“I cannot view these two machines without feeling impressed with a conviction that both countries would soon feel the advantage of an amalgamation between the two forms of the machine.  The drum of the Scotch thrashing-machine would most certainly be improved by a transfusion from the principles of the English machine; and the latter might be equally improved by the adoption of the manufacturing-like arrangements and general economy of the Scotch system of thrashing.  That such interchange will ere long take place, I am thoroughly convinced; and as I am alike satisfied that the advantages would be mutual, it is to be hoped that these views will not stand alone.  It has not been lost sight of, that each machine may be said to be suited to the system to which it belongs, and that here, where the corn is cut by the sickle, the machine is adapted to that; while the same may be said of the other, where cutting by the scythe is so much practised.  Notwithstanding all this, there appears to be good properties in both that either seems to stand in need of.”  —­Vol. ii. p. 329.

Other scientific, especially chemical information, connected with the different varieties of grain, and the kind and quantity of food they respectively yield, is incorporated in the chapters upon “wheat, flour, and oat and bean meal,” to which we can only advert, as further illustrations of the intimate manner in which science and skilful or enlightened practice are invariably, necessarily, and every where interwoven.

* * * * *

And now the dreary months of winter are ended—­and the labours of the farmer take a new direction.

  “Salvitur acris hiems grata vice veris et Favoni,”

* * * * *

  “Ac neque jam stabulis gaudet pecus, aut arator igni.”

But we cannot follow Mr. Stephens through the cheerful labours of the coming year.  Our task is so far ended, and from the way in which the whole of the long weeks of winter are described, the reader must judge of Mr. Stephens’s ability to lead him safely and surely through the rest of the year.

A closing observation or two, however, we beg to offer.  We look upon a good book on agriculture as something more than a lucky speculation for the publisher, or a profitable occupation of his time for the author. It is a gain to the community at large,—­a new instrument of national wealth.  The first honour or praise in reference to every such instrument, is, no doubt, due to the maker or inventor—­but he who brings is into general use, merits also no little approbation.  Such is our case with respect to the book before us.  We shall be glad to learn that our analysis of it contributes to a wider circulation among the practical farmers of the empire, of the manifold information which the book contains, not so much for the sake of the author, as with a view to the common good of the country at large.  It is