‘/I-lASZArtI)'S G

AZ E'l"l‘E. AI‘_'R.l{4- I9.

REPORT

or us ROYAL AGRICULTURAL 50C[E'l.‘Y, For the year ending 7!} Mord, 1850.

The period having-again arrived when it becomes the duty of your ‘Committee to render an ‘account of. their stewardship for the past year, they have much pleasure in submitting the followin records and accounts for our approval. ' ey consider it their duty, ow- eeer, in the rst instance, to testi y their gratitude to a kind Providence for his mercy and benetlcence in blessing the labours of the farmers generally throughout the Island with abundant crops. _ _

In taking a retrospective view, of the general agriculture of the Island, your Committee ob: serve a steady progress in the development of the ‘oi , which, with steady industry on the part of the farmer, fostered by the Society. and the proper a lication of nianures, and. a sensible rotation ii? crops, _is capable of bringing _sny description of grain and roots to maturity..

Re orts of Agricultural Committees and Riar s of Directors are usually confined to dry details of Meetings, Cattle Shows, duo. but your Committee are of opinion thata few observa- tions on farming generally may not be amiss in this and future reports.

The necessity for constant exertion on the part of the farmer is too obvious to require discussion. Nothing should be left undone on the farm till to-merrow that could possibly_be done to-day, for on a farm every succeedingr day will bring it suliicicncy of work for itsell. Da 's are succeeded by weeks, weeks by months an months by seasons in rapid succession. Active and unwearied industry in the autumn especially, so long as the weather keeps open, is of the utmost importance. in order that_every thing may be properly arranged for the winter, and as much of the ploughing com loted_ for the lollowing year as possible, esp p oughing, is highly essential to d farming for deep soils, possesses iuany a vantages. l.‘hey retain moisture in dry seasons much better than those of a shallow description, and allow the wet to escape readily in rainy weather. Almost every plant desires depth of soil, deep soils, under the same management, will furnish a much

reater amount of food than shallow ones. he dee nin of a thin soil should be aliected gradual y, un ess the faamer has a very lar -supply of manure, which, in this country), is seldom the case. Attention_ to this an ject glthough necessary at all times, is_ possibly more so at present, when, from the big i prices of reduce, farmers ma be induced to crop a lit e harder than usua . An inch or two of vi in soil will relieve the surface. _ he preparation and roper application of manure is a subject wliich your Committee look upon as of the highest importance, and they consider it their duty to call the attention of the farming ublic to the matter, in conse- quence of the readth of turnips now_ rown in the Island, and the dilliculty of provi ing a suilicient quantit of farm- ar dung for _all the purposes of t c farm. ii the pre aration -of farm-yard manure, it should be orne in mind that manure produced by cattle. 794 0'1 turnips and straw, is much superiorto that from cattle fed on hay alone, and 0| _|I°|“'l.Y 50 per cent more value than the droppings of stock wintered on straw itself.

It would, therefore, as regards the manufac- ture of manure, and for many other reaflonfl. be greatly more to the advantage of the farmer to winter a smaller number of cattle, and feed more liberally. As urine is the most valuable

oi-tion of farm-yard inanurc. Bifick 0l' "ll Kinds should be amply supplied with littcr. The different kinds of farm-yard dung should be regulurl mixed in the heap, and great at- tention paid to its preservation, by keeping it in a compact heap, and adopting other means ,0 ,.,,,.e,,; the virtue being washed out of it b ‘heavy rains. The regular mixing of the different kinds will prevent the too rapid dc- composition of the heap, and the. escape of the various gasses, which constitute its value.

Burnt clay is a valuable manure when Pf?‘ pgrly prepared and applied.__. it will beneht almost every description of Emir Md ‘'0'! 800d crops of turni s, btrley and grass, &e., have been raised wit it alone. .

Peat and marsh mud are also of _iuuch_im-

rtance, and when well rotted by‘ bein mixed with a certain quantity of farm-yard ling. In alternate layers, as directed by J edge Peters in a valuable little work aslled '_‘ Hints to F_‘criu- gu,” (which is to be had atis at the Society s mo", in gown, aryd at all. a.nches_ and despgs

1- ormaver su rior man .

