood, Burnley, silver medal; roan cow, Lady Pigot, Newmarket, silver medal. CHALLENGE CUPS, value 20 gs,, to be won three times before being claimed.-Bull, any age, Lieut.-Colonel Stallion for waggon or dray purposes: J. Robinson, Manchester, silver medal and £10. Stallion for agricultural purposes: J. Jemson, Cockerham, silver medal and £10. Thorough-bred stallion: W. T. D. Dickinson, Ulverston, silver medal and £10. Stallion for road or field, not thorough-bred: J. Laycock, Leeds, silver medal and £10. Brood mare for agricultural purposes, being in foal, or having produced a foal in 1862: 1st J. Openshaw, Ribchester, silver medal or £5; 2nd W. Baron, Tarleton, silver medal or £2 10s.; the class commended. Brood mare for road or field, being in foal, or having produced a foal in 1862: 1st J. Peel, Knowlmere, silver medal or £5; 2nd P. Nickson, Moss Side, silver medal or £2. Pair of horses employed solely in agricultural pursuits, above three years old: C. J. Stoner, Anderton, silver medal or £5; c. W. Liptrot, Wigan. Three year-year-old gelding or filly for agricultu ral purposes: W. Liptrot, silver medal or £3. Three-yearold gelding or filly for road or field: J. R. de Trafford, Croston, silver medal or £3. Two-year-old gelding or filly for agricultural purposes: R. Harrison, Howick, silver medal or £2. Two-year-old gelding or filly for road or field: J. Smith, Broughton, silver medal or £2. Yearling colt or filly for agricultural purposes: Rev. T. Cooper, Stonyhurst, silver medal or £2. Yearling colt or filly for road or field: J. Helm, Hutton, Society's silver medal or £2. Colt or filly for agricultural purposes: William Baron, Tarleton, Society's silver medal or £2. c. T. Wareing, Catforth. Colt or filly for road or field: J. Peel, CHALLENGE Knowlmere, Society's silver medal or £2. Curs (to be won three times).-Through-bred stallion: Cup value 20 guineas, W. T. D. Dickinson, Ulverston (once). Stallions for agricultural purposes; Cup value 20 guineas, J. Robinson, Manchester (three times). Brood mare for road or field: Cup value ten guineas, J. Peel, Knowlmere (three times). Brood mare for agricultural purposes: Cup value ten guineas, J. Openshaw, Ribchester (twice). SHEEP, Shearling ram of the Leicester breed: G. Brown, Windermere, silver medal. Ram (Leicester) of any age: C. Carr, silver medal. Shearling ram (Southdown): the Duke of Devonshire, silver medal. Ram (Southdown) of any other age: the Duke of Devonshire, silver medal, Shearling ram (Shropshire): F. Twining, Wigan, silver medal. Ram (Shropshire) of any other age: T. Johnson, Frodsham, silver medal. Shearling ram of any other description of Down, or other short-woolled sheep: R. C. Richards, Clifton, silver medal. Ram of any other age or description of Down, or any other description of shortwoolled sheep: R. C. Richards, silver medal, Ram of any other breed adapted to a mountain district: J. Peel, Clitheroe, silver medal. Pen of three Leicester ewęs: Colonel Wilson Patten, Garstang, silver medal. Pen of three shearling Leicester ewes: Colonel W. Patten, silver medal. Pen of three Southdown ewes: the Duke of Devonshire, silver medal. Pen of three shearling Southdown ewes: the Duke of Devonshire, silver medal. Pen of three Shropshire Down ewes: T. Johnson, Frodsham, silver medal. Pen of three ewes of any age, or description of Downs or short-woolled sheep: J. Woodhouse, Lancaster, silver medal. Pen of three shearling ewes of any description of Down or any other short-woolled sheep: T. Johnson, silver medal. Pen of three ewes of any other breed, best adapted to a mountain district: J. Peel. Pen of three long-woolled ewe lambs: J. Smith, Lancaster. Pen of three short-woolled ewe lambs: T. Johnson. PIGS. Boar of the large breed, of any age: first prize to W. B. Wainman, Leeds, silver medal or £3; second to ditto, silver medal or £1 10s. Boar of the small breed, of any age second prize to Leonard Billington, Preston, silver medal or £2; second to W. B. Wainman, Leeds, silver medal or £1 10s. Breeding sow of the large breed, in pig or milk first prize to W. B. Wainman, Leeds, silver medal or £2; second to ditto, silver medal or £l. Breeding sow of the small breed, in pig or milk: first prize to W. Y 