"Grain stored in these silos will keep good for "a very long time. The surface of the ground "in which they are built is paved carefully, so as to prevent rain-water filtering through the "rock.

"The shape of the silos is conico-cylindrical, "and their capacity varies from three hundred "to four hundred quarters each, and, as already "stated, there are many hundreds of them in "Malta.

"The straw used for packing round the grain "must be barley straw.

"If there are any further particulars you "require, I shall be glad to get them for you.

"Yours faithfully,

"JOHN CRITIEN."

This was to me-having, as my wife says, "corn on the brain "-very interesting information; and Mr. Critien kindly gave me some more in reply to further questions I put to him.

"Malta, May 31, 1896. "To R. B. Marston, Esq., London.

"DEAR SIR,

"I am in receipt of your favour of the 20th, and I am glad that I have so far satisfied "you with the information I have given you "about the Malta silos.

"As regards the other points you mention, I "have consulted a leading corn-merchant I know, ' and I am now in a position to answer them.

"1st. As to the number of years corn keeps "good in these silos.

"Corn keeps good in the silos on an average 'from three to four years, provided, however, "(1) that the silos are not defective, for some"times a particular silo may be too warm, which "would cause the corn to ferment. (2) Provided "that the corn is dry at the time of storing, for "if damp it will not keep.

"As a precaution, they make it a rule to 'inspect it from time to time. This is done by "means of an instrument consisting of a specially"contrived conical metal cup attached to a long

'pole. This is thrust down in the mass of grain, "and when it reaches the bottom it opens, and "is filled up. From the sample it brings up "they can judge of the condition of the grain. "If it is found to be in incipient fermentation, "the contents of the silo are taken out and "deposited in a layer about a foot or two deep "in well-ventilated store-rooms until the grain "is cured, and it is then replaced in the silo.

"If the corn is found in good condition, it is "let alone. These inspections are made every "two or three months.

"In reply to your second question, 'How is "the corn renewed?'

"As the corn is placed in these silos for storing

"until it is required for use or is sold, there is "no occasion for renewing it. But it is evident "from the explanations given above, that fresh "corn can be added to any stored up at any "time.

"If you are going to publish a monograph on this subject, viz. 'Storage of Corn,' I shall be glad to have a copy of it when published.

"Yours faithfully,

"JOHN CRITIEN."

I am glad to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. Critien for so kindly answering my questions.

It may occur to some of my readers to say, "Why publish one of the most vital details in the defence of Malta?" A glance at the accompanying illustrations shows clearly enough that there can be no possible secrecy about it. Any foreign officer who visits Malta could not help seeing the corn silos unless he was blind, and then he could not well avoid stumbling over them.

(Francis Bacon, in his Novum Organum, mentions the fact that the "Northern Germans use subterranean caves as granaries," and in another place says, "Grain in granaries, if turned and shaken, remains pure.")

CHAPTER VIII.

MR. R. A. YERBURGH, M.P.'S, SUGGESTION FOR

NATIONAL GRANARIES.

IN the National Review for April, 1896, Mr. R. A. Yerburgh, M.P., gave an illustrated and most interesting description of his suggestion for "National Granaries," which was criticised by the gentleman who contributes the very able and interesting weekly article on "Agriculture at Home and Abroad" in the Standard, April 8, 1896, as follows

'Mr. Yerburgh's plan for National Granaries, 66 as set forth in the current number of the "National Review, is less open to objection than "that of Mr. Marston, noticed in this column "on the 4th of February-and for two reasons. "In the first place, the proverbial plea that it is "only a little one' may be made on its behalf; "and, secondly, it involves the storing of English "wheat, instead of foreign grain mainly, as "proposed in the other scheme. For the former