If our suggestion of a comparative pathological society meets the approbation of Sir John Sinclair, he may, perhaps, think it worth while to lay a foundation stone for its establishment.

Essay V. "On the Improvement of British Wool." This essay contains the substance of an address to a society, constituted at Edinburgh for that purpose, so long since as Jan. 1791. It is now reprinted, with some alteration, which a further investigation of the subject necessarily pointed out. The breed and management of sheep, for the purpose of obtaining fine wool, are the two subjects to which these observations are restrict. ed. In consequence of the sound and judicious advice given in this address, as to the particular objects of attention, under both these heads, a society was constituted, which, in the first place,

"Roused a great spirit for the improvement of sheep and wool, and introduced those sheep-shearing festivals which are likely to be productive of so much public benefit. 2. Which improved so much, by premiums, the quality of the Shetland wool, and increased so much its price, as to add 3000l. per annum to the value of those remote islands; and 3. which after many enquiries, and much correspondence, and several surveys made, at last ascertained, that a breed of sheep was to be found on the border of England and Scotland, to which the society gave the name of the Cheviot breed; which was peculiarly calculated for a hilly or mountainous district, possessing great hardiness of constitution, and a very valuable fleece. This breed is now extending itself over the most northern parts of the island, and will render those remote districts infinitely more valuable to the proprietors and occupiers, and much more useful to the public than otherwise they

could have been."

the various attempts which he made during his presidency to remove the legal obstacles which prevented their improvement, are too well known to be repeated. This address was presented to the Board in the year 1795: it was printed by their order, and afterwards annexed to a report, presented to the House of Com mons by a select committee, appointed anno 1796, to consider the Means of improving the waste lands of the kingdom.

Essay VII." Substance of a Speech in a Committee of the whole House, on the Means of improving the System of Private Bills of Enclosure, and the Resolutions of the Select Committee upon that Subject." This, like the former "Essay," has long since been before the public, who are deeply indebted to the perseverance of the author; who, after numerous defeats in his patriotic attempt to carry a general enclosure bill through parliament, at length succeeded in obtaining the adoption of a string of reso lutions, regarding bills of enclosure, which greatly diminished the expence of passing them. Since this speech was delivered, and these resolutions were passed, the number of enclosures has so greatly encreased, and yet continues encreasing, that in a few years it is proba ble there will be little land left in the kingdom entirely waste, except such as is absolutely barren and uncultivable.

Essay VIII. "Hints regarding certain Measures, calculated to improve an extensive Property; more especially appli cable to an Estate in the northern Parts of Scotland." Sir John Sinclair is possessed of an estate in the county of Caith ness, consisting of above 100,000 acres of land. To carry on a system of improvement over so large a tract of country, in any part of the kingdom, particularly in the northern extremity of Scotland, where the climate is extremely unfavourable to the operations of husbandry; where commerce and manufactures are at a low ebb; and where the district itself is almost inaccessible, from the want of roads and harbours, may certainly be reckoned a bold and a noble undertaking. The interests of the public are deeply impli cated in its success; for it is justly observed, that if such an undertaking can be carried through in so remote a corner, labouring as it does under numerous disadvantages, it can hardly fail to answer in other parts of the kingdom,

in spring-tides, will, at present, receive vessels of about 100 tons; and when the proposed improvements in it take place, ships of a much larger size may enter. The harbour, it is true, must always be a tide one, but for tunately, it has within two miles of it that celebrated anchorage ground, called Scrabster Roads, which is equal to any of its extent in Europe for security and convenience. No town can be better situated for manufactures or commerce, being within a few hours

sail of the German and Atlantic oceans; and commercial exertions are much aided by the accommodation which a branch of the Bank of Scotland, established at Thurso, readily furnishes. The town is admirably situated for the fisheries, that important source of northern wealth; and at present the fishing smacks, which supply the London markets with cod, being driven from the Doggerbank, rendezvous in its neighbourhood. Indeed such is the variety of fish in that part of the kingdom, that twenty-four different sorts have been put upon the same table in the course of one day, without any extraordinary exertion. Thurso has also the advantage of excellent sands, where a bathing machine has been lately erected; an academy is now forming, where all the principal branches of education will be taught by proper masters; a boarding school, for girls, has been already established, which has been conducted much to the satisfaction of the town and neigh bourhood; and as Thurso will thus rival, in the important article of education, any town of its extent in Scotland, that, joined to the cheapness of provisions, and other conveniences, must be a great inducement to persons of moderate incomes to settle there.

