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aaopal asruultural ^od'etj? ot ensIanU. 



ANNIVERSARY MEETING, 



12, Hanover Square, Monday, May 23, 1842. 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. 



Four years only have elapsed since the foundation of the English 

 Agricultural Society, and two only from the date of its incorpo- 

 ration to the present time. In looking back upon the progress 

 of its labours and the steady prosecution of its national objects, 

 it cannot fail to be the source of sincere gratification to its 

 numerous members, and to every well-wisher of his country, 

 that, based on principles of the soundest policy and most evident 

 practical utility, this Society has succeeded in impressing on the 

 agricultural world a just sense of the incalculable results which 

 must attend the rational application of science to agriculture, in 

 increasing the immense capabilities of our native soil, and in 

 developing the hidden resources of the empire. In that short 

 period the Society has laid the firm foundation of its future 

 progress; and although the full accomplishment of its objects 

 can only be the result of a more extended circuit of its labours, 

 the influence of its example and operation has already tended 

 to clear away those local prejudices in farming, which from time 

 immemorial had proved the fatal obstacles to general improve- 

 ment, and has excited a candid spirit of inquiry on every subject 

 connected with the common good of the country and the indi- 

 vidual interests of its members. The good seed has been care- 



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