1922. j Lectures on x\ghicultural Research. 681 



from several quarters. The Historical Association (22, Russell 

 Square, W.C.) is now a large body with branches ail over the 

 country : one of its aims is to foster the study of local history, 

 and the co-operation of a neighbouring branch is almost certain 

 to be forthcoming. Archaeological societies exist in many 

 counties, and the officers and members are always willing to 

 give advice and help in exploring the history of a village and 

 in the discovery of its antiquities. Much can be done, even 

 without such help, by anyone who will study such books as 

 Dr. Charles Cox's " How to write the History of a Parish," 

 the Victoria County Histories and the few other county his- 

 tories that rank with them, the publications of local archaeo- 

 logical societies, and Dr. Hubert Hall's "Directory of British 

 Archives" and his "List of Agrarian Surveys." With the 

 aid of these books one may learn to know at least what docu- 

 ments to look for and where to look for them. Guidance in 

 the search of antiquities which are not documentary is not so 

 readily available, but Mr. and Mrs. Quinnell's "History of 

 Everyday Things" should at least prove suggestive. A flair 

 for recognising those things which will best illustrate the past 

 is as desirable as knowledge : and, unfortunately, there is no 

 recipe for acquiring a flair. But it is to be supposed that no 

 one would undertake the task of studying or demonstrating 

 village history on practical lines who did not possess a rudi- 

 mentary flair, which practice and enthusiasm would develop. 



Thh Ministry endeavours in many ways to bring before 

 farmers the results of agricultural research — by its advisory 

 Lectures on scheme, in which college and county staffs 



Agricultural p,ay their part; by leaflets and articles m 

 R°s°arch ^ S ^ ourna ^ ; an( * °y miscellaneous publica- 

 tions such as the recently-issued volume on 

 " Agricultural Research and the Farmer." It is now proposed 

 to bring research workers more directly into touch with the 

 farmer, and arrangements have been made with the National 

 Farmers' Union to organise meetings which will be addressed 

 by specialists in the various branches of agricultural science. 

 The scheme is certainly an experiment, but if it proves to be 

 as successful as is anticipated this winter, it may well obtain 

 a permanent place in the organisation of the work of the 

 Ministry. A list of meetings, with the dates which have so far 

 been definitely fixed, is given below. Any inquiries with regard 



