During the last few years the people have been gradually awakening to the advantages of a rational system of agriculture, and have in many places, by reclaiming marshy ground and by applying a system of drainage to their cultivated land, produced good results, which are becoming every year more and more apparent. Although of late years the forests have been much reduced, yet they still occupy a considerable proportion of the surface of the country. They consist chiefly of Scotch fir and Norwegian spruce fir. In some places of the south, small woods of oak and beech are to be found, and, in the north especially, beech woods are common; but these two sorts of trees are the only ones which appear in Norway in such quantities as to be said to constitute a wood. From the above remarks, it will readily be seen that the tillable land in the whole of Norway cannot be extensive; and yet, on taking into consideration the superficial area of the country, one cannot but be surprised to learn that this tillable land does not exceed 1,060 square miles. Consequently, even in the most favourable years, Norway has still to import a great quantity of corn. What proportion of this area is arable land, and what pasture land, it is impossible to state even approximately.

As Norway covers thirteen degrees of latitude, it is very evident that there must be large room for changes of climate in a country of such extent. There are, however, other circumstances connected with this which must be taken into consideration. Proximity to the sea prevents extremes of heat and cold all along the extensive seaboard. On penetrating, however, for a very few miles into the interior, a most striking difference may be remarked. Different sorts of summer and winter wheat are cultivated, principally allied to the common wheat. Near the little town of Bodoe, lat. 67° 17', there is an agricultural school, probably the most northern in the world. In 1860, an experiment was made there with growing summer wheat; it ripened in 120 days from the time of sowing! According to official reports, wheat has not hitherto been cultivated in fields further north than lat. 64° 40′.

meal or other meal with the bark of certain trees, but this custom is much less pursued now, and is, in fact, becoming every day a greater rarity. The most northerly spot where field-cultivated oats are found is on Dyrae Island, Finmark, lat. 69° 3′.

The cultivation of flax in Norway is probably as old as the cultivation of corn at all events it dates as far back as the pagan times before the year 1000. Flax is also to be met with up to the polar circle at least, and perhaps even further north, but in small quantities. The cultivation of flax, owing to various causes, is attended to less and less every year. By degrees, as country people began to manage their households in a more natural manner, it was found that it was unprofitable to cultivate the flax plant, probably because much cheaper stuffs could be obtained from cotton. On the whole, as a general rule, those plants which are cultivated for their uses in the arts and manufactures do not occupy any significant place in Norwegian agriculture, except perhaps in the vicinity of towns, where ground is valuable, and where there are greater facilities for obtaining the requisite quantity of manure. But as long as Norway has to import a considerable quantity of bread corn, it would, as a rule, be improper to grow other plants than those which are absolutely necessary to the sustenance of animal life, and at the same time essential in re-invigorating the soil.

Hemp is occasionally cultivated as far north as 67 deg., but scarcely any plant occupies a smaller space than this in Norwegian agriculture, owing in a great measure to the causes just alluded to under flax. Yellow lucerne stands all changes of temperature, and has proved itself to be a useful and valuable agricultural plant. Rye-grass grows wild, or is found as a naturalized straggler at various places in the south. It thrives on the western coast, but in the eastern districts, where the cold is far more severe, it has not been found to answer. Timothy grass grows wild in low land up to about 69 lat.: it is very generally cultivated. The common tare is also grown as far north at least as the polar circle.

5 min. The hop grows wild in low lands, up to the polar circle, but is cultivated only to a very small extent. Of late, however, an increasing interest has been evinced in its cultivation.

Great importance attaches to the numerous plants of the natural order of Phaseolus, as constituting food for man and beast. Many sorts of kidney beans, chiefly of the dwarf varieties, will ripen in average summers as far north as Throndhjem, lat. 63 deg. 25 min., as indeed will several of the running varieties, which generally require a longer time. Near Christiana about 100 species and varieties of kidney beans have

The anniversary festival of this Institution took place on Wednesday evening, May 28, at the London Tavern, when about 150 gentlemen were present. The chair was taken by the President of the Institution, His Grace the Duke of Richmond, and among those present were: Col. A. N. Hood, Alderman Mechi, Mr. C. Wren Hoskyns, Mr. J. Baldwin, Mr. W. F. Hobbs, Mr. John Clayden, Mr. A. H. Hall, Mr. W. M. Blunt, Mr. Geo. Measome, Mr. R. Garrett, Mr. Thos. Scott, Mr. J. Collins, Mr. James Howard, Mr. A. H. Johnson, Mr. Lee, Mr. H. Bazin, Mr. J. H. Taunton, Mr. H. Pound, Mr. J. Druce, Mr. S. Sidney, &c.

