4 



it 





4 



t 



1844.] 



^^^^TfT-.AnT one desirous of purchasing 



SEED-V\ HtA I- 7 t the two varieties 



«•* f fmRREFF r s HOPETOUN and MORTON'S RED 



STR AW ""'^RM, THORNBURY .GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 

 WHITFIELD FARM of ^ wh e„ the value 



Tbe present w the y ^ bg Mcertalned b y inS pec- 



of any variety of w ne Qf & roere , f the grai „ ( 



tion ; fcr. |f J n * f„ at any time, be nearly ^instructive as to 

 " hich rf n in the eye of the baker (see Ag. Gazette, No. 5), . 1 t is 

 to qa , , K na^ to the Productiveness or habit of growth of the 

 entirely so as to tne P Th intSf wnlch are of the 



Tmrie ty to ^J A b f J; eye of the Farmer, can be ascertained 



* i6he K St Z V ~Z "a fon of the growing plant when in full ear. 

 only by an examinauu ^ M e ORToy , Whitfield, Thornbury. 



THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE. 



465 





Cf)e ggricaltar al @a?gttg + 



SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1844 



NOS FOR THE TWO FOLLOWING WEEKS. 

 ".-"""„.- t.,i v 17 Agricultural Society of England. 

 ?S J* jS 18 ^cultural Imp. Soc. of Ireland. 



TrwtuT, J^y 23 7 Meeting, Implement, and Cattle Shows 

 V«r>NMPAY, July 24 C of the Agricultural Society of England, 

 TninsriAT, July 2S I at Southampton. 



f bu«pat, Jul? £ Agricultural Imp. Soc- of Ireland. 



FARMERS' CLUBS 

 f Richmondshlre 



JuJy **\ Grove Ferry. 



CVebenham. 

 JulyW^tokeFer^ 



1 ' iGlouces 



ster. 



(.Hales worth. 



-> 



Doubtless most of our readers have heard of the 

 Agricultural Museum at Stirling, established 

 and conducted by Messrs. Drummond and Sons. 

 That institution has not only been of immense 

 benefit to the agriculture of the district in which it 

 is placed, but it has, through its numerous visitors, 

 greatly furthered the progress of good farming gene- 

 rally. Now, all the advantages which this esta- 

 blishment has conferred on Stirlingshire, may equally 

 be secured for any district in the kingdom by any 

 one who will adopt the simple measures necessary 

 for the purpose. And should any one feel desirous 

 of making such a patriotic attempt, having made 

 inquiry as to the steps taken by the Messrs. Drum- 

 mond in the early history of their Museum, we 

 publish the result for his information. 



But first let us direct attention to the following 

 statement by S. D. Stirling, Esq., of Glenbervie, 

 which he, as a Stirlingshire landlord, gives of the 

 advantage of this Institution. 



" In reference to the following statistics of 

 the Stirling Agricultural Museum, I shall notice a 

 few of the advantages which a wide district has de- 

 rived from this establishment ; and which are equally 

 within the reach of any district where the landlords 

 choose to give a helping hand to those whose interest 

 in the land is as great, though not as permanent, as 

 their own. A detail of these will be the easiest mode 

 of pointing out what are the requisites for the suc- 

 cessful establishment of such an institution. The 

 Messrs. Drummond possess a practical knowledge of 

 all matters connected with agriculture and horticul- 

 ture^ — this is one requisite ; and they are ever ready, 

 either themselves, or by the aid of their numerous 

 friends, to test the value of any alleged improvement 

 either in seeds, roots, or agricultural implements. 

 Thus quackery cannot go long undetected, and the 

 farmer, by seeing a great variety of the articles he 

 may require, and having access to the opinion of 

 those who, being unbiassed, have properly tested their 

 respective merits, is able to judge what will best suit 

 his wants or his means. Another advantage of this 

 institution lies in the emulation which is excited 

 amongst the tradesmen who supply the different 

 implements to the Messrs. Drummond; for if the 

 articles furnished by one are in any respect inferior 

 to those of his neighbours, either in material, form, 

 or workmanship, the want of demand soon puts all 

 to r 'ghts. Messrs. Drummond also spare neither 

 trouble nor expense in procuring such implements as 

 are most approved from every district, however dis- 

 tant : they have thus obtained for their Museum such 

 a name that orders are sent from distances to which 

 the cost of transit alone would appear to be an in- 

 surmountable obstacle. To this Museum all are 

 admitted, and the uses and merits of each article ex- 

 hibited are explained ; nor does this attention always 

 §\ unrew arded, for much useful information is often 

 Warned from casual visitors, which is again circu- 

 thr ' if n(1 an extensive connection is thus formed, 

 rough which all questions respecting agricultural 

 *!!** are readily answered. 



