the descending tube be so much longer than the ascending leg, as to admit of its being sunk to the proper depth in the ground, while the bason is still left above ground, so as to be entirely open to view its whole length. Where the tube is so long, the bore ought to be very small, so as to bear a very small proportion to the bulb, otherwise its movements might be deranged by the temperature above ground.

A Query.

It will be obliging if any of my readers can inform me what is the insect, the larva of which is the maggot or grub, that feeds upon the young bulbs of onions, and effectually destroys them wherever they establish themselves. The maggot, when full grown, is about half an inch in length, of a white colour all over, unless the head, which is of a dark brown colour. It is lodged between the coats of the onion, on which it begins to prey as soon as it is hatched, when it is very small. Sometimes four or more are found in one of the bulbs, which soon discovers symptoms of being sickly, which becomes more apparent from day to day, till the plant dies entirely. This takes place in general before the bulb be entirely consumed, on which the grub continues to prey after the leaves are entirely withered.

Index Indicatorius.

A Hertfordshire Farmer controverts the opinion.

cerning the superiority above all others of the Dishley breed of sheep, in respect to their aptitude to fatten ; and contends that there are breeds of sheep in this island that are possessed of some qualities superior to them, and in their aptitude to fatten early, their equal. Time, he says, will prove this to those that now think otherwise. The Dishley breed, he admits, were calculated for the site of their selector (to whose merits he pays a tribute of just applause); but he denies that they are calculated for the fold. Mr. C. he adds, hints, p. 141, that the advantage of folding is doubtful; which opinion this correspondent warmly controverts, and would be glad, he says, to see the errors of the folding system pointed out in this miscellany, or any other publication; as he, looking at the universal practice of folding in some of the best counties in this island, accounts it highly beneficial.

T. R. B. wishes for several articles which, if given in those kind of short papers he recommends, would be totally unintelligible. The account of the universal character, for instance, cannot be given in a few pages, if it is meant to be of any use; and it is this consideration that has made it be postponed. Those who write merely to amuse, may adopt a plan very different from those whose object is to inform; nor is it compatible with a work of this kind to convey information on some subjects.

Philo's favour is received. His suggestion shall be properly attended to, and I hope things shall be so conducted as not to give him any cause of uneasinefs. Perhaps if he were sometimes to look into the department which he says is uninteresting to him, he

may find some things that might engage his attention.

To I. F. the Editor can only say that it would give him much pleasure could he adopt every plan that should prove agreeable to any one of his readers; but, as that is impofsible, he must do what he can to satisfy the majority. The objections to the plan he recommends were very numerous. He regrets it should

be so.

Juvenis Indagator wishes that a translation (a poetical one I presume he means), were given of the beautiful Italian lines that were quoted by Julia in her first letter (Vol. I. M. page 38). If the Editor can have influence with the fair writer to confer that additional favour upon him, he will take it as a particular kindnefs; for he believes few persons are better qualified to do it justice. It would prove a high treat to many of my English readers also, could she be prevailed with to exhibit in an English drefs some of the lyric pieces of Metastasio, which prove so inchanting to every one who reads them in the original, should she feel an inclination to do them con amore. It would be better still to outrival them.

The favour of F. W. ought to have been sooner acknowledged, had not other circumstances unavoidably postponed it. The little composition of this young writer might do very well in a letter to a friend like himself, whom it might serve to amuse; but the subject is rather of too little importance for this miscellany.

The valuable communication of Hafez is received, and shall be attended to; as also that of Aristides and

17.

JULY
JULY 1800.

RECREATIONS

IN

AGRICULTURE, NATURAL-HISTORY,

ARTS, & MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE.

N° 5. VOL. III.

AGRICULTURE.

PRACTICAL REMARKS ON THE MANAGEMENT

OF THE DAIRY, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT
TO THE OBTAINING. OF BUTTER.

[Continued from page 256.]

Part 5th. General aphorisms respecting the management of milk in the dairy, for the purpose of obtaining butter.

IN the management of a dairy, the following peculiarities respecting milk ought to be particularly adverted to: some of them are, no doubt, known in part to attentive dairy owners; but I have reason to believe VOL. III.

Y

1

that they have never yet been considered by any one with so much attention as their importance, deserves; and by many persons, perhaps, have never been thought of at all. I adopt the form of aphorisms, that they may be the more readily adverted to, and the easier remembered.

FIRST APHORISM.

Of the milk that is drawn from any cow at one time, that part which comes off at the first is always thinner, and of a much worse quality for the purpose of making butter, than that which comes afterward; and the richness goes on continually increasing to the very last drop that can be drawn from the udder at that time.

Few persons in the country are ignorant that the milk which is taken from the cow last of all at one milking is richer than the rest of the milk; on which account a distinct name has been given to it in most parts of the country. In some places it is called afterings, because it is usually obtained, when it is wanted for sick persons or other uses, by re-milking the cow after the ordinary milking has been finished. -In other places it is called stroakings, because it does not come in so full a stream as in the ordinary course of milking; and it is, probably, known by other names in other parts of the country. This circumstance sufficiently proves, that the difference in its quality has been adverted to; but few, perhaps, are aware of the greatnefs of the disproportion between the quality of the first and the last drawn milk from the same cow at one milking. The following facts