Laxvson^s Agriculturisf s Manual. 439 



had formed an agricultural collection at Stirling, suggested to us the advan- 

 tages likely to be derived from a similar exhibition in Edinburgh, where it 

 might naturally be expected to have a much more extended influence. Fol- 

 lovi^ing the laudable example set before us, we accordingly, in the autumn of 

 1833, fitted up an Agricultural Museum on our premises here, judging that 

 by its means we might have it in our power to present to those honouring us 

 with a visit samples of the various improved vegetable productions connected 

 with agriculture and rural economy, and to bring under their notice the suc- 

 cessful efforts made to facilitate improvement in these high!}' important 

 branches of science. Our endeavours met with more than expected counte- 

 nance and support, insomuch that, by the end of the year ISS^, we were 

 enabled, through the medium of the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, to lay 

 before the public a report of the state of our Museum, more ample than at 

 its commencement we could have anticipated. Encouraged by the increasing 

 number of respectable visitors, and the efficient aid of skilful and kind contri- 

 butors, we determined to persevere in our scheme ; and, from the success 

 which has attended our labours, we feel justified in presenting the Report of 

 our Museum, this season, in form of a separate publication, being convinced 

 that a descriptive enumeration of the various objects which it contains cannot 

 fail to be of considerable interest to all more directly concerned in the 

 advancement of agriculture. 



" To such as are desirous of knowing the peculiar qualities of the different 

 species and varieties of the agricultural plants cultivated in Europe, or ca- 

 pable of being with advantage introduced into the field culture of this country, 

 our catalogue may be confidently recommended, on the ground of its contain- 

 ing more information on the subject than is to be obtained in connexion in 

 any work with which the authors are acquainted. 



" It had been long believed that too httle attention was paid by farmers to 

 the selection and culture of improved varieties of plants ; and the palm, in that 

 respect, was generally assigned to their brethren of the spade, whose pursuits 

 brought the physiology of vegetation more directly under their observation, 

 and whose success in producing improved varieties of fruits, flowers, and 

 esculent vegetables had been held forth as an excitement to emulation. In 

 our report we hope to be able to make it appear that any ground of charge 

 against farm^ers for remissness in this matter no longer exists ; and we sin- 

 cerely trust that what has already been achieved will stimulate to redoubled 

 exertion. 



" Of the cereal grains, we are enabled to exhibit more than eighty distinct 

 varieties and species of wheat, many of which possess superior qualities, so 

 diversified, however, as to afford ample means of selection for sowing on 

 strong or light soils, in autumn or spring, on low or elevated situations ; 

 while some of them are suited for greater heights than any at which this 

 species of grain has hitherto been cultivated in Britain. A great proportion 

 of these wheats, as well as the other specimens of plants exhibited, have been 

 grown in our own experimental grounds ; and the remarks attached to each 

 kind will enable our readers to judge of their comparative merits. 

 s- " Of barley we are enabled to show twenty distinct varieties of various 

 excellence. Of these the Chevalier, Annat, Dunlop, and Italian, attract 

 merited attention, and lead to the anticipation of still greater success in the 

 improvement of this species of grain. 



" Our collection of oats amounts to thirty-six distinct sorts, some of which 

 are little known in this country, and affords an opportunity of comparing the 

 merits of several varieties cultivated on the Continent, with those generally 

 cultivated in Britain. Of rye, millet, maize, and other kinds of grain, there 

 are also many varieties. 



" The leguminous plants cultivated for their seeds are next enumerated. 

 Of the more important of these, the bean, the pea and kidneybean, the 

 varieties will be found not less numerous than those of the cereal grasses. 



" Of the plants cultivated for their herbage and forage, and which are for 



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