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on a portion of the crop :-after sowing the turnip seed, the APPEndix D. weather became very dry; it struck me that watering might II. Appendix preserve them from the fly, so I got some of them sprinkled to Dr. Kirkwith it; the water was fresh from a stream, and only applied patrick's Report. once, just as the young plant was making its appearance; the Gloungarragh part thus treated was not damaged, and was of more vigorous Model Farm. growth throughout the season than what remained unwatered, which was very much injured. Irrigation, then, it would appear, should be a powerful remedy against its attacks; and it seems quite reasonable to think so, as it is to drought its ravages are attributed, for, by removing the cause, it should be expected the effect would be removed also.

Mangels. This excellent root has not been cultivated in the neighbourhood of the school up to this time; but the small quantity grown on the farm this year has called the attention of the people to it, and from the inquiries made, I feel certain the example will not be thrown away.

Flax. The land on which this was grown did not seem to suit it well; it grew short and coarse, and was of inferior quality. I take the liberty of observing, by the way, that many of the landed proprietors of this locality grew large quantities of it this year, in order to encourage its more extensive culture-few of the tenantry followed the example, as they dreaded not having a steady convenient market for the sale. This want is, indeed, the only reason that prevents its becoming a remunerative crop in this part of the country.

Winter Crops for Spring Use.-Rye, 1R. 20P.; winter vetches, A.; these are the first of the kind that have been tilled in this neighbourhood-they are promising; it is to be hoped that the example will have the desired effect.

Owing to the short time agriculture has been connected with the school, it will not be expected that from its example material improvements should yet, to any great extent, be visible in the neighbourhood, especially as there are no farmoffices erected, by which the improved system of husbandry could be properly exemplified; but, in order that the benefits arising from its influence may be the more satisfactorily stated in future Reports, and likewise to explain the good likely to result from the establishment of a Model Farm in connexion with the school, I beg to mention, that nearly all the parents of the children, male and female, attending the schools, hold some quantity of the land, out of which they principally draw the means of livelihood for themselves and families; yet, agriculture is in a very low state, as will appear by reference to some of the observations previously made on the cultivation of the crops, to which may be added, that crooked and useless fences may be seen in all directions; the land is not kept free

II. Appendix to Dr. Kirk

APPENDIX D. from weeds; ploughing is badly done; the old timber plough being the one most frequently used; and, lastly, the crops are generally sown too late. These serious errors, coupled with patrick's Report. the fact that many of the people of the place can neither read nor write, and some of them do not understand nor speak the Gloungarragh Model Farm. English language, must lead to the inference, that example should be combined with instruction, hence the establishment of a Model Farm is likely to be attended with the most beneficial results to both parents and children.

The patron, F. E. Curry, Esq., who is untiring in his zeal and exertions for the diffusion of sound agricultural knowledge among the Duke of Devonshire's tenantry, has kindly furnished the farm with an iron plough and harrow; and also allows sixpence per week to each of six pupils of the school, for working a short time daily on the farm. I feel it a pleas ing duty gratefully to acknowledge this gentleman's willingness at all times, to give me every assistance required for putting the farm into efficient order.

It is gratifying to me also to have to state, that the formation of the Industrial Class has been attended with evidently good results, both as to the improvement of the children in a literary point of view, and in causing a more regular attendance at the school; the former will be seen by reference to the District Inspector's Reports; the latter to the fact, that the average attendance of boys in 1850, was only 32, while for the present year, 1851, it is 52.

The profits on the farm for the year, though not very high, are, I hope, what may be considered fair, when the quality of the land, the limited capital, and the unavoidable expense attendant on a first beginning are taken into account.

Hoping that this Report may prove satisfactory, I have the honour to be, Sir, your very obedient Servant,

JAMES WALSH, Agricultural and Literary Teacher.

Thos. Kirkpatrick, Esq., M.D.,

Inspector of National Agricultural Schools.

[TABLE SHOWING THE CROPPING, &c.

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TABLE showing the CROPPING of the GLOUNGARRAGH ORDINARY AGRICULTURAL NATIONAL SCHOOL FARM, for 1851.

Crops Cultivated.

Extent Occupied.

Period of Sowing or Planting.

Period of Harvesting.

Quantity of Seed per Statute Acre.

Produce per Statute Acre.

Estimated Expense of Cultivation, per Statute Acre, including Seed, Rent, &c.

Profit or Los8, per Statute Acre, on the Culture.

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APPENDIX D.

patrick's Report.

to Dr. Kirk

II. Appendix

Model Farm.

