162 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



importance to the farmers, besides having their own knowledge 

 advanced, and their own zeal quickened in this great cause. The 

 commissioner of patents in Washington, distinguished by his 

 indefatigable exertions for the advancement of agriculture, has 

 already laid the foundation of such a collection, at the metropo 

 lis of the country, and in connection with his own department, 

 where models of all patented agricultural machinery are always 

 to be seen. It is to be hoped that the friends of an improved 

 agriculture in the country will encourage and assist him in ex 

 tending his collection of valuable grains and seeds. There are 

 few ways so little expensive, in which they may render so much 

 service to the country. It would be desirable that the govern 

 ment should enjoin it upon the commanders of all their ships of 

 war, visiting different parts of the globe, that they should collect 

 and bring home such seeds and plants, and such models of im 

 plements, as would be likely to be of use. That universal vege 

 table, the potato, furnishing so much food to man and beast, and 

 scarcely second to any in value, considering the multitudes whom 

 it supplies, and the quantity of food it affords, is said to be an 

 importation from South America. The cotton plant, a source of 

 enormous wealth to the country, is likewise esteemed a foreign 

 plant. 



Besides this, the Royal Agricultural Society issues a semi- 

 yearly publication of valuable communications and papers, both 

 on the science and practice of agriculture, which fall in its way, 

 or are made to the society in reply to queries proposed for discus 

 sion and for information, upon* which it offers premiums of a 

 pecuniary or an honorary nature. 



The society, likewise, at some place in the country, easily 

 accessible, hold an annual show or exhibition of animals, 

 implements, and agricultural products, upon the best of which it 

 awards premiums. This occupies, generally, four days. Tues 

 day is exclusively assigned to the several committees for the 

 inspection of subjects of premium, in the way of implements 

 and agricultural machinery, when no persons whatever, except 

 ing the committees and persons necessarily attendant upon them, 

 are admitted to the yard, so that they have a favorable opportu 

 nity of quiet inspection, uninterrupted by any interested or curi 

 ous parties ; Wednesday is devoted, in the same way, to the 

 examination of the animals, and afterwards the yards are open 



