The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-12-24 00:00:00

Borsttshire.
DORCHESTER FARMERS' CLUB.

---
The lirst meeting of this club was held at the
Ring's Arms MAO. on Thursday last, under the
presidency of Mr. G. J. Wood.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said
that he could not take the chair on that occasion
without at 0111 Cb referring to the great national
calamity that on fallen on this country. and he was
sore that all the members of that club participated
in the geneial sorrow occasioned by their bereave-
ment, and in sympathy for her Most Gracious
Majesty at this trying moment. If they were met
on no occasion of testivi.y. their meeting would lie
scarcely in unison with the natio al feeling ; hut
thoutili such was not the fact, their meeting
could not but be tinged with sadness, and he was
Mite nothing would that evening be said or felt hut
would show their sense of the affliction under which
this country was now passing through. The Chair-
man baying called upon the Secretary to read the
minutes of the previous meeting, said that there
were several subjects that had been hinted to hint to
be brought forward for discussion. The first %VAX
with regard to the mode of giving notice of their
nusetings—should they be conceited by advertiae•
ment in the papets as in the present instance, or by
circular? Then there was the printing of their
rule.; and lastly, it had been hinted that many
others would lie likely to join if their nights if
meeting were altered from Thursday to Saturday.
Mr. 11011111. SAUNUEIOI gave notice that at their
neat monthly meeting be would move that their
nights of meeting should be altered front Thursday
to Saturday.
A lengthened discussion ensued as to the hest
method to be adopted fur calling their meetings.
Mr. DAMIN said that the usual method was,
at the munneneement of the season, to have
printed cards with the nature of the subjects to be
brought forward.
The CHAIRMAN thought it would he impossible
for them to adopt such a course this year, however
desirable it might lie hereafter.
Mr. J. F. Howie thought the preferable mode
till the Society was .thoroughly established, would
be to continue to advertise in the two Dorchester
papers. They might, if they chose, also send out
circulars.

It was unanimously resolved, that the next
meeting following, on the 16th proximo, should be
convened by advertisements, and the printing of the
rules was postponed.
Several new members were elected.

Mr. GENUS said he bad a subject to bring before I
the meeting, aid as it was one of colisitlerable
iuiportance, perhaps it would be well that it should
be at once decided. Farmers' Clubs bad gained fer '
themselves very considerable notoriety, and the !
question was, should they be represented by the
newspaper press. If they were to be represented by
the press, they ought to throw open their meetings to
all the papers who chose to send reporters. As far
as his own feelings went, he thought that it would
be far better for the prosperity of the club if
retorters were not admitted.
The ClialitmAN asked if Mr. Genge would not
give notice to bring forward the subject for discussion
at their nest meeting?
Mr. tilaxua said they were adjourning all their
questions for future discussion.
Several members thought they might decide the
question at once.
Mr. i;1006 then moved, and Mr. JANIS Cease
seconded, that revolters be excluded ; and at the
sugitmitiou of Mr. Llamen the repoiters were re-
guested to withdraw while the subject was being
dialissisil. On their toeing afterward* called into the
rO4/111, the Chairisian informed the reporters that he
Vra3 eery happy to state they woe requested to again
take their st:its. We understand that the litiesti..n
for the sahnissiun of reporters was decided by the
casting vote oh the chairman, aho then proceeded to
real the paper which had been promised by him,
entitled

"THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF AGRI.
CULTURE."
_Mt. VICI.-PII,BIDICNT AND GENTLEMEN,
. ' •

The iiistitution of a Farmers' Club recogi.drars in its
very dejit the cuijot on which I have row the I
to in:dress you. What is its ilexign. but the scientific
practice of agriculture! And, therefore. I can wale-de
be comodered is deviating from the subject in hand it.
