immediately previous to the enactment of that Poor Law.

Now, here is the dilemma: if relief be supplied in the form of wages to the unemployed worker, want of energy, and a want of foresight and of management, are created. If it be not supplied till absolute destitution has taken place, then the irretrievable deterioration of condition is the consequence; and it has been already shewn, that a want of employment must occasionally exist, with reference to at least a portion of the working body. Any mode which provides for the subsistence of the working classes-which does not emanate from their own industry, from their own labour-which does not call forth their own foresight, and make them dependent, either for subsistence or for prosperity, on the proper exertion of their own faculties -must be productive of evil. The great object ought to be, to place it in the power of every man to subsist himself and his family by his own powers. I maintain, this cannot be the case, if the working classes be wholly dependent on hired labour, and be deprived of the occupation of land. I maintain, that a forced supply, in any form, whether it be in extraordinary wages to be given by the employer, or in wages or subsistence from poor-rates, must produce the injurious effects stated; and that there is no other mode by which these evils can be avoided, except by the small occupation of land, and the instructing of the small occupier in the means of improving his condition.

Under the head of the next proposition, this subject shall be further examined. In the mean time, I shall observe, that I am aware it will be alleged, by a certain class of political economists, that all the evils of the working classes could be remedied by a repeal of the Corn Laws. Whilst I support this repeal (as I consider the Corn Laws to be founded on an unjust principle of partially to one sect of the community, and that, if accompanied with other concurrent measures, their repeal would be highly beneficial to society at large,) nevertheless I maintain, that repeal would be no remedy for the distresses of the working classes: it would not produce constant employment; constant employment is absolutely incompatible with machinery; and, if the worker, who is solely dependent on wages, does not receive wages, it matters not whether the price of the loaf is a shilling or a pound,-poverty and want must overtake him.

WM. SHARMAN CRAWFORD. Crawfordsburn, Sept. 10, 1839.

SUGGESTIONS IN FAVOUR OF THE SYSTEMATIC COLLECTION OF THE STATISTICS OF AGRICULTURE.

BY G. R. PORTER.

(Read at the late meeting of the British Association.) If, (said Mr. Porter,) throughout the whole range of material interests that affect the well-being of a community, there be any one subject of greater importance than another, without doubt that subject is the adequate supply of food for the people; and yet this is a subject that, in England, which prides itself on being the country of practical men, has never hitherto been considered to any useful or practical end. The amount of ignorance on this subject is so great, that to this day the public does not possess

any authentic document, from which we can learn even the quantity of land under cultivation in any county of England. The only information available for further calculation, is contained in the estimate of Mr. Couling, who gave evidence before a Committee of the House of Commons, which was appointed in 1827, to inquire into the subject of Emigration. Such an estimate, it is manifestly beyond the power of any individual to make with the requisite degree of accuracy. If even it be conceded that Mr. Conling's estimate was correct at the time it was offered, we must bear in mind that it was given more than twelve years ago, since which time we have added at least four millions to our numbers, and have therefore necessitated other important changes, which must influence the degree and proportions that might then have correctly designated the employment of the soil. Allowing, further, for the moment, that not only was the estimate correct, but that we had the means of rightly adjusting it to the altered circumstances of our population, we should still have acquired a very small, and only an initial part of the facts which are required, in order to arrive at any useful result. To this end it would be necessary to know, not only the extent of cultivated and improvable land within the kingdom, but also the various uses to which it is applied, and the proportion alloted to each branch of cultivation. We should have then to inform ourselves concerning the productiveness of the soil; the proportion of its produce required for reproduction; the number of each of the various kinds of animals reared and maintained; the rate of their increase; the proportion of each required for the adequate reproduction of its own kind; the number applicable to the sustenance of the people; the number of skins furnished for purposes of manufacture; the number of fleeces shorn: with various other particulars which it is not necessary to enumerate here. Neither would it be sufficient that these points should be ascertained once for all. We require to know not only whether the land is capable, under ordinary circumstances, of supplying the absolute wants of the population, but also whether or not the actual produce of each year, as it occurs, is sufficient to that end; and if it be not sufficient, then to ascertain the proportion in which it falls short of sufficiency. For these purposes, it is indispensable to have an organized machinery in constant action. The importance of accurately knowing the provision available for the sustenance of the people is not less than that of knowing the yearly produce of various articles of commerce which are used as accessaries in manufacturing processes. The condition of the crop of Indigo in Bengal is accurately communicated to the merchants of London at the earliest moment, and the information thus given has, through its influence upon the market price, an immediate effect in checking or promoting consump tion. The like result atteads on the collection of information concerning the growth of hops in this country; the extent of land devoted to the cultivation of that article being known through the records of the Excise Office, the department which is intrusted with the collection of the hop duty. In Belgium and Holland every kind of information connected with agriculture is obtained with the nicest accuracy. This duty is performed under the superintendence of a body of gentlemen, usually proprietors of estates, residing in different places, and who are elected in the respective provinces for purposes of local government, by the same persons who elect the members of the representative chambers. Having the requisite amount of local knowledge bearing upon the condition and circumstances of the several

