260 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Extracts by H. Meigs. 



In 1723 a society established iu Scotland of Improvers in the 

 Knowledge of Agriculture, and its transactions were published. 

 It became extinct, and in 1755 was succeeded by another, 

 and that one in 1784 by another, "The Highland Agri- 

 cultural Society of Scotland." This society received a 

 Eoyal Charter in 1787. In 1834 it received another Royal 

 Charter. Premiums to the amount of je2,0,)0 sterling $10,0U0 

 are annually given. 



In Ireland, in 1747, such a society was established, which gave 

 rise to many others. 



In England, in 1777, the "Bath Agricultural Society," was 

 estabhshed, and its transactions published. 



In England, in 1838, The Eoyal Agricultm-al Society was 

 founded. Adopting the motto, " Practice with Science^ The 

 Royal Agricultural Society, founded in 1838, had in seven years, 

 viz: in 1845, been the means, in some measure, of establishing 

 about 400 societies, and those more practical societies, the Far- 

 mers^ Clicbs, which in 1845 amounted to 150. At present the 

 societies and clubs amount to upwards of 700. 



The London Central Farmers' Club is so rooted and supported 

 that its influence is widely felt, and it has earned for itself the 

 appellation of the " Bridge Street Parliament:^ These clubs 

 awaken the spirit of enquiry. In the words of a great living 

 statesman, "neither our fleets, however well manned, nor oiu- 

 armies, however valorous, nor our diplomacy, however successful, 

 can do so much as the plow," &c. 



SEASONS OF NEW ENGLAND FOR 200 YEARS. 



We owe gratitude to Charles L. Flint, secretary of the Board 

 of Agriculture of Massachusetts for his reports. In the second 

 annual report in January 1855, we find extensive accounts of the 

 seasons since the first settlement of New-England. 



At that early period the land was covered by thick and bound- 

 less forests — yet we find severe drought more frequent than in 

 the last fifty years. The people often suffered. 



In 1642 a cow worth £22 was sold for X6. 



1646 and 1649 remarkable for caterpillars. 



1658, '59, '60 and 61, canker worms destroyed the apples in 

 Boston. 



In 1623 to 1630 corn parched up short in the hills. 



We refer for interesting details to the report. 