After the usual loyal and national toasts,

The CHAIRMAN said: Gentlemen, I now beg your attention for a very short time while I endeavour, in the best manner that I can, to offer to your notice what may be emphatically called the toast of the evening. The toast which I have to propose is "Prosperity to the Agricultural Benevolent Institution" (cheers); an institution founded for a purpose which is specified in the rules as follows-"That the object of the institution be to provide pensions to bona fide farmers, their widows, and unmarried orphan daughters; and to maintain and educate the orphan children of farmers." Now I should almost think it would be sufficient for me simply to have read to you the rule which thus briefly states the object of the institution, to ensure its meeting at your hands with that reception which such an institution at all times demands. Speaking as I do to practical farmers, men who have passed a great portion of their lives in the pursuit of agriculture, it would seem almost presumptuous in me, as it would be unnecessary, to dilate at any great length on the necessity which exists for such an institution as this, and to express my surprise that we should have lived so long in a country so eminently agricultural as Great Britain, without having witnessed the establishment of an institution for the assistance of farmers in distress until the year 1860 (Hear, hear). And it is, I think, a matter of astonishment, that even when this institution was founded, it was mainly owing to the exertions of a gentleman who, however zealous he may be in the cause of agriculture, will, I believe, agree with me that the earlier portion of his life was not devoted to that pursuit. It is, I say, a matter of some astonishment that we, whose lives and whose fathers' and grandfathers' lives have been spent in agriculture, should be indebted to one who is connected with the pursuits of commerce for the establishment of this institution. I need hardly remind you of the many vicissitudes which attend that branch of science, for science it has now become. I need hardly tell you that losses may occur so suddenly that the best-managed farm may to-morrow be the least productive (Hear, hear). Seasons of unparalleled severity may come when we are least fitted to encounter them; a variety of circumstances may happen, over which we have no control. You may have the best-managed farms, you may buy the most expensive implements, you may have the most highly-bred cart-horses, you may have ploughs that will go by steam, and I don't know what besides; and yet all these appliances will not avail you at all times and all seasons. Therefore, I say, such an institution as this is a blessing to the whole agricultural community of the country (cheers). And when I mention the agricultural community of the country, I cannot forget that it is, and has been at all times, one of the most respectable classes in this great empire: it has always been one of the firmest and strongest links in that chain of society of which this country presents so remarkable a specimen. I would put it to any gentleman in the room, where would the boasted greatness of this country be, if you were-I admit that it is impossible; but, for the sake of argument, I ask you to imagine it for a moment-to blot out the agricultural race from the empire? Why, it would sink into nothingness (Hear, hear). What should we do without those who till the soil, who fertilize our lands, and who produce, for the feeding of the people, that without which society could not exist? (cheers.) I be

lieve there are few who would deny that this society is a blessing to the country. am aware that there are some -I hope there are but very few-who believe that the society is not so necessary (they will not say it is altogether unnecessary) as its most ardent admirers suppose. I would ask any who hold that opinion whether they are not convinced by the arguments which I have endeavoured to place before you, as to the vicissitudes of the seasons, and those sudden reverses which may at once plunge the farmer from comparative affluence into abject poverty. If the consideration of these things be not sufficient to satisfy any one that this institution is necessary, I would, then, ask him to read the report with which you have all been furnished; to read the list of no less than sixty applicants for the June election this year; and not only to read the names of those sixty persons who come and appeal to us for the benefits of this charity, but also the details of each case of distress, as they are placed in the cards which are laid before us: and if he be not then convinced, his heart must be harder than the hardest stone (cheers). I am glad, however, to think that the number of subscribers to this institution entirely puts an end to the idea that many are averse to its objects ("Hear, hear," and cheers). The institution was, as I have before intimated, founded in 1860, and since that time it has had upwards of two thousand subscribers. We have 2,000l. in Consols, and 3,000l. in the Three per Cents., making together a funded property of no less than 5,000l.; and we have subscribers from no less than 49 counties in Great Britain. All this shows, I say, that the benefits of this society are thoroughly felt, though perhaps not to the extent that they ought to be felt (Hear, hear). Gentlemen, I will not detain you further, but will now leave in your hands the toast which I have to propose. I am sure you will agree with me in thinking that the maxim that we ought not to live only for ourselves, is a good maxim; and if we digest that maxim thoroughly, and act upon it, we shall all heartily and completely concur in the toast which I have now the honour to give, of " Prosperity to this Institution" (loud cheers).