communes in their respective districts, they are able to prevent or to detect errors in the returns, which are made at certain periods according to forms prescribed for the purpose, by the farmers or occupiers of land. The result is every year the subject of a detailed report, which is printed under the authority of the governor of the province. A considerable amount of information on the subject of agricultural statistics is also collected in different parts of France. A statement was published in September 1838, by the Prefect of the Department of the Eure, containing a complete account of the agricultural produce of each subdivision of that department. In this statement may be found a separate account for each canton, giving its population and superficial area, the distribution of the soil, the nature of the crops, the breadth of land appropriated to each kind, the total produce, the average price of each description of produce, the quantity used for seed, and the consumption by the native population. There are also given, the extent of land appropriated to the growth of wood, and the quantity lying fallow, the number and value of different kinds of animals reared and kept, the number slaughtered in the year, and the price of each kind of meat. In the course of a slight examination of this publication, comparing its results with such facts as we possess concerning the agriculture of our own country, some very striking differences appear, into the consideration of which it is not necessary to enter minutely on this occasion. It will, however, be interesting to state that the produce of wheat throughout the department is not equal, on the average, to quite 18 bushels to the English acre, and that the return obtained from the seed sown is not greater than sevenfold, results which may be pronounced by no means equal to those obtained by English farmers.*

The employment of the machinery necessary for the effective performance of the labour suggested must, in this kingdom, be attended by considerable expense. It cannot be expected that qualified persons would be willing to quit, or to neglect, other and perhaps gainful employments, for this purpose, except on the condition of being paid. It is probable that, in all parts of the country, gentlemen might be found, every way qualified, who would be willing to examine and controul the returns when obtained; but those to whom the first task of collection is assigned must be paid. The number of parishes in the United Kingdom exceeds 14,000, and for each one of these, with the exception of town parishes, a paid agent must be enployed. Then, too, the whole body of information, when, collected, must be put into form by some competent person, who would also require payment for his service. To provide for the complete and correct performance of the work, might thus require an annual outlay of from 20,000l. to 30,000l., a large sum unquestionably, and it is necessary, therefore, to mention some of the benefits which would flow from the possession of accurate information upon this subject. It is now well known, that the harvest of 1837 was deficient to so great a degree, that before the produce of 1838 was harvested, the great superabundance of the two preceding years was all consumed, and the stock of grain throughout the kingdom, whether in the hands of farmers or dealers, was more nearly exhausted than at any other period in modern times; so that if we could not have had recourse to foreign wheat then warehoused in our ports, we must have suffered most severely before the produce of

*The produce of barley, not much of which is grown in the department, does not exceed 17 bushels per acre; of oats not quite 20 bushels per acre are obtained.

