more than a century the exactitude of our calculations, may acquire all poffible perfection and utility.

Meffieurs KLUGEL, GILBERT, and PISTOR, came from Halle, a celebrated univerity of the king of Pruffia. M. SCHAUBACH came from Meinungen. M. SEXFLER, of Gottingen, has promited fome oblervations and calculations which we are in want of. M. KOHLER brought a new photometer, to meafure the light of the stars, and a reflecting felenoftate, which laft is an ingenious machine. M. FEER, of Zurich, brought us a new drawn chart of Rhinthal, with a reflecting fextant. All these perfons agreed to accredit the new measures, and to employ mean time and decimals in calculations. M. SEYFFERT, of Drefden, prefented me with a decimal computer, which he made himself. We made a tour to the mountain of Infelberg, with chronometers, fextants, and artificial horizons of different forms, to com pare them; and I am thoroughly perfuaded that the geography of Germany will foon be confiderably advanced by the ufe of thofe inftruments which M. DE ZACH has accredited and propagated.

This ufeful meeting might have been more numerous; but M. VEGA wrote to me from Auftria, that he could not obtain permiffion to come to the rendezvous at Gotha; and what was still worfe, he had been obliged, in order to write to me, to fend my letter and his answer to the minifter. The king of Pruffia, on the other hand, ordered a fum of 1200 livres to be paid to his aftronomer for the expences of his journey. The aftronomer of Gottingen, although a fubject of the king of England, met with no difficulty in repairing to us. Anglih

BERG, whom I folicited to fecond the

zeal of M. BARRY, teftified for me expreffions of the best good will.

warm

The 25th Frimaire (Dec. 15, 1797), the birth-day of TYCHO BRAHE, doctor JOHN CH. BURCKHARDT came to visit me; this fkilful aftronomer, born at Leipzig, April 30, 1773, is a promoter of the astronomy of France; he is now employed in tranflating into German the book of citizen LEPLACE on Celestial Mechanics, or the Theory of Attraction, as fast as it is printed. This important work will give the laft degree of perfection to our tables; 200 pages of it are already in the prefs.

On the fame day, I requested of general BUONAPARTE to procure us a good inftrument for the obfervatory; and on the 25th Ventole (March 19), government granted me 10,000 francs to purchase the 7 foot mural quadrant of citizen LE MONNIER. For a long time past we have been foliciting good inftruments for the obfervatory; citizen CASSINI, when he was director of it in 1785, had obtnined funds for this purpose from the minifter BRETEUIL, he had not time, however, to apply them to the proper ufe. When I was director in 1795, I renewed my applications, and we have been at length enabled, for the first time, to obtain, for the finest obfervatory* in the world, an inftrument worthy of France. The board of longitude has added to it an achromatic telefcope; but that was not fufficient.

(To be concluded in our next.)

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

An English Journal had infinuated to the duke of Gotha, that a French aftronomer might well be employed in tracing other revolutions than celestial ones; but I did not perceive that thefe alarms had cooled the cordial reception which I had been led to expect. At length we feparated, well convinced of the utility of our conferences; and with a determination to renew them as foon as the means should be within our power.

I vifited, in paffing, the obfervatory at Manheim, which had afforded me fo much fatisfaction in 1791; but I found the inftruments packed up under vaults, which the bomb-fhells had scarcely refpected; in fine, waiting the return of peace, without which, fcience and happinefs are infecure. The minifter D'AR

A particular attention to breeding cattle with the attempt at fyftematic improvement in their form, is, in a great measure to be efteemed a modern purfuit. Our forefathers were generally content to leave the matter to nature, unfolicitous

to raise any fuperfluous quantity of provilions, beyond what would fuffice the demand of a rather fcanty population, Of the multiplication of animals, merely with a view to the benefit of their manure, few feem to have entertained any idea. They, whofe farms were chiefly appropriated to tillage, (and the predilection for the plough was general) feemed to entertain the invariable maxim, that live stock was at best, but a neceffary evil, and therefore troubled themselves with as few cattle as poffible; rather chuting, when an increafed quantity of manure appeared abfolutely neceffary, to purchase, provided it could be obtained without too great inconvenience, or rather, without deviating too far from the accustomed tract. When the requifite quantity of manure was not to be obtained by purchase, inftead of adopting the natural and obvious method of its production at home, the farmer, rendered desperate by disappointment, would either continue driving the plough, until both his land and himself were beggared beyond redemption; or, which was only the best of two evils, would lay his exhaufted foil up to fallow in a negligent and flovenly manner; in other words, to produce a plentiful and deteriorating crop of weeds and rubbish. For a fyltem like this, there certainly was fome apology in the former cheapnefs and plenty of flesh provifion, but fuch has long fince ceafed to have any force, although the common and small farmers, even those who poffefs ample capitals, in the present times of increased population and exorbitant price, are generally addicted to the ancient prejudiced averfion of being what they term Overstocked with cattle. It is a well known fact, that there are very few farm s upon the inland, excepting thofe which are cultivated by that clafs, tiled gentlemen-farmers, adequately stocked with cattle of any defcription, but the ufelefs and devouring fpecies of heavy horfes; and here we undoubtedly have the real cause of the exorbitant and artificial price of both bread and flesh.

