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roots; yet this tree is thinly, though twice its natural period, if not more, univerfally, scattered over the woodlands preventing their feeding. of this country. I can fpeak from experience, that the luxuriance and excellive difpofition to extend itself in an other plant, which propagates itself from the root (the raspberry), decline in twenty years from the feed. The common elm being always propagated from fcions or layers, and growing with luxariance, feems to form an exception; but as fome varieties grow much better than others, is appears not improbable that the most healthy are thofe which have last been obtained from feed. The different degrees of health in our peach and nectarine trees may, I think, arife from the fame fource. The oak is much more long-lived in the north of Europe than here; though its timber is lefs durable, from the numerous pores at tending its flow growth. The climate of this country being colder than its native, may in the fame way add to the durability of the elm; which may poffibly be further increased by its not producing feeds in this climate, as the life of many annuals may be increased to

I have been induced to fay a great deal more on this fubject than, I fear, you will think it deferves, from a conviction that immenfe advantages would arife from the cultivation of the pear and apple in other counties, and that the ill fuccefs which has attended any efforts to propagate them, has arifen from the ufe of worn out and diseased kinds. Their cultivation is ill understood in this country, and work prac tifed; yet an acre of ground, fully planted, frequently affords an average produce of more than five hundred gallons of liquor, with a tolerable good crop of grafs; and I have not the leaft doubt but that there are large quantities of ground in almoft every county in England capable of affording an equal produce.

I have only to add an affurance, that the refults of the foregoing experiments are correctly ftated; and that I am, Sir, &c.

Elton, Herefordshire.

MINUTES OF AGRICULTURE.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 188.

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Watering of Meadows. THE benefit to be derived from the flooding of land is no where better understood, nor the operation more judiciously performed, than in this district *. Nature has been fo uncommonly bountiful in this refpect, that he has left little more for man to do, than gratefully to accept of her proffered gifts. From the fides of furrounding hills, the water rushes forth in innumerable fprings, as if placed there by Him, who formed the mountains, for the husbandman's immediate use.

Round most of this district (the hundred of Talgarth and the vale of Ufk as high as Daveynog) the brooks are formed by fprings, iffuing from the hills, at different degrees of elevation, from 1 to 1200 feet above the beds of the two main rivers; excepting therefore Brecknockshire.

T. A. KNIGHT.

bring

the detached hills, interfperfed through
the middle of the duftrict, most of it
might be watered. But man, born to
prey upon man, fómetimes fteps forth
to difappoint the beneficent intention.
From the intermixed manner in which
the land is poff.ffd in this county, it
very frequently happens, that a man
cannot raife water on his own land, but
is obliged to obtain leave of his neigh-
bour immediately above him, to
it through fome part of his land.
neighbour is either his for or his friend.
If he is his foe, he will not give hin
leave on any condition. And fuchcare
the materials of which human nature
is compofed, that if he is his friend, he
will be apt to calculate, not the value of
the damage done to his land by the wa
ter-courfe propofed, but the benefit which
his neighbours land below him, {will
M m 2

This

reap

reap from the propofed cut, and make tances of time, they are obliged to use his charge accordingly.

Sand being the prevailing genus of the foil, this land is wonderfully well adapted to receive great benefit from being flooded with any water, that is not charged with metallic particles hoftile to vegetation. They generally feed their beeves upon the lattermath grafs of their meadows, without facrificing this grafs; therefore, they are prevented from turning the water on the land, fo early in autumn as they could wish.

the water when they can catch it; but if they had their choice, they would not wish to flood oftener, nor for a longer fpace of time.

