The author wrote a treatise "On the treatment of ewes in the lambing season.” public works, mines and minerals, and in agricul- the author's. No better work can be in the hands ture and manufactures, which combine the three of the tiller of the soil. points. On the subject of agriculture, general examples are quoted of what has been done, and opinions given in what points the doings may be continued. The improvement of buildings, dwellings, and cottages are specially mentioned, with roads and footpaths, planting and enclosing. If the landowner is not directly paid for expenditures of that kind, the country is improved, the people are civilized, national industry is excited, and the general good promoted. And latterly the value is raised; for without a moral standard, no polity can be raised to command stability. Rational luxuries are much and justly commended, and are a sign of civilized advancement; they are true improvements. The author's ideas are just and profound; the essay contains many subjects in connection with the title of it, as the writer had looked abroad and contemplated what he beheld. The language is neat and appropriate, and well adapted to the subject. CCCCVIII.—HOLDITCH, 1325. Benjamin Holditch, Esq., was a farmer near Peterborough, and was for some time editor of the Farmer's Journal newspaper. He left some posthumous papers on "The weeds of agriculture," which were collected, arranged, and published by George Sinclair, who has been mentioned as an author. Seventy-eight octavo pages contain the matter, which is divided into four chapters-weeds that infest samples of corn; fallow weeds which require eradication; rampant weeds which encumber the soil; underlying and pasture weeds, with an appendix. The author was a farmer of ability, and possessed an extensive and very correct knowledge on most points of practical agriculture. He enjoyed much public approbation and personal friendship, which were derived from his industry and applica tion. He was born in 1770, in the Isle of Ely, where his father was a respectable farmer, and gave his son the common education of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Our author very early showed an inquisitive turn of mind, read largely, travelled in America for seven years, and settled in England as a farmer in 1801. His writings were noticed, and procured him the editorship above-mentioned; he attended agricultural meetings, and made correct and judicious reports. His health suffered from the employment, and he died in 1824. He left some papers on the British grasses, which were not published. The "Weeds of agriculture" does credit to the author's practical knowledge and observation. The scientific descriptions would be added by Sinclair; but the practical notices are to be understood as CCCCIX.-HAYWARD, 1825. Joseph Hayward, Esq., wrote "On the science agriculture, comprising a commentary on, and comparative investigation of, the agricultural chemistry of Kirwan and Davy, and the code of agriculture of Sinclair, of Banks, and other authors on the subject;" London, 8vo., 1825. "An enquiry of the causes of fruitfulness and barrenness in plants and trees, arranged as a dialogue;" London, 1834, 12mo. The first work contains 220 pages on breeding and rearing animals and vegetables, cultivation, plants, leaves, blight, paring and burning, soils and earths, haymaking, orchards and cider. The author dates from Lyme Regis, Dorsetshire, and shows a very sound scientific judgment on all practical points. But many disputed points seem not worth the labour he has bestowed upon them. No new fact is adduced or theory propounded; the whole argument is to establish or confute, which do not in any way promote an advancing cause, which rests on established usages. The second book is a duodecimo of 292 pages, containing a dialogue between question and answer, on the scientific causes of sterility and poverty in vegetable growths. The subject is extremely well handled, but in a practical view it merits no cemment. The author wrote on gardening. CCCCX.-BAYLDON, 1825. J. S. Bayldon was a land agent and appraiser in Yorkshire. He wrote "The art of valuing rents and tillages, and the tenant's right on entering and quitting farms;" London, 8vo., 1825. This work passed through four editions during the author's lifetime, and two since his decease; being composed of sound principles and judicious performances, the book has been reckoned a standard of the kind, and looked to as an authority. The autumnal entry to farms leaves unpaid the whole summer's work that has been done by the outgoing tenant, and causes the valuations which form the contents of the work now mentioned. The money required to be paid by the incoming tenant is a very heavy drawback on the means of improvement, and has long been a subject of complaint. The first of May is the most eligible time of entry; the labourg of the farm are at that period of the year most separated in the performance, and the crops are farthest removed from interfering with each other. The former entry creates much confusion by the crop of grain remaining to the waygoing tenant, unless R it be purchased by his successor, which would be an improvement on the present practice. A complaint of long standing has now become a subject of discussion; and when just and reasonable demands are pushed forward to be granted, a denial cannot be long received, and a beneficial alteration may be speedily expected. CCCCXI.