"In forming the plan of a new town, I thought it extremely desirable to have it laid out, not only in the best manner that my experience could suggest, but also to have the various public buildings, necessary to be erected, planned out in the best principles and construction. The private houses are all to be built according to a plan laid down for that purpose, and from which no individual, who takes the ground, is permitted to deviate. Several private houses have been already built; and in the course of this year, (anno 18.2) it is to be hoped, that about one-fifth part of the new town will be completed. The general form of that town will be seen from the annexed engraving. (plate ii). As the public walk is already made, and the bridge built, and as every spot fit for the plough, within sight of either, is inclosed and cultivated, the scene from the public walk, or the bridge, is uncommonly

beautiful."

To this essay are two Appendixes: No. 1. on the means of establishing the Latch mode of catching and of curing Ferring; on the variety of fish caught in the northern part of Scotland; and

on the means of promoting the fisheries in the North. No. 2. contains some account of the encouragement given by Frederick the Great, king of Prussia, for promoting the internal improvement of his dominions. The liberal grants of the king of Prussia to those who were engaged in measures of public advantage, ought not to exceed the encourage the government of this country. The ment given to similar undertakings, by plan of improvement which is laid down in this essay, and which is already in a state of progressive execution, ought not merely to receive the countenance, but the willing assistance of government, at least as to roads, bridges, and public conveyances.

The rinth essay is employed in giving "An Account of the Origin of the Board of Agriculture, and its Progress for three

Years after its Establishment."

Essay X. "Proposals for establishing, by Subscription, a new Institution, to be called, THE PLOUGH; or Joint Stock Farming and experimental Society, for ascertaining the Principles of Agricul tural Improvement." This proposed of 400 acres; to have been divided into experimental farm was to have consisted four equal departments, one devoted to the cultivation of various sorts of grasses, a second to grains, the third to fallow crops, and the fourth to miscellaneous articles. A plan is annexed. The proposals for this establishment were submitted to the public some time ago: "It will hardly be credited in future times," says the author, "that after having raised a subscription to the amount of 30,000l. which would soon have reached 80,0001. or any other sum that might be judged necessary, that a charter of incorporation should be refused.” The advantages of such an experimental farm are too obvious to be enumerated; and why the plan should have fallen to the ground in consequence of the refusal of a charter of incorporation, we are at 2 loss to conceive. We are not advocates for the multiplication of chartered companies: these companies obtain some advantage from their charters, or they do not. On the latter supposition they are unnecessary; in the former case, the advantages they obtain are too often paid at the public expence. The use of a charter, in the present instance, is by no means obvious.

Essay XI. "Letter to the Proprietor

of an extensive Property, on the Means of promoting the Comfort, and improving the Situation of the People in his Neighbourhood." Useful hints to country gentlemen.

The subject of the twelfth and last essay is "Longevity." In this paper are briefly sketched the circumstances which tend to promote longevity; the rules which have been adopted by those who have attained great age; and the peculiar description of countries most remarkable for long life; to which are added, some tables of longevity, and the duration of human life.

In the advertisement which is prefixed

ART. III.

to this volume, the author says, that he scarcely should have ventured on the publication of it, had he not flattered himself with the idea that any one who reads it, will on the whole, be inclined to say, "This is the work of an author, who seems to have directed his attention to subjects connected with public utility, and national improvement; and whose favourite object was not to have lived in vain."

After an attentive perusal, we cannot hesitate to accede most cordially to the judgment pronounced by the author on his own work. He has not lived in vain!

"This Board having been required by a Committee of the House of Lords, to examine into, and report to their Lordships the best means of converting certain portions of grass lands into tillage, without exhausting the soil, and of returning the same to grass, after a certain period, in an improved state, or at least without injury, and being desirous that their information, on a subject of so great importance, should be complete, adapted to every sort of soil, and founded in the most ample experience, have come to the resolution of offering the following premiums for that purpose, viz."

Adding many particular and highly interesting queries. In consequence of this notice, the Board had information from various parts of the kingdom: from which the essays contained in this volume have been selected for publication. No. I. Hints from Sir John Sinclair,

Bart.

In enumerating the advantages of old pasture, the writer contends and justly, that this is found to answer better for making butter and cheese, than artificial grasses; which, though they may give a greater produce of milk, are yet found not to give a proportionate quantity of cream, and that of an inferior quality. He gives the opinion of an old and highly respectable farmer, Mr. Culley,

who says,

"Artificial grasses, suited to the different

soils, will be found to answer better than old grass, for feeding cattle, ewes, and lambs, during the beginning, and for the greater part of the summer; and even during the lambs better than old grass; whereas on the autumn, artificial grasses will feed ewes and other hand, fogs (or after-maths as they are called in the southern parts of England) from old gass, will certainly feed cattle better in the autumn, the richness, luxuriance, and strength of such herbage, being better calculated for their constitutions."