The toast was drunk with great cordiality, and the Secretary, Mr. Charles Shaw, afterwards read a list of subscriptions, amounting altogether to £2,665.

Col. HooD said he was delighted to hear from the lips of the Secretary such a noble list of subscriptions. He had risen to propose a toast which could not fail to prove acceptable to all present. It was not the toast of the evening, but it was next to that in interest, and he was sure it would be received with heartiness and good will; it was no less than the health of his Grace the Duke of Richmond. (Great cheering). He was glad, though not surprised, to see the toast received in that manner. It was certainly a source of great satisfaction to them to see his thus following in the footsteps of his venerable and revered Grace presiding on that occasion over such an assembly, father, who, as they all knew, was one of the best friends of the agricultural interest in the kingdom. He was happy to say that his Grace was following in his father's footsteps in every respect, and he had the greatest satisfaction and pleasure in proposing the health of their Chairman and

President.

The toast was drunk with three-times-three.

The CHAIRMAN said: I can assure you, gentlemen, that I am uttering no mere formal words when I tell you that I feel deeply grateful to you for the manner in which you have received the toast. I will also take the first public opportunity which has presented itself to thank you, as I do most sincerely, for the high honour which you have conferred upon me in electing me the President of this institution. I assure you, gentlemen, I feel this the more deeply as being considered by you worthy to fill the place of one whom I can never think of without the deepest feelings of affection and reverence. Col. Hood has spoken of me as treading in the footsteps of my father. All I can

say is, that it will be my earnest endeavour to do so. (Cheers). When asked to preside over this institution I gladly consented to accept so honourable a post, having been born and bred a farmer. I say this because it is the actual truth. From my earliest childhood I was taught to look up to, and to associate with, the farmers of this country. I have been taught to think of them as one of the great mainstays of the constitution, and as such I believe I shall always regard them. The practical part of the business of farming has, too, received my best attention. I have inherited such a flock of Southdown sheep as I may defy the world to beat, and no pains shall be wanting on my part to keep them up to that standard, which I believe they have attained not only in this country, but in foreign countries. (Cheers). For I am proud to say that I have a foreign connection as well as an English one. Let me add, that I feel with regard to the exhibitions of animals which have taken place both in this country and on the continent, that if they have been useful in no other point of view, they have at all events been useful in bringing together the farmers of this country and the farmers of foreign countries. We have thus had an interchange of ideas, an interchange of sentiments, an interchange of feelings, and we have had also, what is equally valuable, an interchange of stock and of the money that is paid for it. (Laughter). I said that from my birth I have been associated with the agricultural interest of this country. This association afforded me the means of filling a position of which I was justly proud, that of representing a constitheney purely agricultural for a period of twenty years; and I can assure you that I look back with feelings of the greatest pleasure to so honourable a connection with so honourable a constituency. (Cheers). I might be carried away by my feelings to address you at too great length. I cannot but recollect the eloquence of my right honour able friend who filled the chair last year, and feel how feeble must be any attempts of my own; but though I cannot vie with him in eloquence, I will not yield to him in energy and zeal for the welfare of this institution; (cheers) nor will I yield to him in sympathy for the distresses of those whose welfare we are assembled to promote. (Cheers). I thank you most sincerely for the honour which I have received, and I beg to drink all your healths. Mr. Alderman MECHI proposed "The Agricultural Societies of England, Ireland, and Scotland." He said these societies had done great good for British agriculture. They had rubbed off the sharp and uncomfortable angularities of self esteem and local prejudice; men from isolated districts who came to them believing in the superiority of their stock or management, slunk home abashed, and determined to improve, It was a misfortune rather than a fault that agriculture had not improved more rapidly. Eighty years ago these societies would have been comparatively useless, for there were no hard roads, or stage coaches, and Arthur Young cursed the ruts 4 feet deep. Many towns had no post, and others only got letters once or twice a week. A single letter cost from 9d. to 28. 2d., and the enclosure of two extra pieces of paper raised the postage to 2s. 3d. or 68. 6d. Now, mighty steam and Hill's penny post, and the cheap press, had brought agriculture into social intercourse. He had much pleasure in connecting with this toast the health of Mr. Chandos Wren Hoskyns, the talented author of "Talpa," whose amusing and instructive "Chronicles of a Clay Farm" bad depicted vividly and pungently the difficulties and prejudices one had to encounter in improving such soils.

