136 On Florin Grass. 



Helena cultivates it successfully. Denmark, with avowed grati- 

 tude, exults in the complete establishment of this vegetablcj 

 equally productive in their cold climate and in our own, 

 Russia too sent a Si;auant to Clonfecle to learn Fiorin culture. 



You must forgive me for obtruding a few words on a subject 

 which, thou!;h not in your immediate department, was intro- 

 duced in your omi IMagazine ; and for showing that, although 

 it may not be entitled to the name of science, yet it has always 

 been treated by me scicntificatly. 



You, Mr. Tilloch, who have occasionally published my geo- 

 logical papers, know that my method is simple. I first establish 

 facts, — then ))roceed to the inferences that follow directly from 

 them. In agriculture I pursue the same line ; for. when my ob- 

 ject was to introduce the culture of Fiorin gra^s, by impressing 

 on the world an high idea of its value, I commenced by esta- 

 blishing its curious properties as inyfach; and then showed the 

 important consequences that must 7iecessarily follow its pretty 

 general culture. 



As Mr. Farey states that I ha.\e failed, he brings the question 

 to issue between the English f'armtrs and me. I must therefore 

 first show that my fads were well established. 



Seldom indeed has such a mass of evidence been produced.— r 

 It is now eight years since I first publicly invited inspection at 

 Clonfecle; and every year since I have been visited by numbers, 

 and among others by m,any of the nobility and prelates of my 

 country, who have unanimously in the face of the public borne 

 testimony to the truth of niv facts, that is chiefiy, immensity of 

 produce, and superior quality of my hay. 



I have now a better opportunity than ever of convincing those 

 who are disposed to doubt the truth of my facts. The liberality 

 of the Irish Farming Socichj ims held out as encouragement, 

 magnificent premiums for the best Fiorin crops in 181(i. i know 

 of several candidates ; and am myself one, though with little pro- 

 spect of success, as the premiums are limited to ntiv crops, and 

 my good grounds are all long under Fiorin. 



Here incredulity will he deprived of its usuiil excuses ; care- 

 less inspectors, — partial to me — and chosen by myself! But in 

 this instance, ihc facts, that is, quantity and qunliiy oi produce, 

 will be established by persons nominated by the Farming Society, 

 and jealous couipetitors will take care that I do not deceive. 



Secure of respectable judges, I shall avail myself of the 

 wretched groimd I am limited to, and brave the English farmers, 

 who, as Mr. Farey tells us, are not to be convinced; and I now 

 in June tell thein, that in October I shall exhibit crops of hay, 

 pf superior quality, treble and even quadruple the quantity they 



themselves 