by way of preface, to the opening of our drat sOs-ion,
~d,iresz to you a few word* on tie nature. object. and
enuotitution 41 time valuable pocieties. A complaint
Lee Alen been urged against farmers, and that CUM-
plaint lie strongly savoured of reproach, and by
has it been mole 1111 l re frequently than by farmer '
theureelses, that they do not hold together. Anil cosi-
sequently when an emergency has arisen in which
their interests Lave Is or peculiarly involved, there
is no organivitior through which they eon unitedly,
eonstitutioiol.y, and effectively work. Other profes-
sions, trades, merchandiee, and e 111 l ccree have their
bonds of union—through which they wake their voices
heard with in elligence and ett•ct. Look at our Gold-
wroth.% tttttt tigers!, Merchant Sean. lie, Leather
companies; look Itt our Inns of Court in the legal
profession ; at 0111. Collrgua sod halls in the medical ; at
out tra le.' - among the operative.. and (as a
natter of Coli.o at our Combinations of master
manufactures an I tradesmen. I know there is a
jecelie,rion and even individuelity peruliar to the in,
tens ate of fanners—a luealisati tttt limited hy the county
in which i lie re.tdes—an individuality determintd by
the farm which he occupies, or the landlord under
whom lie rents. But time oreunretances only furnish
an additional argument in favour id the establi.hnotit
of such bsof indite.. as that we have now been
enabled to form. I refer to this union A hits-recta,
bowev..r, rather as an incident Al advaritage of thee*
clubs. awl nut as their main design. That design is to
promote the sue-m.IIA cultivation of the soil, not sel-
fishly by the concealment of prosnieitig notions or pro-
fitable practice, hut in a catholic awl ; ',die sprit.
by the diffipion of kirowleilee, by the friction of
opinions, by the elucidation of creeds and confuned
ideas. hy the elio,utlu, ul enterprise to seek the pros-
perity of the whole agricultural body, and the pesee
and plenty if the community at large. As to our con-
stitution, WO band oUfFelvem together in a continoli
brotherhood fore common °Meet. MA for ttie sue-
retatil pros-rut • of that uhject we wake conditions
of niemberehip, and wr -elect officers with certain pre-
'berthed duties. I tired not say that on the diligent,
faithful, end intelligent di...chat...a of thoee duties much
ef our ; ttttt perity will ileeese As president of the
chili it would ill become me to attempt to instruct the
other officers in the nature of their duties, or in the
diseirarge of thrill. I eau only say I believe they know
these duties, and mean to fu:til the mu. But as to the
trace to which you hare called ine,.lhave to ask for a

• .•
large share of your forbearance 111141 in,luheiit 11111.10/11.
1 cordially enter on the duties to which I am called.
In the fulfilment of my rest onsildlities, I presume to
sket,li out shortly the line of conduct proper to pursue.
I hopo eVer to keep before 1110 olld to entry out
the great object of the institution, and I desire that the
proseeuti tttt of that object may be marked by prumpti•
tulle. justice, and courtesy. In the exercise of his
office the i.residletit knows no one in thin room excel•l
as members of the club. Debate is xf the very essence
of the clvi,. Conflict of op we court. We hope
to have doughty champions battling for their opistious,
but we hope to have those opinions held and expres4.l
according to certain understood rules. Courage, seff•
possession, and good temper are combined in a worthy
champion. Respect for the sentiments and feelings of
others is founded on true self•respeet. While these
role* and dispositions are observed, my task will Is an
easy one, and a slight margin may be allowed for that
in a debate which may be somewhat desultory ot in-
formal. But the latitnde must not be gm-cot. Order 4
an element of our success. To observe strictly the rules
laid down in the s ttttt nutry of our eoristitution will e.ve
0111'c...woe with satisfaction slid pleasure. You commit
to tate the observance of these rules, and if In the ex,
entimi of my trust I may possibly he c,lled upon to set
arbitrarily or speak decisively, I must ask you to de-
fier. that nothing would be further from my intention
than to give personal affront ; and I must *Do ask you
to confirm me in the fist that nothing like pique or
grudge skull ever go out of this none. A question
bas arisen as to the puldie.tion of our pro-
ceedingo. I'll.l whether the reporters of public iournsl*
shell he s.itnitte.l tO our councils. This rpiestion has
agitated other dole, and bees decided in different ways.
sad I believe it has been cuts emitted by some of our
own members. Permit nie, with the greatest respect
for those grutlemen who may differ from me, to observe
that if we prevent the publawition of our proceedings
ire frustrate sate of the great ohjerts of our satiety. Amid
what have we to hide? If the roles w hich we ogres L.
observe, 1111.1 the dispositions to which I have referred
as to be enter( 414.1 It, tween ourselves, be extended to

Uhe ponition awl feelings of our Inn.lownern, I am per-
/WA/A only wool, and no mischief will accrue. N..
good landlord will be offroiled at hetng respre.fully told
vohnt in *mi. in th• silkoinistratio on of his estate, awl

no bed one ought to be allowed to go on ignorant of
public 01.11atal lilt 1.. 111,11-40111i11124,1411011. Alla 11,-
ehanc, it inay turn out that three are soine evils in our-
melees to cure -lb it we have erroneous notions or
wrong dinpootioos towards those on ler W 11.1,11 love
taken our position, siid we may poestbly cone to this
rink to be eilliAlten...l and cerreeteel. Is Individual
anffering likely to arise ? I athnot answer for extreme
eleaea, bat generally apeakiog I believe not—public
opinion will prevent it. And if there he *nuttier ques-
tion, whether there will be ample opportunity and per-
fect freedom afforded to exprval our Views—
I mean liberty of mind and oppurt rout y at our meetings.
