1076 



STATISTICS OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part IV. 



6922. The slug {Limax) is without a shell, and distinguished by its lateral pore. There are sixteen 

 British species: the L. ater {fig. 765 b), alba, and hyalinus are the most common in gardens ; and the 

 L. agrestis (a) is common both in gardens and fields, and is the species recommended to be swallowed by 

 consumptive persons. The snail {Helix) is a numerous genus, and, like the slug, very destructive to 

 plants and fruit : both snails and slugs are hermaphrodite, having both sexes united in each individual; 

 they lay their eggs with great care in the earth, and the young ones are hatched, the slugs without shells, 

 and the snails with shells completely formed. They are most troublesome in spring and autumn, and 

 during mild weather in winter. In dry warm weather, and during frosts, they retire into the earth and 

 remain there in a torpid state. The most common species is the H. hortensis {Jig. 765 c), or garden-snail, 



765 



of which it is remarked, that having once attacked a leaf or fruit, it will not begin on another till the 

 first is wholly eaten. Snails, slugs, and worms, may be annoyed by caustic substances scattered over 

 them, or by watering with bitter infusions, acids or alkalis, as vinegar, or what is equally effectual and 

 cheaper, lime-water ; but the only effectual way of getting rid of snails is by hand-picking. They may 

 be collected under decaying leaves or haulm, laid down on purpose to attract them. In this way, as we 

 have seen (4916.), a whole field may soon, and at little trouble and expense, be effectually cleared of this 

 class of enemies. 



PART IV. 



STATISTICS OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE. 



6923. After having considered agriculture as to its history, as to the scientific princi- 

 ples on which it is founded, and the application of these principles to the different 

 branches of practice ; it remains only to take a statistical survey arid estimate of its present 

 state and future progress in the British isles. 



BOOK L 



OP THE PRESENT STATE OF -AGRICULTURE IN THE BRITISH ISLES. 



6924. The present state of British Agriculture, as to knowledge and the details of prac- 

 tice, has been the subject of the former parts of this work ; but its importance in the 

 general economy of society, can only be learned by a view of the manner in which 

 it is actually carried on ; the modifications to which it has given rise in the pursuits of 

 those who have embraced the art as a source of .livelihood ; of the kinds of farms culti- 

 vated by different orders of agriculturists ; of the principal practices of each of the diffe- 

 rent counties of Britain and Ireland as to agriculture ; of the British authors who have 

 written on the subject j and of the professional police and public laws relative to husband- 

 men and agriculture. 



Chap. L 

 Of the different Descriptions of Men engaged in the Practice or Pursuit of Agriculture. 

 6925. Agriculturists may be arranged as operators or serving agriculturists ; dealers or 

 commercial agriculturists^ counsellors, professors or artists j and patrons. 



