412 AyrlcuUural Tour 



of g:\psum, wherever tlie sand^ gravels, clays, and marls of this 

 formation extend. 



That Danish agriculture in general is in an improving con- 

 dition is established bv the fact that sixty years ago English 

 flour was imported into Denmark ; w hile at present, notwithstand- 

 ing the increase of population and the more general use of 

 wheaten bread, flour is exported largely to the Brazils and to 

 Jersey, especially in the form of biscuit.* This increase in the 

 growth of wheat must not be considered merely as an indication 

 that a larger amount of agricultural produce is raised in the 

 country than formerly, but also that produce of a more valuable 

 kind is reaped from the land — that by an improved management 

 soils which formerly grew oats, or perhaps rye, are now enabled 

 to grow wheat. In judging of the advance of agricultural im- 

 provement, the quality of the produce, whether in corn or cattle, 

 must be taken into account quite as much as the nominal quantity. 



Rye is most largely produced in Denmark, being the principal 

 food of the people ; and much of this grain has long been ex- 

 ported to Holland, especially from the province of Jutland. 

 Barley forms, I believe, the largest and most valuable exportable 

 corn produce, as the general lightness of the soil would lead us to 

 expect ; and both barley and oats are said to be shipped in con- 

 siderable quantities to England. The increase of these exports 

 is another proof of the progressive advancement, at least of the 

 arable culture of the country. 



During the present century much has been done by the exertions 

 of individual proprietors for the improvement of their own estates 

 or neighbourhoods ; and an Academy of Agriculture has more re- 

 cently been instituted at Copenhagen by the Government, but no 

 agricultural schools have yet been established. They are much 

 desired and talked of, however; and when the hampered finances 

 of Denmark admit of it, they will most likely be established. In 

 the mean time the more zealous agriculturists send their sons to 

 the Prussian or to the new Swedish schools. 



The late King of Denmark did more, I believe, for the im- 

 provement of the breed of horses than for any other object imme- 

 diately connected with the agriculture of the country. In 1829 I 

 visited the royal farm at Fredericksborg in the island of Zealand, 

 and saw the stud, consisting altogether of about 700 horses. 

 From this stud stallions were distributed over all Denmark, to the 



* Has the alleged glutinous quality of the Danish wheat anything to do 

 with Ibis export of it in the form of biscuit? Can the geological nature of 

 the surface really affect tbe form in which the corn it produces can be best 

 cooked, either for immediate consumption or for distant transport ? 



