"One-fifth of all the productions of the earth are calculated to be destroyed by hail and other accidents." "In the management of the vines in the Parmazan, there is a practice, which shews the constant dread of severe frosts. All the vines are now (in November,) turned down, and the end shoots buried in the earth to preserve them; yet in a wet season they suffer by this treatment, as well as in all seasons, by being stript from the trees, in order to undergo this operation." of an act of parliament; we cannot even inclose | yet known in England. The English were, at our own property, without the same ceremony. the same time, skating at Rome." Nor is it only the expense of such applications, but the necessity of them generates opposition at every step, and a man must fight his way through county-meetings, through attorneys, agents, council, witnesses, and litigation,-in a manner odious to every liberal feeling, and at a ruinous expense, before he is at liberty to improve his own estate, without any detriment to others; every idea of such works, therefore, in England, as we have seen common in Lombardy, is visionary and impracticable; and we must continue to view, with eyes of envy and admiration, the noble exertions which have been made and perfected in that country, and which, in truth, very much exceed any thing we have to exhibit in any walk of agriculture in this island:-an example to hold up for imitation, and an ample field of practical study. OMISSION. "Mr. Professor Symonds, in the excellent paper quoted above, removed the common erroneous idea of the fine climate of Italy. I made many inquiries concerning the leading facts, and have every reason to believe that it is, in point of health and agreeableness, one of the worst climates in the world with the views of a farmer, however, it must be confessed, that the productions which the whole peninsula owes to its climate are very valuable. To omit speaking of Sicily or Naples, I may remark, that planting the poor brashy hills of Tuscany with olives is an advantage unequalled by any thing to be met with in the north of Europe; that the produce of silk throughout Lombardy is an object of the first importance-that rice is found to be an article of almost unrivalled profit: that the productive state of the meadows is indebt The following extracts from Arthur Young's 'Notes on the Agriculture of Lombardy,' had been marked to be included or cited in the "Essay on Silk Culture,' in the preceding number, (p. 140.) They show the great extremes of heat of summer and cold of winter in this, the most productive silk country of Europe; and they furnish strong tes-ed almost as much to the heat of the summers, as timony in addition to that which was presented, that the similar extremes, which belong to the climate of Virginia, instead of being opposed to silkculture, constitute the strongest assurance of its success and profitable returns. to the plenty of water; and, for any thing I know also. These are all objects of great magnitude, to the contrary, the admirable quality of the cheese and entirely derived from climate." From the Penny Magazine. IMPORTANCE OF THE CULTIVATION OF THE VINE IN FRANCE. "The great complaint in Piedmont, is the excessive heat in summer; equal, I was assured, to almost any that is felt on the globe, and of a suffocating quality; while the frosts in winter are as Whenever the commercial intercourse between severe, in the contrary extreme. The pestiferous France and England shall be regulated by better climate of Sardinia is known to every body; though principles of economy than those under which it between 39 and 41 degrees latitude; in the south-is at present conducted, wine will be the great staern part of the island, they are not forwarder than in the Milanese: they cut their corn in the north part in July in the Milanese before the end of June." The most remarkable circumstance in the climate of Milanese, is the mildness and warmth of northern and mountainous tracts, and the severity felt in the plain. This fact is found particularly around the lake of Como; upon all the western coast of that lake, which is about forty miles long, the agrumi, as the Italians call oranges, lemons, &c. are found, exposed to the open air, in good perfection; yet the whole of the lake is bounded by the high Alps, which, immediatly to the north, are covered with eternal snows. On the rich plain of Milan, and thence to the Appenines, no such plant can be left exposed; olives are not seen, and oranges, lemons, and bergamots, must be covered in winter." "In an experiment made at Vicenza, in the Venetian state, by the Accademia Agraria of this city, they sowed wheat October 18, 1787; came up the 28th; the ears appeared May 2, 1788; the flowers May 13; reaped June 19." "I was at Florence the beginning of November, and the ice was four inches thick; a severity never ple with which the French will make their exchanges for English products. A few statements