1833 could have been brought to market. So entirely, however, was the public misinformed on the subject, that instead of a reasonable advance in price sufficient to give warning of the fact, and so to check the consumption, which, as regards the most costly grain, wheat, had, it is well known, long been going on with unwonted profusion, the mar.. kets fell progressively during the months of August, September, and October, 1837, from 60s. 1d. to 51s. per quarter; and it was not until the middle of the following May that the weekly average was again as high as it had been immediately before the harvest of 1837. By the third week in August, 1838, the weekly average price had advanced beyond the rate at which foreign wheat is admitted to consumption on payment of the nominal duty of one shilling per quarter. It would not be possible to calculate, with any tolerable accuracy, the loss which this country sustained through the want of information thus shown to have prevailed with regard to only one year's operations; but we can have no hesitation in believing that its amount must have been at least sutfcient, if employed at interest, to provide in perpetuity for every expense that could accompany the most completely organized machinery for collecting agricultural statistics throughout the United Kingdom. If the very considerable purchases of foreign wheat which were suddenly made during the autumn of 1838, in almost every market of Europe, occasioning the prices to be driven up to an exorbitant height, had been made progressively and quietly, without exciting a spirit of speculation, no one can doubt that the saving would have been sufficiently great to have borne out the assertion just hazarded. Whether the quality of suddenness given to the purchases made by us in foreign corn markets in the autumn of 1838, may not have occasioned an aggravation of the evil under which the money dealings of the country have since been suffering, is a question as to which different opinions may be entertained. It does not appear unreasonable to conceive that in proportion as those purchases could have been made to approximate to the conditions of ordinary commercial dealings, so would the derangements which they were calculated to occasion, have been diminished, or, to speak more correctly, they would not have been experienced. The gold which has left our shores, in payment for corn, will doubtless find its way back in exchange for goods, when time shall have admitted of the requisite adjustment. If time -that important ingredient in most human transactions-had been allowed to enter more largely at first into the conditions of our recent corn trade, that adjustment would, to some extent at least, have accompanied its progress. Our corn-laws were intended, not as a mode of acquiring revenue, but wholly for regulation and protection. It may not, therefore, be right to insist very strongly on the sums which, under the circumstances just supposed, might have found their way to the Exchequer from this source in 1838, beyond what were actually collected. It may, however, be interesting to state, that if the average rate of duty received on the foreign wheat and wheat-flour brought into consumption in 1838, had been the same as was received on that admitted in 1837, the Exchequer would have benefited by no less a sum than 2,156,596l. beyond the money actually received,-and one-fourth part of this sum, if employed at interest, would yield a revenue sufficient for making the requisite statistical inquiries concerning agriculture throughout the kingdom. It would be taking a very narrow view of the subject, to limit the advantage of knowledge concerning it, to the amount of saving that might be effected

under a recurrence of such circumstances as have attended the deficient harvests of 1837 and 1838. The natural, the necessary tendency of any systematic and comprehensive inquiry, such as might be made by public agents, acting under legislative sanction, would be to place the nation as far as possible, and for a long series of years, beyond the probability of scarcity. It is well known by everybody who has made any extensive inquiries concerning the state of agriculture as a science, in various parts of the kingdom, that the improvements made in some counties have not been hitherto followed in others; and it has been stated, in illustration of this fact, "that if all England were cultivated as well as the counties of Northumberland and Lincoln, it would produce more than double the quantity of food that is now ob tained." To what can this be attributed, unless it be to the want of information, such as the public agents would collect in every county, and which could not fail to interest deeply every cultivator? Farmers have often been accused of an unwise preference for the plans and processes employed by their ancestors, and their pertinacity in this respect has been contrasted with the rapidity which accom panies the march of improvement in mechanical and manufacturing processes. The reason for such difference is obvious. Manufacturers residing in towns are brought necessarily and constantly into collision; new inventions are continually brought under their notice, so that their results can be tested and judged with the greatest facility and accuracy. Practical agriculturists, on the contrary, live apart; they come together but rarely, and have not that degree of acquaintanceship the one with the other, which leads them even when they meet, to the interchange of professional experience, and if the result of a successful agricultural experiment should at any time reach their ears, they cannot be certain that all the circumsances connected with its prosecution have been faithfully detailed. The tendency of statistical inquiries such as would be carried out by the means already described, would be in a great degree to re. move the disadvantage under which the farmer now suffers. Authority, resting not upon a single expe riment only, but upon the successful practice of hundreds of men placed in similar circumstances with himself, must have the authority of undoubted facts, and the farmer would be compelled to adopt whatever should come thus recommended, with an alacrity equal to that which we see exhibited by the manufacturer. It may perhaps be feared, that if the public should acquire a knowledge of any peculiar advantages, those by whom they are enjoyed would be exposed to have them invaded. The agricultural is in this country what is called, a protected interest. Our cultivators consequently appear desirous of excluding inquiries which they think might have the effect of weakening their claim to the continuance of that protection. This fear is altogether chimerical. In Belgium, where the utmost publicity is given to every fact connected with the agriculture of the country, it has never been pretended that any improper advantage has been taken of that publicity. The knowledge which it appears to be so desirable to obtain with reference to the whole kingdom, is already easily procurable with regard to every individual farm, by any person whose interest may incite him to the task. The landlord, who is interested in extracting a due proportion of the produce of the farm under the name of rent, cannot find much difficulty in correctly estimating that produce. A like facility attends the operations of the tithe proctor and of the parochial tax-gatherer. The knowledge is, in fact, already procurable by every one who can