Mr. WREN HOSKYNS said, no one could doubt that those societies had conferred immense benefit on agriculturists, more particularly by bringing about a union of many for the accomplishment of one common object. Their operations had conduced in a great degree to the vast improvement which had taken place of late years in farming implements. One of the principal departments of the International Exhibition was filled with farming implements, which formed one of the most interesting features of that great collection. While applications were made to the Royal Commissioners for 200,000 square feet, the space granted was only 17,000. He would leave them to judge of the task of allotting that reduced space to the various claimants. It was the old story of putting a quart into a pint bottle. He believed, however, that this task

was so ably accomplished, that there had been no complaint scarcely even on the part of those who had the misfortune to be so much restricted. They would, he hoped, all feel, on visiting the Exhibition, that the agricultural department was really the creme de la créme, and evinced the wonderful mechanical and constructive powers that had been developed by the Royal Agricultural Society. He thought he was not asserting too much in saying that mechanical progress in agricultural implements had gone hand in hand with the progress of that great Society (cheers.) No one who attended the first meeting of the Society at Oxford, and who had also attended any of the recent meetings, could come to any other conclusion than that the greatest talent, energy, science, and skill had been devoted, and successfully devoted, to the improvement of agricul tural implements through the medium of the Royal Agricultural Society (cheers.) The enormous advance made was illustrated not only in the development of steamploughs, but in the whole range of agricultural machinery.

Mr. BLURTON, of Field Hall, Uttoxeter, proposed "Arts, manufactures, and commerce;" coupled with the name of Alderman Mechi.

Mr. ALDERMAN MECHI, in returning thanks for "Trade, Commerce, and Manufactures," said that those interests had done their duty to the British people. By enormous investments in improved machinery, and by a ready availment of mechanical and scientific talent, they had enormously and tastefully cheapened the clothing of the people, and could envelope the world in calico; but no such result had yet been obtained in agriculture, for butter, cheese, and meat were nearly doubled in price during the last 100 years. This was ungrateful, when by the application of town sewage and other improvements we could feed ourselves independently of foreign imports, which he knew practically could be done by capital and intelligence, and no doubt would be some day accomplished. Mr. HALL HALL proposed "Col. Hood and the Executive Council."

Colonel Hoop in acknowledging the compliment said, the seed of prosperity had now been so well sown, that he felt sure it would spring up, and the institution receive that general support to which it was so clearly entitled at the hands of agriculturists. It had already been recognised as one of the most valuable charitable institutions in the kingdom. It was founded on a basis which could not easily be shaken. The agriculturists of England knew that however industrious a farmer might be, still he might by misfortune, through extensive losses arising from diseases among his cattle and sheep, or through failures of his crops owing to adverse seasons, be reduced from the most flourishing condition to a state of actual poverty. Let them look at the recent inundations arising from an irruption of the sea on a vast fertile tract of country, and then ask themselves whether it were not possible that some of those who a few weeks ago were in a state of great pros

perity, and looking forward to an abundant harvest, would

be reduced from a state of affluence to one of want, and compelled to seek the aid of that institution? Such events showed the need of an institution like that; and on the part of the Executive he could assure the assembly that they would do their best to promote its welfare. He was sure that very great benefit would result from the existence and adequate support of an institution having so excellent and so necessary an object.

Mr. G. F. HARRISON proposed "The Stewards," in connection with the name of Mr. John Shackell.

Mr. SHACKELL, in returning thanks for himself and his colleagues, expressed his deep conviction that the institution would prove one of the most extensively useful institutions in the country.

Mr. WREN HOSKYNS proposed "The Secretary," Mr. Charles Shaw. He said, before he had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Shaw in the board room of that institution, he saw the testimonials sent by him as one of the candidates for the secretaryship of the Royal Agricultural Society, and, after reading them, he could not feel surprised that he had proved so useful to this institution, and had performed his secretarial duties in so admirable a manner.

The toast having met with a cordial response,

Mr. C. SHAW said he wished to express his grateful sense

of the honour which had been conferred upon him. To those who held such an office as his own there could be no better recompence than such a recognition of their zeal. He had endeavoured to do his utmost for the Society, and if his feeble efforts had, in their opinion, contributed in the slightest degree to the brilliant results realized that evening, he was amply rewarded (cheers).