Should the froft fet in when the water is on the land, fo that fome spots. fhould be covered with ice for fome days, the fpot fo covered with ice, will be of a darker green, and appear more healthy in the fpring, than the reft of the field. But when they come to mow the hay, the crop will be confiderably less than that on the other parts of the field, that were An intelligent farmer obferved, that not covered with ice. Should they nenotwithstanding he valued his latter- glect to flood their meadows for one math crop at fifteen fhillings an acre, feafon, a lofs from one half to one third yet he found, that the cheapest manure of their ufual crops would be fuftained. he could drefs his meadows with, was If the land be steep, a smaller quantity to facrifice this crop once in ten or of water is fuffered to go over it at a twelve years, by turning on the water time, than the land that is lefs fteep, in Auguft, or whenever a flood hap- left the water fhould wash off, or carry pened after a long drought. To catch along with it fome particles of the loofe the firft water of a flood after a long earth. They prefer clear water from drought, is of very great importance, the fpring for their fandy land, but more especially if the water be collected from common hills, or other pafture grounds that are hanging, or fide lands, where fheep and cattle have depaftured for fome time; for their dung, as well as the particles of earth, which the heat of the fun had pulverized, are all fwept off by the first autumnál floods, and in general loft from the above circumftance. The features of the country, from the great number of hillocks and fwells in which it abounds, renders it in a peculiar degree, adapted to derive every advantage from flooding; because the water moves quickly off, as foon as it depofits the wealth with which it was charged round the roots of the grafs. After they have cat the lattermath grafs, they turn the waters on the meadows the fit flood, for they always prefer flood to clear water; they fuffer the water to run over the ground for two or three days only, never longer at one time. At the end of ten or twelve days, they turn it on again for the fame fpace of time, and fo on, till the end of March. Since, however, they cannot get floods to happen at ftated dif

brook or river water for that of clay. The farmers here are very fenfible of the benefit of having water from the farm-yard turned over their meadows, and they are very careful to have the field under the house always a meadory. The good effects that the droppings from the farm-yard and fold have upon this fandy land, is really aftonifiring.

Although all the waters within this diftrict are beneficial in fome degree, in the state in which they iffue from the fprings, even before they have been incorporated with any other fubftance, yet fome of them are more fo than others. The genus of the stone, as has been obferved, is of the fandy kind, but there is a vein of limestone, that runs through great part of this district. When the water from the limestone can be had, it is preferable to any other. There is a circumftance which has, in general, been overlooked by farmers, but which well deferves the attention of those who refide in a flooding country like this: that the water iffuing from different fprings, are impregnated with different kinds of earth, and therefore

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beneficial to the land in very different is compofed. Becaufe, not only the proportions, although all of them may be fo in fome degree.

qualities of ftones differ, but the quantity of one kind of earth, which the It will not be foreign to our purpofe, water is capable of carrying along with to throw out a few hints for the con- it to the land, is ten times that which fideration of fuch farmers, as have not it is able to carry of another kind of paid attention to this fubject. This earth. And let it be held in perpetual becomes the more requ fite, because remembrance, that the benefit of floodmoft of them are apt to afcribe the fame ing will be in the most exact proporproperties, and the fame defacts, to all tion, to the quantity and quality of the fpring waters. It may perhaps be re- matter, which the water carries to the quifite to remind the farmer, though land. not the chymift, that there is no fuch element as pure water; for all water is mixed with particles of earth, faline, or metallic fubftances. It is the quality of these particles, with which the water is thus charged, that gives that of one fpring a fuperiority over thofe of another; and which alone forms the characteristic difference of waters. Thefe particles will always confift of a portion of that earth or ftone, over which the water had paft, while in the bowels of the earth, before it had burft cut in fprings to the furface.

The utmost stretch of human ingenuity, has not been able to distil water fo pare, but that fome terrene particles would fill remain. Mr Boyle diftilled one ounce of common water two hundred times, in glaffes, and obtained fix drachms of a white light infipid earth, fixed in fire, and indiffoluble in It becomes therefore neceffary, to examine the kind of flone, of which the hill from whence the fpring iffues,

water.