q . e is also a large collection of Grains and 



rasses m the straw, from which many a useful 



tohT 1S , t0 belea ™ed ; and being labelled in a manner 



oe understood by the agricultural classes generally, 



fine who ma y have t^n charmed and misled by 

 odor 1 ! 80168 ' lt becomes evident that Anthoxanthum 

 less JJ uman< l Cynosuruscristatus are neither morenor 

 ^s man sweet-scented Vernal and Dog's-tail Grass, 

 UnpVr^l | t0 ° P revale nt in soil which they affect, and too 

 kept om Ctl i e Reserve to be placed where they can be 

 suited f 1S also explained which Grasses are best 

 Which v° r - particular soils and Particular purposes; 

 u varieties of Grain are best adapted for situations 



where the crop may be expected to lodge, and, where 

 this is inevitable, which will suffer least from being 

 laid. Specimens of root-crops are also annually sent 

 to this Museum by the agriculturists, and their 

 different merits are freely commented on ; and 

 whereas, at first, size was principally aimed at by 

 exhibitors, good shape to turn the rain, and specific 

 gravity, as indicating solidity, are now considered 

 of more importance. 



" It would be tedious to enumerate all, or nearly all 

 that is to be found in this Museum, which has been 

 collected by the unwearied attention of the Messrs. 

 Drummond ; suffice it to say, that it is calculated to 

 exert as useful an influence as any establishment of 

 the kind in Europe, and that to it the district and 

 Scotland is much indebted for its advanced state of 

 agricultural improvement." 



The following is the answer of the Messrs. Drum- 

 mond to an inquiry into the statistics of their insti- 

 tution : — 



" It was chiefly from witnessing the advantages 

 resulting from collections of vegetable productions 

 at Horticultural Shows, and from observing the 

 interest excited by fine specimens of Agricultural 

 produce, which were occasionally sent to their 

 premises for exhibition, that W. Drummond and 

 Sons conceived the idea of affording, as far as pos- 

 sible, an opportunity for such exhibitions on an 

 enlarged and regular plan. 



" The following is a copy of their first circular : — 

 " ' To Agriculturists. — It is proposed to exhibit at 

 the premises of W. Drummond and Sons, Stirling, 

 on the 11th of November next, and the three suc- 

 ceeding weeks, specimens of all the varieties of 

 Turnip, Carrot, Potato, and other roots and seeds 

 connected with the agriculture of this district. 

 Such specimens will be received from any quarter, 

 betwixt this and the above date ; and as it is of import- 

 ance to have these productions properly labelled, it 

 is very desirable that they should be accompanied 

 with a note stating the name of the variety, by whom 

 grown, the weight or measure of each, the produce 

 per acre, description of soil, and the kind and Quan- 

 tity of manure applied, &c. Those interested are 

 respectfully invited to an inspection. — Stirling, 



September 27, 1831/ 



u The proposal was promptly and well responded 

 to, for at this first essay there were above 80 lots of 

 roots, and 160 specimens of grain, also a few imple- 

 ments shown. The contributors were above 200, 

 the visitors several thousands, of all ranks. 



" A Report of the Exhibition was published in 

 December, 18S1, wherein it is remarked, that in 

 matters of substantive fact there are no means of 

 acquiring knowledge so convincing and abiding as 

 those afforded by the eyes and the hands, and that 

 men cannot form just ideas of the relative value of 

 any subject without comparison, and the more exten- 

 sive in number and condensed in position the sub- 

 jects of that comparison are, the more evident and 

 correct will their relative characters appear. In 

 culture, such opportunities of comparison had hitherto 

 seldom occurred, but it was hoped that this Exhi- 

 bition would form the germ of a system destined to 

 grow and flourish. Early in the succeeding year 



(1832) circulars containing a fuller prospectus and 

 details were issued. The specimens shown were 

 multiplied and varied, with a more specific and 

 correct labelling. The interest excited and number 

 of visitors increased. This second Exhibition con- 

 tinued from 1 6th November till 1 6th March following. 

 A report, with communications, was thereafter pub- 

 lished. In the Preface it is observed that, u To speak 

 of the merits of this mode of circulating agricultural 

 knowledge is rendered unnecessary by its already 

 felt advantages, and by the cordial approval of com- 

 petent judges. The machinery of such Exhibitions 

 being of the most simple kind, may easily be adopted 

 by any agricultural association." The third year 



(1833) the Exhibition was commenced earlier, on 

 account of the Highland and Agricultural Society of 

 Scotland holding its annual meeting in Stirling that 

 year. The collections of specimens and implements, 

 &c. far surpassed the preceding ones, and were 

 inspected with approval by the thousands of agri- 

 culturists who attended the great meeting, and the 

 Directors of the Society soon afterwards signified 

 their approbation by the award of their Gold Medal 

 to ■ Messrs. Drummond, in approbation of their 

 having originated an Exhibition of seeds, plants, and 

 other specimens useful in the operations of practical 

 agriculture.' 