—1 •ni tootident that amongst the members if this
dab every faeility and ercouragement will he gieen. I
believe very much may be done by kindness and use to
unbind Vie sh•elties of the mind either in aspiring youth
or the eonatituponal timidity of any ace. Very much
may be done In encourage and draw I..rth the latent
useful faculties of the mind. You will he required to
speak in order, an I within the prescribed but
pleor lli)thelr that nu question poi. er for on to epte--
tvin shall ever la. 14'inked or loirkehl amonoll u•. with
out ..11p.o trouts hems afforde4 14, 1,13111.
uoihul.r tic etieer boi.a.lf thereon. ‘44.1 g otiv•
dm., I 0naw,..1 to a 0r... to !pm f .0 a 5- I.dla ii
subject f I 1( wsl4 r1•11ali ...0.4-14.
U iii.
, 111 lePle.- mod .eli. .." ii it.., ,arre. a 1, 1....
111101 to alri.-u tore, nod in heir r.h.lohnsliip• e.h
Aber. Sine' Is ro.ralring, if there ha h he. n 114. accuser
II the proe',e- if 4.0. aim, it will I oever I, she .vh •
an--I its presto, c•oio lie.% it woo,' never h •wo pro
Need the results tha. h ove b. en reali.e I. But ht. •
mo get a elear literl what we are talk:og let in.
lefine the r•ctoe of agneolture as th C •perov,..
methods of rap--ri. net ; and gee., C. as the spirt 414,
power of clis..uverv, imaliteihg ever viol anon art e
an I theories sigo i be 5.1 &gel. ulture. hot wh lei. h 110 e
never IsraCeedfli betmel experiment. Soithe hli•
tinetion we want, altholiet that cannot eesse to he
science whirl, has alms y la.ra outsit. d ii prartiee,
been Pntented he the atiocese that has ineari .I.ly ati-
tended it. An for instance, artificial manures 1.t.•
. rally in tiger, and deep 11. smug fir lie heavy lands of
the kingil ttttt . Ibe •tier ens obielh his. followed Ille ale
ldientinn u 4 .o:eutltle thotoveries, hr.& us to look alit+
• •

increased expectation to science in the ahstraet, as the
power hy which much more may he achieved. Let us.
for the mike of our argument then, look at practice as
science approved and in use, and ocietice as the inve.n-
tire loyalty, not PP yet fully deseloped, nor its theories
:liorouglity tented. Let is• now mete iviiiir to take bold
if the main 'I ion. Whet is the ri Wive value and
OuPortanee 01 acmi ire i,i,il practice in the succen.-ful cul-
tivation of the soil, and what pmition should they
occupy towards tech other? Let on argue the quistion
by taking • ease which, however hypothetical, will las
recognised in its featurea to be not unnatural or unfa•
waist. Asian inexperienced youth shoui to embark in
business which Phall I take., uly guide and counsellor,
" Seitnee or Practice If lam to make may elm tint.,
to which of the two shall I listen, to the old hind if the
farm, or to my botanic:illy and Chemically
friend, value ham seen little nets ice in the field ? Iti de-
clining for the present the el/.1111,4;14 of my It rfereil fel. nil
—I moat he under-dosed as IT no means uiidrrvalitimtg
or dempising his helmisdione-1 would only put them.
amide till a future day, when I might be Wu with
safety to avail myaelf of them. But I shall neglect at
iny limit the 1111111111 p of Illy ploughman and shepherd.
My intellectual ft tont inay lie alile to IlreChllt with
fluency and truthfulness on the natural history of red-
weed, cliarlock, or couch—of which nay ploughman may
know little or Dellsilig. But WI the ipieation if
eraihi-
cotloti (the only •of moment to the farmer) lb:: letter
...old possess& vastly superior infottnation, tor lie eel/
tell me how they have been subilumt or got rid of. The
man of science can tell me the liability of certain vclua-
Isle plastic to di, on, WWI the attacks of varioua enc.-
Mies ; but the man of experience knows the particislar
ilisesines and emends* to which tlisy are liable in him
locality. The former awl auggert various remedies and
defences, but the latter can tell you what remedies and
defences have been adopted with since** The mats
who knows how to mount!. the four or fire course
•liift, has • for higher qualification for bitainens than
the nian who ean lecture by the hour ell the properties
14 turnips, wheat, linrley, And clover, but who kuowa
nut Low to ;data them i the moot profitable rotation
ine the land. The man who can tell you time quality of
• bullock or nheep by the touch, is better fitted to pro-
vide teed for the million, and for it self also, than the
in in who haply caricatures him, and can be eloquent
on the relative value of mumele and fat, and liow they
are coniposed, Init who entinot tell yoil where they are
fir ought to he found. I lutivened to or ti my he irned
! fricad that I thought couch never went to seed, where•
upon he enlightened and charmed me with • dissertation
on its u•tural history, showing that it not only *cot to
seed, but propagated keel( in two other wayn, flit--toy
✓unners or rhiromes underground, which •limiting lip
here and there, form new plants ; and 2nd—hr ntolosis
or top gruiiiiil roots, which here and there shoot down- !
