-MAGAZINE OF SCIENCE AND ART. 
179 
should revolve in regular times and well defined 
orbits, and unanimity, that magic power which di¬ 
rects magnets and minds to one polarity, with only 
slight variations, had entirely lost its powers and 
virtues. In fact, leading men were wanting, Illa- 
warra excepted, perhaps. 
The world, or the reading part of it, has been long 
acquainted with the name (at least) of the Highland 
Society of Scotland ; the great model of all others in 
England, Ireland, France, or America. It owed its 
origin to Sir John Sinclair, nomen venerabUe , and a 
few' Highland gentlemen They originally intended 
that its operations should be confined to the most nor¬ 
therly parts of Scotland and the Isles; but, happily, 
its influences were extended over the whole of that 
ancient kingdom from Maidenkirk to John O’Groats 
and farther, with the most beneficial effects; so 
beneficial, indeed, that Scotland may be said to owe a 
large share of its prosperity for the past 145 years 
unto the Union with England, and the improving' 
stimuli imparted to all' departments of national 
industry by the energetic activity of this Highland 
Society. 
After Sir John Sinclair, in the seventh year, had 
finished his statistical account of Scotland—a work un¬ 
matched in the world—he applied and obtained a charter 
from the British Government to establish a society for 
the encouragement of agriculture in its several ramifi¬ 
cations. To his standard flocked noblemen, gentlemen, 
and men eminent in the walks of si fence, of arts, of 
farmings, of manufacturing; in short, ten years after 
the formation of this supeivnunent society, scarcely a 
landed proprietor or distinguished farmer throughout 
Caledonia, and many belonging to England and Ireland, 
had failed to enroll their names amongst the long list 
of its members and supporters. The wisdom" and 
abilities of one man have saved cities and advanced 
the prosperity of a nation, have exalted a people and 
wielded the destinies of an empire. From time to 
time men of talents arise in every walk of life, and 
circumstances often bring them preeminently forward. 
By their abilities they become benefactors to’the human 
race. Such a man in his day was Arthur Young, whose 
memory enjoys the high reputation of drawing public 
attention to the agricultural capabilities of England, as 
far back as 1770. Draining was, thereafter, scientifi¬ 
cally conducted by Elkiugton, and road-making by Air, 
Adam. Sir John Sinclair, placed at the head of the 
society, performed all that'zeal could suggest or industry 
perform. In Anstralia, we cau proudly point to a 
Alacartliur. When will his mantle fall on other Colo¬ 
nial improvers of his stamp ? 
The dawn of better prospects than have appeared for 
a long time past, is beginning to give sure indications 
of more intellectual light in rural affairs, and of 
more correct, if not scientific investigations on Horti¬ 
cultural and Agricultural management than heretofore. 
The union of two societies, under the auspices of flis 
Excellency, the President, is, in general, a subject 
of congratulation, for union ought to bring powers of 
strength. 
It is rather to be regretted that the Pastoral interest 
has been omitted in the society’s plan, and more 
especially is thrown overboard in the prospectus of vour 
Sydney magazine. A combination with that inflnentiai 
and mainly productive body in this cojonv, would have 
greatly increased the available means* of extending the 
society’s usefulness, and surely none will deny”that 
Colonial agriculture and grazing and trade and com¬ 
merce, are all, or ought to be, connected indissolubly 
with one another, and reciprocate in regular actions and 
reactions. That, the nett profits of a nation or colony 
depend outlie principle, whether the people are greater 
consumers or producers, is a received maxim, patented 
When endeavouring to find a balance of the profit side 
of our ledgers, we ought to study well the soil and 
climatology of the various districts, and from thence 
determine their aptitudes for turning these to the best 
account, without endetiyouriug, as not unfrequently is 
attempted, to force the immutable laws of nature into 
obedience to our caprices. It is maintained that the 
colony is not deficient in men of intellect. Conditional 
circumstances, however, are often requisite to draw out 
modest merit. It is like a rare and delicate plant, 
requiring a little nursing and encouragement in its 
early stages. 
The parent Society should hare subordinate associa¬ 
tions in as many districts as may be deemed necessary, 
and the various transactions of moment ought to be 
communicated to bead quarters fur publication. A 
vast amount of important matter would thus be soon 
collected. \Veathecology is intimately connected with 
terracultuve. A series of well registered observations, 
correctly taken, would prove of (treat benefit to the in¬ 
habitants of every district or locality. With this de¬ 
partment we are sadly behind in Australia. The duo 
adaptation of plants to their favoured soils and climes 
fortes one prime cause of human success. All our ter¬ 
ritorial divisions are not suitable for growing wheat or 
barley, or oats or potatoes, Vegetation. of mild latitudes. 
One part may be fairly supposed to yield good crops of 
maize, or the yam, or the potatue; and a second, plain- 
tains, apples, peaches, wheat, plants of mild regions. 
Another part is eminently proved to yield the finest 
cotton, pine apples, bananas, oranges, olives, dates, 
coffee, tobacco, &c. And a third succeeds with the vim v 
In the last article of produce the Hunter Hiver Vine¬ 
yard Association merit all commendation, as a band of 
intelligent, men united, joined together to effect a great 
and a patriotic pm pose. They looked around with tlm 
design of selecting other plants than those of wheat and 
maize. wherewith to raise a commodity of export, and 
the vine happily became their favourito choice. Ky 
well conducted experiments, interchanges of scientific 
and practical knowledge, and, oh rare, unanimity, tha 
cultivation of this new branch of colonial economies is 
firmly established. Perhaps premiums offered by this 
Society fop the greatest number of acres laid out tn one 
year in vineyards by one pi an top would tend to ac¬ 
celerate the extension of this branch of industry, as 
there are thousands of acres in the colony- more fit for 
growing the vino than adapted for any other kind of 
crops or plantations. 
The physical distribution of plants and their values, 
if introduced into this colony, either for home use or 
for commercial purposes, is an object of very great 
importance. Nor should vegetable pathology be over¬ 
looked in the programme. To the importers of new 
seeds, plants, bulbs, roots, &c., adapted to one or other 
the soils or climes of this colony, accompanied with an 
outline of the best known mode of propagating, culti¬ 
vating, and preparing for utility, with'a subjoined 
notice of any disease to which such plants, &c , mav bn 
liable, and the means, if known, of prevention or of 
cure, strong encouragement ought to be given. The 
economy of raising improved varieties of agricultural 
plants cannot he omitted in the series, and, almost 
equally important, the best time for sowing or planting 
in given soils, temperatures, moisture, hydrometry, and 
theseverat varieties of vegetable substances submitted 
to consideration. 
The construction of tanks, of water dams, reservoirs, 
and the cheapest and most effective modes of irrigation; 
under varied situations and circumstances, demand a 
foil share of the society's attention, recommendation 
and reward, in such a country as Australia : now 
when the rain portion of the Hve-tographic cvcle or 
circle is passidg, and dryness if hot drought may attain 
be anticipated in their periodic times. An Australian 
system of cropping in proper rotation; if not possible to 
introduce into immediate) practice, may yet, if recom¬ 
mended, ho eventually followed with’ good effects. 
The Number system, or worse. No. 1 do., means IG or 
-0 successive wheat crops (if the land bears them so 
long), which fast and effectually impoverishes the soil 
and leaves it not dissimilar to the Virginian tobacco 
grounds, where weeds themselves refuse to grow. 
