Agriculture of Norfolh. 
357 
2nd. To reward such, as by their good conduct particularly merit it, 
with a certain sum of money, which, though small, is, to thdse who live 
by the " sweat of their brow," of considerable importance in itself ; but, 
in many cases, infinitely more so, because of its being the public stamp 
of real merit, although found in a humble station. 
No one capable of duly appreciating the great importance to the 
general community, of having good and right-minded agricultural la- 
bourers as the operative improvers of the soil, and the mainstay of the 
State, will consider it out of place, in a report of the agriculture of 
Norfolk, to mention any means there adopted for improving their gene- 
ral condition, by rewarding the most meritorious of the class. 
In the year 1831, a society for this especial purpose was established 
in the hundred of Launditch; it took the name of " The Launditch 
Society, for the purpose of encouraging and rewarding good conduct in 
Agricultural Labourers and Servants;" and, as several others have since 
been formed, in other parts of that county and elsewhere, with marked 
advantage to the labourers and their employers, in the increased propor- 
tion of good work and good feeling, I think it right to state here, wlio 
was the originator of these societies, as well as what the principles 
were on which he, and others, founded the first of them. 
From inquiries made in different parts of the county, I find the 
honour of their origin is undoubtedly due to Mr. Pearce, then of Weasen- 
ham Hall, Norfolk; a nephew of Mr. Kent, who wrote the Agricultural 
Report of the county, in 1196; Mr. Pearce being the author of the 
Report of Berks, also dated 1796. 
The first society was confined to tlic extent of the hundred, in order 
that each candidate might be personally known, in most cases, and 
therefore his character more likely to be duly appreciated. 
This part of the plan was strongly recommended by Mr. Pearce ; 
and other societies seem, generally, to have adopted it. 
In conclusion, I beg to state my firm opinion, that some of the 
Norfolk farmers at this moment possess as much knowledge of 
their business, as would be requisite (with capital, and the security 
alluded to in my article on Tenure), — provided, also, that this 
knowledge were general, and full scope given for its exercise, — to 
make, not onlj their own county, but any other I have yet seen, 
produce at least half as much more, in corn and stock, as they 
produce at present. I know not whether, in what I have said, 
I shall be able to impart any of that knowledge to my readers, 
or whether my attempts at description will be generally under- 
stood, but I do hope they will see, that my wish has been to be 
candid and useful. 
1 1 , Great George Street, Westminster. 
(This Report has been unavoidahly abridged for insertion in the Journal.) 
2 B 2 
