194 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



averted if the suggestion of " Professor Kane " to the Agricultural Society 

 as to drying the farina of the potato had been extensively carried out. 



Towards the end of 1 845 the Society, at the suggestion of " Pierce 

 Mahony," a member of Council, placed themselves in communication with 

 Her Majesty's Government with the view of urgin<T the employment of the 

 people in works of land drainage and reclamation and the cheapening of 

 procedure in availing of the Drainage Acts, 5 and 6 Vic, c. 89. Strong re- 

 presentations were urged at the reception of a deputation. Sir T. Free- 

 mantle promised to have the matter brought under the notice of H. M. 

 Government. Professor Kane reported that a committee consisting of Pro- 

 fessor Lindley, Professor Lyon Playfair, and himself were sitting at the 

 Royal Dublin Society, having been nominated by the Government, to in- 

 quire into the scientific aspect of the potato Qisease. Professor Kane wrote 

 suggesting the growing of new varieties of potatoes from the seed of the 

 piotato apple. The Lord Lieutenant offered prizes of ;£'500 for the raising 

 of new varieties of potatoes and for land dramage. 



Various conflicting reports on the potato disease were received, but on 

 the whole the situation in this regard was considered most serious. Sug- 

 gestions were sent out from Societies urging circumspection and recom- 

 mending the sowing of Swedish turnips, Aberdeens, or cabbages at once on 

 land where the disease appeared. 



Early in 1847 Mr. C. V. Trevellyan of the Treasury sends to the Society 

 extracts and papers from Miss Martineau and Mr. Buckland for the instruc- 

 tion of the farming classes. During 1 847 the Local Societies increased con- 

 siderably in number for affiliation. Most interesting reports showing much 

 enthusiasm were received from them. 



The Society presented an address of welcome to Lord Clarendon, who, 

 during his Vice-Royalty gave rrost earnest attention to Irish affairs. His 

 Excellency gave a long and sympathetic reply in which he commends " The 

 zeal and perseverance with which you labour not only to introduce improve- 

 ment in Agriculture and to diffuse sound practical knowledge, but to 

 combat want of support and the apathy of those from whom you had a right 

 to expect far different conduct ; but that this blindness to their own interests 

 should long continue on the part of landowners I hold to be impossible, for 

 they must know that we live in times of active competition when all who will 

 not be distanced in the race must exert every energy." The question of 

 bringing mstruction to the small farmers and to districts out of touch with 

 improved methods had not hitherto been considered. In a long and 

 thoughtful letter to the Council of the Society Lord Clarendon notes, 

 " The means for bettering the condition of the Irish people must for a 

 long time be looked for in the improvement of the processes adopted in 

 the cultivation of the soil," and urges " a sound practical instruction as to the 

 well established principles upon which their operations should be based." 

 He suggests the autumn for practical instruction by competent persons who 

 should impress upon the people the means to be adopted for good cultiva- 

 tion the following year. The instructors, he goes on to say, should be able 

 to speak with authority, and the lectures should give information on such 

 subjects as — 



1. Draining and subsoiling. 



2. Rotation and green cropping. 



3. Economy of manuring, and housef ceding cattle. 