In “:|?\!‘:gu';tlIlyc)ll is the prodiyice ‘def sea fowls of that name, on the coast of South America and Islands on the coast of Africa, is a verv valua- ble and powerful fertiliser of easy application. Two hundred weight of Peruvian Gu_sno, which will cost in this Island about £2. '11“. if prtr erly applied, raise a crop of turnips equal to forty-live loads of iarm-yard IIM|Nlf°- The

objection taken by some persons to the use of

Gnanois, that the whole of the IHMNPG ll

d b ti o hrst crop, and that tho 330!‘ figdlrzrudli-c eiidlent. his can be obviated. °-

vin the some iiianiicr as grain. ‘iifter the application, the liuuuo gm!-I %Ippt*a|r-

seed the turnips, a second dressing of halt‘ the quantity, mixed with burnt clay or wood ashes.

he use of Guano is very much on’ the increase. in Great Britain. In ten months,’ ending the _5th of November, 1854, 110,661 tons were Imported; and in the same ricd of 1855, 235.723 tons were imported—t us shewing the value attached to it after a trial of twent years. It is principally applied in Great Br tcln in growing turnips, but it is applicable for other crops. It has been used in this Island for a nun: r of ears, and the following extracts. relative to the quantity used and mode application, taken from an authentic source, your Ioniinittee are of o inion may be of use to those who have not a ready iven it a trial. The iirst extract points out to method of applying it for turnips :—

“ The land had borne two crops of cats in succession, previous to being loughed in the fall. It was cross- loughed twice in the spring, and the stones on weeds gathered clean 08. It was then drilled with adouble-moulded plough, the ridges being twenty inches sepa- rate, from centre to centre, and the furrows not so dose by some inches, as on the part of the field intended for farm-yard manure. On this being done, one of the men took a bucket- ful of manure, and with his hand strcwed it along the bottom of the drill, at the rate of two cwt. per acre. This is a very simple 0 ner- ation, the only dilliculty being at starting, when the men are apt to spread it too thick- two cwt. (about two bushels), being a very small quantit over an acre of ground. On the manure being s read, it was covered about five inches deep wit the same plough, and the seed sown as usual with a turnip barrow or drill, a light roller having been previously passed over the drills to flatten them a little. The piece intended to be dressed with farm- yard manure, was treated in the same way, only substituting forty-five cart loads of the latter, well rotted. for the two cwt. of Guano.

The after cultivation consisted in keeping clean, by the occasional use of the hoe an cultivator. As to the result, I cannot say that the dillcrence in favour of the uano was great, but the crop was more re ular, and the young plant row with mac i greater vigour, which wonl tend in a rest measure to counteract the fly. But even ad the result

the cro

been greatly in_ favour of the farm-yard ma- 3’

nnre, what an immense saving of labour alone would be etlected—ainounting, as nearly as possible, to the whole expence of tho Guano, without taking into consideration the value of the farm-yard manure.”

The evidence thus given as to the value of Guano, as a turnip fertilizer, _appears to your Committee of considerable importance, and although they would not wish to see it used as an entire substitute for dung,yet its easy ap- plication, in a short and hurrie spring, must render it a valuable auxilliary to the farm- yard. _

The following experiment relative to the use of Guano. as a to dressing for wheat, may also be of service in sliewing the benefits re- sulting from a moderate outlay of capital :—

