394 Agricultural Meeting at Paris of 1856. 



long cut coming together, as they were accustomed to do before 

 the plan of " pits " was adopted. Still there are many lands 

 that are advanced in cultivation so far as to be free from " hear's- 

 muck^^ and these are found to stand the work of open trenches, 

 and the clay (from the settled state of the peats) is found to be 

 much nearer the surface : the greatest obstacle being that of 

 old roots and trees, which have to be removed from the surface 

 of the clay bed. 



In conclusion, I may add, that although the rough and rugged 

 "Moorlands" are, from their altitude, beyond the growth of corn 

 with profit, and in consequence unpopular in the arena of agri- 

 cultural improvers, I am induced from practical experience to 

 think and hope that the time is not far distant when we shall see 

 even a fashion in this direction, in full competition with emigra- 

 tion, as a home paying pursuit for " stock farming." 



XII. — The Agricultural Meeting at Paris of 1856. 

 By J. Evelyn Denison, M.P. 



In giving an account of the Agricultural Meeting at Paris of 

 1856, it is impossible not to speak, in the first instance, of the 

 great beauty of the general spectacle, and its excellent arrange- 

 ments both for order and effect — a happy example of the charac- 

 teristic genius and taste of the nation. 



It was certainly no common fortune to have such a building as 

 the Palace of Industry ready to the hand for such an exhibition, 

 but it was turned to account with singular skill ; nothing was 

 omitted that could add attraction to the scene. The centre area 

 was formed into a garden stored with rare plants and flowers in 

 full bloom, decorated with fountains, in the basins of which the 

 artificial rearing of fish was exliibited, and enlivened by a collec- 

 tion of birds of rich plumage ; while around, beneath the gal- 

 leries, stalls were arranged for the cattle, with the names of the 

 races inscribed, and with space for above 1000 head, all collected 

 under one roof, kept with the most scrupulous care and neatness, 

 and accessible in the most convenient manner to the crowd of 

 visitors. 



The exhibition consisted of animals^ of machinery., and of 

 products. A president of each class was appointed by the 

 French government, with a large staff of jurors, Frenchmen and 

 foreigners. 



I have availed myself of the obliging assistance of my English 

 colleagues, members of the different juries, who, at my request, 

 were so good as to make notes of such objects as appeared to 