The CHAIRMAN then gave "The Ladies," and this toast

having been duly honoured, the assembly afterwards dispersed.

The dinner was of an excellent character, and worthy of the reputation of the London Tavern. The musical arrangements were also very satisfactory, being under the direction of Mr. George Perren, who was supported by Miss Ransford, Miss Poole, Mr. Lewis Thomas, and Mr. J. L. Hatton. Mr. Higgs officiated as toastmaster.

THE HORSE v. STEAM There is hardly a week, or even day, passes over in the British capital that a team of some ten to twenty horses is not to be seen wending its way in serpentine fashion through the overcrowded streets in hauling some heavy goods, as a boiler or the like, to or from a railway station, manufactory, &c. The sprawling and spluttering of so many horses at the crossings and sharp bends of streets, the poor brutes being obliged to pull against each other, the leading or front teams having to be whipped unmercifully, as if purposely to haul the after or back teams off their feet, affords an instructive illustration of how the public mind becomes case-hardened to systems of things the most barbarous and inconsonant to the scientific progress of the present day that can well be imagined. Even a coal-waggon-or what is tenfold worse, a traction-engine itself-being hauled by four horses tracing each other as geese fly, is an anomaly to the present period of our engineering history that may well put a thinking public to shame; and yet how numerous are conveyances of this kind in every metropolitan thoroughfare! Had they (horses) to be yolked and started de novo in our streets for the first time, parliament, the bar, and the general public would be up against them as nuisances intolerable. And besides all this, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals would have just reason to conclude that the owners and the drivers of such teams were the legitimate subjects of their special regard. But the cruelty thus practised daily upon horses, the obstruction the system occasions to street traffic, and the enormously extravagant expenses it entails upon the manufacturing and commercial resources of the country, have gradually grown into existence; and so peculiar are our habits of experience under such circumstances, that we neither see nor feel that aught is wrong in the matter.

In this there is no doubt something to be admired, as old practices not only command esteem, but support. In England, public and private rights are justly venerated. But while this is true, there is, nevertheless, no country in the world where the rights of progress are so highly respected as in Britain, or where the sticklers to antiquated habits are more unceremoniously left behind in the race, slowly to disappear in the mauufacturing and commercial bustle. And at the present time the STEAM-HORSE is evidently on the top of the hill, looking down upon many an antiquated rival in the valley below, whose long career is nearly at an end.

During the currency of the International Exhibition, our subject merits special consideration from more points of view than one. The purely engineering question of Steam Power versus Horse Power in the conveyance of all heavy goods in our streets, and also in the provinces on common roads, is ten to one against the latter. Indeed, so infinitely superior is the traction-engine in common road locomotion to the long string of horses, pulling each other off their feet, that a comparison can hardly with any propriety be drawn between them. If we should suppose things reversed-viz., that all the traffic in our streets and on our common roads was performed by steamand that some amateur was to yoke a team of twenty horses to a waggon or truck in order to remove a steam-boiler from one side of the capital to the other, or a portable engine and thrashing machine from one farm to another, the whole affair would appear so ludicrous in the eyes of a thinking public as to be unworthy of any credit outside the walls of a lunatic asylum. But were such a novice to persist in his mad career, what would Parliament and the Bar not do to prohibit the cruelty to animals, the obstruction to street traffic, public danger, and the tangible evidence which such insane conduct would afford of a man unfit to manage his own affairs? But

although things are not reversed, that does not mend the matter when examined practically and professionally from an engineering point of view, but the contrary. The difference lies in our attachment to old things, the interest we may have in upholding them, and the light in which we are thus led to look upon the steam horse as a rival. In other words, the engineering view of the question of Steam v. the Horse is easily disposed of, more especially in reference to the convey. ance of heavy goods; but it is otherwise with the political view of the Horse versus Steam, for here difficulties multiply as we approach them. And the greatest of all are those that are invisible-imaginary bugbears, that can neither be seen nor handled, but which, nevertheless, start up before the steam. horse in motley array at every corner and crossing, alike in the peaceful retirement of the province as in the overcrowded thoroughfare of the city.

