The regulation equipment, consisting of a piece of string, a pocket knife, and a shilling, will have its standard greatly raised by the addition of a lens.

Whilst, therefore, the first precaution against dodder lies in careful examination of the seed, the next will be to look carefully for it amongst the clovers about the time they are coming into blossom, and to cut the clover for a distance of several feet round each patch of dodder as soon as it makes its appearance. It has been recommended to water the patches with a solution of sulphate of iron (green vitriol); but although the acid certainly does destroy the parasite where it comes into direct contact with it, the difficulty of dealing effectually with dodder in this way is very great-impracticable in fact. The filaments of the parasite, as they stretch from plant to plant, present the appearance of an immense spider's web made of wet transparent threads, which are first a reddish white, and then yellow. The great object is, of course, to prevent the flowering, which takes place in a week or so, and the little bunches of pink-and-white flowers are hidden by the clover, around the stems of which they are formed in clusters, as well as at intervals on the single threads. After these patches have been cleared it will be advisable to pare the ground and form a heap which can be burned when the clover crop is cut and carried.

The dodder belongs to the natural order Convolvulaceae, of which the common bindweed or convolvulus of the corn fields, and the larger bindweed or calystegia of our woods and hedgerows, are indigenous members. Amongst the foreign species are the scammony (convolvulus scammonia), jalap (exogonium purgans), and the sweet potato (batatus esculenta); but the dodder alone, of this order, is parasitical. The seeds germinate in the ground, and a threadlike stem is sent upward, which coils itself round the stalk of the clover plant like any other convolvulus. Up to this stage the young plant subsists on the food stored up in the seed from which it springs, in exactly the same manner as ordinary plants before they put out their true leaves, and no nutriment is derived from the soil.

This stage

of plant-life is analogous to that of a foetus in the animal kingdom. After a few upward turns around the stalk of the host plant, a coil is formed, and from this coil of dodder thread there is sent out a number of fine roots of a secondary or adventitious character-the radicle not being developed-after the manner of monocotyledonous plants. These roots penetrate the epidermis of the clover stem, and the dodder commences its second or adult stage of life as a true parasite, living on the eliminated juices of the clover plant, and the seed stem dies away. The filiform stems of the dodder, which are leafless, extend and form fresh coils and fresh roots on every clover stalk within its reach, spreading indefinitely, and quickly destroying the plants on which they feed. These threads are full of moisture, and are known provincially as "devil's guts.' To attempt to eradicate the pest by tear ing the tangled mass to pieces would only have the effect of extending its growth to every host

plant within reach, as each segment would become a new centre. The seeds are capable of germinating from the capsule quite as readily as in or on the ground, provided they are exposed to heat and moisture, and in this manner its rapid progress, when firmly established, may easily be understood. It has been stated that the seeds of dodder do not germinate the first season they are committed to the ground, but there is nothing to adduce in proof of this assertion, and the fact of germination taking place in the capsule is direct evidence to the contrary. The idea has probably ari n from the circumstance that clovers are attacked by it in the second year of their growth, the dodder being an annual. The only explanation that can be given of this is that the dodder's seeds which are sown with the clover germinate at once, and spring up with the young clovers; but the clover plants not being then in a condition to afford support to the parasites, the latter perish, such seeds only of the dodder which, from various causes, escaped germination at the onset, remaining in the ground and coming to life the second year if favourable conditions are afforded. Being of eastern origin a higher temperature than is usually met with in this country may be necessary to the germination of dodder, and the great prevalence of the pest in the summer of 1870 may be accounted for in this way. There is every reason to believe, from its occasional and otherwise unaccountable appearances in certain localities, that, like other small seeds, it will sometimes lie for years in the ground, germinating only when brought under suitable conditions. As previously stated, the dodders do not confine themselves to any one order of plants, and Mr. Carruthers gives an instance of a field of swedes being infested with one of the species; but the clover is the only cultivated crop which affords any scope for its depredations. If, therefore, the pocket lens be used when the seed is purchased, and the eyes carefully employed on the growing crop, the evil will not be likely to assume a form with which we are incapable to deal.

BRECONSHIRE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE.— The annual dinner of this Chamber took place at Brecon on June the 16th, Mr. H. P. Powel, the President, in the chair. The Chairman, in proposing "Success to the Breconshire Chamber of Agriculture," referred to the use of Chambers, cattle disease prevention, local taxation, and county boards. As anillustration of the frightful ravages caused by the diseases he referred to the year 1872-according to the returns prepared for the county of Hereford-and no returns could, he had heard, be more reliable-the total loss incurred from foot-and-mouth disease amounted to £19,500,000, and against that terrible loss they could only place something like £4,600,000 to foreign food brought here. Now, that showed how far this was a protection to their animals from foreign disease, and how far more important this protection was to the farmer than the protection he was likely to get from abroad in the shape of the exportation of live stock. Not only did they believe that there would be an enormous saving effected by the restrictions adopted, but they believed also that by the meat being brought from abroad in a dead state, it would not only be brought with greater facility and security, but in a much more healthy condition, so that the British consumer would from those two sources derive great benefit.