turn it to the disadvantage of the farmer; all that is wanted is to extend the information, so that the farmer himself may be placed in a condition to profit from its possession, and thus to add to the sum of the general prosperity.

Several objections were made to the proposed plan, and it was urged that the acquisition of such knowledge would involve a greater amount of expenditure than was even contemplated by Mr. Porter; and it was doubted whether machinery for collecting the information existed. The general opinion, however, seemed to be in favour of Mr. Porter's plan.

EAST SUFFOLK AGRICULTURAL

ASSOCIATION.

(ABRIDGED FROM THE IPSWICH EXPRESS.)

On Thursday, Sept. 12, the annual exhibition of the East Suffolk Agricultural Association, took place in a paddock behind the Bell Inn, Saxmundham ; and we were glad to observe that the gradual improvement which in past years every revolving season brought about at its shows, was on this occasion manifested to a still greater extent, both as regards the number of visitors present, and the quality of much of the stock produced. We have no doubt, from appearances, that this society is designed to attain a degree of eminence among the agricultural community, and to diffuse advantages in and about the field of its operations, hitherto unequalled by any other local institution of a similar description in the United Kingdom. Its beneficial tendency becomes more and more apparent every day, by the great accessions it has had to its already large number of members, and by the increased competition at its various meetings, not only for its prizes for stock, but what in our estimation is of far more importance, for the premiums awarded to shepherds, ploughmen, and deserving labourers and servants in husbandry. In the latter department particularly, we learn that considerable benefits have accrued, in consequence of the stimulus given to excite a spirit of emulation in the minds of the peasantry, to virtuous lives and actions, thus naturally raising them to that character for which they were once so famed-a "bold peasantry, their country's pride." Not the least important feature in the constitution of the Society, in our opinion, is that, unlike many others of this class of associations, it is really and truly what its name implies, and what it was originally intended to be--an agricultural association, established for the promotion of improvement in this important branch ofour nationalindustry, for mutual instruction and information, and for extending generally its beneficial effects throughout the country. Consequently politics are excluded from the discussions in committee and in the public meetings of the association; and though at times a member may slightly touch upon the corn laws, and praise them as being a blessing to the agricultural interest, yet generally these topics are carefully avoided, but when referred to, the good sense of the majority condemns the taste or policy of making such observations, and they are speedily repressed. There is one gratifying fact to which we are proud to direct attention, as evidence of the excellence of this association, and that is, that at the great meeting of the English Agricultural Association recently held at Oxford, some of the principal prizes which were open to all England, were borne off by gentlemen who are members of the East Suffolk Agricul

tural Society, and reside in this county-we mean Mr. Thomas Crisp of Gedgrave, an agriculturist who perhaps devotes more time and talent to the improvement of his capital stock, than any other gen. tleman in the county of Suffolk; Mr. Thomas Freeman, of Henham, also a famous farmer, and Messrs. Ransomes, iron-founders; the latter of whom won the gold medal for their splendid collection of agricultural machinery and implements. Besides the above enumerated advantages resulting from this institution, may be mentioned a mode of drawing forth native talent, that will be found well to answer the purpose for which it was originated, viz., the presentation of a honorary silver medal to the member who applies artificial manures most extensively and advantageously in proportion to the size of his occupation, accompanied with a written statement or essay upon the subject. With such incitements to exertion and improvements then, we may with propriety ask, what was there to prevent the East Suffolk Association becoming what it is, one of the best of its kind in the country? We will only further ob serve, in reference to this part of our notice, that we sincerely hope increased prosperity may reward the efforts of the members of the society, and that its future success may be such as to enable it to extend its blessings down to the remotest ages.

