166 AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTORS ! 



and between a fourth and a fifth in the whole sheep 

 stock ; while there has been an increase of about one 

 fortieth in the "mules and asses," one ninetieth in 

 cattle, and about one fourth in pigs. The increase in 

 pigs is partly accounted for by the increased breadth of 

 potatoes cultivated in 1848 as compared with 1847, 

 that having occupied 109,012 acres in 1848, and only 

 29,417 in 1847. 



The want of statistical information of a similar cha- 

 racter to this, has long been felt in Great Britain. The 

 importance of correct data as to a matter of such vital 

 consequence as the food of the whole nation, would cer- 

 tainly warrant the necessary expenditure. Nor does 

 it seem that that should be great. In Ireland advan- 

 tage has been taken of the presence in every district of 

 that efficient body, the Constabulary force, through whom 

 are furnished the returns on which these statistical 

 tables are founded. We have no similar body in this 

 country ; but the same information might be obtained, at 

 very moderate cost, through the poor-law officials, now 

 stationed in every parish in Great Britain. 



The appointment of Agricultural Instructors is 

 a plan which originated with his Excellency Lord 

 Clarendon, who for each of the last two years has placed 

 £1000 at the disposal of the Royal Agricultural 

 Improvement Society of Ireland, to aid them in this 

 object. Subscriptions were likewise opened, and con- 

 tributions sent in, by local agricultural societies, and a 

 fund of £2583 collected. To each of fifteen local 

 societies, which had contributed a portion of the ex- 