a

abortion, and not quite one and a-half deaths in every 200 ewes, whereas in the other cases although nearly one-half of the abortions and one-fifth of the deaths are not returned, we have seventeen and a half abortions aod elevǝn and half deaths in every 200 ewes. Having stated the broad and general results disclosed by the great numbers of returns I have received, I now invite your attent on to five representative cases, selected from five different counties, undoubtedly showing what proper feeding and management will do. These cases I have numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Putting these figures together it will be seen that there were only four cases of abortion, and thirty-one deaths in 5,109 ewes-a loss that is really infinitesimal. I will now take five representative cases also from five different counties which tell a very different tale from that you have just heard. You must bear in mind that the cases now to be quoted refer, with one exception, to smaller flocks than those previously given, and I don't think you practica men want me to point out how much more easy it is to manage a small flock of ewes than a large one. For the sake of reference I have numbered these cases 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.

The figures I have given will be found to show that out of 2,210 eves, there were 576 cases of abortion, and 234 deaths, being, within a fraction, 26 abortions and over nine deaths in every 100 ewes.

ANALYSES OF SATISFACTORY CASES.-I will now proceed to give you the details of the five satisfactory cases I have referred to, supplementing them by seven other cases, in which Aockmasters have done equally well. These cases, including the five to which I have already referred, are numbered from 1 to 12 consecutively.

No. 1.-A valuable flock of 344 long woolled ewes in West Norfolk, ou a farm where the soil is of a mixed character, with a chalk subsoil; the ewes were tupped on old layers, and from the time of the rams being taken from them they were run on to grass laad every day, and went to a limited fold of common turnips at night, having also five bushels of hay chaff per score per day. The turnips were grown with 4 cwt. of rapecake per acre after sheep feed rye. The ewes remained remarkably healthy, and there was not a single case of abortion, nor did one ewe die. There were 100 pairs of twins, and all the lambs were strong and healthy. I see a good many of you shepherds are smiling as though you would say, "That's the way to do it."

No. 2. This comprises 729 Shropshire ewes, located in the county of Warwick; and I invite your attention to the great care with which this return has been made, the owner evidently being a highly intelligent man. During the tupping season the ewes were on stubbles during the day, and on pastare land at night. They did not take the ram freely until the middle of October, when they went rapidly. From Michaelmas to Christmas they were kept on grass land, with an allowance of 3lbs. of swedes, and 14lbs. of hay per sheep per day. From Christmas to the time of lambing a few mangels were mixed with the swedes, and the more weakly sheep had lb. of linseed cake and lb. of decorticated cotton cake per day. The owner remarks:-"My experience leads me to know that serious losses are sustained by giving ewes too

many roots, without sufficient hay, straw, or other dry food being given to counteract their ill-effect." The roots were grown on strong loam, and had 4 cwt of bones, 1 cwt. of guano, and 30 bushels of ashes per acre. The ewes were very healthy, and there were only seven deaths and four cases of abortion. I think you will say that this is very good luck," as it is called. The lambs al o dropped healthy, and remained so at the time I last heard from the owner.

No. 3.-A fine flock of 1,080 Southdown ewes in Sussex, always managed with great care. The old ewes were fed wholly on grass during the winter. The shearlings had grass and hay, and about a fortnight before lambing a few swedes grown with farmyard manure, and a small quantity of superphosphate. There was not a single case of abortion, and but seven deaths.

No. 4.-This is a flock of 1,206 Kent ewes, in the county of Kent. They were tupped on marsh and upland grass, and were fed on grass throughout the winter. After lambing they had a few mangels thrown to them. The ewes are reported as being very healthy, as may well be imagined when we learn that there were only five deaths from Michaelmas last to May 1st, and not one instance of abortion. There were a good number of twins and some trebles, and the lambs were and are healthy, although they have been a good deal exposed to the cold north-east winds, the way in which the ewes were kept during the winter having apparently given the lambs the strength and the power to endure the vicissitudes of the weather.

