Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1893-07-15 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

THE PLOUGH AND THE TURF.  In these days of cheap corn th putting ,)1 th 3 plough into the turf is almost deemel a crime. There is no reason, however, why this shoul I d-ter our consideration of the singular experience of an American farmer. It seems that some years ago. early in August, he ploughed for half a day an old sod of 16 years' standing, aid during the next half-day occupied himself with his team and plough in turning this inverted sod back to its original position, that is, grass side up. It was a peculiar operation and shewed great originality of mini in the farmer.. The result, however, WAS more remarkable than the operation. During the autumn the piece thus ploughed became green and strong, and :could be easily distinguishe i from the rest of the field. Next year the crop of hay from the ploughed patch was at the rate of 1,3001 b. to the acre,While that from the adjoining unploughed land was at the rate of only 60)11). to the acre. The good effects of this ploughing are said to have lasted for about four years. The question is, what, caused the improved fertility. It is p3ssib'e that the bringing up of buried seeds and the pruning of the grass roots was beneficial, but the inference is that the loosening of the soil WAS the principal advantage. The idea presents itself whether instead of turning the sods in this way a considerable advantage might not be gained by running a subsoil plough directly through the grass at stated intervals across the field. Let us hope that the modern race of landowners will not be horrified at the stiges• tion! There is little doubt that the roots of grasses and the soil which is around them needs more air occasionally. If this could be admited, the various fertilising materials which remain stored in the soil would be better fitted for plant fool by the chemical changes which the gases of the air would exercise,  Mr. Henry Gustavus Buss, Past Assistant blranO Secretary of English Freemasons, died a day or two ago at an advanced age. Scotton, the well-known Notts cricketer, committed suicide on Sunday by cutting his throat with a razor at his lodgings at St. John's Wood. The Jesuits at Liverpool have lost ene of their distinguished members by the death of Father Jonnson, which occurred on Saturday, at the age of 84.  At Oakham, on Sunday evening,William Peet and Michael Hurst, while bathing in a pond,were seized with cramp, and drowned in sight of a helpless companion. _  The body of a parson named flatchard, aged 35 was found in the H ime Park, Hampton Court, 0% Saturday. A bottle of laudanum and letters on the deceased indicate that the death was suicidal. At the Monmouthshire Assiz ,s, before Baron Pollock, Elizabeth Mains, 26, was charged with attempting to murder two children and attempting to commit suicide at Aberystwith. She was bound over, it being pr6v..id that she was mentally deranged at the time.  Two young men, named Freeman and Henry Collins, the latter aged 16, were drowned whilst bathing in a pool at Stourbrid ze, on Friday. Freeman was teaching Collins to switn, when the latt.r held his instructor so tightly that they sank toether. and were both drowned.  'I he constable Cooke, who killed a woman named Smith, on Wormwood Scrubbs, in June, was convicted of murder at the Central Criminal Court, on Saturday, but recommended to mercy on account of the prov.;cation he had received. —Mr. Justice Hawkins said the convict's crime waa one of peculiar atrocity and cruelty, and he sentenced him to death. .  A correspondent in Copenhagen says that the 25th anniversary of the foundation of Esbjerg In Jutland will presently be celebrated in presence of the King of Denmark. Esbjerg is the youngest; town in the kingdom, owing its existence to the result of the German-Danish War of 1864. When Schleswig was lost to Denmark. efforts were made to get free of German, and especislly of Hamburg influences, as the export of cattle from Jutland vii. 'running seemed threatened. At immense expense, therefore, a harbour was laid out on the west coast of Jutland, and to this fact gsbjerg owes its foundation. The town has been aick-named the "Danish Chicago." Its harbour has been already enlarged, and further extension is contemplated.  "This servant you have now seems very nice and quiet." "Oh, yes; she doesn't even disturb tho dust when cleaning up a room." Tramp: "Can you assist me along the road, mum ?" Lady of the house: "Personally, I cannot; but I will unchain my dog, and I know he will be most pleased to do so!" "Ticket, sir," said inspector of a raltway terminus in the city to a gentleman, who, haying been a season-ticket holder for some time, hein,yed his face so well known that there was no need to shew his ticket. "My face is my ticket," replied the gentleman, a little annoyed. "Indeed," said the inspector, rolling hack his wristband and displaying a most powerful fist. "Well, my orders are to punch all tickets passing on to this platform."