4:52 Abstract Rejiort of Agricultural Discussions. 



Mr. Biu'bery, of Kenilwortli, says : — 



" 1 believe the past generation of farmers gave their sons greater educational 

 advantat^es than they had had the benefit of themselves ; and I observe farmers 

 of the present day who have the means, are desirous of giving their sons a 

 useful general education." 



In Warwicksliire, Mr. Adkins, of Milcote, says : — 

 " There arp countless instances where the son's intelligence or social bearing 

 is in uo degree superior to his parent's ; but, speaking generally, the present 

 generation of farmers is far in advance of tlic last generation in education, and 

 therefore in intelligence." 



In Norfolk, Mr. Clare Scwcll Ecad declares : — 



" There can be little doubt that, as far as education and general intelligence 

 are concerned, farmers of the present day arc greatly in advance of the past 

 generation." 



From North LincolnsHrc I hear : — 



"No doubt the present generation are much better educated than any 

 former, particularly the smaller farmers, though many of the more respectable 

 class of the last generation were well-educated men, and their social standing 

 has not so much altered as in some counties." 



In Yorkshire, Mr. Stevenson, of Thirsk, writes : — 



"]\Iy opinion is that the f:irmers of tlie present generation are considerably 



superior to tliosc of the ])ast — more intelligent, better educated, and occupying 



a higher social position." 



And Mr. Outhwaite, of BainessCj Catterick, says : — ■ 

 "The present generation of farmers in this neighbourhood are both far better 

 educated, and much more anxious for general information than the last. Forty 

 years ago the tenant-farmers could read very imperfectly, kept very inaccurate 

 accounts, and never left their homes except to market. Now, every farmer of 

 50 or more acres of land takes at least one newspaper weekly, attends some 

 club or reading-room, and is ready to take part in any discussion that may 

 arise at the market dinner-table on agricultural subjects. I remember the 

 time when any order, however absurd, sent from the landlord or his steward, 

 would be implicitly obeyed. Now, it would be read over, considered, and dis- 

 cussed, and, if found injurious to the tenant-farmer, petitioned against, and 

 published in newspapers." 



Lastly, I quote Mr. Dods and Mr. Grey, of Dilston, as to Northumber- 

 land. The former says : — 



" The present generation of farmers are better educated, are more alive to the 

 benefits of education, and have better opportunities of conferring these advan- 

 tages OQ their sons than any previous generation." 



And Mr. Grey, of Dilston, than whom no one in this country is 

 better entitled to the respectful regards of English agriculturists for 

 his long and honoiu-ablc agricultm-al career, speaking of the Hexham 

 Fai-mers' Club, v/hich he many years ago established, says : — 



" The existence of such a club in a rural distiict, comprising 221 members, 

 with a library of 489 volumes, besides several agricultural periodicals, is a 

 strong fact in proof of the better education and increased knowledge of the 

 present generation : — 



' We've fallen on better times ; men read and think ; 

 Our good forefathers used to fight and drink.' 