exhibiting the extent of production in this article in France will not therefore be devoid of interest. In presenting the following facts, it is necessary to state that we have borrowed largely from Dr. Bowring's 'Report on the Commercial Intercourse between France and Great Britain:' who obtained a prize given by the institute for an According to the estimates of M. Cavoleau, elaborate work on the vineyards and vines of France, the quantity of vineyard-land in 1806 was about 4,142,600 English acres, and in 1827 about 4,265,000 acres. The calculations of the French Statistical Society show that in 1788 the number of acres in cultivation was 3,988,800 acres, and in 1829 about 5,104,000 acres. The vine-growers estimate the increase of vineyards since 1788 at 28 per cent. wine-districts, in the same way that England is France is divided, for fiscal purposes, into 76 sub-divided by the board of excise into districts termed "collections." The total superfices of The same practice was known among the ancients. See Strabo, lib. vii. and Quint. Curt. lib. vii. c. 3. acres, was sold in 1830 at the rate of 3561. per acre: this is the highest price ever paid. The estate of Lafitte, consisting of 262 acres, was sold in 1803 at the rate of 1831. 4s. per acre. Both these estates are situate in the Medoc district. About 5154 acres of Medoc wine estates have been sold in the present century; the average amount obtained was 647. per acre. The demand from England for the fine Medoc wines has raised the value of the land which produces them. France is not quite 53,000,000 hectares, the uncultivated lands amounting to nearly one-eighth of the whole. More than one-thirtieth part of France, including the waste lands, is cultivated in vineyards this is equivalent to about a seventh part of England. If the counties of Bedford, Buckingham, Berks, Hertford, Huntingdon, Middlesex, Oxford, Rutland, Surrey, Westmoreland, and Worcester, were entirely covered with vineyards, the vineyards of France would exceed them in extent by 375 square miles. The distance from The difference in the value of wine of the same London to York is 196 miles; and if the land on vineyard varies exceedingly from one year to anoeach side of the road produced vines, instead of ther, according to the season being favorable or grain and food for cattle, each side of the road to unfavorable. The produce of Lafitte, Latour, and the extent of above sixteen miles must be appro- Chateau Margaux, which are the most esteemed priated to this purpose in order to equal the vineyards, has been as low as 41. a hogshead in a breadth of land in France which is devoted to the bad year. On the other hand, it has, under differvine; or, in other words, a tract of country near-ent circumstances, been as high as 301. ly 200 miles long and 33 broad. M. Cavoleau estimated the value of the annual produce of the vineyards at 21,615,572.; the Statistical Society at 28,040,0001, and in 1788 at only 14,260,0007. M. Cavoleau is of opinion that the quantity of wine produced in a year is 812,808,040 gallons, or about 200 gallons an acre. The estimate of the Statistical Society is 998,932.900 gallons, worth on an average 63d. per gallon; and the production of 1788 is estimated at about 610,750,000 gallons. The wine-growers are supposed to be 1,800,000 in number. The condition of the population employed in vineyards is an interesting subject of inquiry. A communication addressed to Dr. Bowring by the members of the chamber of commerce at Rheims affords some information on this point, which we subjoin:-In the arrondissement of Rheims the number of vine-proprietors is 11,903. This large number of owners is owing to the division of property; divisions so much the more multiplied, as there is not a single vine-dresser working at piecework who does not rent some plot of vineyard, and thus the number of separate holders of vineyards is from 22,000 to 23,000. The small labor A commission which was instituted a few yearsing proprietors are generally burdened with famiago to examine into the operation of the tax on wine, which amounts to about 2,900,000l. per annum, assumed the total produce to be 924,020,000 gallons, and calculated by approximation the manner in which it was disposed of. They estimated that there was Gallons. lies, and not well off. They form in society an interesting and very laborious class, making the best appearance they can by severe economy. As soon as there is a promise of a good harvest, they purchase some vineyard-ground, often without prudence, and beyond their means. Afterwards, if bad years come on, they borrow to free themselves. If, in order that they may not mortgage their little property, they have recourse to usurers, they sign and renew bills on very disad141,680,000 vantageous terms. If they borrow on mortgage, 91,344,000 the rate of interest is nominally 5 per cent. to the profit of the lender, but in reality from 6 to 7 per 44,000,000 cent. at the cost of the borrower, on account of the 24,530,000 expenses of the transaction. 