the figure, fearful to agricultural eyes, of 38s. in 1851. The next four years it mounted again by the encouraging degrees of 41s., 53s., 72s., to the Crimean altitude of 74s. in 1855; whence it has declined, in obedience to the same singular law of succession, to 69s. and 56s. in 1856 and 1857, and to the still lower figure it holds in the year just expired, the third, and happily the pen- | ultimate, of our present descending series. From this statement (unavoidably tiresome and ineffective in the reading) any one caring to take the trouble can readily draw the diagram for himself, and observe the instructive, or at any rate, suggestive picture it furnishes. Whether in our antistatistical farming-world the reflections it affords will be much valued, especially at this luckless moment of prospective declension augured by it for the coming year, I may well feel some question; but I am induced to think that in the eyes of the com- | mercial world it may find some appreciation (quantum valeat) as a possible approach to the disclosure of "law" in a class of prices which, under the annual title of "The Harvest," affect and underlie so many interests, and interpenetrate so importantly the common wealth of all. And with such view I venture, by your permission, to submit it to the notice of your readers in this and other countries. Jan. 5. Your obedient servant, C. WREN HOSKYNS. 21.-On Roofing for Farm-Buildings. Primley Hill, Dec. 28. DEAR ACLAND, - After the many and varied criticisms which were somewhat unsparingly passed by my friends, both in and out of the Council, on what they deemed the "novel and untenable ideas" advanced in my elementary paper on Agricultural Architecture, which appeared in vol. iv. of the Journal, and especially after the sort of threat which was held, as it were, in terrorem over me by one of the most talented and scientific men amongst us, "that I had not heard the last of it"-I certainly did expect, and have anxiously searched each succeeding number for, this promised refutation of the unpractical (I had almost said the unprofessional) notions which were there enunciated. As yet, however, I have waited and have looked in vain; nor am I aware that any notice has been taken of my paper, if I except the passing allusion to it which appears in the opening paragraph of the "Essay on Roofing," in vol. vi., in which Mr. Isaac broadly states, that I "recommend farmers to study architecture in order TO DISPENSE WITH THE SERVICES OF PROFESSIONAL MEN." Now this I look upon as the unkindest cut of all, for it puts into my lips a statement diametrically the reverse of that which I did make (see vol. iv. p. 302), and proves that my paper could not even command the attentive perusal of the essayist, who could not, had he done so, have so entirely misrepresented my intentions. I, on the other hand, have read his essay, and that with care, and although in some points my practical experience does not run exactly in the same groove with his, I am quite prepared to say that, spite of its professional tinge, I consider it to be both useful and instructive; nay, I take his own figures and his own estimates of value as the basis of the comparison which I am about to draw between the cost of roofing of the ordinary construction and that of some on my own principle which has been recently erected. Unlike those doctors who tell their patients "to do as they say, and not as they do," I will at once assert that I not only propound my nostrums, but I TAKE them. I have erected several roofs on the plans suggested in my elementary paper, and in no case yet have I had cause to regret that I did so, and of these I am about to give the actual measurements and the cost of the last and most simple one, in the hope that my facts may meet with more favour at the hands of the learned than did my theories. The building in question is a cattle-shed, with a loft for hay and straw over. It is 40 feet long and 16 feet wide, in clear of the walls, and has a gable at either end. My roof consists of the following timbers : Ridge piece .. 90 rafters, each 2×1.. 14 feet long. The covering is of slate. Each of the purlins and the ridge is trussed with an iron rod in the manner indicated at page 309, vol iv., and are thus rendered of sufficient strength to carry the whole weight of the roof from gable to gable, without the intervention of principals, or other support of any kind. The rafters are each notched into and firmly spiked to the ridgepiece from which they respectively hang, and the rigidity of which, from the trussing, entirely relieves the side walls from all weight and lateral pressure: to such an extent indeed as that their removal would in no respect injure the stability and equilibrium of the roof, which would remain unmoved, supported by the gables alone. The absence of ties of every kind economises that space in the roof, which in those of different construction is often to a great extent, if not entirely, lost; and the cost of the whole is given below, not as matter of theory, but from the actual bills paid, with the exception of the timber, the cost of which, and sawing, I am unable to separate from other work, and therefore assume at 3s. per foot, being Mr. Isaac's figure, and of which the quantity is as under : Cubic Feet. which, at 3s. per foot, gives 101. 7s. The whole cost of my roof then is as follows: for 12 square of roofing, or 25s. a square; whereas, according to Mr. Isaac's plans and estimates, the lowest figure will be found to be 31s. 4d., and all the others range between 37s. and 42s., whilst they afford in most cases less convenience, and in point of actual strength are not superior, if indeed they equal that of the roof which I have above described. And now, as I wish my statement to be as practical and as concise as possible, I will add nothing to the above facts, beyond the expression of the pleasure it will at all times give me, to allow my buildings to be inspected, whether for criticism, or as examples to be copied and improved on; certain as I am that in the one case they will not belie my statement, and equally sure that in the other those who adopt my principle will find the advantage which I myself have done, and which I desire should be extensively enjoyed by others. One request only I have to make of those who may be induced to criticise-viz., that "they set down nought in malice, nor aught extenuate," but judge me and my suggestions fairly, and I have no fears for the result. J. BELFIELD. 22. Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, Vol. XIX., Parts 1 and 2. London: J. Murray. THE Journal for the year now closing contains twenty-six articles in various departments of agricultural literature. Among the contributors are the well-known names of Lawes, Gilbert, Voelcker, Read, Tanner, Morton, Henfrey, Wright, Coleman, and Thompson. In preceding pages of this Journal, extracts have been made from several of the more important papers. Our present notice will be confined to a description of the general features of the work rather than to a criticism of the contents. Mr. Dixon, in his prize essay, 'On the Management of Grass Lands,' contributes some useful information. He states that for the last twenty years he has had rather extensive opportunities of examining the results from the use of bones, and he has "no hesitation in pronouncing them to be pre-eminent above all other manures for the improvement of grass lands, when permanency as well as cost are considered." He illustrates his remarks by reference to many examples, chiefly derived from the Northern and Midland counties, and manifests a disposition to give a candid consideration to the merits of other fertilisers. The same subject is treated of by the Rev. W. R. Bowditch, who adds much statistical information; and Mr. H. S.Thompson, in a paper On the Laying-down Land to Grass, and its subsequent Management,' draws attention to the fact that little if any more grass is now produced in England than was grown fifty years ago. For this result, he believes one of the chief reasons to be, that 6 "The returns from capital laid out in the improvement of grass land do not come so directly into the pocket as those from corn, and are apt, therefore, to be underrated or lost sight of. Few farmers sell hay; and if by more liberal treatment of their meadow land the hay-stack increases in size, so as to effect a saving in horse-corn, and bring the store cattle into the pastures in spring in a more healthy and thriving state; or if the improvement made in a poor pasture enable the occupier to rear more young stock, and in better condition; still the return on the outlay is mixed up with other questions, such as the market price of lean and fat stock at the times of sale and purchase, and it becomes extremely difficult to separate it from the general profit-and-loss account of the whole farm. In short, the farmer does not put the money derived from the improvement of the grass land directly into his pocket, and he is therefore not very sure whether what he lays out in this way ever finds its way back or not. The result of a doubt on such a question it is not difficult to foresee: so the grass land has to content itself with what the half-starved cattle are compelled to leave behind them, added to a liberal allowance of atmospheric advantages; and its continued poverty is a standing proof that these resources are not of the richest, and will not bring us any nearer to the two blades of grass." The writer then enlarges on the fact, that the great blot which disfigures British agriculture at the present day is "the neglected state of so large a portion of the grass land," and proceeds to detail the results of his own experience in laying down grass land. These are unfortunately too long for quotation; but it may be useful to remark that, as a general rule, he recommends that where quantity of grass is required, guano, nitrate of soda, soot, or other ammoniacal manure should be used; but, where quality is an object, recourse should be had to lime or bones. In conclusion, he states his decided conviction, as "the result of twenty years' experience, that money judiciously laid out in the improvement of grass land brings in a more certain return than when expended in the growth of corn." The paper on Recent Improvements in Norfolk Farming,' by Mr. Clare Sewell Read, contains the statement, that "the Norfolk or four-course shift is going out of favour in its native county," and that "the very commendable practice of forking out couch in the stubbles, directly after harvest, is fast increasing." The following extract, bearing on a subject which, it is believed, has very beneficially engaged the attention of the Council of the Bath and West of England Society (as will be seen on reference to the 'Proceedings' at the latter end of this volume), is too apposite to be omitted from these pages: "There is one progression which cannot be regarded as an improvement, and that is the increased value recently put upon a tenant's covenants. Covenants in Norfolk are understood to be the hay, roots, &c., that one tenant leaves on a farm at Michaelmas, and which his successor takes at a valuation. There is no fault to find with the principle of these valuations: it is the simplest and best which is employed in any county. The roots, as well as the hay, are valued at what they are worth, not at what they have cost for ploughings, manurings, and the like. The incoming tenant pays for the thrashing of the corn-crop and delivers it, taking the "straw, chaff, and carvings" (in Norfolk "colder") in return; but the covenant prices of hay and roots have become so high, that for these and the clover seeds the incoming tenant on good land has to pay as much as 50s. per acre on his entire farm, and the occupier of lighter lands in similar proportions. A great deal of hay has been valued within the last three years at 47. 4s. per ton, and swedes at 6l. per acre. The only portion of the Norfolk covenants which is really worth the price paid for it is a good crop of mangold wurtzel. This may weigh 30 tons per acre, and would be valued at 7l.; but, before this crop is used, there is a serious outlay on it. It has to be pulled, topped, loaded, carted, stacked, thatched, banked, uncovered, trimmed, and carted again, before the roots are ready for the stock. It would be a great improvement if the tenancies of farms commenced at New instead of Old Michaelmas. A fortnight at that season is invaluable to the new tenant, and the old one has literally nothing to do." The report by Mr. Wright on 'The Exhibition of Cheese at Chester in July, 1858,' contains matter of interest; but as it is admitted that several of the best makers declined, for prudential reasons, to exhibit, it may be questioned if the true condition of the cheese manufacture was determined. On two important points-1. the heat of the milk at the time of mixing for coagulation; and 2. the quantity of salt applied to the curd-the information given to the judges was so conflicting and uncertain, that little value can be attached to it. The paper on 'Liquid Manure,' by Professor Voelcker, is a valuable contribution to agricultural chemistry; but from its nature defies compression, whilst a mere abstract would be comparatively useless. The same remark applies to an elaborate report by Dr. Voelcker on a series of Experiments on Swedes, with remarks on Manures employed.' The practical conclusions of Mr. Lawes and Dr. Gilbert with regard to 'Different Manures on Permanent Meadow Land' will be found in another part of |