The importance to a community of the multiplication of animals, every part of which is of fuch inestimable and indifpenfable ufe, and whofe very excrement may be well tiled the staff of human life, fince, to its fructifying virtues we owe the increase of corn, and the renovation of the exhaufted foil, will not be difputed even by thofe humanists who debar themfelves the ufe of animal food.

Their

very fhoes are a standing argument against the validity of their pretenfions. Some threefcore or feventy years ago, agriculture became the rage amongst the enlightened classes both in England and France; the fubject was in confequence philofophically inveftigated, and the great improvement adopted, of dedicat ing fo confiderable a portion of the farm to the purpose of railing winter food for cattle, as to enable the farmer to entertain a stock fufficiently large to preferve his land in conftant good heart and full cropping; and if he were industrious enough to make a point of it, in a style of garden culture. Rich and plentiful crops took place of barren and unprofitable fallows, and both the cultivator and the country at large, were most amply and permanently rewarded. From this fortunate turn in the minds of philofophers, to the holy and primitive occupation of tilling the teeming foil, has this country been enabled to fuftain an immensely increafed population, which her old agricultural regime would have ftarved. Here the example of old France enables us to pay a well-merited compliment to our own government. Under the thrice and ever to be accurfed defpotifm, which formerly devoured that fine country, the activity of the most enthufiaftic, cultivators upon earth, was stifled in every attempt at improvement with "the wet blanket" of fiscal extortion and feudal monopoly. Were particular providences the order of the day in my mental journal, I should endeavour to appal the fouls of existing tyrants and public robbers, with a new and tremendous inftance of divine juftice Famine was a material inftrument in the overthrow of the French monarchy. Since the final and permanent fettlement of the republic in that country, the agricultural enthusiasm seems to have fprung up with ten-fold vigour. According to unvarying accounts for a feafon or two paft, the greedy plough will scarcely leave room for foot-paths and hedge-rows, in many parts of France. There is no doubt but France will, at no very diftant period, notwithstanding its vast population, become a large exporter of corn. Stock-breeding, according to report, keeps a nearly even pace with tillage; and the French fairs last year, particu larly in Normandy, were overdone with young cattle, and the price confequently unfavourable to the breeder. Things being notorioufly in this ftate, and both

bread

bread and flesh plentiful and cheap in France, at the time when a certain dignified and popular writer addreffed the people of England, on the black bread, and Spartan broth, and ftarvation of the French; could he have given a better proof of the excefs of his patriotic zeal than by such a sacrifice of truth?

Cattle breeding coming fo highly into vogue, and amongst a class of men fomewhat fuperior to thofe whofe only rule in the fcience was, that the animals to be conjoined were male and female, no wonder that a folicitude afofe refpecting form, that the best reputed models were fought even in diftant counties, and that a ftrong emulation commenced between the breeding competitors.

In the early stage of this bufinefs, the famous BAKEWELL of Leicestershire arofe, a man who for the mild virtues of humanity, and for the important fervices The rendered his country in every branch of practical agriculture, has well merited the civic honours, and the attentive notice of the Biographer. The unwearied diligence of this famous improver, who ranfacked the whole ifland, and even repeatedly vifited the continent, in fearch of the best shaped animals; and his celebrated pofition, that in cattle breeding, "like produces like," are well known. His favourite ideas, on the leading points of form in cattle, were, "the small bone and tight carcafe: thence he pretended to derive every other defirable qualification. As there had been previously no fettled principle of improvement, and as that of Bakewell was at leaft fpecious, from the obvious and great fuperiority of his cattle, the Dithley fyftem was univerfally adopted by the fashionable breeders. This, like other fyftems founded in mere opinion, has had its day.

