The Farmer 



subsequently so little cared for, that it is now of 

 low value. And yet that its potential value is 

 considerable even as grass is clearly shown by 

 the experiments at Cockle Park, where by wise 

 and absolutely economical treatment grass land 

 originally worth 5s. per acre rose in a few years 

 to 30s. per acre in annual value. Most of the 

 facts I am recording are, I think, quite well re- 

 cognised in England ; but they are lost sight of 

 to a great extent, from the fact that there are a 

 large number of persons — chiefly politicians — 

 who go about assuring the farmers that all is 

 well and that there are no men in the world 

 like English farmers. I agree : they are splen- 

 did men and they have been shamefully treated 

 by these same plausible gentlemen, who want 

 their votes, and in consequence have not the 

 courage to point out to them any short-comings. 



I shall now shortly summarise the different 

 points I have endeavoured to make clear, which 

 appear to me to be adversely affecting English 

 agriculture ; and then I shall try to form an 

 estimate of the extent to which agriculture 

 (and the nation) would benefit if these defects 

 could be remedied and the industry could be 

 re-organised. 



(i) Defective system of agricultural educa- 

 tion. 



(2) Consequent want of organisation in farm 

 operations. 



91 