-DACRE, 1825. Rev. B. Dacre, A.L.S., wrote "Testimonies in favour of salt as a manure;" Manchester, 8vo., 1834. The book is of 288 pages of testimonies in favour of salt as a manure, which failed to lead to any use of the mineral in that way. CCCCXII-BUCHANAN, 1825. George Buchanan, civil engineer, wrote "A treatise on road making, railways, wheel carriages, and the strength of animals." This work is not found in the National Library, and the above statement is taken from Loudon's list of authors. The subject concerns the farmer; his occasional attention may be directed to road making, and the time may not be distant when moveable and temporary railways will be used for the purpose of affording much ease and convenience to many operations of the farm. All these subjects must be heeded by the cultivator of the soil; the direction of the labour, and the performance of it, are most essential ingredients in the estimate of giving and receiving that is made by the farmer. CCCCXIII.-WAISTELL, 1826. Charles Waistell, Esq., chairman of the commit tee of agriculture of the Society of Arts, compiled "Designs of agricultural buildings, including labourer's cottages, dwelling houses, and offices." Edited by his nephew, Joseph Jopling, architect, London, 4to., 1826. This work contains 107 quarto pages of letter-press, four designs of cottages and dwelling houses, five designs of farmeries, three plans of gates, two corn-rick stands, and an old farmery improved. These designs claim but little merit at this present time; the labourers' cottages are too small, in having only one apartment; the dwelling house of the farmer is joined to the out'buildings, and the farmeries are limited in the necessary accommodations. The cart-lodge facing the south, is very objectionable, and also to have its opening into an interior yard. The fold-yards are too few in number, and the shelter sheds are not adequately provided. The pigsties are singly scattered about the buildings, placed in corners that are very inconvenient of access. Swine should be entirely separated from cattle, as the smell is very disagreeable. The dairy and the calves' house are shown, but the cowshed is not marked in any one of the designs. It should be in close contiguity to the calves' house, and the dairy not far distant. The author had not been a competently practical person; the dairy under the roof of the farmer's dwelling-house is very objectionable on account of coolness, and also to have the kitchen with a window forming a part of the front of the house. These arrangements show a faulty discernment of the proper details. CCCCXIV. HENDERSON, 1826. Andrew Henderson, land surveyor and valuator, Montrose, wrote "The practical grazier, or a treatise on the proper selection and management of live stock; with cures for the most prevalent diseases, likewise showing a proper system of grazing different soils in various climates and situations, improving waste lands, draining and irrigating, with useful hints to the landlord, tenant, and practical grazier;" 8vo., Edinburgh, 1826. This work contains 446 octavo pages, with a frontispiece in a plan of farm offices. The design is not a bad one, but wrong in excluding the sun from the yards by a building in the front, or shelter sheds. It provides a separate piggery, as swine may be used in North Britain. The feeding houses for cattle are well provided with the ready access of turnips and straw. In our opinion the design exceeds any plan of Waistell's, The diseases of animals are stated at too great length, as good treatment will nearly banish all distempers; but the general management and directions given are wholly unobjectionable. The portraits of the animals are very faulty, being caricatures of no low degree. There is another occasion of observing the very inferior artistical skill of Scotland when it attempts animal portraits, even when it copies, and does not delineate from life. In no point of agricultural industry does such a difference exist between the southern and north parts of the kingdom. On the other hand, in originating, constructing, and delineating implements of tillage, Scotland is as far ahead of England. The author treats shortly, but very sensibly, on irrigation, drainage, and improving waste, of which points his ideas are very just, and conclusions well founded. The work is very creditable. CCCCXV. STEELE, 1826. Andrew Steele, a proprietor in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, wrote "The national and agricultural history of peat moss ;" Edinburgh, 8vo. The volume contains 401 pages, and details much correspondence on the nature and value of peat and value of peat moss, the use of it as a manure, and its capability as a soil. Neither chemistry nor practice has yet done much with peat; and this author advances nothing beyond its use as fuel in the true formations, and as land in the mossy earths. MITCHELL-COLLYNS.