2 B. Wainman, Leeds, silver medal or £2; second to ditto, | Churn, R. Tinkler, Penrith, silver medal. Haymaker, T, silver medal or £1. IMPLEMENTS. Reaping machine, 1st M'Cormick (American) silver medal and £15; 2nd Picksley, Sims, and Co., Leigh, silver medal and £5; c. Gardener, Lindsay, and Co., Stirling. Mowing machine, 1st J. Helmn, Hutton (Woods), silver medal; and 2nd J. Blundell, Crooke Hall, Chorley (M'Cormick's), silver medal and £5. Thrashing machine, W. S. Underhill, Newport, Salop, silver medal and £10. Winnowing machine, J. Richardson, Carlisle, silver medal. Swing plough, Thomas Lazenby, Leyland, silver medal. Wheel plough, T. Lazenby, silver medal. Pair-horse grubber, Picksley, Sims, and Co., silver medal. Corn drill, Picksley, Sims, and Co, silver medal. Digging machine, T. Lazenby, silver medal. Pair of heavy harrows, E. Page and Co., Bedford, silver medal. Pair of light harrows, E. Page and Co., silver medal. Horse hoe on ridge, T. Lazenby, silver medal. Turnip drill on ridge-withheld for want of merit. One-horse cart, Lee and Jackson, Paddiham, silver medal. Corn crushers for feeding purposes, Richmond and Chandler, Salford, silver medal. Pulper, Johnson and Whittaker, Leigh, silver medal; H. c. Picksley, Sims, and Co. Oilcake bruiser, Johnson and Whittaker. Cutting machine, T. and F. Radcliffe, Manchester, silver medal. Turnip cutter, Johnson and Whittaker, silver medal. W. Ashby, Stamford, silver medal. Horse hay rake, E. EXTRA IMPLEMENTS. MEDALS: Whitehead, Preston, tile machine and table. Clarke, Preston, a miscellaneous assortment of machinemade draining tiles. Page and Co. Bedford, a combined horse hoe, moulding plough, and scuffler; a new patent horizontal brick, draining and sewer pipe, and tile machine, in one die, cutting off apparatus complete; whippletrees. Bradshaw, Blackburn, an assortment of terra cotta ornamental vases, flower stand, statuary, &c.: double cavity pots for vines, and double propagating pots. Bruckshaw, Market Drayton, a No. 1 patent elevator, and a No. 2 ditto. Howorth, Farnworth, patent revolving Archimedean-screw ventilators. Barton and Son, Carlisle, basket cars, Carlisle dog car, Victoria car. Boothman, Gisburn, patent beehive, honey-extracting machine, and wax-refining apparatus. O'Connell, Bury, a mechanical contrivance for supplying nourishment to calves. Sampson Moore, West Derby, hen coop. Marshall and Sons, Gainsborough, circular sawing bench. Highly commended: John Ainscough, Preston, circular saw bench, portable farm boiler, cheese press, pair of patent blocks and chain, stable pillar and rails, manger, rack, pig trough, garden chairs. LEOMINSTER AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. THE ANNUAL SHOW AND DINNER. The twenty-fifth annual meeting of this association took | place on Thursday, Sept. 4, the show of stock being held in the Mount Pleasant Meadow, at the Bargate. The Judges were—Mr. Samuel Urwick, Leinthall; Mr. R. Roberts, Burrington; and Mr. James Farr, Wormsley Grange. They awarded the prizes as follow: CATTLE. For the best long-wool ram of any age, £3, Mr. John Pinches, Eardisland. For the best short wool ram of any age, £3, Mr. John Pinches, Eardisland. For the best pen of twenty long-wool ewes, £3, Mr. Charles Vevers, Ivington. For the best pen of twenty short_wool ewes, £3, Mr. Henry R. Evans, junior, Swanstone. For the ten best long-wool yearling wethers, £3, Mr. Charles Vevers, Ivington. For the ten best short wool yearling wethers, £3, Mr. Henry R. Evans, jun., Swanstone. PIGS. For the best boar pig, £2, Mr. Thomas Bannister, Draper's Lane, Leominster. HORSES. For the best bull of any age (the gift of the Right Hon. Lord Bateman), a cup of the value of £5 58., Mr. Thomas Roberts, Ivington. For the four best steers (the gift of J. King King, Esq., M.P.), a cup of the value of £5 58., Mr. Henry R. Evans, jun., Swanstone. For the four best heifers (the gift of Gathorne Hardy, Esq., M.P.), a cup of the value of £5 58., Mr. George Pitt, Chadnor. For the four best steers (the gift of the Hon. C. S. B. Hanbury Kincaid Lennox, M.P.), a cup of the value of £5 58, Mr. George Pitt, Chadnor. For the four best heifers (the gift of W. 8. Saunders, Esq.), a cup of the value