“I had a piece of potatoes, alter cats, in front of m home, containing an acre and one-eighthinanured with fifty-one horse cart loads of mixed manure from the farm-yard, which produced a very good_ crop. 'l‘lie land was ploughed and sown during _the first week of May the following season, with two and a

unrter bushels of rod bald Wllsnh

ortni ht afterwards, when the plant was pret- ty wel up, it was top-dressed, during dump weather, with Guano, at the rate of two cwt per acre, being sown broadcast witli the hand, Vcry shortly

cd of a. much darker green, and made such a strong growth, that it very soon ovortopped a narrow ridge which was left in'tbe cenirc_ of the piece undrcssed—a iuurkcd dill‘.-rcncc being 01,53;-mblo during the whole summer. The «rain was not at iill alh.-ctcd by the rust, and ‘previous to being cut, that ivliicli rccciicd the Guano was fully eighteen inches taller ‘than the other, measuring nearly six feet in height. On being thrashed out and ineaisiireil, the re- sult, in good marketable grain, lit for seed, was at the rate of thirty-eight bushels to tho acre for the Guano, and twenty-sev,cn or nearly for that portion omitted. 50-. _&°- M3“! 5|- milar statements could he 8"°“.- bl“ “'9” may be suiiicient to induce II lh-ll‘ “hil-

ln relation to the crops in the Island for the past you, our Committee have to report, that, owing to “$9 “"39. committed by the wheat 13,, gm 'hoaI crop generally has been below gh. u, ""559, Many remedies have been tried o.l.late to counteract this growing OVII. and the most popular and elfiactire has been that oflate sowing, but in some situations this has failed. and it is very possible that the in- sect may also change its habits to suit the late- ness of the grain. Although the habits of this insect are well known. _ have to report, that no effective remedy has been digoovorod to counteract the ravages of this destructive little inscqt. Deep plou hing in the autumn liris been tr cal. 'l‘° "l’.l€t‘i time to oovor the grub dropped lroin the when can in the autumn so deep. ih“ l‘ °°“l‘l “°‘ r°"°°

jgggffi, by giving the crop which may su

its way to the surface, in the spring; but this

yet your Committee:

has its objections. large fires lit to windward‘ of the crop in the summer, about the time they fly appears, hovering over the fields, have also been suggested. without any very beneficial: result. our Committee would recommend the farmer to be most particular when dress- ing his grain, to have all the siftin s and sweep- ings of the barn iioor carefully estro ed, b burning. or boiling for the pi ; but alter al{, the best method of tting our of the pest permanently would a to st than out by cea_sinlg to grow wheat for a season or two entire y. I this plan were adopted in the dis- triets most sliectii , and barley substituted, the farmers would gain by the c go.

The barley crop has been good, and rices highly remunerative. The soil of this sland generally is better adapted for barley than wheat, the latter crop requiring a stronger soil than we ss.

Oats have yielded a fair return this season, although small patches of those sown late in unfavorable situ-itions, sufl'ered from the early frosts. Your Committee being of opinion that a chan of seed would bebenelicial, purchased eleven and a half bushels Imperial of the black Tartarian variety from their Seedsman in Li- verpool last spring, which were divided into two equal portions between John Lyull, Esq., ofthe Warren Farm, and Mr. George Smith, of the Royalty, on the understanding that the Society were to receive back the original quan- tity, and take the remainder of the produce at 3s. per bushel. i\|r. Lyall sowed his portion upon a field of two acres of old sod land, and the result was ninety bushels of marketable grain. Mr. Smith sowed upon an acre of land of the some description, and the result was forty-eight buslicls. 'l‘lie grain is now in the store of the Society, and will be sold at 33. Gd. per bushel, in quantities not exceeding twenty-

ve bushels to one person.

A change of seed being at all times very dc- sirable, it is hoped that the public will avail themselves of thisopportunity. It is a common practice with farmers of ex erience in Sect-

and, to change their seeds 0 all kind once in This system your Committee would wish to see more nerally adopted in Prince Edward Island. ii the change, care should be taken to procure seed frcm a consi- derable distance, and from a soil inferior to our own.

The turnip crop of 1855 was not generally so good as that of the previous year, in conse-

ueucc of receiving a severe check from a few

ays of cold bleak weather when about half grown, from which the plant never recovered. in the neighbourhood of St. Eleanor's, the far- mers must have escaped this visitation, for notbin could be more satisfactory than the crops t is season, as indicated by the returns sent down. The average of ten competitors was 1,202 2-3 bushels of tifty-six lbs.—the highest being l,-I17 bushels per acre. These are crops perfectly unknown in general culti- vation in ‘rent Britain; and it would be very satisfactory if some of the competitors publish- ed an account of the method adopted to obtain such a large average.