-MEADOWS.-KENNEDY.-LUPTURE.-LAMBERT. CCCCXVI. MITCHELL, 1827. James Mitchell, a retired grazier of Yorkshire, wrote "Sketches of agriculture, or farmer's remembrancer, alphabetically arranged;" London, 8vo., 1827. The work contains 355 pages, in which the connected matters of agriculture are explained under the alphabetical heads. The treatment is very simple and concise. "The graziers' ready reckoner" was done by the same author, containing tables of contents of the weight of animals from the dimensions in girth and length. The author also wrote " Dendrologia, or a treatise on forest trees." The works show a person of varied knowledge. CCCCXVII.-COLLYNS, 1827. W. Collyns, Esq., surgeon, Kenton, near Exeter, wrote "Ten minutes' advice to my neighbours, on the use and abuse of salt as a manure;" Exeter, pamph., 8vo. Loudon mentions this work, which is not found in the National Library. CCCCXVIII-MEADOWS, 1828. Arthur Meadows, Esq., wrote " Hints to the farmers of the baronies of Forth and Bergy, on the cultivation of mangel wurzel, beans, carrots, and parsnips;" Wexford, 8vo. Loudon's list of writers is the sole authority for this book and author, neither of whom is found in the National Library. When this circumstance occurs, no opinion is expressed of the work, and the authority is merely stated. CCCCXIX.-KENNEDY, 1328. Lewis Kennedy, Esq., son of Mr. Kennedy, the late eminent nurseryman, of Hammersmith, steward to Lord Willoughby D'Eresby, wrote "The present state of the tenancy of land in Great Britain, showing the principal customs and practices of counties between the in-coming and out-going tenants;" assisted by J. B. Grainger; two parts, 8vo., London, 1828. The first part is on different modes of tenancy; the second on wool-growth, value and policy of the trade. This is an interesting and very useful work, and performed with much fidelity, save the crotchetty opinions of the nation being ruined by any freedom anent corn and wool. These opinions were the prevailing fashion of the day, and the authors' inherited only a fair share. The customs of the counties convey much instruction on the points of utility and disadvantage. The introduction of the work has the most unusual length of 129 pages: vast calculations are there made of the losses that would ensue from the most trifling change, which deserve not any notice, as events have falsified every ground of assumption. Any practical work is much defaced by these assumed materials of use; and as no certainty can 117 exist, the conclusions must be received with great caution. The authors had not to calculate and predict, but to examine and report; not to denounce perpetual mischief, but to suggest from seeming evils some beneficial alterations. It may have been thought to please the politics of the late Duke of Wellington, to whom the work is dedicated. The author wrote "On the cultivation of the waste lands of the United Kingdom, for the purpose of employing the poor, and diminishing the poor-rates;" London, 8vo., 1829. There are 66 pages in this essay, which argues to establish what never was doubted that the land must maintain the people by means of labour and rates; and it only remains to construct the machinery, adjust the parts, and regulate the performance. The difficulty lies in the arrangements; and until one competent architect be found to build a social system to comprehend these resolutions, the enigma may still remain of lands: untilled and a people starving-a true paradox, and of long continuance. CCCCXX.-LUPTURE, 1828. Lupture wrote " 'Hints on manures;" 12mo., price 3s. This notice appears in the London catalogue of books; no other list of books or authors has the name in print. CCCCXXI.-LAMBERT, 1829. Joseph Lambert, Esq., wrote "Observations on the rural affairs of Ireland, or a pràctical treatise on farming, planting, and gardening, adapted to the circunstances, resources, soil, and climate of the country;" Dublin, 8vo., 1829. The work occupies 327 pages, with a medium introduction. The contents are valuable, describing many subjects in a very handsome and practical manner, and with much candour and benevolent feeling. The outset observations on farming are most correct, and show the author's knowledge of the subject to have been truly honest. The matters are very much mixed; roads, draining, hay-making, burning lands, ploughing, grasses, pasture, stall-feeding, breeding, sheep, swine, grains, legumes, roots, gates, and timbers. There follow observations on bogs and wastes, and on planting: ornamental gardening concludes the volume. This miscellaneous way of writing has its advantages, and is not without its use; it relieves the dulness of reading a long subject, and conveys the meaning in a more lively and forcible manner. The transition from one subject to another shows a largeness of information on the part of the author, and an eagerness to impart the knowledge that is possessed. The writer of the present work has shown an adeptness in this way; and the manner in which he has discharged his undertaking does not reflect any disgrace on the mode he has adopted to convey the information. He seems to be unknown, except in the appellation above given. CCCCXXII.