There are five kinds of fimple earths; 1 fhall, however, call the farmer's at. tention (who must be very familiar to them) only to three, limestone, clay, and fand, in order to explain to him the different proportions in which they are found to be contained in water : 580 ounces of water, may contain one unce of limestone; 7700 ounces of ater, may contain one ounce of clay; 1,000 ounces of water, may contain oi ounce of fand. Such being the proportions, in which these three different earths are found fufpended in water, it becomes an object worthy of attention to the farmer, to reflect, that the particles from the limeftone, are not only more congenial to his grafs than either clay or fand would be, but also, that 680 tons of water from a limestone rock, would bring as much in quantity as 7700 tons of water from clay, or 10,000 tons of water from a fand-fione rock.

(To be continued)

THE BIRD-CATCHER AND CANARY :
AN AFFECTING ANECDOTE.

AFTER relating fome traits of fuperftition in Weftphalia, Mr Pratt, in his character of a gleaner, thus proceeds: "I fhall not forget, under the article fuper ition, to mention, that in the pretty country of Skuytz, fouthward of Weftphali, they have an idea that cats are to be reconciled to a new refidence only by coercive measures. In purfuance of which notion, a widow woman, at whofe Foufe I lodged, imprifoned a poor cat three nights and days in a dark room,

to the entire deftruction of my rest, and almoft to the cat's infanity, in order to make her in love with her new boufe. Now in England, you know, where cats are not a whit more remarkable for an amiable difpofition, we should have firoked the poor animal till the purred approbation; we fhould have permitted her to feed and keep the first night by our firefide, and fo hofpitably treated her, that at the breakfast-table next morning, the

would

family.

would have found herself one of the ous and benevolent. The musicians, who had heard of this bird-catcher's fame, begged permifion to ftay; and the master of the house, who had a great share of good nature, indulged their curiofity: a curiofity, indeed, which every body participated; for all that we have heard or feen of learned pigs, affes, dogs, and horses, was faid to be extinguished in the genius of this bird catcher's canary. The canary was produced, and the owner harangued him in the following manner, placing him upon his forefinger. Bijou (jewel) you are now in the presence of perfons of great fagacity and honour : take heed you do not deceive the expectations they have conceived of you from the world's report: you have got laurels: beware their withering. In a word deport yourself like the bijou (the jewel) of canary birds as you certainly are.

Not that I would have you suppose I am an advocate for the feline race, except on general principles of juftice and mercy. A dog is often an example to his master, and a proper object of his love, honour, imitation, and good faith: But a cat I take to be (with very rare exceptions indeed) both a traitor and a fycophant. She is won to you only by fawnings, and if you punish her on ever fo just a caufe, fhe either strikes immediately, or owes you a grudge, the unexecuted malice of which the can hold till an opportunity of vengeance occurs. Even when you imagine you have gained her affections, the will defert you, like a faithlefs lover, and elope from your arms.

Perhaps, you may not think this the proper moment to introduce an anecdote of one of thefe infidious creatures. You may fufpe&t me of imitating the grimalkin difpofition by fitting down in malice. Were I about to become an accufer, it might be fo but what I have now to mention exhibits no charge, though it will report an unlucky event.

In this very town of Cleves, which with its environs will detain us fome time longer, I was refiding with a Pruffian family, during the time of the fair; which I fhall pafs over, having nothing remarkable to diftinguish it from other annual meetings, where people affemble to ftare at, cheat each other, and divert themfelves, and to spend the year's favings in buying thofe bargains which would have been probably better bought at home. One day after dinner, as the defert was juft brought on the table, the travelling German muficians, who commonly ply the houses at these times, presented themfelves and were fuffered to play, and juft as they were making their bows for the money they received for their harmony, a bird-catcher, who had rendered himfelf famous for educating and calling forth the talents of the feathered race, made his appearance, and was well received by our party, which was numer

All this time the bird feemed to liften, and, indeed, placed himself in the true attitude of attention, by floping his head to the ear of the man, and then distinctly nodding twice when the mafter left off fpeaking; and if ever nods were intelligible and promiffory, thefe were two of

them.