No. 5. A flock of 1,750 short-woolled ewes in Notts. They were tupped on old grass and layers, and afterwards nearly up to Christmas had turnips thrown on grass. Then they had a change to a small allowance of swedes up to January, when common turnips were g ven. Now, a point here that strikes me as well deserving the consideration of those who have the opportunity to do it, is this: the ewes were always taken from the turnips on the Saturday night and put on pasture land, where there was a good deal of what I believe is provincially called "old fog grass," till the Monday morning. This is a good plan for two reasons:-First, because of the rest from the turnips it gives to the sheep and, secondly, because it enables the shepherds to attend church on the Sunday, which I hope they do sometimes here. The turnips in this case had a rather heavy dressing of half-inch bones and bone dust, and when on the turnips the ewes had as much sweet oat straw (which I presume to mean, from what I know of Nottinghamshire, oats that have been well got up, and the straw of which is clean and savoury), with a liberal mixture of hay, s they could eat, the hay being increased as the time for lambing approached. Now, when I inform you that out of these 1,750 ewes there was not a case of abortion, and only twelve deaths-these chiefly old ones and wasters-and that the lambs were very healthy, you will agree with me thai the flock was exceedingly well managed.

No. 6.-Taking a rather long leap we come from the county of Nottingham to the county of Norfolk. Here we have a flock of 380 blackfaced ewes on a farm, the soil of which is light, and which is situate not very far from the city of Norwich. The ewes were tupped on mustard with a liberal allowance of "Morgan's grains" and some linseed cake. When the rams were taken away, the ewes were put on white turnips, with a daily run out on to pasture. They had as much chaff, bran, and other dry food as they could eat, and the turnips were grown with farmyard manure. The owner I should say is of a facetious turn of mind, for he remarks:-"Ah! your superphosphate stuff won't do for me." Abortion was unknown, three ewes only died, and the lambs averaged one and a-half to a ewe. Both the health of the ewes and the number of the lambs alike testify to excellence of management. Whether it is the linseed cake or the alcohol in "Morgan's grains" which most deserve credit it is perhaps not for me to determine, but the result is so satisfactory that I should say, "Well done 'Morgan's grains!'

No. 7. A flock of 280 Hampshire Down ewes, in the county of Norfolk. It gives me very great pleasure to see present the owner of this flock. He is evidently a man alive to his own interest. More than this I will not say in his presence. The ewes were put to the ram on the 1st of October on new layers and pastures. Up to Christmas they were fed on pastures in the day, and had mangel and swede tops at night. At Christmas they were put to white turnips, went on

to pastures in the day, and had as much good meadow hay chaff as they could eat. They were on rather strong land up to Christmas, and after that on rather light. The turnips were grown with farmyard manure, no artificial manure being used. And here let me direct your attention to a wise precaution which the owner took, proving the intelligence of his mind and the soundness of his judgment. After the middle of January, to avoid the injurious effect upon the ewes of rank tops at a period so near lambing, he had the tops mown off the turnips, and the consequence was the ewes remained healthy, he had no case of abortion, and no more than one or two of the lambs died, while the average was one and a-half to a ewe. In his return the owner makes a remark so pertinent that I will read it. He says, "I consider the fact of my mowing off the turnip tops, combined with a liberal allowance of good hay chaff, to have been a great cause of my ewes doing so well." This case speaks for itself, and I will make no further comment upon it.

No. 8.-This is a well-known and valuable flock of 500 long-woolled ewes in this county. The soil of the farm is of a good mixed character; and the flock has been always treated carefully and judiciously. The ewes had grass up to the time of lambing, with some good hay chaff. They were very healthy, and did remarkably well. There was no case of abortion, and no ewes were lost from Michaelmas up to lambing; but three kind-hearted "old ladies," thinking, perhaps, that the shepherds might be too conceited if there was no loss at all, took it into their heads to die during lambing, but the only observation that this circumstance calls for is that I suppose at some time or other, even in such a flock as this, one or two sheep ought to die, if only to remind the myster and shepherd that there is such a thing as ewes dying from lambing. There were not so many twins this year as usual among the shearlings, but, excepting the shearlings, nearly half the ewes had twins, and the lambs dropped strong and healthy, and remain so.

No. 9.-Now take a flock of 800 black faced ewes on as poor a farm as any in the county of Norfolk. They were folded on green lupines during tupping, and had a run ont to grass part of the day. After tupping they had a reasonable allow. ance of turnips, grown without manure, and also some ground lupines mixed with hay chaff. Nearer the time of lambing, malt culms were added to the previous allowance of dry food. There were not more than five or six cases of abortion, and the loss of ewes was said to be very small-not more, I should infer, than eight or ten. The lambs dropped very strong and healthy, and remain so. I give this immediately after the preceding case, as it shows that by careful and judicious management ewes may be kept healtay on two entirely different kinds of soil. One farm has soil as good as can be desired; the soil of the other is such that I should not like to be a rabbit upon it. Yet during a winter which is admitted on all hands to have been most unhealthy, this large flock of 800 blackfaced ewes have been preserved in excellent health, and I trust the shepherd will get the reward that he so richly de

serves.

