Use of Sfeam-j)owcr. 
309 
(VII.) Among " tJtc improvements still required,'''' slioukl be 
named the formation of an agricultural society for the Island. 
There was one, in which the late Lord Yarborough, the late Sir 
Richard Simeon, and the late Rev. Walton White, took a great 
interest. The late John Fleming, Esq., gave annually 50/. for 
distribution among servants. It flourished for a few years, and 
then ceased, for no reasons connected with the interests of agri- 
culture. It is a pity that it shovdd not be revived : the good 
feelings of the farmers would not be wanting. No race of men 
are more hospitable, more good-hearted, than the farmers of this 
island. I speak in the recollection of their kindness. All of 
tlicm know each other from meeting at their single market : many 
are blood relations. A farmers' dinner is a family party.* 
Whatever may be the result of a general comparison between 
the agriculture of the mainland and the Island, the latter can at 
least claim priority in the application of steam power to the culti- 
vation of the soil. The Prince Consort and INIr. Young have 
adopted Mr. Smith of Woolston's system, which in both cases is 
Avell spoken of. Mr. Toward (Her Majesty's bailiff") considers 
the cultivator invaluable for autumn work on the corn stubbles, 
and for spring Avork in preparation for root crops. He twice stirs 
the land deeply for the last, at a cost of 12^. 6fZ. per acre for the 
two operations, which no horses could have effected at double or 
treble the expence. The wire rope wears well, the only breakage 
being near the end, where the rope comes in contact with the 
implement, and the remedv (shortening a few feet) being easy. 
Mr. Toward intends getting ^Messrs. Howards' new steam plough 
for use, when he wishes to brinjr more new soil to the surface. 
Mr. Young's testimony is equally favourable. He has used Mr. 
Smith's cultivator largely in breaking up land, recently converted 
from coppice to arable, as well as in autumn and spring cultiva- 
tion. He reckons the cost of the two operations at 13.s\ 6c/., and 
also intends, when all hedges are removed and the fields squared, 
to attach a plough to his engine. 
The compactness of this little island has enabled it to anticipate 
its greater neighbour in two very important branches of parochial 
administration, the relief of the poor and the management of the 
highways. 
In the year 1770 the parishes were formed into what we should 
call <a union : the rates were consolidated into a common fund, 
the management was lodged in the hands of 24 directors and 
* Since this was written, a Society has heen formed under most favourable 
auspices. The objects are, better breeding and fat stock, and the encouragement 
of the actricultuval labourer, by rewarding skill and industry in ploughing and 
manual labour. The breeding stock show is held in the summer, the ploughing 
match in the autumn, and the fat stock show in the winter. 
