580 
Agricultural Statistics. 
The view so emphatically expressed by this speaker was iir 
the right direction ; but a comparative examination of the two 
experiments will perhaps enable us to lighten the severity of this 
conclusion. Let us be as candid as possible by all means ; but 
let us be fair to each in turn ; and not allow a generous zeal to 
" o'erleap itself and fall on t'other side" of justice. In the- 
first place Irish statistics, which are collected by the constabulary 
in that part of the empire, admirably as the task is performed 
by them, are quite out of all parallel.* With regard to the suc- 
cess achieved in Scotland, it must be borne in mind, in addition 
to what has already been said, that the experiment there was 
by no means new, as it was in England, a circumstance the 
immense importance of which, we confidently trust a very few 
months from the opening of the present year will amply prove 
The fact is that, for the purpose of statistical inquiry, and 
looking at the proportionate areas of the two experiments, the 
year 1853 was for Scotland what 1854 was for England : in 
that year (1853) the Highland Society, which had in 1852^ 
memorialized Mr. Henley (then President of the Board of Trade) 
on the subject of Agricultural Statistics, prepared a scheme^ 
which finally came before Mr. Cardwell ; and the result was that 
the Society was authorized to work their scheme in the tliree 
counties of Haddington, Roxburgh, and Sutherland. We will 
give In his own words Mr. Hall Maxwell's first experiences in. 
the collection of statistics in Scotland: — 
" I should mention, as I alhuled before to the difficulties in the way, and ta 
the objections to the measure entertained in some districts, that thci'e was 
very considerable misconception at first of the objects of the inquiry, and of 
the uses which might be made of it ; and I found it necessary to organise a 
system of public meetings all over Scotland ; I wrote to the conveners of 
counties and to the chairmen of local agricultural associations; and in nearly 
every town south of Inverness I had a public meeting. I very often found a 
great deal of prejudice before-hand ; but the farmers gave me a fair hearing, 
and received my exijlanations in a fair manner, and the result was always a 
vote of approval, and a promise of co-operation. These meetings afforded me,' 
besides, facilities for organising m)' committees. Where I could not hold meet- 
ings, and had to trust entirely to con-espondence, in one or two of the northern 
counties, the arrangements were more difficidt, and have been less satisfactory, 
so much so that I find it will yet be necessary to go down and smooth the- 
way in some of the northern districts. This I mean to do when I get back to 
Scotland." 
"43. Chairman (Lord Stanley of Alderley.) — Are the fanners generally- 
sensible of the importance of obtaining accurate statistical returns.'' — The 
leading farmers decidedly are ; and as to those who were not, the difficulty 
has been mainly removed by satisfying them that, whether these returns are 
to do them good or not, they cannot do them any harm ; that the scheme is. 
so arranged, the answers so brought out, and the reports so published, that 
they cannot be twisted against their interest in any matter of rent, rating, or 
* See Sir Robert Ferguson's and Mr. Donnelly's Evidence. Lords' Committee,, 
p. 74, 84. 