wards and form new plants. I was instructed, and
thanked him. I did nut tell him that the retie-in of iii;
, erioneotia opinion was that I never allowed it to mistime
' the seed form. But I told him I supposed
! the seed form of the plalit NO altered its appearance that
we elid not recognixe it ; hut that in the withered jlag
f,,e hi it was very diceere.ble ill my stubbles ; that I was
then just Legiiiiiing to roll-rafter or double-rafter the
lend no as to expose the root form to the action of the
frost ; and if it were not killed thereby (as I doubted it
would not) the soil in whieh it regetated would be pul•
'mined by the action of the (restore, as to release it more
easily in the spring. BM, gentlemen, in it to be won•
shred •t that recent discoveries iu ellemixtry,
mechanics, and Ntetilli, XIMUId fwesesy a peculiar fit-ci•
notion for men of letters, 101 l of taste, Pell teen of
philanthrophy? They have been brought forward with
an much pomp anti allow, that they hare feast into the
shade the old-fact -d custiona of practical men, and
they have been hailed and adopted with enthusiasm, as
the harbingers if a new era in agriculture. And thus
have we seen Well of the magnates of our land, by
the aid of scientific adventurers, brought to grief. in
attempting to over-ride well tried mid long established
mazes. Ilappy would it have been if such grand ex-
veriments could have been confined to those almo could
afford to make them, I know liaise of an accomplished
scholar mot gentleman, with ample capitol, hut !!!!!e to
spare, who, havitig drunk in the CI conies of modern
agriculture. and being confident if 811130,44, tried his
hand at &very good farm. Ile retired exhausted in a
few years, and is now wiiting daily articles in first-rate
style for one of our leading journals. Ilis consolation
is that

" When property is gone and spent,
Then learning is moat exaellent."
So far, the chimes rin,; in liar ~,,, uy with our tradition..
Now lit us try to combine the two characters we have
lwen contrasting. Let us try to snake It fanner worthy
of the view', in which we are privila•ged to live If any
ef us labour muter the theadvantages of the want of edu-
Ication, let us ropy the example of Deorge Stephenson,
who, under a feeling whs.: of his own is ficiency, deter•
! mined to give Ida son a good educe . Let no un.
I founded prejudices, let no feararisiug from the abuse of
knovelealge wl.ich eve have witnessed in others, prevent
ti.. attempt to snake our youths gentlemen and eebulars.
And here permit me to remark that it is a great milt-
, take to confine Oa. attention of o'er boys at school to
just that which ia hikei to be of most practical utility.
Depend upon it the principles Id our fist school.' of
lesarniog are sound. It hes been urged **Oust our
colleges tat they think little comparatively of any
! other studies bast ...lassies and mietheinetice. I ledia•ve
Done are the (omelet hal atudins of • meet education.
Do we want to know the nee null power and range of
our own language, or of language in geeeral, we must,
become good gratunistrions. we must go to the •pproved
classical authors If et. would dem fiarth the latent
faculties of the II 1111 l an mind, if we would attain clear. •
niss of thought anal clearness of expression, if we wosilal
give point and wope ti, the in, aginatien, if we would
readily conceive idiemousselves or catch then' from
' otters, we must go to mathematice. And a uutli
' to be ably groun.luel in these sciencee ham gone the
shortest mail to the attainment if all chemical add !
! niechanical knowledge. It is a etrimg healthy vikarons
I stock ins which yon ran Nucemeafully graft any bud. And ,
as he applies hinted( to the pursuit .4 agricolture. lots,-
big the lessons awl iis,bihcii the maxims of sage I
experience. he is able to couspreliend the adaptation of !