Every picture has two sides, and so has every political question, that of Steam-power versus Horses in our streets and on common roads not excepted. The coal merchant, conveyance contractor, &c., &c., have an "interest" in their respective studs and establishments. In the metropolis and all our large towns there is now an immense amount of capital invested in this department of our industrial enterprise; and those who would speak disrespectfully of such establishments as Pickford and Co., &c., is as blind to the social welfare of the public at the present time as they are to the general progress of things when prospectively viewed. We can from the present day even look back retrospectively upon the old mail-coach with an air of something like national pride, and compare the winding, sonorous notes of the coachman's bugle-horn, as he nears the "inn," with the piercing shrill monotony of a mailtrain steam-whistle. But uncouth and unmusical as the latter may be, we have become familiar with it, and can now appreciate its meaning, as we did the more symphonious and stirring echoes of the mail-horn of early life, that made old and young jump to hear "what news had arrived from London." Such is a practical exposition of events in the march of improvement, to which many once adverse opinions and interests have long since become reconciled; and the greatest adversary of common road locomotives may live to see the happy day when the Steam-horse may blow his whistle in our streets and provincial lanes without offending the ear of the most musical and sensitive of our fellow-countrymen.

It is not, however, from public and private companies who have large capitals invested in horseflesh, or from the industrial and money-making department of the public, that the Steam-horse is meeting with any opposition, but from the "spend-money class of society," as they have been termedthe thankless pensioners of the past, as they may not inaptly be designated-who live on the rents of their estates, landed or otherwise, interest of capital, &c. Indeed the former, generally speaking, are anxious to gain the benefit of the services of steam in the conveyance of goods, in the threshing of corn, and the ploughing of land; and to meet the demand which is thus arising, public and private companies are being formed for the purpose of responding to it: but the latter appear to be so absorbed in the enjoyment of the good things in their possession, just as they are, as to lose sight, not only of the rights and privileges of the pioneers of progress, but also of themselves.

To come at once to the backbone of our subject. On the one hand, this opposition, as advocated by the opponents of steam locomotion on common roads themselves, is neither more nor less than personal and public safety from shying horses or improperly trained horses. On the other hand, this improper

training of carriage and other horses on the part of the upper classes is preventing the investment of capital in the manufac ture and working of traction-engines in the conveyance of goods, in the thrashing of corn, ploughing of land, &c., thereby ubjecting our Boydells, Brays, Fowlers, and other pioneers of progress to heavy losses which they ought not to be called apon to experience, while it is upholding an expensive and antiquated system of things as much, if not more, to the loss of the upholders themselves as it is to the opposite party and the community at large. We have thus two sides of a public question before us. Let us briefly examine both, with a view to advance impartially the respective interests involved.

With regard to improperly-trained horses, no little difficulty will be experienced to get many to bring home the question to their own stables. Most people entertain golden opinions of their own stud. This is only, perhaps, as it should be-at least, so far as the question is one of private concern. But the moment a shying horse is put in harness, there is more than a private interest involved; for the safety of the public is as much in danger as that of the owner or driver of the animal. If highminded people have any right to endanger their own lives in driving about in our streets and lanes improperly-trained horses, they have no right to endanger the lives of others, either in town or country, especially when a few shillings would train their teams, and thus obviate the calamity.

We are perfectly aware of the difficulty of training some horses not to shy at certain things. We have found it impracticable, for example, to train a horse to meet a donkey with safety, the animal having to be sold at a low price, for farm work, without warranty as being fit for saddle, gig, or carriage. But we never experienced any difficulty in getting plenty of horses to purchase, that were easily trained not to shy at donkeys, steam, and everything else; and this is the practical view which an intelligent public ought to take, and are already beginning to take, of the question in reference to horses shying at steam. It is, in point of fact, becoming a matter of necessity thus to do, owing to the manner every town and province is now being intersected with railways, many of them crossing streets and highways on the same level. Under such circumstances, the first question at the purchase of a horse is, Does the animal shy at steam? And, whatever some owners and breeders of horses may think to the contrary, they may depend upon it that, with the progress of steam, this question will annually become more and more a sine quá non, until shying horses will not find a purchaser, in the British capital or any of our large towns, at much more than the value of their skins. And this, too, is only as it should be at the present time; for horses that cannot be trained not to shy at a traction engine or railway train ought neither to be reared nor sold, nor allowed to be put in harness.

