Farmers' Scrap Book - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

Carlisle Patriot

18 May 1844

Farmers' Scrap Book

Carlisle Patriot - 18 May 1844

                          THE FARMERS' SCRAP BOOK.
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The "Wakefield Farmers' Club," we are happy to hear, is in a most promising
state, already numbering nearly eighty members. At the monthly meeting held
April 26th, an important resolution was passed, that an apparatus for the
chemical analysis of soils shall be purchased, which shall be confided to the
care of Mr. John DAWSON, the chemist to the society, who, for a proper
compensation, has agreed to examine any soils submitted to him for analysis by
any of the members.

THE PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE. - The reign of George the Third was distinguished
in the history of useful arts, for the rapid growth of the cotton manufacture;
that of William the Fourth for the perfection which railway locomotion attained.
The reign of Victoria promises to be not less remarkable for the progress of
agriculture, as displayed in the advances toward reducing it to an exact
science. The worthy successors of the BEDFORDs, COKEs, and COLLINGs, have called
to their aid the chemist. The merchant, stimulated by such enlightened
patronage, has ransacked Africa and America for new fertilizers. The mechanician
from day to day announces some improved means of obtaining increased power and
exactness in the operations of the farm. The principle of association* is
applied to facilitate draining, that of insurance^ to protection against storms
and murrain. A Royal Society itinerates from town to town, instructing and
rewarding the experimental cultivator and breeder; and the wide-spread interest
felt in these important pursuits is attested by the number of periodicals
devoted to its elucidation, which have within a very short time sprung into
life. It would savour too much of the spirit of puffery, if we were to designate
any by name - but we will venture to assert that there are some conducted with a
union of practical skill and scientific knowledge, which would, on the
Continent, entitle the editors to well-paid professorships, titles, and ribands
of all the colours of the rainbow. - Western Advertiser.

          * Yorkshire Draining Association.
          ^ Hail Storm, and Cattle Insurance.

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