I discoveries and inventions, yea he beconiee a discoverer !
and inventor binieelf, and a,. t to happj circling months
roll reuiel, tat-trail thedull 1111 l moony of daily t•sutine
, his wink is ever anal anon enlivened by the recurring
suggestions of impthvements anal expedients to facilitate
lalmur, anal increase prisluction, and the witness of
I their carer.; and only the practical solutions of the
; laboratory, and only the serviceable performances of
I the foundry and forge, nu require.l to throw fresh life
I int', the grateful soil kl•er on the weteh to adopt
i Maul inventions, lie is equally wary to reject that
which is speculative and fanciful. If the proverbs of
the wisest luau can give caution and b dance to his de-
s'gtia, if the rustic lure of uucient Rome can add to the
neauty and inieortance and dignity of his erode...ion, if
the struggle* of nosileni genius can give facility to his
enter; rim-a, he now ascupies that intelligent poeition
fr which he is capable of availing leaped of all their
advantages. Ile becomes • strong man --strong for him- !
Pelf and Ilia friends. sod strong against ho, advemaries;
ennui; to do eel! and to avoid evil ; sarong to wipe out
the reproach of stolidity which has sineetiones been urged
against our class, and lie jeetifias in his character the
eulogiuni pr..nounoed by Visgil, where he says "Bounte-
ous (lens smiles propitiously on the man who rules his
lanil imperii.usly." With what complacency he con'
templates the etruggle for wealth awl (sine in the me•
chsusueal department I With whet interested cantien
lie criticises the claims of each new ine.lement at our
agricultural exhibitions ! With what vigour of purpose
lie decidea on these which are true imprimeinents !
With what patience dots he wait fair the peifecting of
Heave which are on the road to nieces* ! With, what
self•satistied decision does lie adopt those which 11111111
reached that point, torejeet those whose principles con.
deem them sua In duress I With what alertness does he look
out for the efforts of those, mets who are striving for a
grand de.ideratum! He is bound by no conventional rules
ir traditionad maxim. agniint the possibilities
of nature. To put the cart before the hone is neither
• ridiculous mistake nor • mechanical impropriety,
seeing that it is dune with the best results in the hest
reaping machines yet invented. Ile travels with the
aspirants of the der along their course of sanguine
reasoning, and carefully marks the niisaiiig links of
logical deduction, or aids them with his counsel or his
cheer if the chain be perfect.—Does the chemist point
, out that the weighty immures are unadapted to the pro-
, duettists of the plant be designs to grow, and doe-s lie
pietend to allow the exact amount of chemical extract
, which shall be sufficient as • suleastute to produce it in
double vigour? Is the expensive and tedious process
of hone ploughing declared unnecessary by the fair pro-
ud., of elephants or steam ? Ii he allured by the dis-
covered properties of nutrition soil bulk of Collie sadly
negleeteal ',lent ?—lu all this the balance of his mind is
, kept eveti by the calm judgment of old experience ;
a hilt beyond all this he has heart to sympathise with
the glowing flat-ones of speculation, and an intellect to
, appreciate the flights of enterprise. Day by day he
acquire* a jaster estiniete of the power and value of
s.nenco in ita application to hie vocatiam, seek* deeper
ie..itiaiiitance with it hints lf, 'aide others in their search,
suid instead of shutting I self up within the doors of
preju.lice anal selfiaatisfselli -in, and indulging in the lap
of annual griddle Ilion or idleness, he looks ebsoad on
the ever-expanding fields of knowledge with ever-
inen•seing desi e to explore them. " What is it to be
Wise? "rig but to know how little can be known."
lint ilocs the man live in whom are combined the two
qualificationa of which we aped...? If the question
means the qualities in perfection, we must probably
anseer in the negative. But, generally speaking. I
think we may say there are many aritnevic practical
farmers, and there are many practical (airmen who know
well how 1,. u-e the biail a if others. Still this is our
*tend ,rd--a man shaauld be thoroughly practical, 'del
he al hl be thoroughly acquainted with the principles
of science, if lie is to make proctic.,l UPC Of Isis arquire•
melds. What then is it to be thoroughly practical, and
what is it to possess II gh science? Thorough !sac-
tks presupposes a fanner to be in love with his occu
paatiini, and to fed a deep interest in its emcees+ It
implies the use of diligence and earnest activity, of
perseverance and patiet.ce. It requires early rising that
he may lead his labourers, not
./ollete them. It sup-
;saws a large and comprehensive knowledge of common
customs and approve-d usage., anal good judgment to
slapt them to the varying circumstances of his business ;
putictuality in all his engagements and prondees, end
quick perception and alertness in seizing opportuniti.s.