198,000,000 For the manufacture of vinegar The total average export of wine is about 22,000,000 gallons, of an average value of nearly 2,000,0001. 11,000,000 In the district where the Macon and Beaujolais 308,000,000 wines are produced, the receiver-general of the department of the Rhone gave Dr. Bowring the following account of the condition of the population whose interests are connected with the vineyards:—“Each hectare of vines (nearly 24 acres) represents a capital of from 5000 to 6000 francs (2001. to 2401.) on an average. The expense of cultivation may be estimated, every thing included, at about 200 francs (Sl.) the hectare. The labor of each vigneron (vine-dresser) comprises nearly two hectares, and occupies a whole family. The cultivation of the vine is carried on by an equal division of the produce between the proprietors and the cultivators; the latter are, indeed, a species of participating colonists termed vignerons. This method, by establishing a community of interest between the proprietor and the laborer, tends to render their relations intimate and paternal. It attaches the cultivator to the ground, equally with the proprietor himself, and in some respects removes him from the class of dependent workmen. This class, in general, is not unprosperous: all those who have habits of labor and The district in which the production of wine is carried on to the largest extent, and where the cultivation of the vine is the most advanced, and the qualities of the wine of the highest order, is the department of the Gironde. The superficies of the Gironde is 2,500,000 acres, and the extent of vineyards is equal to 350,000 English acres. The average produce is between 50,000,000 and 60,000,000 gallons, five-eighths of which are red, and three-eighths white wine, the whole, or nearly so, being suited to foreign demand. In very favorable years the production will amount to 75,000,000 gallons. The value of vineyard property varies very much. The Monton estate, consisting of 135 and prayer-book, and a complaint is made that books of a more attractive kind are not circulated. As a consequence of this state of things, they are extremely fanatic, and having few sources of rational amusement and instruction, they either "go to bed early," for want of occupation, or spend their time at the public houses. M. Joannot says they are in general endowed with great penetration, but they are ignorant, superstitious, devoid of religion, proud, setting at defiance the educated and the rich, selfish, little fond of work; yet he economy live at their ease. They begin to live | suited for the growth of hemp to supply the famirather better than they formerly did; their wants ly with linen, and he has one-half of the refuse are attributed to the dearness of articles of con- wood of that portion of the vineyard which he culsumption, of which they are deprived, such as tivates, besides medical attendance and medicines meat, which they very rarely eat, and iron, of at the cost of the proprietor. This account adds which they use large quantities for their farming. that the ignorance of domestic economy amongst They sometimes suffer from the want of sale for the vine-dressers is usually very great in the detheir productions." partment of the Gironde. Another account says M. Joannot, the intelligent librarian of the Bor-that instruction is but little diffused among them. deaux public library, has afforded ample informa-Those who have learned to read when young, no tion respecting the moral and social condition of longer think of reading at a more advanced age, the population engaged in vineyards in the de- although this is exactly the period when the partment of the Gironde. He states that the pro- greatest possible advantage would be derived from prietors of vineyards producing wines of the first the perusal of useful books. When yonng, it is quality are rich, but the others are not in prosper-stated that they read nothing but the catechism ous circumstances, and if they were not also engaged in farming it would be impossible to support themselves. M. Joannot says that, owing to the ambition of the small land-owners to increase their possessions, they often purchase land at a price very much above its real value. The average daily pay of a vine-dresser is 1s. 4d. ; a woman and child together gain about 74d.; and the most skilful laborer, who provides himself with board and lodging, obtains from 1s. 8d. to 1s. 11d. per day. The vintager who is fed and lodged by his employer receives from 7d. to 1s. and some-states that they are kind and hospitable, adding, times ls. 3d. per day. Women and children em- however, that family ties have little weight ployed in the vineyards receive half the pay of the amongst them-the sickness of one of their catmen. The workmen attached to the vine-press tle distressing them more than that of their wife receive 44d. per day more than the