206 
The First Two Country Meetings of the 
as an integral part of its functions. When, in December 1837, 
Lord Spencer, as President of the Smithfield Club, suggested 
the establishment of “ an English national society for agricultural 
purposes exclusively,” he mentioned the success of the system 
which had then for some years been adopted by the Highland 
and Agricultural Society of Scotland, of holding annually a 
peripatetic Country Meeting ; and his great ally and supporter, 
the Duke of Richmond — himself a Scottish as well as an 
English landlord — spoke of this example as an excellent one to 
imitate. Mr. Handley, M.P., followed in the same strain, and 
shortly afterwards planned an elaborate scheme of organisation 
for the new Society, which, published as a pamphlet in January 
1838, had a considerable circulation at the time. In this 
pamphlet Mr. Handley thus referred to the proposal to hold 
Country Meetings in different parts of the provinces : — 
It will be matter for due consideration how far or in what form it may 
be desirable to adopt the migratory principle of the Highland Society and 
the British Association. London should, doubtless, be the seat of direction 
of such an institution ; it is the natural focus from which all communications 
can best emanate ; where all information can be most readily collected ; it 
is the easiest of access to the general mass of subscribers, and the place in 
which the co-operation of men of science may be most readily obtained. 
London, however, is probably not the spot in which the greatest number of 
practical agriculturists can be brought together to discuss or acquire infor- 
mation on subjects interesting to themselves. The multifarious demands 
upon the time of those visiting London operate irresistibly against a con- 
tinuous attendance upon a course of lectures or discussions, in which it is 
so desirable there should be no interruption ; and which, once in the year 
at all events, it may be presumed may afford much new matter and 
valuable information. If, however, such annual meeting were held alter- 
nately at some considerable town situated in an important agricultural dis- 
trict, such, for instance, as York, Lincoln, Norwich, Bath, Northampton, &c., 
not only would it be attended by a vast assemblage of gentlemen from dis- 
tant parts who had communications to impart, and from others whose desire 
for information would induce them to be present, but it would excite a deep 
interest in the proceedings amongst a large class of resident yeomanry, who 
would be induced to contribute their assistance, both by subscription and 
practical experience, and who, by adopting various proposed improvements, 
would, as it were, convert the district, containing probably many varieties 
of soils and different modes of culture, into a large experimental farm. 1 
The publication of this letter had so far prepared the way 
that when the Inaugural Meeting of the new “ English Agri- 
cultural Society ” was held on May 9, 1838, unanimous 
assent was given to the third resolution, proposed by Earl 
Fitzwilliam, and seconded by Mr. Philip Pusey, M.P. : “That, 
with the view of effecting the objects of this Society, the 
annual meetings be held successively in different parts of 
England and Wales.” 
1 The farmer's Magazine, March 1838, p. 197. 