//is seasons are not guyerned at. much by the nlinanark,
as by the sun and the clouds and the wind ; and to be
prepared ter !him on their arrival, to know the golden
hours when they come, anal sedulously to improve them
hie precious fend's% "Math see' time slid 1mre...,"
C's ii,.• At•ii sit ass old ass-I i.o• vs iv at:4,1.04w
true,. i,su. Or f." I itote bi els . re-ing P.
•• Ile tl ea by the plou h w.... 1.1 thrive,
.11.- If must...thee eel •:r
1 a tuna in, id s-igh autu erin. e“. f'.•l of lame Bids .td
▪ ii me no that us ode' *malt' so bo U •ilk I
o•s sersaud. hoe- tes emit. 1111.1 to or, the,. li,lll Who II
I u. are gad,' • rose I in -aims a so that h• 1111 l st per•
• xi 11. alt. tol a us fai• 040 k. His., hem suplllll.
" P 'mil, deep w he Slag •r•
Awl 'ow .14.11 bees testi 1.. Y.' MP. in. k
may br interpret.. .1 to signify Mist a fsrinei'• ark
shoal • be 'Olic illoon•U4101‘. MU 1 dulte Us gueuh flu., 're
knew the Vice 1111 l h a given ofji et
gletill time, to C ICII SRA 01111
•.r returning ...sit • in she 1. and cattle. ICI
• oh ti eir qu i'y melee the .otellitte. ather
e nue. Or live..., t. tet,r.. 11, .1. ORA and
•itialitiiy of famal -ulnas.- for tloin at ails time ad the
year, or ter any special purpose, are eli implied .p.alifi-
c.tions of a premien' fanner Hut thew eithit he taken
rather WI yawl hr Illustrat:MlN for time wonid fail Is
',haw all Ilia culabia•tiuma al espericsue,

and thought, which go to produce the conception and
execution of good designs, the judgment of the value of
lalseur, the good manage m int of Inleuerers, and all the
varied economy of the farm. Rut supposing all other
qualifications to be equal with the samples ILO have
41ve0, I think you would hese before yon • thoroughly
her .ctical f trmer. thee word tee the othor olio dion.
SCif.ll4: lee safe in its applieritionto agiiculteiree:voild
he thorough. It is a C 411.2 he 111eicle shove all others " a
little learning is a elarigeroto Gettig." And it is :6 case in
which a two-fee:el guard sl Id be kept, seeing that the
very foundatioa on which we peteepose, tee build the cbs
rioter el a firstirate &rimy eti-14e'ca Ili"' t" hook ht the
acientific, rather than tl.e practical. We give hhil
good estimation, we .11,411 Le liii 111,11131 1 ....WS, we
reline his taAe, we induce inooloul eel 'beetled and self-
: midi ...tem% Anil with such dispositions, as lee bends his
• attention to the pormit• of huslatitelry, the a dentate
department posse-sees for hine clearing of novelty awl
promise which obscure the worth ref old experience.
At the present clay, perhaps, there are few compar*
tively who are likely thus to err. Tim preseht gone-
ration hauv not leave advanced far enough to let 1111.1.
eeptihle of the dangorons indite nee ' but elatageroua as it
' may be, if unchastene el, we hope that the rising gene-
ration will possess 1111111 bl open to all the inapiring
ennobling attractions of science. And if we speak ut
double watchfulness being seen ear for them, we may
say let them rely leer guidance on the wise!,,,,, of practise
to guard them against the fair and false proud*. of
' speculati ~,, ene the mee I awl, and tett the oil.c'r let the
science on which they build any operations he thotough
and complete. For instance, how much has been said
elhoUt fixing ammonia in manures. II sr del not treat
11,. question profeeedutially, bed only popularly steel by
way eel illustration.l We remember the efforts that
were 11111.IC • few years ago tee present the escape of the
'Movie from the heaps hy coveting theist up, or ley
mattering over them 11411UO chemical xubsionces. They
scent all either to leave fatted in Gee objeet desired, or at
, least to have lett the ~,,,,, ere unimproved. How often
have clever torn found fault with farmers for leasing
their spread yaid dung unploughed iii on the land —tie
! 01111110111 a escaping till the rich masonry lustier became
atriumt a scentless akeleton. But thee torte of experience
could smile at their removers, because they loot fouled
that better crops were grown front the lays un which the
manure had laid Spruce-el for tie* before ploughing,
than front those teu which it liad been spread only the
day before Wherein emotion' the error? Either the
chemist has mistaken the 'Ware of the escape, or its
nutritive properties. Here then is a case in which im-
perfect science is fallacious. The trut le is, that chemistry
in its agricultural bearing is a very delicate study, and in
acting upon it on any large male the greatest cars M
necerocary, lust by 111111111 slight error or oversight we
entirely pities the result on which we hare calculated.