Among the company on the ground we noticed the noble President of the society, the Right Hon. the Earl of Stradbroke, Lord Huntingfield, Lord Henniker, M.P., Sir Joshua Rowley, Bart., Sir Charles Broke Vere, Bart., M.P., Sir W. F. F. Mid dleton, Bart., R. N. Shawe, Esq., (Kesgrave), John Moseley, Esq., (Great Glenham), Edward Godfrey, Esq., (East Bergholt), Charles Rowley, Esq., Major Moor, (Bealings), Andrew Arcedeckne, Esq., (Glevering Hall), F. Corrance, Esq., Hon. and Rev. Robert Wilson, W. Long, Esq. (Hurts Hall), Captain Rous, Ilon. Mr. Caneck, C.Smythies, Esq., C. S. Sharpe, Esq., (Woodbridge), J. Pearson, Esq., J. Powell, Esq., R. Berners, Esq., J. Mayhew, Esq., (West Suffolk), F. W. Schrieber, Esq., (Ipswich), R. Broke, Esq., J. B. Alexander, Esq., (Treasurer), the Archdeacon Berners, the Rev. Dr. Etough, (Claydon), Rev. Longe, Rev. J.H. Groome, Rev. W. B. Birch, Rev. E. Bellman, and Messrs. N. Bathropp, W. Fisher Hobbs, (Mark's Hall, Essex), J. G. Gobbold, H. Aldrich, (Ipswich), J. Wood, Jun., (Woodbridge), Thomas Crisp, (Gedgrave), Joshua Rodwell, (Livermere), J. Revans, (Yoxford), J. Newson, (Glenham), J. Ranson, (Sproughton), A. Ransome, (Ipswich),— Churchill, (Hasketon), W. Moor, (Leiston), Forsdick, (Hasketon), Steel, Churchill, Jun., Corbell, T. Flatt, R. Rist, sen. and jun., Mayhew, sen., and jun., Cana, (Woodbridge), Salmon, R. Watling, Boyce, J. Cook, C. Churchman, J. Lewin, W. Wells, Waller, J. Barthropp, T. Ashford, J. Spelman, &c.

On inspecting the beautiful display of stock in the field, we were struck with peculiar admiration of the splendid horses, for never before did we see such perfect specimens of cart stallions of the pure Suffolk breed. A crowd of persons was continually gazing on this department of the show; and more particularly we were pleased with the four year old colt of Mr. Durham, of Stratford, which for symmetrical proportion, good breed and general excellent qualities, was highly praised. Deserving of equal approbation were two stallions, one six-year old, the property of Mr. Francis Keer of Raydon, the other four-years old, belonging to Mr. Thos. Crisp of Gedgrave, got by that famous cart horse "Briton," owner, Mr. Edwards of Sutton. The others exhibited were "Boxer," four years old, belonging to the same Mr.

Edwards, and got by one of his young horses; Mr. Edward's "Bly," eight years old, Mr. Hutting's of Bawdsey, eight years old, Mr. Catlin's of Chillesford Lodge, four years old, Mr. Churchill's of Hasketon, four years old, and Mr. Spinke's of Eyke, five years old. All these were first rate horses, and it was the opinion of many gentlemen with whom we conversed, that they had never before seen so fine a show of this sort of stock at any agricultural exhibition in this part of the country. The cart geldings also were capital animals; and one three year old of Mr. Webb of Donnington was pointed out to us as being worthy especial notice. Not less than a hundred brood mares with foals at foot, cart colts, riding nags and fillies were produced as extra stock, and amongst all these hardly an inferior animal was to be seen. A three year old colt belonging to Mr. Abbott of Bolbrook was considered very good indeed. Only two thorough-bred horses were shewn; and one of these was the Earl of Stradbroke's Alpheas, eight years old.

