Past and Present State of AfjricuUvre in Ireland. 
449 
Quantity of Ground under different Green Crops. 
Under turnips . 
Under mangold-wurzel . 
Under rape . . . 
Under vetches . 
Under clover and grasses 
Total 
Number of competitors for turnips .... 170 
Quantity of drains executed ..... 7,481 perches. 
Acres. 
Roods. 
Perches. 
112 
2 
30 
2 
1 
24 
150 
2 
32 
46 
2 
8 
216 
2 
24 
628 
3 
38 
" The improvements in draining, and extensive introduction of green 
crops, could not possibly have been effected in the absence of the land- 
lord's co-operation. In every part of the Union where green cropping 
has commenced, the farmers have got the loan of all the seeds, and 
have also received great assistance in draining. I am happy to say that 
there is a great increase of food for both man and beast amongst all the 
farmers who have commenced green cropping, upon a scale in every way 
commensurate with the extent of their holding. The increase (and nu- 
trimental qualities) of manure, by the consumption of turnips and other 
green crops during the winter and spring, will be very great ; and that 
ruinous system of having cattle roaming at large in quest of food during 
the winter (by which incalculable injury is done to the ground) will be 
greatly lessened, if not altogether abandoned : but, until now, there was 
no other alternative. The green crops of every description have given 
the highest satisfaction ; and the weight and cultivation of very many of 
the turnip crops would bear a general comparison with either Berwick- 
shire or East Lothian. 
" James Clapperton. 
" Ballinasloe, September 29, 1842." 
It was not to be doubted that results like the foregoing would 
attract the attention of other Unions, and accordingly we find that 
several have since adopted the same plan ; and when it is con- 
sidered that the entire kingdom being divided into poor-law 
unions, the establishment of an agriculturist and an agricultural 
society in each would bring agricultural instruction within the 
reach of the most remote extremities of the kingdom, one cannot 
contemplate without a mixture of astonishment and satisfaction 
the sudden change which would in such a case be produced ; nor 
can one cease to lament that any impediment should exist to the 
plan being more extensively acted on ; but I fear both men and 
money are wanting at present, and we must only look forward in 
hopes that time and circumstances may yet ere long become 
favourable for carrying out a system apparently so well suited to 
the agricultural improvements of the country. 
2 G 2 