of £5 5s., Mr. George Pitt, Chadnor. For the four best steers (the gift of the Right Hon. Lord Rodney), a cup of the value of £5 58., Mr. Edward Russell, senior, Kingsland. For the best bull (the gift of Lord M. Graham, M.P.), a cup of the value of £5 58., Mr. Philip Turner, The Leen, Pembridge; second, £2 28., Mr. Charles Vevers, The Park, Ivington. For the best fat cow and heifer (the gift of John Hungerford Arkwright, Esq.), a cup of the value of £5 58., Mr. Philip Turner, The Leen, Pem-years old, £5, Right Hon. Lord Bateman. bridge. For the best pair of steers (the gift of Humphrey Mildmay, Esq., M.P.), a cup of the value of £5 5., Mr. George Bedford, Hatfield. For the best lot of breeding cows, or heifers in calf, or having had calves within six months preceding the day of show, and having been in the possession of the exbibitor at least ten months previously, in proportion to the quantity of land he occupies, as follows: The occupier of 100 acres, two beasts; ditto, 200 acres, four beasts; ditto 800 acres, six beasts (the gift of the Society), a cup of the For the best nag mare and her foal, £3, Mr. John Burlton, Luntley. For the best yearling nag colt or filly, £3, Mr. William Vevers, Bartestree Court. For the best cart mare and foal, £3, Mr. George Bedford, Hatfield. For the best yearling cart colt or filly, £3, The Right Hon. Lord Bateman, Shob. don Court. For the best nag gelding or mare, under five EXTRA STOCK. Mr. Henry Edwards, Broadward, 4 bullocks, £1; Mr. George Pitt, Chadnor, 4 heifers, £2; Mr. John Thomas, Cholstrey, 6 breeding cows, £l; Mr. Edward Hughes, Leddicott, nag horse, £1. IMPLEMENTS. For the best and most useful collection of agricultural implements, Mr. Thos. Preece, Leominster, £2. Open to the United Kingdom.-For the best bull above two and not more than four years old, the prize of £10, to H. Ambler, Watkinson Hall, Halifax (Gamester). For above one and not more than two years old, £8, to H. Ambler (Windsor Augustus). Bull calf £4, to T. Atherton of Chapel House, Speke, Liverpool. The Society's District: To the tenant farmer for the best bull of any breed, above two and not more than four years old £10, to James Dickinson, of Balcony Farm, Upholland, Wigan (Duke of Wetherby). Open to the United Kingdom: For the best cow or heifer of any breed, in milk or in calf £6, to Lady Pigot, of Branches Park, Newmarket (Pride of Southwike). For the best two-year-old heifer of any breed £6, to Solomon Ashton, of Manor Farm, Timperley, near Altrincham, (Fanny Fern). For the best yearling heifer of any breed, £4, to Lady Pigot (Rosedale). Competition confined to the Society's District: To the tenant farmer for the best pair of two-year old heifers of any breed £6, to Thomas Forrest, of Spurstow Hall, Tarporley. To the tenant farmer for the best pair of one-year-old heifers of any breed £6, to T. Forrest. The show of horses was not numerous; but for the prizes offered for draught horses, stallions, thorough-breds, and hunters there was some competition. There were 93 sheep and 64 pigs entered for the various prizes, the whole of which were open to general competition. A larger number of animals than usual were marked by the judges as "commended" and "highly commended." The competition for cheese and butter was very close, as might readily be supposed in the case of a show which includes Cheshire in the sphere of its competition. Some splendid cheeses were shown, but in some instances the verdict of the connoisseurs was that they wanted age. The following were amongst the successful competitors : CHEESE. To the person who shall exhibit the best sample of cheese made on the exhibitor's farm, the cheeses to be four in number, and not less than 30ibs. weight each, £8 (open to the United Kingdom), to William Whitlow, Lymm, near Warrington. BUTTER.-To the exhibitor (being also the producer) of the best sample of butter, not less than 5lb. weight, made up in half-pounds, £3, to John Rigby, of Lower Whitley, Northwich. In addition to the above there were premiums offered for seeds and roots. Amongst the exhibitors of implements were Heyworth, Liverpool; Hornsby, Grantham; Picksley and Sims; Richmond and Chandler; Greening and Co.; Johnson and Whittaker; and Cornes, Nantwich. prize £4, to Sir G. R. Philips, Bart.; second £3, to Rev. C. W. Holbech, Farnborough. Heifers, for breeding purposes, under 21 months old: first prize £4, to W. Hewer, Sevenhampton; second £3, to R. Taylor, Kingham. EXTRA STOCK.