684 
In Memoriam : 
of better seasons all moderately good clay land will pay them 
better in cultivation than in grass, and will carry more stock 
while consuming green crops, such as vetches, clover, cabbages, 
rape, and mangold, alternately with wheat, barley, and beans, 
than it would do in permanent pasture." At the same time he 
recognises that landlords who have farms thrown on their hands, 
and have not capital with which to farm, may be compelled to 
lay clay land down, and he advises a course which he considers 
likely to answer. 
In reporting on Farm Accounts, the Committee of which he 
was a member recommended only two simple books to be kept, 
" their object being to put before farmers a simple form which 
they can keep with the least possible trouble, and which will 
show what farming does for them in every year." 
I must conclude these allusions to his papers in the Journal, 
all full of the man and his suggestive spirit, with one extract from 
the lessons to be learned by the wet season of 1878-79 : " That 
even in such seasons, relying upon our own exertions and the 
promise that ' seedtime aTid harvest shall not ftiil,' we must 
determine to produce all we can, especially of such things as are 
least abundantly imported — mutton and malting barley, to wit 
■ — and hope that with more favourable seasons and an improve- 
ment in the gener.al trade of the country we shall, as heretofox'e, 
get over all our difficulties." 
I might make many more quotations, but I think I have 
given enough to show the spirit in which he thought and 
worked, and the ready manner in which he could record the 
results of his work for the information of others. 
Failing health in the year 188G made him propose to resign 
his seat at the Council ; but His Eoyal Highness the Prince 
of Wales, as President, addressed him the following letter, which 
expresses admirably the feeling entertained by his colleagues : — 
" February 3, 1886. 
" Sir, — Your letter addressed to tlie Secrotai-y of tlie Society, conveyinp; 
your desire to resign your seat on the Council, lias just been read. The 
Council have expressed tlieir great sjnnpathy with you in the circumstances 
which have led to your desiring to relieve yourself of some of your public 
engagement's. At the same time they are unanimously of opinion that they 
cannot afford to lose the benefit of your maliu'ed advice and assistance, which 
have been of such signal use to the Society during a period of almost a 
quarter of a cent\iry. They therefore trust that you will allow your name 
to remain in the list of the Council, so that, although you may not feel able 
to attend the meetings as often as hitherto, your colleagues may still be 
able to consult you on important questions as they arise, in your continued 
capacity of a member of the Council of the Society. — I remain, Sir, youra 
faithfully, (Signed) " Ai-BEKT Edward I*., President." 
Charles Handell, Esq/' 
