agriculture, which has been so much desired, has been advancing. I am firmly of opinion that the benefits arising from the Smithfield Club will contribute to the welfare of the agricultural people of this country, and, through them, to the well-being and prosperity of every other class."

Earl Spencer next pros posed" the prosperity of the Royal Agricultural Association," and said, "Three years ago it was cradled in this room; that society has had the support of the practical farmers. I was satisfied it would be of the greatest benefit. Notwithstanding the prediction of others, I anticipated the good effects to be produced by it, and although many people imagined that science had nothing to do with agricultural pursuits, still I am satisfied of its utility. Sir Humphrey Davey applied science to agricultural purposes. Thirty years ago the application of steam power to our navy was considered a piece of nousense by the Lords of the Admiralty; and the opinion that science is not applicable to agriculture is equally absurd. I see clearly that a great deal of good is to be effected by it. I am in the habit of mixing with practical farmers, and have witnessed since the establishment of the Agricultural Association great improvements."

P. Pusey, Esq., President of the Royal Agricultural Association, said: "This room, as the noble President represents, was the cradle in which the Royal Association was nursed, having been brought forward by the noble lord and his friend, Mr. Handley, and others. One thing must be done; our agriculture and science must go hand in hand, and all science must be founded on facts."

Upon "the Highland Society" being given, the Duke of Richmond, its President, returned thanks, and said, "I may thank the English farmers for that distinction, because, had I not been brought prominently forward by them, I might possibly not have held that high honour. Eulogising the conduct and character of farmers generally, his Grace advised other landlords to do as he was in the habit of doing—at least once in the year to meet their tenants in their own houses.

After several toasts and speeches, the noble President and his noble friends left the room, and the company shortly afterwards separated.

A company such as this, composed of all ranks and degrees, is a gratifying spectacle; and it is one of the chief advantages of such clubs and associations, that they bring together every decent grade of society, and operate as an extensive bond of union to the whole.

The high respectability of such a company is only equalled by the pertinent speeches which are made, and the general conversation which ensues. Different sections or groups of the assembly are variously engaged in social conversation. One party are discussing the merits of some particular animal; another, the merits of some particular breed ; others again are suggesting how they might be improved by crossing.

On one hand a knot are describing to each other the appearance of the young wheats, and what the farmer's prospects are for the coming year; while, on the other hand, a group are comparing the results of the present show with those of former years.

But the most general topic of conversation is the seasonal proceedings of the farmer; and which includes the management of live stock during the winter, whether in stalls, in the turnip fields, or on the pastures.

Stall feeding of heavy beasts intended to succeed the Christmas supplies, is now going on with cake, hay, and turnips, so that they may be ready for market before the warm weather of next spring sets in; and also while there is so much company in London.

Feeding off turnips with sheep, commences sooner or later, according to the quantity of turnips a farmer may have the good fortune to possess. If any tankards have been raised, they should be all eaten, or safely stored, before the middle of December, as they are easily destroyed by frost. Beginning on the turnips, is a point which should be well considered; they should last as far into the spring as they remain good for the flock, and so as to be out of the way of sowing barley or other crop. A calculation is easily made; five score of sheep will eat an acre of good turnips in a week; by which rule the turnips may be apportioned to the flock for any giving length of time, so as they are ended about the first of April, sooner or later, according to the season or climate.

The forward ewes, on dry fresh pastures, will now begin dropping their lambs, and will require the utmost vigilance on the part of the shepherd. This description of stock requires close attendance, and should be allowed to finish lambing before they are put on turnips. In cold wet weather, they should be housed at night. White turnips are best for couples; and should always be eaten before the swedes, which are later in running to flower, and at all times better adapted for fattening stock. When turnip-land is too wet for the crop to be eaten off, drawing and placing the turnips as they grew on a dry pasture, close together in beds, to be covered with straw when necessary is an excellent plan.

The store beasts in the straw-yard, require frequent supplies, and have roomy sheds to retire to in wet weather.

Another seasonal affair is the preparation of the land for bean-drilling or setting, according as the weather or the state of the land allows. The land has probably been already ploughed; and now only wants to be harrowed down ready for the drill: or if too heavy for setting. Beans require to be laid on a firm bed, whether that be made by the sole of the drill or the point of the dibber.

57

TURF MATTERS IN AMERICA.

BY N. OF ARKANSAS.

Batesville, Arks. October 1, 1840.

THE wonderful power of steam, has so closely united mother England with the people of these United States, and the facilities of travelling from one place to the other, are so great, and the journey can be made in so short a time, that I begin to entertain strong hopes that some enterprising turfmen, of one or the other country, will make a crusade with a strong team, for the purpose of testing the relative speed of the horses of the two nations. The daughter is indebted to the mother for her blooded stock, but how far her manner of crossing, rearing, and training, will tend to improve, is a matter of speculation. In England, ten times the care is taken with young things-they are pushed forward from foaling-time, and an English two year old does as much work as an American four year old-we run long distances, and seek game rather than speed. Of the importations to this country in the last ten years, Leviathan has done more than any other horse to improve the speed of our stock-and the extraordinary performances of his daughter Bee's-wing, over the New Orleans Course, running four miles in 7 minutes 38 seconds, would argue that he has imparted game as well as speed to some of his get. The distinguished turfman and accomplished gentleman who imported him, is no more; and I have no doubt the spirited patrons of the turf on the other side of the "mighty deep" will deeply sympathise with their brethren on this, when they learn the melancholy tidings of the death of James Jackson, Esq. This lamented gentleman also imported Glencoe; his colts have not yet shown on the American turf. His pedigree, performances, and the extraordinary feats of Wardan, the earliest of his get, inspire his friends with the confident hope that he will do much towards the improvement of the race horse.