-Highly commended: Rev. C. W. Holbech, Farnborough, for Shorthorn heifer. Commended: J. Pettipher, Sibford Ferris, for fat ox. HORSES. Brood mares for breeding hunters: a silver cup, value £5 58., to W. Hurlston, Ditchford; commended, W. Denchfield, Banbury. Cart mares, with colts: first prize £5, to H. G. Coldicott, Lower Heyford; second £3, to W. Hurlston, Ditchford; commended, W. Wyatt, Marston, St. Lawrence. Cart stallions, the property of tenant farmers, being members of one of the societies: a silver cup, value £5, to W. Root, Chipping Warden. EXTRA STOCK: Highly commended, Rev. C. W. Holbech, Farnborough, for pony. SHEEP. Southdown rams, of any age: prize of £3, Colonel North, M.P., Wroxton Abbey. Oxfordshire Down shearling rams: first prize £4, to J. Druce, Ensham; second £2, to Z. W. Stilgoe, Adderbury Grounds. Oxfordshire Down rams, abɔve 2 years old: first prize £4, to J. Druce; second £2, to W. Hemming, Coldicott. Best Oxfordshire Down ram: prize of £3 38., to J. Druce, Eusham. Down rams of any age or breed, except Southdown or Oxfordshire Down: prize of £8, E. Lythall, Radford, Shropshire Down. Long-woolled shearling rams: first prize £4, to W. Eagles, Cropredy; second £2, to W. Eagles. Long-woolled ram, above 2 years old: first prize £4, to J. H. Langston, M.P.; second £2, to J. Gillett, Minster Lovell, Cotswold. Pens of 5 breeding Oxfordshire Down ewes, having bred lambs: first prize £3, to Z. W. Stilgoe, Adderbury Grounds; second £2, to W. Hemming. Pens of 5 breeding Down ewes, of any breed, except Oxfordshire Downs: prize of £3, to Colonel North, M.P. Best pens of 5 Oxfordshire Down shearling wethers: prize of £3, Z. W. Stilgoe. PIGS. Boars, not less than 15 months old: prize of £3, to Sir G. R. Philips, Bart.; commended, Rev. Henry G. Baily, Swindon. Boars, not more than 15 months old: prize of £2, to J. Druce; commended, Rev. C. W. Holbech, Farnborough. Sows, above 15 months and not more than 3 years and 3 months old: prize of £2, to W. Hewer, Sevenhampton, Sows, not exceeding 15 months old: prize of £2, to Rev. H. G. Baily, Swindon; highly commended, W. Hewer. IMPLEMENTS. JUDGES.-J. Greaves, Elsfield, Oxon. J. Williams, Northcourt, Abingdon. Braggins, Banbury, for gates, 10s.; Kirby and Barrows, Banbury, for Howard's steam cultivating apparatus and engines, £5; Nalder and Naider, Wantage, for thrashing machine and Robey's steam engine, £2; Gardner, Banbury, for collection of implements, £4; Allgood, Banbury, for colBANBURY AGRI- lection of implements, £3; Mason, Prior's Marston, for horse CULTURAL SHOW. hoe, 108.; Gilbert, Shippon, Abingdon, for drills, £1. OXFORDSHIRE AND PRIZE LIST. CATTLE, JUDGES.-C. Howard, Biddenham, Bedford. C. Randell, Chadbury, Evesham. W. Shaw, Far Coton, Northampton. CHAMPION PRIZE.-For the best horned animal in the yard: a silver cup, value 5 gs., J. H. Langston, M.P. Bulls, not less than 2 years and 3 months old: first prize £7, to H. Hall, Sesswell's Barton; second £3, to G. Garne, Churchill Heath. Bulls, not more than 2 years and 3 months old; first prize £5, to J. H. Langston, M.P.; second £3, to R. Hewer, Sandhill Shrivenham. Bulls, under 15 months old: a silver cup, value £5 58., to J. H. Langston, M.P. Bulls, not more than 2 years old, the property of tenant farmers, being members of one of the societies: a silver cup, value £5 58., to R. Hewer, Sandhill, Shrivenham. Cows of any age, in milk: prize of £6, to Sir G. R. Philips, Bart., Weston House. Heifers, under 3 years old, in calf: first feeding of HORSES.-The good appearance of a team of horses affords a fair criterion of the character of the master, and also of the man in charge. In vain will the owner allow good food in sufficient quantity, unless the horses are fed at proper intervals. All good horse-keepers are early risers, by which two essential ends are gainedviz., the time between the last evening and the first morning feed is not too long, and ample time is allowed for feeding and digestion to go on before the horses are put to work in the morning. Moreover, another common, bad, custom, viz., that of giving superfluous quantities of hay overnight, should be avoided. All the bay placed before horses, in other respects well fed, should be eaten up within two or three hours of its being given, so that they have several hours to rest, digest, and prepare for the morning feed.