Agricultural Implements and Produce. 61 



a yield of five quarters per acre, 250 quarters. The cost of 

 tlireshing wheat by the flail, and dresslns;, is 45. per quarter ; by 

 an improved steam machine, Is. Gd. Saving on 200 quarters of 

 wheat, 25/., or, per acre, 2s. Qd. The cost of threshing barley by 

 the flail is o.v. per quarter ; by steam machine, 2s. Saving on 

 250 quarters, 121. 10s., or, per acre. Is. od. 



Total saving by the use of drill and threshing machine, Ss. 6d. 

 per acre, or one-third of the rent, 25^. 



Besides the economy and direct gain to the farmer, the saving 

 of one bushel per acre of the grain employed in reproduction is 

 an important aid to the consumer, and when multiplied over the 

 total area of land still cultivated under the old system would form 

 no insignificant addition to the annual resources of the country. 



The rapid spread of useful information and of approved prac- 

 tice must be laid to the account, in no small degree, of the 

 Journal and of the meetings of the Koyal English Agricultural 

 Society. The meetings of the Society, held in eacli year in 

 different districts, enforce precept by example, and communicate 

 every variety of useful information in the most attractive form. 



Such are some of the proofs of the onward march of agricul- 

 ture, and of the progress which it has made since the Exhibition, 

 and, in many points, by virtue of the Exhibition of 1851. Still 

 we feel ourselves to be only on the threshold, and much remains 

 to be done. We ask of science to penetrate yet deeper into the 

 secrets of Nature's laws. We ask of mechanical art to bring to 

 our aid in the field the mighty agency of steam. 



We call upon the farmers to continue and increase their efforts ; 

 so alone will they be able to keep pace with the demands made 

 upon them by a population ever increasing in numbers and in 

 wants, and to maintain the place in the front rank which they 

 now honourably hold. 



The verdicts of the Paris jury will be a warrant that no jealous 

 or narrow spirit ruled its deliberations. 



It is a pleasing duty, in closing this report, to be permitted 

 publicly to acknowledge, not only the personal courtesy, but the 

 spirit of fairness and candour, which characterized the entire 

 conduct of my colleagues of all nations. It was my fortune, in 

 the Council of Presidents and Vice-Presidents, and as one of the 

 Conunittee of seven for the final revision of the awards, to assist 

 in the proceedings of the Commission to their close. The same 

 honouraljle spirit animated this high council, under tlie imme- 

 diate guidance of the illustrious Prince, its President, who him- 

 self afforded an example to all of fearless impartiality and evcn- 

 lianded justice. j i^^ve the honour to be, &c. 



J. liVELVX DeXISOX. 