others. In the or child. Almost all of them live without care for Medoc district, the vineyard is cultivated on the the future, and die unregretted. This is a disasfollowing terms:-A certain portion of land, ge-trous picture of the moral state of so numerous a nerally about seven acres, is divided according to class, and it will require many efforts to lift them agreement, and it is then managed by the vine-out of that degradation in which they are placed dresser. It is his duty to cut the vines-prune by reason of their ignorance of their own nature, the shoots-to tie them up in bundles and carry them out of the vineyard; and he also attends to all the necessary processes which the successful culture of the vine demands, such as loosening the ground about the roots of the plants, and breaking up the ground in places which the plough could not reach: all the other expenses are at the proprietor's cost. The vine-dresser receives In some parts of the department of the Gironde, a salary for himself and family of 67. in money, be- where the elevation of the country renders the air sides half the cuttings, four barrels of a liquor call- extremely pure, the men are finely formed, have ed "piquette," made from the wastage of the wine-blue eyes and light hair, and pretty women are barrels, the remnants of the grapes, &c., a lodging, and a small garden. It is usual amongst the extensive growers of the Sauterne and Barsac grapes to employ whole families of vine-dressers to cultivate the crops at fixed wages. Each family is boarded and lodged on the estate, and has a small house, garden, hemp-field, and half the cuttings of the vines collected on the portion of ground they cultivate; and they have, moreover, permission to grow vegetables on several of the furrows in the vineyard. They receive besides, for each man and woman, fifty kilogrammes (110 lbs.) of rye, and half that quantity for each child. The head of the family receives an annual addition of from 21. to 21. 8s.; and a child, as soon as it commences working, is paid at the rate of 24s. a year. The manager of a large wine property in Medoc gives nearly a similar account of the condition of the vine-dressers on the estate under his superintendence. A vine-dresser who is the head of a family, and whose wife works, receives from 181. to 201. a year in money, and is provided with four and the duties which are imposed on them. France will soon be covered with parish schools, and the instruction which may be obtained there will, it is to be hoped, do something towards improving their character. We must add, that though thus spoken of, M. Joannot says "their sobriety is worthy of imitation." common among them. The population of these parts is much devoted to pleasure and dress, and they are of a gay temperament. In the district where the Macon and Beaujolais wines are produced, M. Delahante, a public functionary, affirms that "it is certain that within the last twenty years civilization has made great progress among the population employed in the cultivation of the vine. There are few of the old people who know how to read, and few of the young who cannot do so." M. de Brimont, of Rheims, says of the vinedressers of the Champagne district, that as to education they are on an average with the population of France generally, "but they are more sober and orderly than the manufacturing classes in general." From the Edinburgh Encyclopædia. ON SEA-WEED, OR ALGA MARINA. barrels of piquette, lodging, a garden, and land in the sea, is driven ashore after storms, and is found to be an excellent article for manuring light | to it; namely, that it is eminently beneficial in and dry soils, though of little advantage to those preserving wheat from being mildewed, which, of a clayey description. This article may be ap- were the fact sufficiently ascertained, would be an plied on the proper soil with advantage to any addition to our stock of agricultural knowledge, of crop, and its effects are immediate, though rarely great importance. Where sea-weed is applied, of long continuance. As the coast-side lands of there can be no doubt that the soil is thereby the island are, in every case, of superior fertility greatly strengthened, becoming firmer, and, of to those that are inland, we may attribute this su- course, better adapted for preserving the roots of perior fertility to the great quantity of manure the plant from injury, and for furnishing a regular found upon their shores after every storm or high supply of food. This length we can safely go, as we tide, whereby the resources of the ocean are in a believe that such an opinion accords entirely with manner brought forward for the enrichment of the the general sentiments of agriculturists. lands locally situated for participating in such. ing, however, that mildew proceeds entirely from benefits. The utmost attention has long been a diseased atmosphere, we are at a loss to find paid to the gathering and laying on of this valua-out