-Mr. Gamgee, Sen., in the Edinburgh Vet. Review. STRAW AND GRASSES. Some notices have lately appeared on the subject of straw as food, with a reference to grasses in relation. The cool climate and genial soils of Scotland and the North of England produce straws that contain much sap, arising from the late maturity of the grains. Over the whole of Scotland oat straws constitute almost the whole food of cattle and horses into March, when hay is used for the working animals. Wheat straws support the work-horses till the spring, when hay and pea straws are introduced; the straws being relatively superior to the hay, owing to the climate favouring the former, and not the latter article of produce. The milch cows and work-horses get no other provender till March; the young cattle are wholly maintained with straws, and the fattening bullocks are reared into prime beef with turnips in cribs and straws in racks. In all these processes the greater part of the straws goes for litter, and hence for manure. ruminant animals; many are puny in habit and diminutive in growth, and are soon choked by stronger plants; others are shy in vegetation, and the seed is scanty, and the plants do not appear in vigour for some time after the seed is sown; while others appear quickly, and decay gradually after enduring for a time, and often disappear altogether, or yield a very scanty produce. In modern husbandry, grasses are used for three purposes: for hay, in a crop of one year; for pastures of several years, in alternation with grain and green crops; and for making permanent pastures, in imitation of old meadows. For the first purpose, which is chiefly followed on the best lands, the plant is most useful which grows readily and produces the largest number of stems, like grain crops, without growing to a height with a small number and yielding a coarse produce. For the second purpose, of lying two or more years in pasture after the first year's crop has been cut for hay, the above mentioned quality is required, along with a creeping stolopersistent. For the purpose of permanent meadows, the quickly-productive quality is not so very essential, though nevertheless very valuable; the persistent perennial quality is most absolutely necessary, with an ample produce of seeds to be annually shed, and a very strong productive power from the roots and the stalks: a nutritive quality is also required, and a fair produce of juicy succulent leaves, in order to afford a grateful herbage to the animals that live and fatten on the verdure of nature. In the southern counties of England, which in the present case will comprehend the larger half of the king-niferous habit, and a nature that is both perennial and dom, the early maturity of the grain crops hastens the growth of the plants; and the aridity of the climate reduces the culms into sapless reeds of earthy fibre, that are wholly innutritious and useless as food. No working animals can be supported on the straws, nor even young cattle reared with the sapless and dried reeds of a benty nature. If the straws are cut into chaff and steamed, the original quality is not improved by the impregnation of water, which soon evaporates. In such cases the use of straw is almost wholly confined to the littering of animals, for which purpose it should be cut into short lengths by the power of the thrashing machinery, which will ensure the convenient mixture with the soil, to which the dung is applied in a fresh condition. The quality of the beef on Scotch cattle is much reduced when the animal is fattened in South Britain, and on any food that can be given; if attempted to be done with turnips and straws, as in Scotland, the wide difference will be very apparent in the quality of both articles-the turnips and the straws, that are produced under different climates. Allusion