The preparation of the soil we think very judicious.

"The preparation for the tillage crops may be considered under three heads: 1. Draining; 2. Paring and burning; and 3. Manuring.

"In regard to draining, it should be done effectually, before the land is attempted to be ploughed, for very possibly it may have been kept in pasture, on account of its

wetness.

"As to paring and burning, it is certainly a useful practice, where old grass lands are broken up, for it destroys numberless eggs and larvae of insects, which are extremely injurious to the succeeding crops, and it almost insures the tenant from any damage

which he is otherwise likely to sustain from

wire-worms, grubs, &c. If the land is not to double plough it, by means of two ploughs pared and burned, the best plan to adopt is, following each other, the first plough taking off a thin surface of about three inches, and the second going deeper in the same place; both furrows not to exceed six inches, Mr. Ducket's skim coulter does the work at one operation. This plan is certainly the best to pursue, where paring and burning, from prejudice or any other circumstance, will not be permitted.

As to manuring, if the land is not to be pared and burnt, lime might be spread on

the surface, some time before ploughing, in order to destroy grubs and insects; but old pasture lands, are in general rich enough to be abundantly productive, without dung, until they are about to be laid down into permanent pasture."

We should, however, rather recommend paring and burning on every sort of land where it can be accomplished, that is, on all but very strong soils, as it is without doubt, an effectual means of destroying vermin and securing abundant crops: the course of cropping is good; as, however, we shall have occasion, in going through this work, to notice much on this subject, we shall content ourselves with saying so: but the detail of management is merely a hint. We cannot altogether agree to the mode of laying down to grass recommended here. In our opinion, ray grass and red clover are very unfit for laying down land; the former has not that constant annual succession of keep which is requisite for a good pasture; and the latter being at best only biennial, must certainly be rather detrimental than otherwise, since it will as it goes off, leave bald places, which, till they are filled up with the spontaneous growth of the soil, will much diminish the produce. We are of opinion, in order to ensure a complete turf in the least time, that it is absolutely necessary, to use picked natural and where these grasses; are not to be had conveniently, good bay seeds, and a large proportion, ten or twelve pounds to an acre, of white Dutch clover. In concluding this paper, the

writer says,

"On the whole, though it may not be advisable, to recommend the ploughing up of very rich old pastures, or water meadows, or land apt to be overflowed; yet with these exceptions, there is every reason to believe, that other sorts of grass lands may be rendered much more productive, by being occasionally converted into tillage; and for that purpose it is desirable, that the conversion of such lands, should be promoted as much as possible; by removing the obstacles to such conversion; by enforcing the necessity of commuting tithes, without which, no considerable tract of old pasture can be broken up; by pointing out to landlords, the conditions under which they may agree to such a plan, not only without detrizent to the real value of their property, but also yielding a most important addition to their income; and above all, by explaining to parliament, and to the public, that the measure above recommended, is one which

may effectually tend to prevent future scarcities; and to render this country independent of foreign nations, in the important article of provision."

No. II. Essay by John Walker, D. D. Regius Professor of Natural History, Edinburgh.

the late scarcity was not so much owing Dr. Walker attempts to prove, that

to causes of an occasional nature, as to

the increased luxury of the times, which has induced a much greater consumption of animal food; and, of course, the appropriation of much land formerly in tillage, to the purpose of grazing. To remedy this evil, the writer recommends to the landed proprietors to permit a few acres on their estates to be broken up and cropped with corn for two or three seasons; this, without doubt, would go far to answer the end proposed: but as it is now clearly understood, that the late dearth was occasioned, principally at least, by untoward seasons, we hope that there is little probability of the plan proposed becoming necessary.

No. III. By Mr. Dalton.

truth, that the interest of the landlord Taking it for an incontrovertible and the tenant is the same, and believing that where this axiom is not acted upon, they may be equally blameable; we cannot but regret such general reflections to grant the assertion, would be to allow as are cast upon tenants by this writer; tremely ignorant of their business, as that farmers are, in general, both exwell as men of very little principle.

The mode of laying down land, recommended by this writer, is deserving attention; sowing the seeds with beans is judicious; the proportion of seeds too, is good; Mr. D. prefers laying his land down without corn in August; we think the loss of the crop a needless extravagance, especially if it be beans, which, being a pulse crop, cannot injure the land, and may be of essential benefit in shading the young grasses.

No. IV. By Mr. Maxwell.

After nearly forty years experience, this very able agriculturalist is enabled to give a most excellent system of ma. nagement for these soils, viz.

"First, Fen lands should be pared about an inch deep with a plough drawn by horses, and the ashes should be spread as soon as possible after they are burnt. The second