how sea-weed, at the root of the plant, can ble manure; and, from the extensive line of British act as a preventive against that disease, in any shores, both of the main sea and of the numerous other way than what is already mentioned; that estuaries which indent, and as it were divide the is, by consolidating the surface, and giving greatmain land, an immense quantity of sea-weed er strength to the plants, in consequence of which, must annually be collected from them. they are enabled to resist the unhealthiness of the atmosphere. Comparing the operation of seaweed with that of dung, it will be found that the effect of the latter is to loosen the soil, and to make it more friable; consequently, as always happens, fields, which have received the greatest quantity of dung, are always most susceptible of mildew. THE EDITOR OF THE GARDENER'S MAGAZINE. Sea-weed is applied at all seasons to the surface, and sometimes, though not so profitably, it is mixed with unrotten dung, that the process of putrefaction may be hastened. Generally speaking, it is at once applied to the soil, which saves labor, and prevents that degree of waste, which otherwise would necessarily happen. Sea-weed is, in one respect, preferable to the richest dung; because it does not produce such a quantity of weeds. Some have thought, that the weeds upon land, which has received dung, are produced by seeds mixed with the dung; but it is reasonable The two last numbers of Loudon's Magazine to presume, that the salts contained in sea-weed, contained nothing of interest, unless it may be the and applied with it, may be the real cause of the after-cleanliness. This may be inferred from the following advertisement, which exhibits a very general state of coast-side lands, where sea-weed different condition of agricultural editorship in is used. These lands are almost constantly kept England from that of our country. Mr. Loudon in tillage, and yet are cleaner and freer from is evidently "in clover," compared to his overweeds, than those in inland situations, where corn-worked and under-paid editorial brethren in this crops are not so often taken. Clay-soils are not so much benefited by sea- country. We could, (and perhaps may,) present weed, as those of a light nature; but whether some strong and amusing contrasts to the state of this is owing to the properties of clay being un- things indicated by this advertisement, in some of friendly to the admission of the salts contained in the heavy demands made upon our time, and lasea-weed, or to soils of that description being generally in a state, when this substance is thrown bor of body and mind, by persons who are not ashore, which physically unfits them for partici- even known, and whose names are sometimes not pating of benefit from the application, is not com- even given, and who seem to think that we are pletely ascertained. The fact, however, is cer- not only competent, but that it is our province and tain, that clay-soils are little benefited by seaweed, though perhaps the poaching of carts and duty, and our pleasure, to furnish information and horses upon them, in wet stormy weather, may advice, at any expense of labor, not only on matin some measure, be assigned as the true cause ters of general interest to agriculture, or of special why the same benefit is not gained. When interest to friends, acquaintances, or subscribers, dung is carted out on clay-soils, in a wet state, but also to those who have no claim on any one of we know, that the advantage from it is not so great, as when the surface is in condition to these grounds.-ED. FAR. REG. bear the pressure of the carriages; though, from that result, no person would be justified, in maintaining, that these soils were constitutionally disSince Mr. Loudon commenced the 'Gardener's qualified to receive benefit from dung. When a Magazine', he has had numerous applications coast-side farm contains mixed soils, the best man-made to him (many of them anonymously), by agement is exercised, by applying sea-weed to dry, and dung to clay-land. In this way, the full advantage of manure may be obtained, and a farm so circumstanced is of infinitely greater value, with respect to manuring and laboring, than one which contains so much variety. Advertisement. the readers of his works, for opinions on plans and elevations, or other designs; and for lists of trees and shrubs, ornamental or fruit-bearing, for particular purposes, &c. &c. These applications have considerably increased since the publication of the 'Suburban Gardener,' and as they begin to occuIt has lately been suggested by Sir John Sin-py more of his time than he can afford to spare clair, Bart. and other eminent agriculturists, that gratuitously, he has thought it right to state that, sea-weed possesses a virtue not formerly assigned in conformity with the practice of other authors on scientific subjects (see 'Gardener's Magazine' vol. xiv. p. 526,) he intends to charge for this advice