New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-28
AGRICULTURE IN Malta MODEL
GOVERNOR.

The Island of Militia, a dependence of England Is at
length blessed with Governor who takes interest
in something beside horsc.racng. cock fighting and
the sports Of the garrison. Sir William Reid, late
Governor OF Bermuda, where he did more to improve
the agriculture Of that island than any of his prede
ctssors is now pursuing the course as Governor
of Malta Sir William found the soil of Malta prcduc
tive but the cultivation the rudes Such thing ~
a ploy was hardly known, unless the crooked stick
used 10 scratch up the earth might be so called This
uteful and as our farmers think, indispensable agri-
cultural implement he found in ruder shape in
Malta than in Bermuda, as it is employed on
some e our Southern plantations, where crops are still
raised with the hoe alone
Sir William took prompt measures TO Introduce ini-
proved implements of husbandIy among the Maltese
iarmerr lie imported from England on his PERSONAL
account and at his private expense plows harrows
cultiyators thrashipg and winnowing machines port
able grain mills and many small tools, such a. had
never before been seen upon that slGnd. ASalnai
the English pie ws the complaint that they were
TOO heavy Having American plows, IN fact
having imported many of them into Bermuda, he sent
TO this city an order for few, which were so highly
approved that he has given sort OF carte blanche ~
Mr. L. B. Caruana, importer of Mediterranean prod
uce at No II Pine stIeet, who il also native OF
Malta, to forward small shipments from tmo to time,
OF such things az may improve the agriculture OF lis
native land
Governor Reid distributes these mach mes and tools
among the Maltese cutiyaors either grGtuitousy or
at cost price.
We gather from the orders in the hands Of Mr.. Ca
1lara that side hill plows' most i'll d,nand and
ON inquiry find that much of the cultivated suraee OF
the island is very uneven. The draught animals in
use are small mules donkeys generally smaller than
hos. of Spain but Of finer breed, very strong and
active.
Mr.. Csruans bas imported several lots Of Maltese
lacks into this city He has now on hand four out of
eight that were shipped Of which three. however
died on the long passage. The smallest OF the lot was
sold soon after its arrival to a farmer OF Duchess
County, N Y, for s45O From the improved con
don and appearance of those which remain, we pre-
sumo they will command higher price. Some OF our
Jersey farmers would do well to secure these animals
az their form and size better adapted TOR the work
of their light lands than the very large stock now 80
much sought for in Kentucky and the Yves. generally
One il very handsome fellow and another of rather
larger stature than is usual in Maltese jacks.
We find something noteworthy about the food of
these animals. The hay which was brought IN the
y.ssel for heir use il as coarse the variety known
as barn grass, and yet they prefer it to our best
English hay. II appears to be very nutritious, and
The crnp i. an abundant one. IL IL q question for
American farmers whether they may not cultivate
this Maltese grass TO advantage cid 80 learn some
thing in agriculture of those people ia exchange for
what we teach them.
Ofeh Maltese goats importedby the sane yes'e,
scsre have been sold at SIS head. These aio, are
ord on coarse hay
Alot of Maltese pigeons came with the same cargo,
and with them kind Of grain for feed, which they
prefer 10 any that grows here Ihs gram may %
found worthy Of our attention. Ii very productive,
and grows not unlike sunAowers, though smaller and
besrs bright yellow and red flowers. Zone OF the
Malta pigeons are nearly large again % our common
doves. They are much esteemed for iood, enc Their
eggs are used to some extent in Malt&
lot of ostrich egg- composing part Of TINS a.
sorted cargo, seems to have bothered the Custom
HoEse Cficials, who were at loss az whaI sum 10
appraise them They finally agreed dp0n sf'y cents
apiece an estimate which they probably arrived q.
by eomuarson With the size and price Of shsnghae
egg. They were also somewhat puzzled to decide
upon the duty ii any, which should be levied upon an
ostrich. the surviving one u pair which the owner
thought should pass free as breeder. Although
quite az coed for that purpose some Of the long
legged brgtes that have been imported from Chins,
the Collector Of Customs would not pass him. ms
bird though from tropical climate, has lived through
the late cold tenn" IN very cool stable. lie 100
prefer. ihe grain appropriated to the pigeons Its