The lion of America is Boston. You have doubtless seen his portrait (which appeared in the "Spirit of the Times," a paper which has done everything for the American turf, and whose talented and accomplished editor is an ornament to his profession), and are familiar with his performances. Brilliant as his career has been, green as his laurels are, his speed and endurance have never yet been fully and fairly tested. The next brightest star in our race-horse firmament is Wagner, the conqueror of old Kentucky's lamented Grey Eagle. I saw both races between them a better contest I shall never see-every inch of the ground gallantly contested-and, like the famed battle between "Snowden's knight" and "Clan Alpine's chief," each found a "foeman worthy his steel."

The brief and brilliant career of the imported son and daughter of Priam, placed their sire on as high a pinacle of fame in this country, as did the extraordinary performances of Crucifix in England— Monarch never lost a race, and his owner, the chivalrous Colonel Hampton, of the sunny South, was ignorant at the time he broke down, as to what he could do when called upon. The Queen was unfortunate-she met Boston under disadvantageous circumstances, and though defeated, lost no fame.

I wish Col. Wm. R. Johnson, justly styled the "Napoleon of the turf," would consent to take a stable to England, under his management, with "Old Arthur*" to train, and “Gil+” to Jockey, I should calculate confidently of success.

Boston and Gano are at present matched-the former greatly the favourite. But inasmuch as the latter has the advantage of his own "dunghill," and as a change of climate may seriously affect the "invincible," strong hopes are entertained among Gano's friends that the wreath will be snatched from old Boston's brow, I cannot think so, Very truly your friend,

44

N. OF ARKANSAS.

The Editor's Box."

THE CHACE.

HER MAJESTY'S STAG HOUNDS, had good sport up to the 11th. of December, when Jack Frost came and kennelled them. Their present force numbers forty-five couples and a half; viz. thirty-six and a half of old, and nine couples of young hounds.

THE QUORN HOUNDS.-These hounds have had much better sport up to this time than they had last year, although as yet there has been nothing very particular. Day, the new huntsman, appears to give satisfaction; very quiet in his general demeanour-some say a little too much so when his hounds are in chase. This pack had a good thing with a Bunny fox-forty minutes, best pace, and a kill at the end of one hour and ten minutes; and I have reason to believe, if the weathe proves fa vourable, they will have many such are the season closes.

In consequence of the lamented death of Mr. Thomas Shaw Hellier, of North Warwickshire, his staunch pack of fox-hounds have not been unkennelled for hunting since that event.

The PYTCHLEY HOUNDS had a good thing on Friday the 11th. of

"Old Arthur," means Old Arthur Taylor, Colonel Johnson's trainer, reckoned the most "cute" in the Union.

"Gil," is Gilpatrick, a celebrated jockey; though neither a Sam Chifney, nor a Jem Robinson.

December, from Crick Gorse, a cover, which, from the time of Dick Knight, up to the present day, has always been one of the most favourite places in the county. Found directly in Crick Gorse. Went away at the bottom of the cover, and got quite down to the Streetroad, where he was headed back into the cover. He, however, after some delay broke cover again down the Street-road, and turned to the left, up to Crick Osier beds; left them on his right, and ran the bottoms half a mile, as though for Crick Windmill; turned to the right, and crossed the Kilsby tunnel at the Watford end, up to Leger Ashbys; he then set his head for Braunston Cleeves. Up to this point the pace was good enough for anybody; here, in a lane, they had a slight check. They hit him off in the spinys, and away for Barby Windmill, leaving it on the right, and Barby Village a quarter of a mile to the right to the turnpike-road, from Crick to Ilmorton; there turned short to the right, close to Barby Village, where he was coursed by a dog, which caused a check for a quarter of an hour. Hit him off again, and went in a line for Willoughby, which they left a mile to the right, and with his head straight for Braunston Cleeves; in the middle of a small grass field they killed him, after a run of about an hour and a half. Both men and hounds did their work admirably.

THE VINE HOUNDS have had capital sport during the past month. His Grace the Duke of Wellington has been out, and appeared much to enjoy his day's sport.

THE HERTFORDSHIRE HOUNDS have been showing good runs, amongst which may be specified that of December the 10th. Met at Gorhambury found in Pre Wood, and went away directly for Radbourne pointed to Gadsden, inclining to the left through How Grove, up to within a field of Bricket, in forty minutes, at a good pace; turned down wind, and hunted him to Park Wood, where they got upon good terms, ran him hard to Surge Hill, and killed; a fine hunting run of nearly twenty miles, making their twenty-fifth fox this season.

EXTRAORDINARY SPORT WITH THE DUKE OF BEAUFORT'S Fox HOUNDS.-Up to the 15th instant, this pack has had a succession of sport not often experienced. Fifty-five foxes have been killed-fiftyone of them after runs, many of which were first-rate. The blood of old Justice will do the trick.

MR. FARQUHAR'S HOUNDS met on Tuesday, the 8th of December, at Yellowham. Pug broke away through Mr. Pope's farm, to Piddletown Heath, and back into Gray's Wood, where the pack killed him. Then away to Mr. James Henning's gorse, where the hounds had no sooner put their noses in than they chopped a two-year old dog fox: but, fortunately, another broke away through Woolverton and Burton eweleazes to Covedon, through Forston Farm, to Nether Cerne, over the eweleazes, and across the Cerne River, to King Grove, but this