382 On Public Institutions for the 



Suggestions for the Improvement of British Agriculture. 



It may be gathered then^ from all which has been above stated, 

 that the only measures for improving agriculture, as yet resorted 

 to in this country, are of a private nature, and that even these aim 

 chiefly at affording examples of the most approved methods of 

 farming already in use amongst us, so as, if possible, to bring the 

 whole agricultural body up to the same point, which has been 

 attained by those of their number who are the most forward in 

 the race of improvement. 



Of the utility of such attempts none can pretend to doubt, for 

 what friend to his country would fail to rejoice, were he to see the 

 system of husbandry throughout Great Britain as well conducted 

 as it is in Norfolk or in the Lothians ? But it does not therefore 

 follow that we are to rest satisfied with our present progress, or 

 fancy that the productiveness of the soil has attained its utmost 

 limit, even in the hands of the most successful cultivators of the 

 present day. 



Agricultural chemistry, we must recollect, is still only in its 

 infancy, and the serious intention of applying the information it 

 affords to the practical business of a farm is, as it were, only a 

 thought of yesterday, and, even now, does not meet with general 

 recognition amongst the great body of cultivators. 



To find means, therefore, for advancing the science of hus- 

 bandry, is at the least as important to the well-being of society, 

 as to disseminate the stock of knowledge at present confined to a 

 few ; and for effecting the former object two measures seem to me to 

 be called for — the first, the establishment of seminaries designed 

 to impart to youths bred up to farming theoretical as well as 

 practical knowledge adapted to their future calling — the other, 

 the creation of experimental farms, on which might be carried on, 

 under the direction of competent persons, some of those researches, 

 which seem calculated to elucidate the principles, as Avell as to 

 improve the practice of husbandry. 



On the former subject I have already said enough, when de- 

 scanting on those public establishments on the Continent w^hich 

 have been instituted with that express object, — but on the latter I 

 will venture on a few remarks, in order to explain more clearly 

 what I hold to be their real scope and bearing, and thus to re- 

 move some objections which I have often heard alleged against 

 their foundation. 



Many, for instance, are of opinion, that for a government or a 

 society to support an experimental farm would be an idle waste 

 of money, because individuals in the present day will always be 

 found ready to undertake at their own cost any sort of researches 

 on agriculture that may appear to hold out the slightest probability 

 of advantage. And as these individuals, if numerous, will na- 



