188 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



veiled. The year 1856 also proved that, although the 

 disease was generally distributed throughout the country, 

 not one of the Professor's new potatoes was afleeted by it 

 in the least. The experiment was again repeated in 

 1856; and the crop exliibited the same freedom from dis- 

 ease. The kinds mostly in cultivation were then operated 

 on — Borts which were yearly more or less affected by the 

 disease— still with the same result. The digging-time of 

 1857 produced a splendid crop of potatoes. Upwards of 

 three acres were planted with kiludried potatoes; and, 

 although the produce exceeded 1,600 bushels, not a dis- 

 eased potato was discovered. In 1858, Professor Bolhnan 

 erected a drying-house, with heated floors, on his estate ; 

 and within the past two years, similar erections have taken 

 place on the diflferent estates of the principal landed pro- 

 prietors. It is gratifying to find that the action of the 



shrivelling process on potatoes already diseased aiTOsta 

 the progress of the infection, and kiUs the disease, thus 

 leaving a portion of the potato sound enough to be eligible 

 for spring planting. It has been stated that by the con- 

 stant raising new varieties from seed, for planting, the 

 disease may be considerably diminished ; and this proved 

 to be the case with the Fluke Ividney ; for the first two 

 years after it was introduced, and even aftet its cultivation 

 had become pretty general, this famous kidney had not 

 been attacked by disease ; but last year the Tliike had 

 been in some instances as badly diseased as tlie Fortyfold, 

 Regents, &c. ; so that the process of kilndrying promises 

 far greater advantages and more certain results than all 

 the expedients put together, which have been from time 

 to time offered for the consideration of the public. 

 " I am, Sir, your obedient servant, " Pv. Miles." 



LONDON, OR CENTRAL FARMERS' CLUB. 



AGEICULTURE : ITS PAST 



The first Meeting for discussion in the present year took 

 plaoe on Monday, Febi'uaiy 11, at the Club-house, Black- 

 friars, the new Chairman, Mr. Skelton, presiding. There 

 was a very numerous attendance of members. The subject 

 appointed for discussion — entrusted for its introduction 

 to Alderman Meohi — was, " The Past, Present, and Future 

 of British Agriculture." 



The Chaieman, in opening the proceedings, said he felt 

 that some apology was due from him for his appearance 

 that evening in such an important position ; but he hoped 

 that, with the kind siipport of the members, he should be 

 enabled to promote the interest of the Club, and to preside 

 over its meetings in a satisfactory manner (cheers). When 

 he considered that that Club represented one of the 

 greatest intei-ests in the State — nay, in the world, namely, 

 that of the cultivation of the soil, he felt that it ought not 

 merely to maintain its present importance, but greatly to 

 inoi'ease in numbers and influence (Hear, hear). The 

 numbers had, indeed, considerably increased of late ; biit a 

 list of five or six hundred was, after all, a very limited re- 

 presentation of such a body as the ciiltivators of the soiL 

 He hoped they would, each and all, make an effort to in- 

 crease the list, and that before that day month they would if 

 possible place a name in the hands of the Secretary. One 

 reason why they should make that efibrt was, that they 

 were about to change either their landlord or their place of 

 meeting ; and he trusted that some aiTangement would be 

 made which would be satisfactory to the members gene- 

 rally. On the card containing the list of subjects of dis- 

 cussion for the present year there was one subject to which 

 no name was attached. He was happy to say that, in com- 

 mittee that day, a gentleman had been named to introduce 

 it. He had now the pleasure of introducing to them an old 

 Member of the Club, Mr. Mechi, who took considerable 

 interest in evei7thing connected with agriculture. 



Alderman Mechi then read the following paper " On the, 

 Past, Present, and Future of British Agriculture ":— 



B.C. TO A.D. 450. — If this country were without towns 

 cities, or roads, trade, commerce, or manufactures, and if 

 the population were, consequently, solely agricultiu-al, it 

 Would evidently be unnecessary to produce more corn or 

 meat thau woald supply tUeir oto families, their lords, 



, PEESENT, AND FUTURE. 



warriors, governors, clergy, and dependants, Pasture, 

 wood, and waste woiild abound ; and, as there would be no 

 use for money, the proprietors of land would receive for 

 their almost worthless acres, personal services or a portion 

 of the produce. Such was, in fact, the condition of Britain 

 when, 55 years B.C., the Ptomans under Julius Coesar landed 

 in Kent, and ixltiraately conquered nearly the whole of 

 South and Mid Britain, whicli they colonized and partially 

 civilized, giving to the natives municipal institutions — a 

 pretty good proof that in South and Mid Britain we were 

 not so savage and barbaroiis a race as has been by soma 

 represented. It is true that the North Britons were moi'o 

 fierce, barbarous, and warlike than those of the South ; 

 and that our cannie friends over the border were then, as 

 now, determined to come South in search of the " loaves 

 and fishes ;" for, in spite of high walls and fortresses, the 

 Romans could only partially check the inroads of the Picts 

 and Scots. The Britons of that remote period were evi- 

 dently agriculturists, having herds and flocks; and also, in 

 the Southern districts, growing corn, the roofs of their 

 wooden houses being thatohed with straw. They also 

 made hay, for the wheels of their war-chariots had scytho 

 blades attached to them ; and having chariots, they must 

 have understood making wheels. Although we have no 

 authentic records before the time of the Romans, there is 

 sufiicient evidence to show that Britain had for many cen- 

 turies carried on a trade with the Phcenicians, who coveted 

 the produce of her mines ; and, in fact, the Belgians had 

 partially colonised the South-eastern coast. No doubt the 

 agriculturists of that day had their Webbs, Bakewells, and 

 CoUings ; but they had no oilcake, turnips, or clover to 

 carry them through the winter. Having no Manchester 

 manufaetiu'ers as their customers or suppliers, the Ancient 

 Britons depended principally upon nature for their cloth- 

 ing, in the shape of furs and skins obtained by their skill as 

 hunters in the extensive forests and coppices, or from the 

 skins of their sheep and goats. Probably their nobles or 

 Druids in the Soiithern districts were clad in felted- 

 cloth. They grew woad, and used it for staining their 

 bodies. The Britons appear to have been a noble and 

 finely developed race, as might naturally be expected from 

 their happy cUmate aaA fertUe soil j and it can be no flat- 



