THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 147 



In 1838 the Royal Agricultural Society was founded, 

 and its shows, continued ever since, have brought before 

 landlords and farmers all the current improvements 

 in both stock and machinery. A few years later 

 systematic experiments in agriculture were started 

 by Mr., afterwards Sir, John Lawes at his farm at 

 Rothamsted, and scientific agriculture made a begin- 

 ning. From Rothamsted, farmers have from that 

 time been able to learn much of the exact value of 

 manures, the best rotation of crops, and the principles 

 which underlie the improvement of stock. Improve- 

 ments in these matters and in other directions went 

 slowly and steadily on year by year. Lighter ploughs 

 were introduced, and there was a wider use of the 

 threshing-machine and of the drill. Scientific methods 

 of draining were introduced by Smith of Deanston, 

 and cylindrical pipes made cheaply by machinery re- 

 sulted in the spread of both deep and surface drainage. 

 This had a great effect in bringing wet land under 

 cultivation. Manuring was carried on upon more scien- 

 tific lines, and nitrate of soda and guano began to be 

 used for this purpose. Stock steadily improved, and 

 crops increased in amount and were of better quality. 

 In addition to other roots, mangel-wurzels and kohl- 

 rabi spread, and there was a more scientific growth 

 and selection of seed of all sorts. 



At first the improvements were only taken up by the 

 larger farmers, but after the introduction of Free Trade 

 in 1849 they spread more rapidly. The drop in prices 

 which then occurred created a panic, and though the 

 fall was only temporary in character, it seems to have 

 caused agriculturists to bestir themselves to greater 

 efforts. Good farming of the modern type then spread 

 widely throughout England. The actual novelties 



