The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-03 00:00:00

the lenient. The cause of free trade has stability
enough to stand a million blows of the same character
unshaken.

THE PLOUGH.

Seldom do we encounter a periodical, devoted to the
interests of a particular class, addressing itself so im-
mediately to that class, and so singularly to a general
reader. The number of the agricultural journal before
us is precisely of this character ; it is moreover replete
with matters most important (we had almost said ne-
cessary) for the perusal of every tenant-farmer in
the United Kingdom, who is at all ambitious of becoming
an adept in his profession by keeping up with the rapid
progress of scientific knowledge as applied to its mani-
pulation. Should there be any individuals amongst
this class old-fashioned and opaque enough to deny
"The Importance of Science for Agriculture," we
refer him with confidence to the paper so en-
titled in this sixth part of the Plough. He will change
his opinions on its perusal—or he is an incorrigible dul-
lard. Again we earnestly direct attention to the series
of " Queries submitted to the consideration of the Prac-
tical Farmer," at Inge 597. It is an admirable notion
fur accumulating agricultural statistics, and seems
likely to overthrow those difficulties which have pre-
vented their official accumulation hitherto. We presume
the debate the other evening in the House of Commons,
where commercial and agricultural suggestions were re-
lativelyt made by Lord Gorge Bentinck and Mr. Bright,
,
suggested the scheme to the compiler of these inquiries.
If the tenant-farmers wish well to their country and to
themselves, they will throw facilities someh_orwomor other
ia n
the way of collecting the statistics. F
sen-
sible paper, headed " The Domestichn Economist," we
me-made bread.
quote a few sentences in relation to
"Having tried many adjuncts to flour,only
and found all, even
potatoes, unnecessary, pure flourts has been preferred.
rmers' flour," will be
The sort styled in
TeessaNts.vltiretrce whiteness is desired. This
generepystiftkerpnrurtedn,nucsone
so that all the nutrition of the grain
isourl retained, and the coarse bran only rejected ; thus, if no
aaimals be kept on the premises requiring " pollard " food,
this substance remains in the flour which is intended for
baking—thus far ensuring economy. Our reason for object-
ing to the introduction of potatoes—(an ingredient which
enters always and largely into the manufacture of baker's
bread)—is, that while they appear to increase the bulk of
the material, they actually lessen it, by the large quantity of
water they contain ; also that while they make bread lighter,
they cause it to become harsh, and to dry very speedily ; and
just in proportion to the quantity of potatoes introduced do
we find bread flavourless.
" A batch of bread for the consumption of a small family
for a week, will probably consist of twenty-four pounds of
"grist," or farmer's flour; this, when water, and yeast, and
salt, be added, will weigh in the dough about thirty pounds.
The best utensil for the purpose of kneading, is a large well-
glazed earthen pan, much wider at the top than the bottom ;
the advantage which this possesses over a wooden tray or
trough is, that the former is keep more sweet and clean than
the latter. Yeast, either from a brewer or from bser brewed
at home, can be used ; but we always prefer the last-men-
tioned, and have long since proved by the best test, that of
experience, that the absurd prejudice against its use is to-
tally without foundation "
" Winter and summer bakings require different treatment :
the best temperature for thoroughly working bread is 50 or
61 degrees of heat ; this, habit will determine to be an agree-
able warmth, not a hot state. In winter, therefore, the flour
should be placed in the pan, and set sloping towards and in
front of the fire for an hour before the preparations for
baking commence ; in summer it will be put at a distanca. It
the process be conducted in too cool a state, the dough will
not rise; if it be too hot, the yeast will be scalded, and the
fermentative principle destroyed."
" The Agriculturist and the Patriot," is a ridiculous
bit of antiquity. We beg to remind the writer that the
protective system is already virtually abolished. "Anec-
dotes of Agriculture," make an excellent budget of
memorabilia on the subject : we trust the notion will be
resumed. With a mass of other miscellaneous articles,
the Plough "comes off" this month creditably.