-STEPHENS, 1829. George Stephens, drainer, member of several foreign societies, wrote "The practical irrigator, being an account of the utility, formation, and management of irrigated meadows, with a particular account of success of irrigation in Scotland;" to which is added a practical treatise on straightening water-courses, protecting river banks, and embanking lowlands, Edin., 1829, 8vo. The work comprehends 195 pages, and describes very practically the common formation of water meadows in float and catchwork, and the great value of that mode of improving the value of lands. No great success ever attended irrigation in Scotland; the practice of it was ever very small. The author's extent of knowledge in draining amounts to bogs and swamps, and to intercepting the springs of water that rise from permeable strata; the frequent system of modern draining had not occurred to the practice of those times, and in which the carrying away of surface-water supersedes the catching or intercepting of the permeating flows in the underground. On the subjects that are treated, no better work has ever appeared; but being limited in the comprehension, the value is proportionally decreased. Elkington's mode of tapping springs of water by boring into the tail of the conveying stratum, and the intercepting of outlets by a trench cut below the gurgles of water, have all given way to more certain methods of performing the pur pose. CCCCXXIII.-DOYLE, 1829. Martin Doyle wrote "A cyclopædia of practical husbandry and rural affairs in general;" Dublin, post 8vo., price 12s. The book comprehends 507 octavo pages, and treats the subjects in the alphabetical order; the intelligence is very plain and practical, but sufficiently enlightened. The portraits of the animals are bad; but the designs of cottages are elevated to the bed-rooms being placed on the second floor, which shows the ideas of the author were raised beyond the common grovelling on that subject. The book is dedicated to the Marquis of Downshire, and we believe the author was an Irish clergyman, and wrote several little works on farming and gardens. There is not shown any progress in ideal practice or a large comprehension of the art of agriculture, but merely a plain and very sensible matter-of-fact exposition of current and known intelligence in a very acceptable and useful manner. The author had read much, and quotes largely. CCCCXXIV.-HARLEY, 1829. tem, and an account of the various methods of dairy husbandy pursued by the Dutch; also a new and improved mode of ventilating stables, with an appendix containing useful hints (founded on the author's experience) for the management of hedgerow fences, fruit trees, &c., and the means of rendering barren lands fruitful;" London, 8vo., 1829. The author was originally a manufacturer in Glasgow, and afterwards an extensive cow-keeper and builder there. He died in 1830. The volume contains 288 octavo pages, the plan of the cow-house, and the portraits of an Ayrshire bull and cow. Our inspection is again compelled to relate the vast inferiority of the Scotch artists in animal life; the present case is the worst that has occurred. A caricature is an appellation too gentle to convey an idea of the performance. The cow shed was on magnificent scale, with stone cribs and cast-iron troughs, and much contrivance to collect the urinary fæces. The soiling system was adopted, and much convenience was devised. The piggery is very deficient in contrivance, being the common sty and yard under a low roof, and without any adjoining yard for the dung. The upper storey of the cowhouse was designed into apartments for containing litter, and sleeping-rooms for the attendants. The establishment did not last very long; such costly doings fail in competition with the humble dealer, who is able to produce the articles at less cost, and is the successful competitor. It matters not in such cases if the cows are tied to stakes of iron or timber, or if the feet are placed on a stone or wooden pavement; if the chains round the neck of the animal is attached to a pulley or by a ring to the stake. These arrangements show only an ingenuity which is pleasing to the fancy, and to be looked at in use; but the milk is no way affected by the articles, and the cost adds a heavy sum on which the interest of the capital has to be computed. But such executions always show something for adoption, and are not wholly useless. CCCCXXV.-FALL, 1829. Thomas Fall, surveyor of roads, wrote "The surveyor's guide, or every man his own road-maker, containing the whole art of making and repairing roads, prices for work, forming of estimates, and contains 163 pages of duodecimo, and is a most office of surveyor;" Retford, 12mo. The work directions that are known on the subject of making valuable treatise; nineteen sections give the best and repairing roads. The author uses one material for roads-a depth of small broken stones, with sharp points and angles, laid on the cart-way at three different times, according as the weight is settled into position. Twelve inches in depth of William Harley wrote "The Harleian dairy sys- broken stones form a sufficient road. Surveyors STRICKLAND.