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I certify that the above Returns are correct, according to the best of my knowledge and belief,

F. E. CURRY, Manager.

20th December, 1851.

APPENDIX D.

II. Appendix to Dr. Kirk

patrick's Report.

Garryhill

45.-GARRYHILL MODEL FARM, County Carlow.

SIR,-In compliance with your directions I beg to transmit the following Report of the farm in connexion with the Model Farm. Garryhill Ordinary Agricultural National School, containing 4A. 2R. 37P. statute measure.

On entering on the farm, in May, 1849, I found it in a very exhausted state, overrun with couch-grass and other weeds, from long neglect and want of cultivation.

The useless fences having been removed, and a four-course rotation marked out, 2A. 1R. 184P. were sown with grain, of which one-half was sown with red clover and Italian ryegrass seed. There was also an excellent fence to the south side, faced with broken stones which had been taken out of the land and backed with earth. My first business was to prepare for a green crop, which was no easy matter from the state of the land, and so far advanced in the season. One half was under turnips and a small quantity of potatoes; the oat crop was very bad, and the root crop only medium.

I must say, I would have found it difficult to get on, (as 1 was limited in capital on my entry into the farm,) were it not for the kindness of my landlord, the Right Honourable the Earl of Bessborough, and his excellent agent, Mr. Blacket, who is also my patron, who credited me to the amount of £5 7s. 1d., which was expended on the farm previous to my taking charge of it, until such time as I was able to pay it, and also most kindly advanced me the price of a milch cow, as it was at that time I was prepared to keep one. He also, with his usual liberality, made a present of farming implements for the use of the young lads working on the farm.

General Remarks.-The division for green crops is dug from 10 to 12 inches as soon as the oat crop is removed; each ridge is formed into three raised drills in order that it may receive the full benefit of the winter's atmosphere. When the time of sowing comes it is levelled with prongs made for that purpose; any weeds that are not decomposed are carefully laid on the surface and removed off the land. The division for grain crop is dug into a ribbed surface to the depth of six or seven inches for the same reason as the division for root crops, and levelled with the prongs in like manner. I have an increase of 18p. of reclaimed land this year from an old and useless gripe which lay to the west side of the farm. The old gripe was cleaned up and mixed with a raised bank adjoining it, levelled and sown with cabbages; the middle of February the cabbages were the greatest in the neighbour

hood, and were consumed in time to transplant Swedish APPEndix D. turnips and mangels.

The crops which are grown on the farm this year are-
First Division Four-Course Rotation.

No. 1. Turnips, mangels, parsnips, and potatoes.
2. Oats, with grass seeds.

3. Oats.

4. Clover for soiling.

My root crop was so much better than I anticipated, that I was induced to become a competitor for the premiums offered by the "Idrone Farming Society" for the best cultivated root crop and for the best managed farm; and the judges appointed by the Society awarded me £2 12s. 6d. for my root crop £1 12s. 6d., and management of my farm £1. I also had the pleasure of producing the largest Swedish turnips the day of the Cattle Show, the 1st of October, 1851.

A "Paid Industrial Class" was established in this school in June 1850, consisting of four pupils, who are paid monthly by the manager. I feel pleasure in having it in my power to state that nothing can be more gratifying than to observe the great benefits this institution has conferred, and is likely to confer on the pupils attending this school. It is highly pleasing to observe the willingness with which both paid and unpaid pupils work on the farm every day: the paid pupils work for two hours, the others one; during their hours of work they have drawn the attention of many, as the farm lies adjoining the public road. The young children are left in school in charge of a pupil who is capable of giving them instructions during the time of working, except in fine weather, when all the pupils are admitted on the farm. When a vacancy occurs in the "Industrial Class," it is filled up out of the "Agricultural Class," with those who are found to improve most in both literary and agricultural instruction, their general good conduct being also considered. From this it plainly appears that the Industrial Class adds much to the literary instruction of this school. Scientific instruction on agriculture is given for half an hour each day; the number in the Agricultural Class is 12.

In conclusion, I beg to remark, that the Garryhill Ordinary Agricultural National School and Model Farm has done much good and is likely to do much, as the small farmers in this neighbourhood are this year following my example, to a great extent, in the cultivation of their green crops, and in the sowing of winter vetches. Some are preparing for housefeeding, and I hope in short, to see many in this locality following a regular rotation, house-feeding their cattle, and

II. Appendix
to Dr. Kirk.
patrick's Report.

Garryhill Model Farm.

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