has been made to the very excellent book on grasses, entitled "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis," that was compiled by the labours of Mr. Sinclair and Sir Humphrey Davy. However true and undeniable the statements may be in the botanical and chemical departments, the fact is certain that the work has not afforded one single practical fact for adoption, and that no agricultural advantage has been derived, nor will be procured from the laborious production. Spaces of ground two feet square, placed under one influence of soil and climate, were not capable of establishing any practical result; the experiments were too confined, and not sufficiently often repeated-the variations of soil and climate were not in attendance, that are so very essentially required in the practice of agriculture. The statements are not only at variance, but in direct opposition to the most enlightened practice and the established experience on the subject. The greater part of the plants that are called "true grasses" are wholly useless for agricultural purposes; the natural qualities and habits, joined with the effects of soil and climate, reduce the number of useful plants to a very small amount, when compared with the large number that exists. Some plants are coarse, and wholly innutritious, and are refused by all kinds of The following grass plants, six in number, constitute those that are useful to the farmer: 1. Ray-grass. 2. Meadow fescue. 4. Catstaili 5. Dogstail. For the purpose of yielding a crop of hay in one year along with red clover, the ray-grass is altogether unequalled by any plant that is yet known, for it sends up a number of culms of moderate height, like a grain crop, and thereby forms the necessary quantity of produce; whilst most other grasses, when encouraged by cultivation, send up to a height a smaller number of culms, which become coarse, and thereby lessen both the quantity and quality of the crop that is produced. A most evident and undeniable superiority consists in its growing readily on the greatest variety of soils-in its perfecting an abundance of sound and healthy seeds, which is gathered with a comparative ease, and in this seed being always of a certain growth. The plant rises early in the spring, and is much relished by all kinds of grazing animals. For the purpose of yielding a crop of hay, and then remaining two or three years in pasture, the ray-grass has not found any superior; the readiness of its growth secures a crop of hay, and, when mixed with some few earlier and later plants, it affords an abundance of herbage in its proper place. For strictly, permanent purposes, the readiness of growth has to this day procured for it a bigh position, as the certainty of its growth produces an herbage till other plants arise to take its place; and even in the best meadows in Britain it is found to maintain its ground. The aftermath is rather small, and some single plant may, be found supe rior to ray-grass in one or more property; but there is no plant known to us on which the farmer can depend so much for a crop of hay, and experience has not found many, if any, that are more valuable for pastures or permanent purposes. When sown with red clover for a crop of hay in one year, three pecks, or one bushel, are sown on an acre; for a pasture of two or three years, half a bushel is reckoned sufficient; and for permanent purposes, one peck is generally used. The seeds weigh from 18 to 38lbs. per bushel, and the price varies from 2d. to 4d. per lb. Thirty to forty bushels of ripened seed are reckoned a fair crop from an acre of ground. The statement in the "Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis," that some grasses are superior to raygrass as 9 and 13 to 1, is wholly inadmissible, and must be reversed in the case of agricultural use, whatever the value may be in the hands of the chemist. The meadow-fescue grass comes next to ray-grass in sending up a number of level stems, and in likeness to a grain crop; but it fails in readiness of growth on a variety of soils, and in produce of herbage. The seed is abundant, and easily manufactured; and the foliage is much relished by cattle. The plant is very valuable, and