• A third Report was published, and the Exhibition 

 rendered permanent under the designation of an Agri- 

 cultural Museum or Repository. With this Report 

 were given also several excellent communications, 

 particularly Remarks on thorough Drainage and deep 

 Ploughing, by Mr. Smith, of Deanston ; by which 

 and by his valuable counsel and assistance in the 

 whole undertaking, that gentleman has eminently 

 contributed to its success. It happened most oppor- 

 tunely also, that spirited and well-conducted improve- 



agri- 



men ts were in progress at Polmaise, Glenbervie' 

 Keir, Blair- Drummond, and other estates in the 

 neighbourhood, the proprietors of which have ever 

 given their most cordial and efficient support. 



" The Agricultural Museum, in connexion with the 

 Warehouse, has continued to prosper, the connexion 

 being of mutual advantage ; for the Warehouse con- 

 tains full-sized implements, &c , daily coming in, 

 and exhibits the successive improvements of various 

 makers ; it prevents the stagnation which must more 

 or less take place in the interest excited by collections 

 of mere specimens and models; the demand, too, 

 which here takes place for particular seeds or imple- 

 ments affords a fair and therefore a useful test of 



their value. 



"In 1840, for the better conducting cf the es- 

 tablishment, a large building was designed and 

 erected, consisting of four halls or floors, each 160 

 feet in length, and 20 to 25 feet in breadth ; the two 

 uppermost being chiefly allotted to the Museum, the 

 two undermost to the Warehouse; and in December, 

 1843, an Agricultural Museum and Warehouse, in 

 connexion with their Stirling one, was opened by 

 Messrs. Drummond and Sons, in Dublin, which has 

 met wiih the greatest encouragement. 



" The number of visitors has nearly doubled within 

 these few years, and may now average 1 000 per 

 month, including many strangers, and often fo- 

 reigners, who visit Stirling in their route, and 

 gentlemen connected with agriculiure, who fre- 

 quently come from a distance on purpose to inspect 

 the collection and the farming improvements of the 

 district. The frequent and careful inspection, and 

 the purchase and trial of new and improved seeds 

 and implements, which might not otherwise have 

 come under observation by those active as improvers, 

 afford ample proof of the value of the Agricultural 

 Museum in helping them forward. And very seldom 

 indeed have any, although not naturally improvers, 

 been found so apathetic, on viewing the whole col- 

 lection, as not to feel and express an increasing 



interest in its objects. 



" In regard to the matter of finance, or the support 

 of the Museum as distinct from the Warehouse : 

 after the first three years, the outlay having become 

 considerable, a small fund, the proceeds of admission 

 tickets and subscriptions of agricultural friends, con- 

 tributed partly to the expenses ; but, business trans- 

 actions increasing its maintenance, this had for a 

 number of vears been thrown wholly on the profits 

 of the Warehouse, which are derived notfro'n higher 

 prices, however, on the goods— as they, equally with 

 those of other salesmen, are exposed to competition— 

 but by extent of business conducted with economy 



and attention." 



The concluding paragraphs of this statement are 

 worthy of attention. It appears that this Museum 

 has not only been a source of profit to the neighbour- 

 hood in which it is placed, but also, through its 

 visitors, who naturally become customers, to the 

 spirited proprietors of it. This is a very important 

 point, and one which justifies the anticipation that 

 much of our future progress in agricultural improve- 

 ment may be owing to the operation of Museums of 

 this description, hereafter to be established by seeds- 

 men, agricultural implement makers, and others, 

 over the extent of the country. 



No additions, whether through the aid of scientific 

 men or otherwise, to our present knowledge as 

 farmers, valuable though it might be, can exceed in 

 national importance the benefits which would follow 

 the universal diffusion of what is already known, 

 though it be by few ; and this can only be obtained 



.l i. *.u- :..a.. an «a nf ovamnlp farms and Agrt- 



through the influence of example farms 

 cultural Museums. 



After a season of unexampled drought the 

 country is at length blessed with refreshing rams. 

 The effects of the weather we have experienced are 

 reported as follows :- Wheat has not suffered Wt 

 injury except on light and shallow soils. A gen de- 

 man who has lately travelled through the counties 

 of Essex Herts, Bedford, Northampton, and Lincoln, 

 and through Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berks, 

 and Gloucestershire, informs us that if it be har- 

 vested well, he anticipates a full average crop. In 

 Scotland again, where the weather does not appear 

 to have been so dry, still less injury, if any, has been 



done. 



With regard to all spring Corn, however, a very 



different report is given. Beans and Peas will be a 

 very poor crop ; Oats and Barley will not only be 

 comparatively unproductive per acre, but the Dreatl1 ** 

 of land sown, especially of the latter, is much : lew 

 than usual-farmers having in many cases tieiajeu 

 sowing till too late, in the hope of wet weather. 



The Hay crop is one of the lightest ever knojrn^ 

 and less than the ordinary extent of Grass ^ n ^ 

 mown— much that was intended lor £ 



been required for the cattle, owing to tnc 

 I the pastures. 