The dictum of Bakewell was for a long time held facred; he however lived long enough, to fee it difregarded, and to be convinced of the fallibility and approaching decline of his fyftem. It will be eafly fuppofed, that amongst a number of competitors, a variety of opinions would arife; and that men of independent or of capricious minds, would naturally be de. firous of making appeals from the judgement of their director, to their own. This really happened, and either fortuitously, or

* A number of the most respectable cultivators have expreffed their expectation, that the name of Bakewell will appear in the Necrotegy.

otherwife, the Bakewellian models were not only highly improved in fome parts, but the form of the stock both radically and advantageously changed. In general however, the ideas of the true fhape of cattle were extremely vague, arbitrary and indeterminate. Every district had its leading judges, to whofe decifions the breeders in general paid an implicit defer ence; and if the judges of different counties differed ever fo widely, as to the or thodoxy of fhape and make, they were all, as well as their difciples, invariably unanimous in one point-the neceffity of being well paid for their improved fock. In truth, the chief of this cattle-mending bufinefs, in process of time, degenerated into a mere job. Certain perfons purchafing cattle for breeding at a very high price, had caft into the bargain, the fame of great improvers. The family played into each others hands, and became vouchers for each other, as to the fuperiority of the new stock. The public, and those not in the fecret, paid extraordinary prices for the purchase, or hire, of famous bulls and rams, without finding any thing very extraordinary in their produce, when brought to fair market. It now became feriously doubted, whether, after all the high flown pretenfions of fystematic breeders, any improvement at all had really taken place, in the form of the original breeds of the country and Mr. Parfons, of Somersetshire, past all doubt, one of the most complete judges of cattle in England, goes fo far as to affert, even at this time, that the original breeds of the island, instead of being improved, have abfolutely been deteriorated both in form and quality; the neat cattle particularly, by injudicious croffing, and by the introduction of coarfe northern ftock. He complains of the flesh of the new cattle, as coarse, ill-flavoured and fpongy; and with too great appearance of truth, ridicules the modern fhews of bullocks at Smithfield market, as confifting of huge animals made up of fcarce any thing but legs, hides and horns!

But to make dre allowance for the warmth of declamation, and to speak impartially, real improvements have been made, and the quantity of animal food much increafed in the country. A moft ftriking proof of this is to be found in Herefordshire, where breeding has been much extended from the commencement of the era of improvement, and where the cattle, taken in every point of view, are faid to be fuperior to any in Britain. It

is a curious fact, Mr. Editor, but perhaps fomewhat dangerous to publish in these ticklish times, that our weft country oxen have been much improved of late years, in fineness of flesh and in form, by French croffes. I fhould not have ventured to affert the fuperiority of French beef, but that I fpeak it after Arthur Young, whofe political orthodoxy no man will difpute. How will the affertors of the imprefcriptible rights of English roaft beef relish this? I lately mentioned the fact to a countryman who ftoutly maintained its impoffibility. By way of a collateral aid to my argument, I introduced the old Englith prejudice of one Englishman being a match in the field for ten Frenchmen. This home thruft ftaggered, and rather abashed my antagonift, who replied demurely, 66 no, no, only five Frenchmen; which I thought a great conceffion. Thus much for prejudice and its boafted utility. Who knows but the ufe of this Frenchified weft country beef may have contributed to the increase of jacobinifm amongst us? a question which I fubmit, with the moft profound deference, to the unerring judgment of the conductors of a certain magazine.

On the fubject of agricultural improvement in general, however, we may at length reft perfectly well fatisfied: much has been done, and the remaining steps towards perfection are under the conduct of the ableft leaders our country can boast. When fuch men as the Earl of Egremont, the Dukes of Bedford and Norfolk, with their long list of honourable and patriotic affociates, undertake the increase and improvement of our breeds of cattle, we are not only confident of the best scientific

aids being engaged, but there is no longer any danger to be apprehended of thofe low horfe-dealing intrigues and tricks, by which the public was formerly gulled. The plans of improvement by the mode of annual fhews and prizes, in Suffex, Bedfordshire, and in the Weft, are highly judicious and liberal; and the appendage of a Smithfield Society in London (lately inftituted), which will as it were connect the judgment of town and country, is an idea which cannot be too much commended. All ideas of private intereft are out of queftion with these patriotic focieties, fince, by covenant, the animals which from their fuperiority command the prize, are to be let out to hire, at rates perfectly reafonable. Here then is a fair challenge to the farmers of England. The counties in which the best stock is to be purchafed, either for keep, or breeding, are MONTHLY Mag, Ño, XLIII,

pointed out; and there will remain now no farther excufe to thofe men of property, who are either understocked with cattle, or their farms difgraced with unproductive rubbish. Without pretending to doubt the judgment of those very able and experienced men, who are engaged in this affair, I would with to throw out a hint. The true form of the horfe has long been fettled, past all difpute; but that feems not to be the cafe with refpe&t to oxen, fheep and pigs. Thofe animals which are candidates for the prizes, and which are, in confequence of fuccefs, to be recommended to the country, have their merits decided upon, by the arbitrary judgment of certain perfons, appointed to that end. But ought not thefe to have fome fettled principles on which to decide, and what are they? Since the principle of form laid down in Mr. Culley's otherwife very ufeful Treatife on Live Stock, (the barrel fhape) is now generally exploded, it would be of infinite ufe to the agricultural readers of the Monthly Magazine, if fome experienced gentlemen would come forward, and give their fentiments as to the true natural form of those animals; that from the collifion of various judgements, a standard principle, worthy of dependence, might be at length ftruck out; and this request I make bold to extend to the numerous foreign correfpondents of the magazine.

