Agricultural Organisation 



slowly, feeling its way and working out its line 

 of action by degrees. In its second year Lord 

 Onslow was fortunate enough to persuade my 

 old friend Mr. Charles Bathurst to become 

 secretary ; he was the right man in the right 

 place at the right moment. He succeeded in 

 prevailing upon every landowner in his own 

 county of Gloucestershire to join the association. 

 Above all, he made the Central Land Associa- 

 tion an influence within the House of Commons 

 to a greater degree than had been achieved by 

 any former agricultural body. During the 

 time of Mr. Bathurst's secretaryship he suc- 

 ceeded, I think, in convincing other agricultural 

 bodies that the Central Land Association, far 

 from poaching on the preserves of other 

 societies, exists for the purpose of aiding all 

 other societies in their work as far as possible, 

 and that it is especially anxious to secure 

 unity and concord among them. 



The Central Land Association has now about 

 I, GOO members, i.e., about one-fifth of the total 

 number of landowners of over i,ooo acres; but a 

 larger proportion than this ought to be enrolled 

 in the society in order to give it real weight. 

 We want 3,000 or 4,000 members, and though I 

 happen to have mentioned men owning over 

 1,000 acres there is no qualification required. 

 Agents, farmers and all persons interested in the 

 welfare of agriculture are welcomed ; in fact, I 



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