ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 183 



excellent mode of securing the permanent and lasting improvement of Agn- 

 culture. 



In consideration of the great difficulty in inducing the peasantry to adopt 

 improvements in Agricultural tools and implements, the establishment of an 

 Agricultural Museum in Dublin, and afterwards in the provinces, was 

 decided upon. This idea was not carried out by the Royal Agricultural 

 Improvement Society, but was, as is well known, subsequently realised by 

 the Royal Dublin Society on their premises in Kildare-street. The Society 

 also made one of its principal objects the publication and distribution of 

 practical knowledge by the publication of Essays by competent persons, and 

 afterwards by the starting of a journal of the Society in which papers written 

 for meetings of the Society and the discussions following were published. 

 The first measure discussed for the amelioration of Agriculture " was the 

 formation of an establishment of a collegiate nature in the form of an Agri- 

 cultural School or College, on an extensive scale, for the education of 

 farmers' sons in all the different branches of husbandry, so as to qualify 

 them hereafter as practical farmers in different parts of the country." 

 The want of such an institution had been long felt, and its necessity ni 

 some central part of the country was fully recognised. The Glasnevin 

 Agricultural School had been just estabhshed at this time, but as this insti- 

 tution was intended solely for teachers it was considered inadequate to meet 

 the necessities of Agricultural instruction for farmers' sons. The general 

 plan of the proposal to establish an Agricultural College was discussed, and a 

 sub-committee was arranged to prepare details. It was hoped that after- 

 wards provincial schools might follow, but the Society would for the present 

 confine itself to the promotion of one large Agricultural College and allow 

 Model Farms and Agricultural Schools to develop with time. It was con- 

 sidered inexpedient that the funds of the Society should be applied under 

 any circumstance to the foundation of such an establishment ; but the 

 Society hoped that when its prospective benefits were known and fully 

 appreciated, the most ample means would be forthcoming for its institution 

 and support. As an outcome of the discussion upon the necessity for a 

 great Agricultural College for Ireland, a committee of the Society was 

 formed which included the names of Acheson Lyle, Chairman, the Provost 

 of Trinity College, Thomas Hutton, George Alexander Hamilton, and James 

 Redmond Barry, gentlemen who at this period were well known as leading- 

 philanthropists. A large farm was secured at Leopardstown, County Dublin, 

 the property of Mr. Anthony Hawkins, a prospectus was issued, and the 

 College opened. 



The Society recognised the great desirability of encouraging improve- 

 ment in the social condition of the Agricultural labourers and small farmers 

 of Ireland. " They are therefore firmly persuaded that no measures can be 

 adopted for permanently and effectually promoting the Agricultural interests 

 in Ireland which do not tend to advance the moral and social condition of 

 the labouring population and to elevate them in society, so that they may 

 learn to feel that the interests of all classes are identified." 



During the remainder of the year 1841 considerable energy was exercised 

 in placing the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland on a 



