The Statesman.
London, England, 1815-07-13 00:00:00

HOLKILIM 511EEP SIIE AEING.

FIRST DAY.-Jury 3.
After breakfast Mr. Coke and a numerous party
of his friends rode to Longlands, where they in-
spected some of the Devon cattle exhibited as rhea,
a more particular account of which will be given in
the proceedings of the following tiny.
Several ploughs were here at work, drawn by
Devon oxen, the more general use of which Mr.
Coke strongly recommended. Several implements
were also exhibited, one, in particular, attracted
attention for its simplicity, and the effectual manner
in ,xhich it performed its work—a machine for
spreading hay. It was drawn by one horse, and by
moans of strong iron rakes affixed to an axle or
centre, completely spread a number of swathes
'(three or four, according to the length of the rakes)
as fast as the horse could walk. In its progress, it
presented an appearance not unlike the drum of a
threshing-engine at work, and throwing the straw
from it on its tippet side. Several drill machines
were also to he seen, some for SON i !IR turnips only,
others for depositing oil-cake dust with turnip seed
or wheat. The improvements in those, for the most
part, consisted in separating the seed from the manure
•iii its progress to the ground ; for it is a fact, which
-all txlio make use of the rape-cake ought to be ac-
quainted with, that if the seed and the cake are
buried together (as they most be where they both
come down the tame tunnel) the strength of the.
manure is too much for so weak a seed as that of
turnips, and it prevents it from vegetating ; but if
a layer of earth intervenes, or, which is the same
thing, the tape cast is deposited by a tunnel, this
danger is obviated. It is confidently said, that
wheat needs not this precaution, for the plant being
stronger, it soon recovers any check it may in the
first instance receive from the fermentation of the
oil dust.

From Lorrain's& the party proceeded to inspect
Mr. Denny's fine farm at Egmere, the beautiful
state of whose crops fully justified the encomiums
which were passed on him by his Landlord (Mr.
Coke), and indeed by every one who had an oppor.
tunity of seeing them. The strangers were parti-
cularly struck with the flourishing appearance of
wheat upon a soil poor in comparison with what
many of them were accustomed to. It only proves
(chat indeed Holkhara and all its neighbourhood
have long since proved) that much more may be done
to make up for the deficiencies of Nature than► people
are generally aware of.
The party then proceeded to the Hall, and at about
four o'clock sat down to dinner. The cloth being
removed, the usual toasts followed ; among the first
was " The Duke of Wellington," which was pro.
posed by Mr. COKE, with an appropriate encomium
en the talents and services of that illustrious warrior,
whose health was drunk, with three times three en-
thusiastic cheers.
The healths of several Gentlemen present were
then proposed, particularly the worthy Landlord,
the Earl of ilardwicke, the gallant Lord Lynedoch,
Lewd Somers iile, and the Rev. St. John Priest, Secre-
tary to the Norfolk Agricultural Society, who seve-
rally, returner) thanks.
Mr. Co e, iu proposing the health of Lord So.
Merville, took occasion to observe, that it was. to
that friend he was indebted for enabling him to over-
come any prejudices he might formerly have enter.
tained against the use of oxen for draught in lieu of
horses. He would readily admit that there was a time
w•lten he thought differently on this subject—but the
example and perseverance of his Lordship had in.
cloned hint to change his opinion, and he begged leave
thus publicly to thank him for it.
Lord S :net LLE, in returning thanks, made many
suitable remarks on this subject, tending to point out,
in the strongest and clearest manner the benefit aris-
ing from such a system.
Many other appropriate toasts followed, after which
the company proceeded to the sheep-pens, where se-
veral lots of Mr. Coke's beautiful South-down Therm.,
were exhibited for sale; but little business, however,
was done; and after examining some pens of his ewe
and wether hoggets in their wool, and which were
universally admired for evenness and firmness of fleece,
the party separated.

SECOND DA Y.—.Terav 4.
Notwithstanding the labours of yesterday, Mr.
Coke and several of his distinguished agricultural
guests were on their horses a little after five this
morning, and rode over Mr. Overman's beautiful
farm at Burnham, with the neat garden-like appear-
ance of whit they expressed themselves highly de.
lighted ; thiy then returned to breakfast, after
which, with indefatigable zeal, they again mounted
their horses, and set off to inspect Mr. Blomfield's
farm at IVareltam : his beautiful dairy of Devon
cows, particularly attracted attention, and showed
what might be done with care and judgment in the
selection of stock. Nevertheless we must question
the average amount of milk, though the produce of
butter from any given quantity may escel that of
most other breeds. A method of layinz down land
to pasture has been discovered and practised by Mr.
Blomfield, called by him inoculation ; hut as a cer-
tain time must elapse lvfere an experiment of this
nature can be fully decided on, we forbear to enter
into any detail of the plrticui.irs at present. It is in
train, and will he known in du,
Returning from Werham, the party (which had
increased in number; from many fresh arrivals, and
amongst others that of Sir Watkins Williams Wynne,
who left the House of Commons, and proceeded post
to liolkham) proceeded to Mr. Coke's new barn,
where A very fine show of Devon and other cattle
waited their inspection. Mr. Wright, of Reugham,
showed two Scotch heifers.—Mr. Overman, of Burn-
ham, a Devon cow, the sight of which tended to show
the extent ia; fat which may he conveniently laid on
any animal 'without absolutely breaking it down ;
its legs might well be spanned by the finger and
thumb; upon these was laid a carcase which some
guessti at 70 others at 80 stone ! Mr. Overman also
knowed two Devon bullocks, nod four year old De.
ion heifers.—Mr. %V. Beck a Devon ox, and two
Devon heifers.—Mr. Coke t wo Devon oxen, one re-
markably fat; also a heifer (slaughtered to-do.
Mr. Garwood, of Billingford, a Devon bull, very
handsome, four years old, a year old ditto, a Devon
In, and two Devon heifers.—Mr.Sturley, of Thorn-
age, exhibited a Galloway Scot, fed easy on turnips