Your Committee congratulate the country on the steady and progressive increase in the growth of this most valuable root, and hope that the great demand for improved stock ofall kinds, from tho ii-riglibouring Provinces, will prove a still further stiiiiulus in extending the cultivation oi’ the turnip, for without it icry little can he done in the way of successful fariiiing.

In olfcring turnip prizes for competition, your Committee have contincil them to the best acre; but tho t‘lllll\.llll)ll of this the most valu- ublu of all roots. lnuii--, lll‘-‘I'|ll(3 so extensive, they would l'I'l‘-)l:i!:.I'li(l ai ~lc\l:ttl0ll from this rule, and would t-llgocsl the propriety of look- ing to the number of acres sown, in proportion to the cxtcnt of l=tll|l under the plough, as well as to the cxcclleiicu of the crop.

It is to be l't¥;:l'1:‘.lCLl that in consequence of a iiiisiindcrstaiidiiig having some of the turnip cmnpctitors, this season. and the iiispcctors, your (Ioiiiiiiitlcc dmziii it necessary to investigate the subject thorough-

threc years.

«'1

Here follows the Report which has been already published in our pa or, which it is unnecessary to iiiscrt.-‘En. l .(laz.]

Previous to entering upon the subject ofstock. your Committee may be allowed to state, that they imported from Liverpool last fall, 1,000 lbs. of Swede Turnip seed, and have ordered 3 further supply of 3,500 lbs. Swede, and 1,050 lbs. of Yullow and White Turnip seed, which will leave Liverpool about ilic lot of April next. l‘.’.,000 lbs. oflled and 3,000 lbs. of \Vhile Clever seed, were also imported in the Fall, and a futliur siip- ply nf L509 lbs. Red and 600 lbs. of White, are ordered for Spring arrival.

Ofilioss sccils the following quantities have already been sent to the Brsncli Soceities in Prince Juuniy, vist-

'I'o St. Eleanor’-i, RM lbs. Red Clover, 718 lbs.

' White do., and 996 lbs. 'l‘urnip seed.

To Csscunipec. l,0‘72lbs. Red Clover, 158 lbs. ' ‘urnip see . 'And lo ’l‘ryon L526 lbs. lied Clover.

Your Cominivtee I’('.'_'fel that the price of clever is higher than last year; but this is met by a de- cline ia Ilie price of turnip seed.

0

-

nrisen between ..

I Your Lornmitiee will now.proceed to give sir .s'i:coltint of the Stool: . lmporgg gnu p.m,p,.,,,| 5. lh° lllmhlnd distributed in various sectiossol’ ‘ °°°“'“_'!-‘ They, ho’weve'r4, regret that their ""_"" °,‘ ‘l""'8 iwod in this respect are so rr stricted in consequence of the dilliculiics attending the importation of improved neck gr on dgggfip. "003: Ind they will, previous to closing their report, have to make a few suggestions. the carry- "lfl out of which will be of the most vital impor- tance t0 the future success of the Society and the agricultural interests of the lslaud.

Towards the close of the Legislature granted £1000 for the importation of

mire Horses ;.one half _io be expended in Eng- land, the other in the United States. The seuo. being for advanced previous to this sent being plsced ariheir disposal, your Committee deg-me] itinycdicious to make any endeavour to pfucngp horses from England at that time, consequently they did not draw ilie £500 granted for die pin- pose‘: Iliis sum is therefore still at the Society’; credit with the Government. After careful con.- Uldemllonu your Committee entered into arrange- ments with _(,‘tiarles Hiiszstd, E.~q.,——a gentleman l"ll'lY ‘luhllfied for the Iask—io proceed to ihp States to purchase horses, and they are happy [9 say ih.st.Mr. llsszsrd was emincnilv successful in his mission—hiiving procured and safely landed in this Island three horses ofa superior lescripIion' Wfiling. all e.\'penses included. about £560. Thee; were sold on arrival, one to each County, for [liq tot:il sum of £342.