The farmer must have a very isolated and narrow-minded view of the matter, who thinks that a sufficient number of non-shying horses cannot be had, or who would justify the rearing, selling, and running of shying horses, merely because he himself cannot train his horses not to shy! Such isolated notions, if they exist, are not those of the really practical and scientific man; and the time is not far distant when they will become ridiculous in the estimation of an intelligent public. We have not yet, however, got rid of shying horses, either in the public market or in private stables. This is more particularly the case with the latter, there being many pet favourites to be found there, that are confirmed shiers at traction engines and railway trains. In the former the number will gradually become less; for who will purchase a shying horse, when plenty of properly-trained animals can be had, at a very little more money? The practical question at issue is thus a plain one. But selling a shying horse out of a private stable, and purchasing a shying horse in a public market, are two transactions between which there is a very wide and distinguishable difference; and this difference natumally enggests the interrogatory, How many private stables are there in which shying horses are still kept? Who are they who keep improperly-trained, shying carriage and other horses, in the British capital or any other town-horses, either confirmed shiers, that cannot be trained, or animals that could easily be trained for a few shillings each? Ought not the owners of such stables and horses to be publicly known? This is the principle by which the bad is distinguished from the good, in all similar cases; and why make

the owners of shying horses an exception to the common rule, when the driving of such horses is attended with so much public and private danger, in both town and country, and where it would be for the interest of such owners themselves either to train their horses, or dispose of them, and purchase properly-trained ones to do their work? Practically speaking, the schoolmaster is abroad in the matter under investigation; and those of our readers who are keeping untrained horsesanimals that shy at traction engines need not be surprised if they are honoured with a visit; for the opposite party-the pioneers of progress-are of an inventive turn of mind, and will not allow the STEAM HORSE to be baffled in the race of progress, however huge the obstacle thrown in the way may be, in the estimation of their opponents.

Under the other head little requires to be said; and we have just as little space remaining for it. As "it is the last straw that breaks the back of the camel," so in like manner the opposition now being thrown before the wheel of the tractionengine is increasing expenses and reducing profits; consequently capital is not being invested in extending the triumphs of steam in common road locomotion, steam ploughing, &c., as it otherwise would be were enterprise to receive its legitimate encouragement. Those who sustain the greatest loss by obstruction of this kind are obviously landowners and their tenants, including both town and country; for as they would be the greatest gainers by the triumphs of steam in this branch of industry, it consequently follows that they are the greatest losers by upholding the present antiquated system of conveying heavy goods by horses that could be carried at a great deal less money by steam, while the employment of the steamhorse in carrying such goods would have the stimulating effect of extending his usefulness at other heavy works, as the ploughing and manuring of land, &c. Again, as to capital, there cannot be a doubt but there is here a wide field for its profitable investment that has been, and is still, very much neglected by those to whom it belongs. And with regard to the pioneers of progress-including inventors, implementmakers, &c.-theirs has always been an uphill work, and doubtless will continue so to be in all questions of mechanical progress where the landed interest are the chief parties interested. This is much to be regretted, as the reverse ought to be the rule; for instead of upholding antiquated systems by throwing obstacles before the wheel of progress, landowners in town and country ought to be foremost in the race-the first to clear their stables of shying horses, and thus encourage the use of traction engines. ENGINEER.

HOW LONG SHOULD COWS GO DRY?MESSRS. EDITORS,-In answering this question, many would say three months, others would extend the time to four months, and others still would recommend five or six months, especially for young cows. (I read an article recently, where the writer gave it as his opinion, that three and four years old should go dry five or six months.) Now I can see no good reason why cows should go dry for three months even, if well kept. My rule has been, to dry them off two months-or as near that time as possible-before coming in. The drying off business is not a thing of choice with the cows, but with myself; for I am almost always obliged to milk them once a day, then half milk them, and then milk them every other day-in this way coax them to stop giving milk. I do not think that cows that are properly fed, warmly stabled, and otherwise cared for as they should be, to afford the greatest profit, need a longer time than this to recover from the draught made upon them during the season. Neither will their progeny suffer from this treatment. Young cows particularly, should be milked up to this time, or a little closer, (not go dry five or six months) for the same reason that a child should be trained up "in the way he should go." It has been my experience, that cows will hold out their milk to about such a time, before calving -that depending very much upon the manner in which they were treated, in regard to drying off when young. They should, however, have good nutritious food during the As I never trade watches, latter part of the milking_season. nor swap jack-knives, so I never buy cows for my own use. I have the conceit that I can raise better cows than I can purchase. If one has a good cow, he don't want to sell her,