No. 10.-I will next take a flock of 500 Hampshire Down ewes from the neighbourhood of Blandford, Dorset. This return only came to me the latter part of last week; otherwise it would have been placed in the schedule of specially selected good cases. The soil is of a light chalky character. The ewes were put to the ram on the 12th August, and fed on grass, rape, and turnips. After the rams were taken out they were fed on turnips, hay, and grass up to Christmas. From Christmas they were put in a yard at night, and had a limited allowance of turnips, and as much bay as they could eat. The turnips were grown with 8 bushels of bones and 1 cwt. of what appears to be (the writing being indistinct) swede manure per acre. Now, mark this! There were only two cases of abortion, of which one was in November, and only one ewe died, and she was cast. This is to me such an altogether unprecedented case that I should have been disposed to question the return had I not known the sender to be an honourable man, and received confirmatory testimony from other parties. I ought to add that the lambs dropped a good colour, and were very healthy; and that a great many twins were reared; and that at the time the return was made (May 21st) the ewes and lambs were still doing well. This case I will leave for your consideration.

No. 11.-I have now the pleasure to notice a flock of 300 good half-bred ewes in this neighbourhood, and although I

am very properly tied not to give names, this much I may say without impropriety, that the flock belongs to a gentleman who occupies a chair not far from my right hand. The ewes were tupped on layers, and went to a fold of common turnips at night. They had a daily run out until Christmas, and from Christmas a good allowance of hay chaff, with ib. of bran per ewe per day. The soil of the farm is of a light mixed character, and the turnips were grown with about from 1 to 2 cwt. of Fison's turnip manure, and the same weight of rapecake. Not one case of abortion occurred, and but a small percentage of ewes died. In congratulating our much respected friend on his success, we will at the same time hope that, by laying in a good stock of bran, he may do still better next year.

No. 12.-I now propose to give you the result of the management of one of the most spirited and successful breeders of cross-bred sheep in the county of Norfolk, and in doing so my mind could almost lift itself within the sound of Garboldisham Church bells. There were 545 ewes, a cross between Norfolk and Southdown sheep. They were run on layers during tapping, and had a fold of turnips at night. From the end of October to Christmas they were given a small allowance of white turnips daily, with from 16 to 18 sacks of good chaff -half from good hay, and half from oat and pea straw. From Christmas to a month before lambing they were kept in much the same way, but they had 4 bushels of Marseilles linseed cake, 4 bushels of malt calms, and 4 bushels of bran, added daily to the chaff before named. The owner is so eminently. practical that I shall make no excuse for reading the remarks he has made as to the management of his root crop. He says: "I have always been in the habit of carting a great deal of farmyard and box-made manure for turnips, turned over and mixed with mould and road scrapings and a small quantity of turnip manure, just enough to get them to the hoe as quickly as possible. I prefer rape cake where my breeding ewes fold them off. I consider by manuring well with farmyard manure for the root crop I get more barley, and the next year my new layers produce more hay, and likewise feed, and will carry more stock." Now, out of these 545 ewes, there were only two cases of abortion, and from the 11th of October, 1876, to the 21st of April, 1877, only nine ewes had been killed and lost from all causes, whilst 700 lambs had been tailed, and there were 15 more ewes to lamb. These facts speak for themselves, and need no remarks from me to impress them upon your minds. I would, however, venture to read another extract from the note of the owner:-" I see by my old books that I have grown a lamb and a-half to each cwe for the last seven years, but I think I shall come a little short of that this year; but I never had better luck in lambing than I have had this season, and my lambs are very good and healthy. I think that fairly liberal and judicions feeding has much to do with the good health of both sheep and cattle." There are few persons who will be disposed to deny this.

ANALYSES OF UNSATISFACTORY CASES.-Having now given you twelve representative cases in which the ewes have done remarkably well, I will ask you to direct your attention to the details respecting twelve flocks of ewes which show a widely different result. These cases I distinguish by the Nos. from 13 to 24, both inclusive. The first is

No. 13.-A flock of 570 Lincoln ewes in the county of Lincoln. The ewes were put to the ram on the 30th September last on old and new layers, and took the ram well. From leaving the ram they were fed principally on turnips, grown with 3 cwt. of superphosphate and 2 cwt. of bone dust per acre. The soil is what is called "Wold chalk." Of the ewes. 100 shearlings, which are known in the midland counties by the name of "gimmers," had 30lbs. of cotton cake daily from the 1st of February. For a week before and up to lambing they had lb. per head of mixed oats and linseed cake. The ewes did pretty well up to a fortnight of the full time, when they began to abort to the number of 136. 36 ewes also died during lambing. The lambs dropped a bad colour, especially the latter part of the time. In addition to these losses many lambs were lost when they were from two to three weeks old. They had large bodies, or were what is commonly called "potbellied." They commenced frothing at the mouth, and a post mortem showed their livers to be enlarged and full of white pimples. Various remedies were tried, but nothing seemed to do them any good. The owner states that a large proportion of the ewes that aborted were shearling ewes-and be so good as to bear in mind that 100 of the shearling ewes had cotton