Yet we should be able, and we may be able comectly, to
analyze the soil em which we operate, and the eimuures
which we administer. Nor in the mechanical depart-
ment can any amount of care be ill-beatowed which
seeks to adapt the implement to the work for which it
is intended. inacluncs exhibiteel at our 11110 W yards
are fitteel ont of course in the must taking form and
finiali, bet when they are brought to the held of labour
they often CUL a very different ligure ; the consequence
in to till the *heels of our aspiring and zealous young
farmers with a set of useless implements. Allowing,
however, that scary *nail proportion of the implements
theta exhibited, say one out of ton, is an improvement,
and that only one out of • hundred is a great advance.
, we cannot re* heartily encourage these candidates for
I wealth and ranee. Who can shut their eyes to the
, facilities that hove Mao been renelered within the last
I few years to the prosecution of husbandry. And to have
I an ere to perceive the exeelleticies and to detect the
defects el so impleitieut at rest is worth yeaFs of me-
chanical study. But to 6.1 able to invent facilities acid
imoroveinents °arse:lves is the faculty with which we
I should specially 111111 LO invest our youth. Where is
there ouch • school for acqtairing knowledge of the
vegetable kinsmen' as the farm affords! Every pact of
that kingdom ice full of wonder awl delight, awl we may
begin our studies at any part. But that part of it e.leich
is of most consequence to us is eve r before our eyes.
It has been said that "any corn will do for seed—the
seteahi potatoes will du to plant." list is not the very
I heist sample the best seed corn—the best to ensure •
I plaut riot • crop? We know it is by experience. Give
I us, young men, the scientific rapt etenteun. us (lee
cause of our (*tutees boleti. ? There is nothing in the
queation beyond 1111111411 ken except the wont of welt-
directasl and leer-evering study. Furnish us *Rh what
the old Roman and Grecian poets prayed for to, their
gods in vain, an antidote for blight and mildew. Tell
114 the tuue when the coil attel touches the rieyi 1111 l
the couch, mid Gee root turns, and the meet form of all
the otiour *twill with must effect. For Safe //111.1.111Ce
bairn to your fucks., mot for ineteasiog protit and
plcanure cull the fair fruits of scienco—put ths: gold iu
}WIC pocketo, awl the lam els 1111 your loons.
Mr. H AIMING, (the vice-chairman) stated (lent thee
subject of the lecture WAS 1111 W open her discussion.
Mr. W. Mseetiehte, junr. Li glet their first duty
was to propose a vote of thanks to the Chairman,
leer the very excellent manner in n hicli he heal
brought forward the subject of his lecture. For hes
own Nett lee felt greatly obliged to Mr. Wood leer
the inlormati be had given them, and he legged
1 to proposer that thee thanks of the club Lu accumled
1 hint.

Mr. TUOMAS Homan SAUNDERS, in seconding the
proposition, said if they were to take this their Med
lecture after their opening, as an earnest of what
were to follow, he should attend their meetings very
often. He must congratulate Mr. Wood on the very
able manner in which lie had brought the subject
before them, lie had thrown out a great many
very useful observations, lie thought that tenant
farmers utielit not to be afraid to speak eut, and he
would say that the support of haulers' clubs was •
landlords' question al well as a tenant farmer's
queetion. lie hoped, therefore, this society would
have the summit of the leuallords of the neighbour-
hood. The club was eetablished ler the improve-
ment of agriculture, and for the benefit of the land,
siul hatever tended in that dime: affected the
landlords as it dul the farmers, and was entiawl to
their support. Mr. Wood, in his lecture, hail told
them that many people del not know that couch
grew lA-might forth seed, but Le had
to know, from experience, that it did pio•
duce seed, as lie bought sonic Italian ryegrass
and sou eel in two aint...nt piaci*. Before this
seed Was SUN n the lithea were nut full of couch, but
now they were as full cif couch roots us they could
possibly be. It showed that the conch seed stuck
1. the ryegras seed, and proved that farmers could
led be tim particular in selecting seed that was
free from it. And this wee uut the only case he
hail hail. lie thought that when they saved clover
or ryegraas for seed they should cut • swathe
entitely round the field, and take it away so that
there should be no couch from the hedges. Then
chairman had also spoken of dung thrown upon the
land, acd allowed to lie there. He remembered on
, one occasion he . manured some land with farm-
yard manure, and it was all ploughed in except one
ridge about twice as wide as that room. The summer
was a very dry one, and yet the crop that succeeded
it was remarkably line, and one might tell to an inch
where the manure; Was 111.41441101 in, and where it lay
on the ground. The same results could also be seen
the twit year. On another ocessiou he tried a
piece of ley in the same n.anner, and with the
same happy eflect, the differeece in the crop the
next harvest betweeu where the manure was ploughed
and where it was not, being as much as three or
four sacks per acre, lie hail not, however, found
the same 'muck where dung hail laid on the ground
during winter. or in respect to sheep. On
one occasion many people &died him what caused
the difference in a ridge of barley. The fact was,
he fed the whole of the land off. As soon as it was
fed, the land was ploughed, except this ridge, which
was left, said produced a thin crop. He could
only account for it except that the manure was
washed off as it was not ploughed in soon.