Several fine bulls were on the ground; but the one which attracted the most considerable share of attention from the best judges was a Durham, the property of Mr. W. Fisher Hobbs, of Mark's Hall, Essex, an eminent agriculturist. This superb beast is four years old, bred by Lord Huntingfield, and was purchased when a calf by Mr. Hobbs, at that nobleman's sale. It was this bull that carried off the prize at the North Essex Agricultural Shew, at Colchester Castle, in June last; and we must acknowledge that a finer animal for his age we never saw. Mr. Hobbs refused 451. for him a few weeks since, offered by a gentleman who wished to send him to Van Diemen's Land; the sum required by Mr. Hobbs was fifty guineas, but we have not been informed whether or not he disposed of him at Saxmundham. Among the other good things of this description were Mr. Thomas Crisp's bull, two years and a halfold, Durham stock, deemed to be of great merit; also Lord Huntingfield's five-year old, of the same breed. In addition to these, there was shewna bull belonging to Mr. Hillin, of Blaxhall ; but two Durhams, two or three years of age, of Mr. Thos. Crisp, were pronounced superior to all in the field, except Mr. Fisher Hobb's. Mr. Mosely, of Glenham, shewed, as extra stock, a very fine Suffolk bull, four years old, and Mr. J. Read, of Laxfield, a three-year old, of the same breed. The oxen on the ground were not numerous, but of superior quality, especially Mr. T. Crisp's stupendous two two-year old Durham's, than which there could not be more splendid beasts. Worthy also of our meed of approbation, was the two-year old Durham ox of Mr. John Cook, of Martlesham, from the celebrated stock of Mr. George Cook. Much notice was taken of two four-year old Suffolk bred oxen, which were owned by Mr. Barker, of Westleton. There was a great falling off observable in the cows, not in the number but in their breed, which was of such sort as that the Judges wisely withheld the premiums. We trust, however, that the cup offered by Lord Henniker, to be competed for next year, will induce the growers of stock to pay more attention to the improvement of the breed of this most useful animal. With regard to sheep, the shew was pretty fair; and, as usual, the tups were of the purest blood. Mr. T. Crisp had twelve of his Southdown tups on the ground, one of which won the prize at the Oxford meeting; and Mr. Moses Crisp had two of the same sort. The public are now so well acquainted with the excellent breed of sheep possessed by Mr. T. Crisp, that further remark here would he supererogatory; it is sufficient to observe that his tups

were viewed with delight by the most eminent agriculturists, who were lavish in their encomia of them. Lord Huntingfield's and Mr. T. N. Catlin's tups were likewise honoured with much admiration: the wonder being, in respect of the noble lord's, how it was possible that his lordship, in so short a space of time since his return to Suffolk, now only about a year, could have produced such superior animals. Messrs. Girling and Son, auctioneers, of Peasenhall, sold one of his lordship's tups, a beautiful two-shear Leicester, from the blood of Burgess and Buckley's, the most distinguished breeders in Leicestershire, and five others, shearlings, of the same breed.

A number of hogs were shewn, and a most extraordinary fat one, computed to weigh 36 or 37 stone, the property of Mr. Cooper, of Knoddishall, was sold at auction, by Messrs. Girling, and brought 13l.; and another belonging to Mr. Catlin, of Chillesford Lodge, was sold by the same gentleman, at 11. 10s. There were three or four good boars exhibited; and a sow and a litter of eleven pigs, from Mr. Catlin's farm.

Mr. W. Fisher Hobbs showed a sample of his red wheat, which won the prize at the Oxford exhibition open for all England, and offered it for sale at 51. per quarter.

A large quantity of agricultural implements from the manufactory of Mr. Garrett, at Leiston, was in the field as usual; and the area in which it was displayed, was during the whole day thronged with visitors, who were unanimous in their expressions of commendation of the improvements introduced by the manufacturer. Mr. Smyth of Peasenhall also shewed some of his far famed drills, which we are happy to say still retain their high position in the opinion of all who have used them. Biggs's Sheep Dipping Apparatus, a new invention shewn by Mr. Geo. Francis, Duggist, Market Place, Wooodbridge, Agent for the inventor, was highly extolled by individuals who had had experience in its use.

