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conduct. Though this regulation has in view the bénefit of both parties, there is a circumstance which the law ought to provide. There is a punishment for à false character, but for refusing to give one from prejudice, or malevolence, there is no remedy. This is an extreme hardship; and as I hope to see the requiring characters from servants become general, a law should pass to guard the servant against injury, from masters improperly refusing to give characters.

WORKINGTON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Before I conclude these observations, I think it fair to observe, that if there be any merit in the exertions I have made, much of the commendation is due to the favour of the numerous and respectable Agricultural Society, which bears the name of this place, though supported by every part of this county, as well as by many of the gentlemen and yeomanry of adjoining counties.

Their kindness in placing me at its head, and appointing their meetings to be holden at the "Schoose," subjects my agricultural operations to an annual review. The Schoose Farm may, therefore, be consi dered as an experimental one. Thus am I indebted to them for a stimulus to exertion, which no other combination of circumstances could have produced. Past credit is only a pledge for future exertion. The quality of the ground on which I have to operate, is, with little exception, inferior to most. Any plan, therefore,

therefore, which will succeed with me, must, as far as soil is concerned, answer in all other places. The advantages of the situation for obtaining manure is great, and in this, and this only, am I fortunate, and I endeavour to turn it to the best account.

Numerous are the advantages resulting from agricultural meetings; they create a general spirit of improvement: the commendations bestowed on merit, produce an emulation in others, and a desire to participate in the honours bestowed by such societies. They have the further advantage of impressing a strong bias in favour of agriculture in the rising generation, and these early impressions are not easily effaced. If the effect should be to decide a few young men of rank and fortune to pursue those studies, the knowledge of which tend so greatly to improve agriculture, we might then hope, without any thing chimerical in the supposition, to see the practice become universally fashionable. Not to be conversant in every subject connected with good management, and the value of property, would be supposed to be a defect of education, and considered as great a want, as it is now considered by too many, not to excel in foxhunting, barouche-driving, or any other pursuit that has the sanction of fashion and folly.

The exhibition of well-constructed implements contributes greatly to their introduction into general practice. Some caution is necessary, not to sanction împlements, the utility of which has not met the approbation of good practical farmers. The premiums offered for improvement in farming implements have

multiplied

multiplied the claims for new inventions, which have no merit but their novelty, and when brought into practice are perfectly useless. The farmer who purchases one bad implement is disposed to discredit all new inventions. Before any premium is bestowed, the implement should have been tried for at least six months. The examination into every branch of management cannot fail of being highly useful.

I have stated nothing but what is the result of experience. It is not in human nature to be devoid of prejudice in favour of our own systems; conscious of this, I have endeavoured to prevent its delusive influence, and my wish has been rather to understate than to go to the full extent of my opinions. If unintentionally I have fallen into errors, I trust to the candour of public indulgence, and I shall be at all times ready to retract an erroneous opinion, and to confirm a doubtful one by further trials.

To the territorial extent of the united empire nature has set bounds; to the spirit and exertion of its inha bitants I know of none. By extending the improvements of agriculture to the highest point of which they are capable, the population of the kingdom may be doubled. Great Britain and Ireland, peopled by thirty millions of Britons. enjoying the blessings of a free constitution, honestly and fairly administered in all its parts, would present so firm and united a body as might bid defiance to all the efforts of the slaves of despotism.

Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, Adelphi, London, 1806.

THE Gold Medal of the Society was this Session voted to JOHN CHRISTIAN CURWEN, Esq. M. P. of Workington-Hall, in Cumberland, for the following Agricultural Communications on his Culture of Carrots, his Method of Feeding Milch Cows in Winter, and on his Drill Horse Hoe.

Account of Mr. Curiven's Method of cultivating Carrots, and applying them as Food for Cattle.,

DEAR SIR,

If you judge the subjoined account of the culture of Carrots deserving the attention of the Society, I will beg you to submit it to their inspection; with many thanks for your kind attentions. I am, dear Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Workington-Hall, Deć. 14, 1805:

To Dr. C. TAYLOR,

Secretary to the Society of Arts, &C.

Adelphi, London.

J. C. CURWEN

Sir,

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