in future, whether given verbally to persons calling, or by letter. For professional visits he has, for the last thirty years, been in the habit of charging at the rate of five guineas a day; and the following scale of terms is founded on this da tum: A visit to any place not exceeding twelve miles from London, and not occupying more time, including going and returning, than from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon-including all expenses Above 12 miles, and not exceeding 20-including all expenses Above 20 miles, five guineas a day, from the time of leaving Bayswater to that of returning to it, and travelling expenses, by post. Consultation by letter, or by the party calling at Bayswater £5 5 0 Where it is desired to ascertain whether a pl ce is well kept, or whether it could be altered so as to be kept at less expense; or to point out defects in the mode of keeping and manag ing the walks and their edgings, and the lawn, flowers, shrubs, &c. Whether the addition of a piece of water to a park or pleasure ground would be an improvement; how far it is practical to form such a piece of water; and what character it ought to assume. Where the agricultural surface requires improvement, or the plantations are to be examined. No opinion will ever be given by Mr. Loudon, 6 6 0 whether verbally or by letter, without assigning his reasons for forming it. When any plan given by Mr. Loudon is approved of, he can, if required, send a competent assistant to stake it out on the ground, and to describe the manner in which it is to be executed; for which the charge will be a guinea a day, with travelling expenses. J. Č. L. Bayswater, October 16, 1838. When plans are sent for correction, subjects for an opinion, or lists of trees, shrubs, &c. are wanted, which it will require a considerable time to prepare, the charge for consultation will be increased in proportion to the time occupied, at the EXTRACT FROM Proceedings of eigth ag rate of five guineas, for a day of eight hours. As some persons may not be aware when a Pointing out errors or defects in the plans of From the New England Farmer. RICULTURAL MEETING IN MASSACHUSETTS. Mr. The report above named placed the value of ruta baga for fattening cattle, for milch-cows, for swine and for horses at a very high rate. Brigham of Westboro expressed himself as strongly differing from the opinions expressed in the report in respect to their value. He was disposed to value roots at a high rate; but there was danger that farmers might expect too much from them; and he wished to guard them against disappointment. He had in the course of his farming raised from 1000 to 1100 bushels to an acre of ruta baga; and of carrots from 700 to 1200 bush. He had used his ruta baga from cows in milk. They will not double the quantity of milk as the report stated; but they will increase it considerably. He thinks, however, that the quality of the Examining lists of trees and shrubs, ornamen-milk is injured by their use; and that the milk of tal or fruit-bearing; or supplying lists suitable for particular purposes and situations. Examining plans, elevations, and sections of cottages, farm buildings, and villas of every description. II.-Cases in which it will be necessary for Mr. Loudon to see the premises before giving an opinion: cows fed upon them will produce but little cream. He had found them of use in fattening beef. On the whole, however, he deemed them greatly inferior to carrots. Carrots he estimated very highly. They were difficult or rather expensive in cultivation; but if successful, they amply repaid any expense or labor bestowed on them. They were an excellent crop for horses. He did not coinside in the opinion, stated by the commissioner, of Mr. Merrill of Lee, who said that for feeding horses he should prefer one hundred bushels of carrots and one hundred bushels of oats to two hundred bushels of oats; yet he deemed them excellent, and much the best root-crop raised among He had found it likewise much easier to keep carrots than to keep ruta baga. Of their value for fattening beef or swine he had no knowledge. us. Where the general scenery of a place is to be examined, with the view of ascertaining what improvements it is susceptible of. Where an entirely new place is to be formed; unless the ground should be perfectly flat, and without any distant view. Where it is desired to ascertain the causes of the defects of an old place: such as the cause I of the barren state of the fruit-trees, or of Mr. Danforth of Pittsfield, stated a case within the defective crops of the kitchen garden or his own knowledge in which the raising of carorchard; or of the inefficacy of the mode of rots cost at the rate of eight cents per bushel. heating, lighting, or ventilating the hot-Other gentleman stated that they had been prohouse, &c.; of sterility of the pasture land, duced in the state in large quantities at the rate unthriving state of the timber, &c. of 64 cents per bushel. |