THE DINNER

took place in a very spacious building at the back of the Bell Inn; about 400 gentlemen sat downLord Stradbroke in the chair. He was supported on his right by Lord Henniker, R. N. Shawe, Esq., and Dr. Etough; and on his left by Lord Huntingfield, Capt. Rous, and A. Arcedeckne, Esq. John Mosely Esq., and Wm. Long, Esq., acted as Vice Presidents; the former being supported on the right and left by Sir C. B. Vere, J Powell, Esq., Sir Joshua Rowley, R. Berners, Esq. and Capt. Rowley; and the latter by the hon. Mr. Caneck, and Sir W. F. F. Middleton, Bart.

After the usual loyal toasts were drank,

The CHAIRMAN arose and said, a year had elapsed since he had last the honour of addressing them, and this period, although it might appear to be a short time to some, had yet been pregnant with events beneficial to the interests of agriculture, which they would do well to encourage. (Cheers.) Loca! societies had been formed-farmers' clubs had been established-emulating with each other in science, where discussions arose and arguments took place on the most intricate parts of that object, all tending to promote the object they had in view in the formation of this Society. (Loud cheers.) He attended at the great national meeting which was held at Oxford, in July last, and he might say that a large proportion of the aristocracy, of the members of the House of Commons, and of the leading agriculturists of England, made it their duty to be present, each vying with the other in endeavouring to support that great assembly; and each county vying with its

neighbour in bringing forth its best productions. (Cheering.) It was a source of no small gratification to him to observe, when the prizes were distributed, that the best seed corn, one of the best Down sheep, the best Suffolk cart horse, and above all, the best machinery belonged to persons resident in this county, all he believed, members of the association (cheers) thus proving at once that Suffolk stands pre-eminent as an agricultural county, and that it possessed within its length and breadth farmers of great skill and capital, who did honour to themselves, and did honour to this Society by undertaking that long journey. (Cheers.) He need not stop here, for it was no less true that the labourers of this county, in knowledge and good conduct were inferior to none. (Cheers.) They had constant applications for their services in distant counties, and this he attributed in a great measure to the protection they received from their masters; for it was notorious, and beyond cavil or the possibility of doubt, that in this county they received a better remuneration by way of wages for their employment, than in almost any other agricultural district in England. The increase which had taken place in their wages, from 8s. to 12s., during the last four or five years, might be fairly attributed in some respect, indeed in a great respect, to the increased and now remunerative prices the farmers received for their corn; but he must be allowed to say, that the improved system of employment which had taken place during that time, if carried out on the fullest principle and to the broadest extent, -must end by finding employment for the poor of this country, either upon their native soil, or, for the surplus population, in the extensive field of the colonies of this country. (Cheers.) He had taken an opportunity of observing the stock exhibited to-day in the field; and it was within the bounds of fact when he stated, that he never saw a better description of cart horses, or, he might say, of so great merit as he this day observed. The stock generally was an average of what they had usually seen, but he would leave that part of the subject to other gentlemen to discuss who were more conversant with it. He had heard from the Treasurer that the funds were in a very flourishing condition, and that it only required the calling in a small balance in arrear to enable them to give further premiums to deserving people in this county. (Applause.) He had little more to add to this, but that it was with great pleasure he observed the increased and still increasing popularity of these meetings. To-day he had been informed that they had received four hundred tickets from those who had attended, and he found that there were one hundred at least who were sent away, from the impossibility of furnishing room for them. That being the case, he thought they might be fairly called on to drink, with three times three, "Prosperity to this Association,"-Three times three.

The CHAIRMAN next proposed to them the healths of the "Army and Navy of Great Britain."

Sir C. B. VERE and Sir J. ROWLEY returned thanks.

The CHAIRMAN gave "The Lord Lieutenant of the County-the Duke of Grafton," and "The Bishop and Clergy of the diocese." (Cheers.)

Archdeacon BERNERS acknowledged the latter

toast.

The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the Members for the Eastern division of the county, who were both present, and he was happy to say able supports of this society. (Cheering.)

Lord HENNIKER.-For the very kind and cordial manner in which the assembly had been pleased to