A PRACTICAL FARMER.

February 10, 1799.

Mr.

Mr. Baker the celebrated Irish cultivator, fent over very favourable accounts of it. The culture of rape, or colefeed, stood in the fame unaccountable predicament. Miller had given a very flattering account of the napus filveftris, or rape; afferting, that it would refift the fevereft frofts of this country, that it would ftand for fpring-feed, after turnips were either deftroyed by froft, or feeded; would produce nearly double the quantity of turnips, and if kept for feed, would return a profit of five pounds per acre, clear of charges. The actual practice of Irish husbandry was ftill more in favour of rape, as winter food, than Miller's theory. It was there, two feet high at Chriftmas; in March, four; a middling plant weighed eight or ten pounds; flock of all kinds throve upon it, and the burden upon the ground, computing the number and weight of the plants (even from the fmalleft), amounted to the astonishing total, of feventy-three ton, fix hundred weight, per English acre! Stimulated by this magnificent account, Mr. Young himfelf fate about a colefeed experiment, under circumstances of foil, expofure and culture, perfectly and ftudioully fimilar. Turnips and Batterfea Cabbages alfo, were affociated in this trial. All the crops flourished exceedingly, and the refult was (in October), the cabbages were superior to all, the weight of the rape being barely one fifth of either of the others. Thas he gained a lofs of two pounds three fhillings and nine-pence per acre, by an attempt to rival Irish practice; the colefeed, by the ftrictest computation, appearing to be worth no more than fifteen fhillings per acre: it was obviously ufelefs to continue the experiment through winter, the bulk being fo finall. I have yet no doubt of the authenticity of the Irish account of colefeed, nor of the French account of coleworts. G. A. and myfelf even, can easily reconcile the difference in respect to rape particularly he has doubtlefs, as well as I, feen the large erops of rape produced upon proper foils, and has had the experience of last year, of very indifferent ones to be expected upon his own. Although rape undoubtedly affects a deep and ftrong foil, yet it must be found, dry and of confiderable natural fertility; on fuch, it will not only produce great bulk, but endure the froft, at leaft of ordinary years. The foil of G. A. appears to have been too poachy, probably of infufficient warmth and fecundity for the due nourriture of the plant. The trial however was unfavour.

the

:

able, from the fingular feverity of the feafon. When I advised carrying it home for the ftock, I by no means intended the whole to store (which is impracticable with rape), but merely to cut and carry daily, as we do foiling in fummer. With permillion, I will now difmifs the fubject of Coleworts and rape, both which, as winter food for cattle, appeared to me, many years face, comparatively ufelefs, whether in this country, or any other.

To the question, "What good fubfiitute we can have for turnips, on strong, deep clayey land, where, in wet weather, Sheep will stand up to the bocks"—the best anfwer in my power to give, is, that, as far as our difcoveries go, the cabbage is the proper winter food of fuch foils, as to weight and nutritious quality. The ruta baga, which is of the braffica fpecies, no doubt refifts the froft and the wet, beyond every thing elfe, as G. A. is well apprized, and in that light, stands in the firft rank. But the material question is, Whether other articles may not be substituted, of fuperior weight and quality, and of fufficient, if not equal hardinefs? I confefs myfelf here upon fpeculative ground; I never tried the turnip cabbage of Sweden. In the firft place, proceeding from a northern and unfavourable clime I fhould not expect from the plant any high degree of nutriment. I have heard, the fubftance of the turnip is very hard, and apt to be ftringy; that the ruta baga draws and impoverishes the land, and that the quantity is very deficient, compared with our own country turnips; which again, in that refpect, are much behind cabbages. I have never heard of a heavier crop of ruta baga, than the amount of from twelve to fifteen ton; whereas twenty and twenty five ton of English turnips, are a product fufficiently common, with which must be confidered, the fuperior fatting quality; and if both the Swedish and English are fuppofed to be drawn home and tacked, before the froft, the balance in favour of the English muft be highly increafed. G. A. however has the advantage of regulating his judgment on the matter from actual experiment.

I have paid particular attention to the analytis of the foil, and the stated proportions of clay, calcareous earth, and fand on a foil fo compofed, I have known not only cabbages and turnips, but also potatoes, and even carrots and parsnips, fuccefsfully cultivated, as winter food for cattle. But I muft here obferve, that fitive conclufions are not always to be drawn from a bare knowledge of the com

po

ponent