_ There are now in the Island nine Stud Horse. imported by the Society, aihough Ibis number is still very far sliori of the demand. Two or lhegg horses are thorough bred ; and the three bought by Mr. llaszsrd in the Stairs have a good deal of Englisli thorough "bred blood iiitheirveiiis. Your Committee are therefore of opinion that further iinporlations of this style of horse, are not neces- sary at present ; and they would recommend "1. next Committee of Management to turn their attention to the South of Scotland Clydesdale; than which it would be almost impossible to find a bellnl’ farmer's horse. 7

A little attention to iliis breed would. in a short time, improve the class of mares, which, crossing \\llll thorough breds, may have rendered wecdy, and too light for a hosrscof-all-work, which is the horse wanted by our farmers.

The value of, and advantages to

ruin the possession of a breed of cattle coming early tomstoriiy. being obvious, the attention of tlie_Society lor years past has been directed to the subject, and your Coininittce are now convinced that the pure Durham is better adapted for this purpose than any other breed, Acting under ghig. conviction, they ordered their agent in Liverpool to purchase a young short-horn Bull, and they are .ll_3‘l '0 DI)’. that M r. Spiiiks was fortunate ill ob- isining one of very superior size and symmetry. "6 was by Wm. Blend, of Knock, and ealved in June 25, I854, so that he is now 3 limo over twenty monibs. The following is the pedi- gree from the herd boolr, and be cost the Society altogether £94 12s. 3d .—

Red and white, calved June 25, I854, bred by Thomas Bland. oflxnock, was get by Sir Richard , by old Tommy Bates, l0,58l. Dam Soiisie, 9th “Y Leopold. 4,219. G. Dam Sonsie, Monsieur Veszres, 6,220. C. by Sultan S-thin, 2,710. G. g. g. d. by Prince Ed. “‘=|-‘ll. 9.451 G. g. g. g. d. by Sultan, 1,485. G- I! 8- l-’.- 2- fl. by a son ofPrunnell, 659. G. g. g. g. 9. 2. d. by Middleton, L235. G. g. g. g. . g. d. by a son of lien, 70, or Punch, 53].

The Durham breed of cattle is much valued on_ai~count of their great size, and their ar- riving at maturity at a very early age, being’ fed oil for the butcher frequently at two years old. 'l‘his description of stock are not consi- dered so applicable for dairy purposes as some smaller breeds; but ‘ '

be derived

-1: ID

in the London dairies the Yorkshire Durhnnis are so much appreciated that it is rare to meet with any other, It is generally supposed that the Durhams will not stsnd the winter or rough it so well as the Island cattle. This is probably true nndcr the iniinagciiiciit usually adopted, nor would it [)9 at all fair to try the cxperinient; but put them into a comfortable cowhciise and give them in relation to their size a proportionate quantity offood, and they will compete with almost any breed in existence. However, as it is the ob- ject ofthe Royal Agricultural Society to make such iinportations and adopt such measures as will bcnelt the small farmer, as well as those of a more advanced close, your Committee would recommend that the Ayreshire breed bu kept up for the advantage ot the count dis- tricts. They are a superior‘ class of c eeso roduccrs, although much inferior to the Dur-‘ iam as _a butcher's net. This, however,‘ could be improved to a certain extent by cross- ing once with a l_)urharn Bull, and then return- ing to the original breed. A that crou I; often advantageous in breeding, butra second very rarely. An reat improvement must, in such as this, be the work of _ ngli much money is sunk hr the distribution ot' stock generally, yet your Committee are of opiiiicn that-in the course oftimc, ii spirit of emulation will spring up, ivlien farmers will find it to their advent c to give good prices for well bred animals. out Committee during the winter sent a Durham Bull to Lot 5, and another to New Lon