That's good, fays the mafter, pulling off his hat to the bird. Now, then, let us fee if you are a canary of honour. Give us a tune- -The canary fung. Pfhaw, that's too harsh 'tis the note of a raven a hoarfenefs upon with him : fomething pathetic. The canary whistled as if its little throat was changed to a lute. Fafter, says the man.— -Slowervery well-but what a plague is this foot about, and this little head.---No wonder you are out, Mr Bijou, when you forgot your time. That's a jewel.-Bravo, bravo, my little man!

All that he was ordered or reminded of, did he do to admiration. His head and foot beat time-humoured the variations both of tone and movement; and "the found was a just echo to the fenfe,' according to the ftricteft laws of poetical, and (as it ought to be) of mufical compofition-bravo! bravo re-echoed from all parts of the dining-room. The

muficians

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musicians fwore the canary-was a greater terval. Accordingly, after drinking a mafter of mufic than any of their band. glafs of wine, (in the progrefs of taking And do you not fhew your sense of this off which he was interrupted by the civility, fir, cries the bird-catcher, with canary-bird fpringing fuddenly up to afan angry air. The canary bowed moft fert his right to a fhare, really putting refpectfully, to the great delight of the his little bill into the glafs, and then company. His next achievement was laying himself down to fleep again) the going through martial exercise with a owner called him a faucy fellow, and ftraw gun, after which, my poor bijou, began to fhow off his own independent fays his owner, thou haft had hard work, powers of entertaining. The forte of and must be a little weary: a few per- thefe lay chiefly in balancing with a toformances more, and thou shalt repofe. bacco pipe, while he fmoked with anShew the ladies how to make a curtsey. other, and feveral of the pofitions were The bird here croffed his taper legs fo difficult to be preferved, yet maniand funk and rose with an ease and grace tained with fuch dexterity, that the that would have put half our belles to general attention was fixed upon him. the blush-That's my fine bird-and But while he was thus exhibiting, a huge now a bow, head and foot corresponding. black cat, who had been no doubt on Here the ftriplings for ten miles round the watch, from fome unobserved corner London might have blushed alfo. Let fprung upon the table, feized the poor us finish with a hornpipe, my brave fel- canary in its mouth, and rushed out low-that's it-keep it up, keep it up. of the window in defpite of oppofition. The activity, glee, fpirit, aud accu- Though the dining room was emptied racy with which this laft order was obey- in an inftant, it was a vain purfuit; the ed, wound up the applaufe, (in which life of the bird was gone, and its manglall the musicians joined, as well with ed body was brought in by the unfortutheir inftruments as their clappings) to nate owner in fuch difmay, accompanied the highest pitch of admiration. Bijou, by fuch looks and language, as must himself, seemed to feel the facred thirst have awaked pity in a mifanthrope. He of fame, and fhook his little plumes, and fpread him half-length over the table, carolled an Io pean that founded like and mourned his canary bird with the the confcious notes of victory. moft undiffembled forrow. 1 grieve for thee, poor little thing; well may I grieve: more than four years haft thou fed from my hand, drank from my lip, and flept in my bofom. I owe to thee my fupport, my health, my strength, and my happinefs; without thee what will become of me. Thou it was who enfured my welcome in the best pany. It was, thy genius only made me welcome. But thy death is a juft punifhment for my vanity: had I relied only on thy happy powers, all had been well, and thou hadst been perched on my finger, or lulled in my breast at this moment! but trusting to my own talents, and glorifying myself in them, a judgement has fallen upon me, and thou art dead and mangled on this table. Accurfed be the hour I entered this house! and more accurfed the deteftable moniter that kill

Thou haft done all my biddings bravely, faid the mafter, careffing his feathered fervant ; now then, take a nap, while I take thy place. Hereupon the canary went into a counterfeit flumber, fo like the effect of the poppied god, first fhutting one eye, then the other, then nodding, then dropping fo much on one fide, that the hands of feveral of the company were stretched out to fave him from falling, and juft as thofe hands approached his feathers, fuddenly recovering and dropping as much on the other; at length the fleep feemed to fix him in a steady posture; whereupon the man took him from his finger, and laid him flat upon the table, where the man affured us he would remain in a good found fleep, while he himself had the honour to do his best to fill up the in

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