6 The Foundation of the Royal Agricultural Society. 
would be induced to contribute their assistance, both by subscription and 
practical experience, and who, by adopting various proposed improvements, 
could, as it were, convert the district, containing probably many varieties of 
soils and different modes of culture, into a large experimental farm — an 
object so much advocated by some, but which I have always thought, on 
the necessarily limited scale on which alone it could be attached to an in- 
stitution of this kind, would be impracticable in its operation and unsatis- 
factory in its results." 
The contents of this thoughtful and well-considered letter 
have been dwelt upon at some length, inasmuch as it contains 
the outline of the modus operandi afterwards adopted, and was 
doubtless published at the instance of Earl Spencer himself, in 
order to familiarise the agricultural world with the full scope of 
the organisation about to be set on foot. 
No public steps appear to have been taken in the direction 
of organising the Society until the beginning of May, 1838, 
when the following advertisement appeared in the Morning 
Herald and elsewhere : — 
"THE NEW AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
"The undermentioned noblemen and gentlemen, having observed the 
great advantages which the cultivation of the soil in Scotland has derived 
from the establishment and exertions of the Iliyhland Society, and thinking 
that the management of land in England and Wales, both in the cultivation 
of the soil and in the care of woods and plantations, is capable of great im- 
provement by the exertions of a similar Society, request that those who are 
inclined to concur with them in this opinion will meet them To-morrow, the 
9th of May, at the Freemasons' Tavern, at one o'clock, to consider the means 
by which such a Society may be established, and of the regulations by which 
it shall be governed. 
" It is suggested that the Society shall be called f The English Ayri- 
cultural Society, 1 and that it shall be one of its fundamental laws that no 
question be discussed at any of the meetings which shall refer to any matter 
to be brought forward or pending in either of the Houses of Parliament. 
"It is also suggested that the Society shall consist of two clas&es of 
subscribers — the one to be called Governors, subscribing annually 51. ; the 
other Members, subscribing annually 11. — either the one or the other to be 
permitted to become Governors or Members for their lives by the payment, 
in one sum, of the amount of ten annual subscriptions. 
"Gentlemen wishing to subscribe to this institution will be good enough 
to send their names and addresses to the editors either of the Mark Lane 
E.rpress or of Bell's Weekly Messenger, specifying whether they wish to 
become Governors or Members, and whether they wish to subscribe annually 
or for life. 
Duke op Richmond. 
Duke ok Wellington. 
E\RL FiTZWILLIAM. 
Earl Spencer. 
Eakl of Ohichebxbr, 
Earl op Ripon. 
Earl 8 trad broke. 
Marquis of Exeter. 
I Lord Portman. 
Lord Worslev, M.P. 
Hon. Robt. Clive, M.P. 
Hon. Bingham Baring, M.P. 
Hon. 0. C Cavendish, M.P. 
Bib Rout. Peel, Bart., M.P. 
Sik James Graham, Bart., M.P. 
Sir Francis Lawley, Bart., M.P. 