stands next to ray-grass for hay of one year, when 6lbs. of seed are sown on an acre, and to remain in pasture for two or three years. For strictly permanent purposes, 2lbs. are used. The seeds weigh about 14lbs. per bushel, and cost 6d. to 9d. per lb. Cocksfoot grass grows in few plants of a tall height, which are coarse, and ineligible for hay; but for pasture the herbage comes early, and affords a good bite from the tufted roots in the spring, and by close stocking the ground, to keep down the coarse stems. The seeds are about 40,000 in an ounce, weigh about 12lbs. per bushel, and the price varies from 6d. to 9d. per lb. One-fourth of a bushel or 3 to 6lbs. are sown on an acre for pastures and permanent meadows. Catstail grass thrives on damp lands and under moist climates, where the produce is very considerable. The stems are coarse, and the growth is not on a large variety of soils; and the foliage is not very much relished by animals. But it is next to the ray-grass and meadow fescue for general use. Six pounds are sown an acre for hay, and four for pastures and meadows. The seeds weigh about 44lbs. per bushel, and cost 6d. to 9d. per lb. Dogstail grass produces a small quantity of herbage, and is not useful for hay. The foliage is sweet for animals, and the plant grows well on dry arid clays, in 4lbs. to an acre, and 2lbs. for permanent purposes. The seeds-28,000 in an ounce-weigh about 26lbs. per bushel, and cost 50s. per cwt. Foxtail grass is shy in growth, and is chiefly on damp strong lands. It is of no use for general purposes, but may be sown for permanency, in 4lbs. to an acre. The seeds are very light, 76,000 in an ounce, and cost 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per lb. (The smooth-stalked meadow grass produces a small bulk of herbage, and is not of ready growth; and the rough-stalked meadow grass is confined to damp grounds. But both plants may be used, in 2lbs. to an acre, for permanent purposes.) These six plants constitute the most useful grasses; but no one will nearly equal the ray-grass, if tried along with red clover, as that plant has been used for nearly 200 years. The above statement is made from natural principles, and drawn from a very long, extensive, and largely varied practice in enlightened agriculture in different parts of the kingdom. Every art is advanced by its own peculiar philosophy, and promoted by the enlightened artists who have enjoyed and have properly used a long and intimate acquaintance with the working of the details. No other person need pretend to it. Chemistry is wholly unable from analysis to ascertain the value of any article as food for an organized body, for, whatever qualities it may have outside the organism, they are wholly changed on entering the inside, by contact with other bodies of dissimilar properties, and by merging into one vital unity. Whatever properties may appear to the chemist, a widely different condition is found in the practical purposes of the farmer. Chemical combinations are quantitative and definite: physiological laws are qualitative and indefinite; and this most essential difference will ever keep separate the two principles of action. If this separation were duly regarded, much less opposition to nature would be entertained on the subject, and a more rational course adopted. THE SICKLE AND THE SCYTHE. A useless thing, oh dear! oh dear! Oh! what has caused this change? SCYTHE-Why, friend, as clear as noontide ray That ev'ry dog enjoys his day; For who'd "a harvest" stoop to face, SICKLE.-Sir, tho' in favour you, of late, The sheaves from you're not half so neat The stubbles too, tho' cut complete, SCYTHE.-Perhaps not, but you know, old boy, So handy when cold winds annoy And tho' my sheaves are not "so neat They better far admit the heat, SICKLE.-May-be; but in the olden days SCYTHE. (Aside) How soon he bursts into a blaze! SICKLE.-And ask the gleaners whether they Just ask them, whether they will say SCYTHE.-Peace, peace, old friend you should not let 'Tis not because your sun has set, The gleaners may your doom regret, But surely you mistake; For 'tis not I who make them fret- SICKLE.-Well, well! a bad defence, they say, But if you'd kept to oats and hay, |