ADDRESS. 267 



every where abounded ; the bogs had disappeared ; the 

 thistles no longer existed ;" naked fallows were abolish- 

 ed ; draining was extensively introduced ; wet lands were 

 made dry ; poor weeping clays were converted into tur- 

 nip soils ; and " whole parishes were completely trans- 

 formed from unsightly marshes, into beautiful and rich 

 wheat-fields ; and where the plough could scarcely be 

 driven for slush and water, were heavy crops per acre, 

 and heavy weight per bushel."* The improvements in 

 Scotch husbandry have continued to advance, until, ac- 

 cording to the estimate of Sir John Sinclair, and Profes- 

 sor Low, both very high authority, — the acreable prod- 

 ucts of her soil more than double those of our Atlantic 

 States. 



The means adopted by the Highland Society to effect 

 these radical improvements in Scotch husbandry, are such 

 as may be employed by us with almost a certainty of cor- 

 responding success. " In the days of its youth and fee- 

 bleness," says the Quarterly Journal I have just quoted, 

 "the Highland Society sent the leaven of the turnip 

 husbandry into all the glens and straths of the north, by 

 offers of small prizes to certain Highland parishes, and 

 the same may be said as to the growth of clover and the 

 finer grasses. As it advanced in strength, as to numbers, 

 and to cash, attention was turned to premiums for stock ; 

 then came offers of reward to men of science to discovei 

 better implements and machines, to diminish friction, and 

 consequently draught, such as in the threshing-mill, and 

 other parts of agricultural machinery. Still advancing in 

 the scale of intellect and of science, premiums were 

 offered for essays to bring to light the facts connected 

 with chemistry and natural philosophy ; and, under the 

 auspices of the society, was set up the Quarterly Journal 

 of Agriculture, a work which has been the vehicle of 

 conveying so much useful information to the agriculturist, 

 that we humbly venture to say, it ought to appear on the 

 book-shelf and table of every farmer's parlor. After 

 this, the great stock-shows were resolved upon." At the 



* Quarterly Jour. Ag. for June, 1839, p. 70. 



