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AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
training ; the second, of literary teachers, who wish
to qualify themselves for conducting agricultural
schools, and whose period of training extends to one
year only. The second class is composed of young
men who board and lodge, at their own expense, in
the immediate neighbourhood, and who are admitted
on the payment of a two-guinea entrance-fee, which
is expended in the purchase of agricultural books
for the library. For both of thése classes alike,
labour and study systematically alternate, the entire
number of pupils being formed into two divisions,
the one devoting the morning of one day to the
farm, the other to the school-room, and vice versd on
the morrow, both working together on the land
in the afternoon, and winding up the day with two
hours of study. Obedience, punctuality, and habits of
cleanliness and order are strictly insisted upon. Vari-
ous rotations of crops are exemplified upon separate
divisions of the farm, and the system of house-feeding
cattle is carried on both summer and winter. The
training institution situated on the farm comprises, in
addition to dormitories, school and lecture room, &c.,
a museum, library, and laboratory. The chief super-
vision of the whole establishment devolves upon
the superintendent, Thomas Kirkpatrick, M.D. ; and
the entire labours of the farm, including draining
operations, are performed by the pupils, under
the direction of a resident agriculturist. Practical
horticulture is also taught, and a good general educa-
tion imparted by two competent literary instructors.
Two sessional courses of lectures are annually
delivered on animal and vegetable physiology,
chemistry, geology, botany, and practical agriculture.
Between January 1847 and December 1855, no
fewer than 270 young men left the Albert Institution
at Glasnevin, to carry out its principles either on
farms of their own, or in the still more responsible
post of land-stewards or of teachers, to impart
them to hundreds. The Templemoyle Agricultural
Seminary, established in the county of Londonderry
30 years ago, and placed, within the last five years,
in connection with the national system of education,
is also worthy of special notice, as having sent forth
fully 1000 well-trained agriculturists. From what
has been stated, it will be evident that the benefits
of the system are obvious, and it is gratifying to add
that their annual cost is comparatively small; the
actual current expenses of all the agricultural
schools throughout Ireland amounting to somewhat
less than £8000 a year, while the number of pupils
who attend them is estimated at 3000. It is therefore
to be hoped that, notwithstanding an outery lately
raised against these schools on the score of their
expensiveness, the commissioners will seek rather
to extend than retrench their successful labours
in the cause of A. K.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, associations
for the purpose of promoting the science and practice
of agriculture. Such societies were established in
the north of Italy in the beginning of the last cen-
tury. As early as 1723, a ‘ Society of Improvers in
the Knowledge of Agriculture in Scotland’ was
instituted. This had a short existence; but the
necessity of such an association was felt, and another
arose in 1755. This also did not succeed well;
however, in 1783 a number of gentlemen met in
Edinburgh and founded one destined for permanency,
the well-known ¢ Highland Society.” The first annual
meeting of this body was held in 1784, and it was
incorporated by royal charter in 1787. Originally
designed for the general improvement of the High-
lands, it gradually extended the sphere of its
operations over the whole of Scotland, and confined
its efforts more and more to the advancement of
agriculture. Tts title is now the ¢Highland and
Agricultural Society of Scotland.” Its earliest efforts
were aided by a grant of £3000 out of the moneys
paid for the estates of the noblemen and gentle-
men who were attainted in consequence of their
accession to the rebellion of 1745. The funds
required to defray the expense of the charter, how-
ever, were raised by subscription, and the members
then were only about 150. In 1799 the Society
began to publish its Transactions or prize essays.
At present (1859) its members number nearly 3700.
The ordinary subscription is £1, 3s. 6d. annually,
which may be redeemed by one payment of £12, 12s.
Tenant-farmers are admitted on a subscription of 10s.
annually, or £5, 5s. for life. The more important
objects aimed at by the Society are—
1. Agricultural meetings, and general shows of
stock, implements, and dairy produce, held in the
principal towns of Scotland.
2. Encouraging a system of district shows, for the
improvement of breeds of stock most suitable to the
different parts of the country.
3. The encouragement and promotion of a proper
system of agricultural education, by means of powers
conferred by a supplementary royal charter, author-
iging ‘the Council of the Highland and A. Society on
Education’ to prescribe a curriculum of study, and to
grant diplomas to students of agriculture who shall
pass the requisite examination.
4. The advancement of the veterinary art, by con-
ferring the Society’s diploma on students who have
passed through a regulated curriculum in the Edin-
burgh Veterinary College, and who are found by a
rigid examination qualified to practise. A second
college, started by Mr Gamgee, has been sanctioned
by the Highland Society.
5. The appointment of a chemist, for the purpose
of analysing soils, manures, &c., to members, and for
promoting the application of science to agriculture.
6. The establishment of an agricultural Museum,
illustrative of the vegetable products of the country.
7. Monthly meetings during the winter session for
the discussion of agricultural subjects.
8. The periodical publication of reports and prize-
essays on all branches of agriculture and arboricul-
ture, as well as the proceedings of the laboratory.
The general shows of stock, &c., are held once
every year, at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, or
some other principal town, and are attended by vast
numbers of persons. The business of the society is
conducted by a secretary at an office in Edinburgh.
The writings of Arthur Young directed attention
to the agricultural condition of England, shortly
after the middle of the last century. In 1793 the
¢ Board of Agriculture’ was incorporated. This
was a private association, but being supported by
parliamentary grants, it so far partook of the nature
of a public institution. Its ‘surveys’ of the different
counties collected and diffused an immense amount
of information of the most valuable kind. It lat-
terly encouraged experiments and improvements of
all kinds in agriculture, but was dissolved in 1816.
Various societies have sprung up since then in
different parts of England; of these, the ¢ Smithfield
Cattle Club, ¢The Bath and West of England
Society,” and the ¢ Yorkshire A. Society,” may be
mentioned as the most influential. The growth and
vigour of the national society, ¢The Royal A,
Society of England,” has been beyond all precedent.
It was established in May 1838, and then consisted
of 466 members, but in 1858 the members amounted
to upwards of 10,000. The objects which it pursues
are almost identical with those of the Highland
and A. Society of Scotland. Ordinary members
pay £1 annually, or £10 for life. The Journal,
containing interesting and original reports on = A.
subjects, is sent free to all the members. Ireland
also boasts of its ‘Royal A. Improvement SoSCYiety.’
«.4..._,.,._,_.._‘
