MISCELLANEOUS.

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 331, 27 June 1874, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

At the rooms of the London Society of Arts at tbe end of February last, Mr Shirley Hibberd read a paper ' On a now system of cultivating the potato, with a view to augment productiou and prevent disease.' The meeting was largely attended, ond was presided over by Lord Alfred S. Churchill. After reference to tbe many and various diseases which so unfortunately affected the potato season, and the remedies which had been put forward to arrest the ravages of disease, the lecturer pointed out that the constitution of the plant was one which rendered potatoes moro suitable for cultivation in a somewhat warmer climate than that of England. In favorable seasons, however, in this country tho potato wa9 one of the most proCtable of farm and garden plauts. When tho temperature during tho growing months approximated the average, witty a model ato and timely rainfall the potato prospered and made an ample return to the cultivators, but in seasons characterised by an excessive range cf temperature, or by a deficiency of heat and excessive rainfall, the crop was sure to be more or less damaged. An extended series of comparison nil tend to ibis conclusion, and tho lecturer bad therefore become convinced that tho principal cause of potato disease was a low temperature ar excessive humidity during tho season for its growth. If tho potato was to bo saved means must be found to carry it through its periods of trial, and he would endeavour to show n, substitute for the deiicient warmth during wet or cold seasons. In heavy lands ifc was customary to plant potatoes in ridges, so that their roota might enjoy a maximum of ground heat and be quickly drained of superiluous moisture. It was obvioui that the advantage of this ridgo and furrow system would be considerably increased if every ridge was pierced with a tunnel, which would ensure beneath the rooto of the plant a- body of imprisoned air, and would maintain tho temperature of tho sou 1 as th-11 as favour tho rapid escape of moisture. From experiments ho had made by placing arched tiles iv lines four feet apart, to form such a tunnel, ho was euro that the system was a most useful one, as the potato enjoyed abundance of light and air, the lodgment of water was rendered impoasiblo, and in tho eve»itof a sudden lowering of temperature tho storage of earth-heat below the ropts would tido the crop over tbe time of danger. Tho intervening spaces ihould be deeply dug and planted with suitable crops. It must be confessed, however, that the potato tilo would bo a costly thing at the outset, but on low and henry lands it would enable the grower to produce a good crop even in a wet or excessive season, and by tbe use of tho tilo system the potato might be rendered ona of the most profitable plants in cultivation. A discussion followed the reading of the paper, aud at tho conclusion of tho meeting, when tendering a vote of thanks to Mr Hibberd, Lord Alfred Churchill remarked that it was a mo»t desirable object to ensure a uniform crop of potatoes each season, and although tho first cost of tho tile systom was heavy, he considered that Mr Hibbqrd's plan for the cultivation of potatoes was a very improved one. }lii« Sedgwick Las asserted that • Iho moro intelligent a woman becomes, other things being equal, tho more judiciously she will manage her doinestio concerns.' And wo add that the moro knowledge a woman pos^esaes of tho groat priLciple9 of morals, philosophy, and human happiness, tho more importance she will attach to hor station And to the name of a ' good hoasekoepo/.' It is only thoso who have been tuperficially educated, or instructed only in showy atcomphshraenti, who despiso the ordinary duties of life as beneath their notice. Such persons have not suflleienfc clearness of reason to tee that ' Domestic Economy ' includes everything which is calculated to niako people love homo and bo happy there. Under tho heading of ' Hatches at Last,' the Melbourne Punch lias tho following — In these enterprising days even volcanoes can be turned to account, sis wo hear that «n oxtinct one known as White Island, off Auckland, has been secured as a lucifer match mid sulphuric acid manufactory. All arrangements have been ruuile for establishing the business on a satisfactory looting, and tho mlantl has been leased to tho company, which is tho least, tho owners could do in tbeso days of cheap matches and frequent divorces.

The Titusville (Pennsylvaniua) Herald reports that the old oil wells are falling off rapidly, but no* wells coming in appear to keep up the production. No now wells nro started from the top of the ground, but jio one cm soo the end of the fourth rand development. The Herald snys : — >l With pront low prices the question of employing petroUum ns fuel is again agitated. The latrst intelligence upon the subject comes from Canada, where a man naineit IMighine has been trying an experiment on a locomotive belonging to the Canada Southern Railway, with an average consumption of four gallons per mile. The engine steamed quite freely and miido good time with a train of 30 cars. This would bo about a barrel for everj ten miles. The most simple contrivanco for burning petroleum is either by means of a jet of steam or compressed air passed at right angles over the orifice of a pipe m such a manner that the oil will be sucked up and thrown into the furnace in tho form of a fine spray, where, if .properly adjusted, it will undergo perfect combustion. The cost of the apparatus is trifling. The whale point, it seems to us turns upon cheapness, and as tho market might go up rapidly with any marked increase of demand, there seems to be an indisposition to try the experiment. There can be little doubt tliat oil will be found in many parts of the country whero at present it ii not thought of, in which case a new and unlimited market for its utilization as fuel would naturally follow." A Californian pnper states that oil has been found on the bank of the Paiaro river. Mr Winwood Eeade, the special correspondent, of tho Times with the Ashanteo expedition, is writing a complete account of the campaign. The work will be published by Messrs Smith, Elder and Co. A new weekly periodical, entitled the Englishman, and edited by Dr Kenealy, was published in London for tho first time on April 11.