Book II. FUTURE PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE. nsi 



in 1795; one in Dublin, supported by the Dublin society; one in Cork, and one is 

 destined to be established at some future period in Oxford, agreeably to the will and 

 donation of Dr. Sibthorpe (7004.), professor of botany there. 



BOOK II. 



OF THE FUTURE PftOGRESS OF AGRICULTURE IN BRITAIN. 



7137. Tlie improvement of agriculture^ like that of every art, manufacture, or com- 

 modity, necessarily depends on demand and production : a powerful or effectual 

 demand will ensure produce, and excellent produce will, to a certain extent, create da- 

 mand. A general nicety of taste in coach or saddle horses will call forth a superior 

 description of these animals, and superior animals will tempt purchasers ; if the inhabi- 

 tants of any district who live chiefly on barley or oats, indicate a preference for wheat, and 

 a willingness to pay for that grain, wheat will be produced, and so on. Again, as the 

 object of every individual who engages in art or trade, is to acquire gain, the advance- 

 ment of an art will depend mainly on the profits it affords ; an art or occupation which 

 affords less than the average profits on capital, will only be followed by such as, from 

 habit or other reasons, cannot apply themselves to any thing better, but extra profits will 

 command both capital and skill. From these considerations it is obvious that the im- 

 })rovement of agriculture depends on the profits on capital employed in it, on the taste 

 of those who purchase its products, and on the knowledge of those who are engaged in 

 agriculture as a profession. The first subject would lead us further into political 

 economy than would be of much use in a work of this kind, and therefore we sliall limit 

 ourselves to a few remarks on the other topics. 



Chap. I. 



Of the Imj)rovement of Agriculture hy refining the Taste of the Purchasers of its Products, 

 and increasing the A^nowledge of Agricultural Patrons. 



7138. The desire of being comfortable \^ the first step towards improvement ; but be- 

 fore any thing can be desired, we must know what it is. Men rest satisfied with what 

 they have when they know of nothing better, and therefore one of the main sources of 

 improving the taste both of those who purchase agricultural produce from necessity, and 

 those patrons of agriculture who purchase jointly from necessity and choice, is the in- 

 crease of knowledge. Could a taste for wheaten bread and butcher meat be introduced 

 generally among the operative classes in Scotland and Ireland, the advantages to agri- 

 culture would be immense. Could the same persons be taught to desire a greater 

 de<Tree of cleanliness, light and warmth in their cottages, a greater variety of potherbs, 

 salads, fruits, and flowers in their gardens, and handsome dresses for their wives and 

 daughters ; how great the general benefit ! Much may be done to bring about this change, 

 by tlie opulent who are willing to reside on their estates and to take a little trouble. 

 Building good and comfortable cottages, and attaching proper gardens, and stocking 

 them with trees and plants from the demesne garden; offering little premiums, or 

 marks of distinction for keeping them in the nicest order, and for decently clothed, 

 well-bred children, would soon have a sensible effect ; attending to that kind of education 

 which consists in teaching infants civility and politeness, with mutual respect and re- 

 straint as occasion requires ; and teaching grown children how to work at almost every 

 thing likely to come in their way, as is done in the improved German and Swiss schools, 

 would, independently of reading and writing, do a great deal to soften and humanize 

 the peasant mind. Encouragement should be given to save money for unforseen wants, 

 or age ; and the certain effects pointed out of early marriages, followed by numerous 

 offspring. These and a variety of similar means would be productive of some change of 

 taste in tlie operative part of rural society. 



7139. The introduction of manvfactrii'ing establishments, wherever it could be properly 

 done, would contribute to the same effect : those who work at manufactures, and even 

 common mechanics, generally live better, and are better clothed and lodged than the 

 common covnitry laborer ; therefore their example would be of use in introducing a 

 salutary degree of luxury, ** llie endeavoring to impress on the minds of the lower 



