PREFACE. 



THE history of the Central and Associated Chambers 

 of Agriculture is, in effect, the political history of British 

 farming. As such, this volume, so ably compiled by the 

 present Secretary of the Central Chamber in the fiftieth 

 year of its existence, deserves to be carefully perused, and 

 thereafter kept as an invaluable book of reference by 

 everyone who claims to be in any sense an Agriculturist. 

 Courageously and clearly expressed, it is the record of 

 the indefatigable labours of courageous men belonging to 

 both political parties in the State, united in the prosecution 

 of a common and patriotic aim. These men have been 

 inspired by the sincere conviction that upon the well-being 

 of Great Britain's oldest industry depend the ultimate 

 economic welfare of her people, their physical and mental 

 virility, and that healthy outlook upon national problems 

 which alone can maintain her pre-eminent position among 

 the nations of the world. Braced by this inspiration, they 

 have fearlessly and persistently, in face of the criticism of 

 political colleagues and the powerful opposition of industrial 

 monopolists, predatory middlemen, and unpractical urban 

 faddists, voiced the true needs of Agriculture, and 

 co-operated whole-heartedly to protect it against unfair 

 and prejudiced treatment and crushing financial burdens. 

 In this Agricultural Roll of Honour will ever be included 

 the honoured names of Clare Se\vell Read, Albert Pell, 

 Massey Lopes, Richard Paget, Henry Chaplin, Jasper 

 More, St. John Ackers, Bowen Bowen-Jones, Jesse Collings, 

 William Stratton, Pickering Phipps, William Lipscomb, 



