136 A HISTORY OF 



CHAPTER VIII 



EXPERIMENTS IN AGRICULTURE, AND GENERAL 

 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. (1764-1780) 



Notwithstanding the premium system, and the 

 efforts of the Dublin Society through its members in 

 various parts of the country, agriculture and hus- 

 bandry in Ireland were in a declining condition about the 

 middle of the eighteenth century. Faulkner's Dublin 

 Journal of the 17th of October 1752, spoke of the 

 great neglect of tillage, and complained that our best 

 lands were being devoted to the grazing and feeding 

 of stock, for the supply of our enemies and rivals in 

 trade, whilst the poor inhabitants were obliged to go 

 abroad for work. It was remarkable that in times of 

 scarcity, " the sourest and most fusty corn and flour 

 were imported from Europe, and even from our Ameri- 

 can colonies." On the 18th of June 1754, the same 

 Journal apologised for leaving out many advertise- 

 ments, so that the list of premiums to be awarded in 

 the ensuing year might be printed, averring that, as 

 the generosity, care, and diligence of the Dublin Society 

 contributed more to the welfare of the nation than all 

 other Societies whatever, the people at large would 

 derive more benefit from such a course being taken. 

 Two columns very closely printed, containing lists of 

 premiums, follow. 



The Society, taking all circumstances into con- 

 sideration, decided on appointing a man skilled in 