-LAWSON.-TRIMMER--MONTEATH.-COBBETT. and farmers will be much informed and repaid by the labour of perusing this little volume. CCCCXXVI.-STRICKLAND, 1829. 119 The book on wool fills 80 octavo pages, and is divided into six chapters. The author states his success with the merino sheep, and had procured fine wool, and an animal equal to the Southdown breed. Much hard labour is bestowed in support G. Strickland, Esq., wrote "A discourse on the poor-laws of England and Scotland, on the pooring an insecure edifice, of which the author lived of Ireland, and on emigration;" London, 8vo., 1829. This discourse occupies 127 pages, and is dedicated to the Marquis of Lansdowne; the author dates from Hildenley. The usual complaints are made of the great and growing evil of the poor-laws, and the remedies examined that have been offered for the mitigation, if not total abolition. The author is not sparing in rebuke of the promoters of new schemes, but does not seem ready with any plan of his own, and he leaves the subject as he found it—a truly repugnant idea to the name of civilized society. Whatever arrangements are made, the original and adherent character still remains. CCCCXXVII.-LAWSON, 1829. John Lawson, jun., Elgin, wrote "A treatise on smut in grain ;" London, 1829, 8vo. The essay occupies 68 8vo. pages, with portraits of parts of different grains in the sound and diseased state. Smut in wheat is attributed to the luxuriance of the stem, which leaves wholly untouched the grand puzzle of sound and diseased stems proceeding from the same root, and smutted and sound grains being found on the same ear. The author reasons very acutely, and states his ideas very frankly, and gives many communicated opinions on the subject. But all opinions and theories have failed, and may probably ever fail to account for the above stated appearance of soundness and disease springing from the same root, and being seated on the same spike. CCCCXXVIII.-TRIMMER, 1829. Joshua Kirby Trimmer wrote "Practical observations on the improvement of British fine wool, and the national advantages of the arable system of sheep husbandry," London, 8vo., 1829. The author published in 1809 a work not generally quoted: "A brief inquiry into the present state of agriculture of the southern part of Ireland, and its influence on the manners and condition of the lower classes of the people, with some considerations upon the ecclesiastical establishment of that country." The author had visited Ireland on business, and was struck with the usual painful feelings, from seeing the manner in which the poorer order of the inhabitants live. The inquiry occupies 80 pages, and is written in a very clear and feeling manner. Any suggestions offered in such cases are but as a drop in the bucket of the overwhelming mass of Ireland's misery. to see the failure. No fineness of wool ever can supplant the flesh in the value of the English sheep. A heated fancy only is capable of overlooking this primary quality of use in Britain. The author had farmed, extensively, and employed much business and observation on wool; his observations are very just and temperate, and conclusions legitimate. But the cause was false, and the whole edifice has crumbled. A want of caution and of cool reflection characterises these evaporations, and are the origin of the manifestations. CCCCXXIX.-LAWSON, 1829. A. Lawson wrote "The farmer's practical instructor, showing all the latest and most improved methods of cultivating the vegetable and animal productions of agriculture, embracing every subject of information necessary to constitute the complete farmer;" 8vo., plates, price 128. This statement is taken from an advertised list of works on agriculture, new and secondhand; the book is not found in the National Library, nor is the author mentioned in Loudon's list of writers. The title of it is respectable, and the want of the work adds to the regret that any perusal should escape our notice and research. It is always pleasant to record any labour that is usefully directed. CCCCXXX.-MONTEATH, 1829. Robert Monteath was a person employed in Scotland in making reports and surveys of woods and plantations, and in designing and valuing the wooded ground of landed estates. He wrote "A new and easy system of draining and reclaiming the bogs and marshes of Ireland, with plans for improving waste lands in general;" London, 8vo., 1829. The book contains 239 pages of very mixed matter, with plates of remarkable trees at home and abroad. The author raises very high the profits of planting, but devised no more feasible mode of fertilizing the bogs of Ireland than others which had preceded, and had all fallen to the ground. The author wrote "On planting and rearing woods,” and "The forester's guide.” CCCCXXXI.-COBBETT, 1830. William Cobbett was born in the year 1762, in the neighbourhood of Farnham, in the county of Surrey. His father was a small farmer of moderate education, but of very powerful natural abilities, and raised himself from a day labourer to the station of a farmer. Our author was the third son; anil |