Mr. Howes also rose to support the vote of thanks
that had been proposed to Mr. Wood fur the excel-
lent lecture he hail given theta lie of courier could
not be expected to give a critical opiuion in the
subject of farming, but it was evident that 'Meurer
and practice must join hand in hand. Science was
a moat valuable auxiliary to the practice of agri•
culture, but practice was necessary to work out the
theories w licit science adduced. The lecture they
hail listened to that night would afford many valu-
able suggestions for future iliecuasions.
Mr. W. M semen said that the chairman had
only eluded to put dung, which was usually placed
on grasser ley, in which case the pleats would inane.
distally feed on the manure, and they would take up
as much of the good quality. as was lit for their food,
suit that if an,', thing were washed away it vvoulil
not be the valuable portion. But with Mr. Seen-
ders's last case he thought it would bear no *imparts. 'ii
as the case was totally different ; for the droppings
of sheep feeding off turnips would be left on bare
land, where there would be no grass or plants to feed
on the manure, which of course, as a natural conse-
quence, would during the winter months be washed
away.
Mr. II Mane° said the fresh manure thrown out
upon the land caused the growth of grass, which
in its turn wanured the laud. With respect to
couch grass seed he thought that &ramie
often very imeneeerly sowed IL OD their land. If they
noticed the tails of wheat, after wienowing, they
would often see three or four seeds of couch grams
sacking to them. He was quite of opinion that there
was Dolling like sowing the best of seed, proeured
from the best farmers.
Mr. DUNMAN sail he had been a member of •
farmer's club a great many years, awl he hail never
listened Pi a lecture with greater pleature than he
had done that night, lic agreed with top (beadily
land, as it was particuhaly suitable to his farm,
which was of that peculiar soil, that if he chalked
it, it could not be found after two or three years,
except at the bottom of the fin-row. With regard
to Italian rye grass, he thought it was deaf own
imither to e etch, as no one would Were In
....t she quantac of couch in his hind, where
he aimed lei tall rye g 1111.4. lie quire weed with
Mr. .emilele.4 aeout nem ine room! the 11,11011, sal
I.e al a aye mooed few ti.• se ate,. around the
helds he intruded for peril. ‘‘ mthi mc,am,t 10 NMI
n li,, sae olvehiC•ll. 0(.4; thet they shoal,'
ere it -et es their iemisiy. He slw,meg esidisvoureit
t . ert hi- seed cern fem a colder county than their
oe se Last sew he had 36 soaks Irons Eiy. mail the
wee 'wisteria the yiei,l ..1 that and seed grown
iimi he • • comity. one would crallit. Mr.
I)uinums. a 10 a•• 111.1 inipt..VClnen's iu aleSiCal•
ti,,u mliii, lia.l LA. It It ace In late yaw., especially
%Ph ieeare to loot errs. and mmerieleel by agate
tha..k.isg lbw c• a.nuen for hisaslc war mu.
i The 1.11A11:11e4 ombelly tl•allk.4l the mendiere
I,'. the kind illiiitl,elice with a bide sle' I.Rtl revel% n 1
the fee oliaertall• us lie had tacked together. lie
.hi reil hire rem/Oka Worth( lead to the consideration
of many impOltaini qUitati..lla ill.ls were Deeemarily
embraced within the centimes of hie lecture. H.
um toad sure they Quaid nut (Imam any important

agricultural question, without ite producing carrot;
ponding important te:te.ts- -reollti that would be
seen in after-thne. Ile hoped such would be the
result of th,ir meeting to4et her. It was a soiree
of great ideamare to him to know that Sir.
would 4i. h%er the next lectuie. lie th-uglst.
would be beat that, that geotleinsti should tie upon
his own subject, but he tra,ted h., would let the
socretsry knuw sufficiently c.irly tu advertise it in
thn.papers.