Agriculture and the House of Russell. 
137 
not onl^ botanical descriptions of the different grasses, but also 
actual specimens, together with perfect and imperfect seeds, and 
accounts of their practical value as feed. A copy of the original 
edition of thia work (of which several smaller editions have 
since been published) is to be found in the Society's library. 
At another time, when recovering from a severe illness, the 
Duke directed his atteution to the cultivation of heaths, and 
published the result of his inquiries in a volume issued in 182-"}, 
entitled Hart as Ericccus Wobiiniensis. This was followed, in 
1829, by the Salicfitm Wobumense, descriptive of the ^Vobuni 
willows ; and in 1839, the year of this ardent naturalist's death, 
appeared the Pinetuin Wobumense. The series also included a 
description of upwards of C,000 ornamental plants and shrubs, 
published under the title llurtus Woburnensis. 
The sixth Duke had by his first wife (who died in 1801) 
three sons: Francis, born 1788, who succeeded to the title, 
Geor^ William (father of the ninth duke), and John, afterwards 
the famous statesman ; and by his second wife, seven sons (one 
of whom, Lord Charles James Fox, born 1807, still survives) and 
three daughters. 
Francis, the seventh Duke, worthily supported the tradi- 
tions of the family for agricultural inquiry and improvement ; 
and he was fortunate in possessing the intimate friendship of 
the third Earl Spencer, whose agricultural biography has 
already been given in the Journal.^ Their tastes in agriculture, 
politics, and rural sports were the same ; and both are equally 
entitled to honourable fame for their efforts in improving the 
labourers' cottages on their estates. One wdio was in a position 
to know the facts said at the meeting of the Bedfordshire 
Agricultural Society in 18G0 that "the highest honours that 
would be associated with the name of the seventh Duke of 
Bedford," then just appointed to the Lord-Lieutenancy of the 
County, " are those that he has gained for himself by the attention 
he has drawn, the example he has set, and the work that he has 
done, in advancing the welfare of the labouring classes through 
the instrumentality of their dwellings. The name of Bedford — 
whether applied to the title or the county — has long been 
honourably associated with improved agriculture ; but it was left 
to the present possessor of the title to find out a crying evil, 
and apply the proper remedy." The Duke was, indeed, 
a most just and excellent landlord, granting long leases 
at moderate rents. He built most of the well-aiTanged farm 
homesteads and cottages which everywhere adorn the estate, 
' Journal R.A.S.E., Vol. I., 3i tl Series, (1800), p. 138. 
