THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



523 



be suggested by those who use the machinery, being 

 the fruit of experience. It always requires the com- 

 bined skill and knowledge of two parties to produce a 

 good implement — the practical mechanist, and the 

 practical farmer. The question to be answered is, 

 Does what we have at present presented to us offer de- 

 cided advantages over existing modes of cultivation ? 

 If so, adopt it. There is a loud affirmative reply given 

 to this question by all who have used it with discretion. 

 While those who are in favour of this system are wait- 

 ing for some improvement in detail, they are losing a 

 benefit that might be worth to them, in one year, the 

 entire value of the rope, windlass, tackle, engine, and 



all. What I saw upon my friend's farm quite con- 

 vinced me of this. 



There are many observers, many watching the course 

 of the plough and the cultivator. Let us receive more 

 frequently some extracts from their note-books. They 

 should keep the public mind well posted-up in this 

 matter. The question of steam cultivation is of vital 

 importance to us ; and we require information upon it 

 from all sources, and most of all from impartial 

 sources. Let the partial ones be quiet, and the im- 

 partial ones make their voices heard. 



Yours, A Farmer. 



AX AGRICULTURAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE. 



TO THE I.ANDOWNERS, FARMERS, AND OTHERS CONNECTED WITH BRITISH AGRICULTURE. 



Gentlemen, — In a country like Ecgland, teeming with 

 philanthropy, and exhibiting such evidences of her greatness 

 in the profusion of her charity ; where science, the arts, com- 

 merce in all its extended rfimifications, the church, the naval 

 and military professioiis can each point with pride to its 

 palatial asylum, erected and supported by the bounty of those 

 whose hearts and purses are ever open to assuage and relieve 

 the wants and necessities of their suffering fellow-creaturesi 

 where, by their charity, the infant is nurtured, the orphan 

 clothed and educated, the invalid relieved and cared for, and 

 the aged, whose only sin was poverty, and whose only crime 

 was misfortune, is enabled to end his days in comfort. While 

 in this holy cause millions are annually dispensed, wide-spread 

 through every class and creed, Agriculture, employing the 

 largest invested capital, representing as she does the most im- 

 portant interest of the coui'try, stands out — made as it were 

 more conspicuous by its very absence — unrepresented, unable 

 in such a (glorious Hit to point to any refuge for the unfortu- 

 nate British farmer, to any asylum where his orphan can find 

 a home, or his widow a resting-place. To remove this blot 

 from the agrlculturil escutcheon is my object in addressing 

 you. Why should agriculture, when a v/hole uation is brimful 

 with charity, be in the rear of good works ? Why should not 

 we, as agriculturists, have our college for the reception of those 

 of our poorer and less fortunate brethren, aud our school 

 where the poor orphan can be fed, clothed, aud educated ? 

 Such not only can, but must he done, if we are to maintaiu our 

 position as an enlightened and advancing section of the com- 

 munity. 



If we reflect for one moment, whereiu can we discover a 

 reason why the plodding and industrious farmer should be 

 specially .screened from the frowns of lortune, or those vicissi- 

 tudes which are the painful lot of every other class? why 

 should he expect to be exempt from th;it stern misfortune and 

 bitter poverty which we see so frequently too painfully illus- 

 trated in every othf r department of daily life ? None can say 



that his risks are Icaa frequent, or his chances of success mere 

 certain. Why, then, should he in his suffering and his tribu- 

 lation be shut out and excluded from the enjoyment of that 

 support and sympathy which are diffused so profusely through- 

 out the length and breadth of the land, for the benefit aud 

 solace of every suffering class hut hisowu? Let us remove 

 this reproach. Let us assume that place in so noble and 

 charitable a list, which the influence and the dignity of agri- 

 culture demand, and I am assured the bare mention of such a 

 project for the amelioration and relief of those who, while 

 suffering, complain not, will speedily realize such a happy and 

 much-needed consummation. Towards the fulfilment of such 

 an object I have received promises of hearty and zealous sup- 

 port from some of the leading agriculturists and implement 

 manufacturers in the kingdom (a few of whose names I annex), 

 who most cordially sympathise with the suggestion, and I now 

 solicit from you a promise of support and assistance. 



As soon as sufhcient replies are received, a public meeting 

 will be held, a committee appointed, and then I have good rea- 

 son for hoping to secure the recognition and the patronage of 

 the consort of our much-loved Queen. Praying an early and 

 affirmative reply, 



I am, gentlemen, yours faithfully, 



J. J. Meciii. 



Tiplree Hall, near Kelvedon, Essex, April 29. 



The Right Hon. Lord Rayleigii, 

 Messrs. Ransomes, Ipswich. 

 Jonas Webb, Esa., Babraham. 

 Messrs. Garretts, Saxmundham. 

 R. Nicholson, Esa., Much Hadham. 

 Messrs. Howard, Bedford. 



[A. first list of the supporters will be published in a few days.] 



