The plan of cultivating the fields in the same regular manner which is followed in garden husbandry, is no doubt very desirable, did circumstances suffer it to be executed ; but we are apprehensive that physical impe diments are in the way of such a plan, which will not easily be removed. These shall be noticed in the sec tion where Drill-Husbandry is treated of.
Little farther alteration in the rural economy of England occurred, except in the superior attention bestowed on live-stock, by Mr Bakewell and others, till the establishment of the national Board of Agri culture, when a general desire seized all ranks to pro mote internal improvements. Harilib, a century and a half before, and lord Karnes, in his Gentleman Farmer, had pointed out the utility of such an esta blishment; but it was left to sir John Sinclair to carry their ideas into execution. To the unwearied endeavours of sir John are the public indebted for this admirable institution, which has certainly done much good, and may still do a great deal more. Two advantages, among many, may be mentioned : 1st, A great number of new MC11 were brought forward by the Board, whose names otherwise would probably never have been heard of; and these being chiefly practical people, who were professionally concerned in farm management, agriculture, by their endeavours, was rescued from the hands of theorists, and a revolution of no small extent accomplished in rural affairs: 2dly, Be fore the Board was instituted, the bond of connexion amongst agriculturists was slender, and served few useful purposes. Each trusted to his own information, and knew little more about the practices of contermin ous districts, than those of China or the most distant countries. The establishment of the Board removed at once all these evils and difficulties. A common fortress, erected for the benefit of all agi iculturists, and to which each might resort for advice and protection, was immediately recognised. It made farmers, who resided in the most distant quarters of the kingdom, acquainted with one another ; and caused a rapid dissemination of knowledge amongst the whole profession. The art of agriculture was brought into fashion ; old practices were amended ; new ones introduced, and a degree of exer tion manifested which had never before been exemplified in this island.
But the numerous agricultural surveys, executed un der the authority of the Board, were of singular advan tage also, because they brought to light the practice of every county; and. while they pointed out the obstacles which lay in the way of improvement, they stated the most effectual methods of removing them. The very collision of argument which such discussions occasion ed, incited agriculturists to investigate the principles of the art which they professed, and induced them to search after new channels of improvement.
That the first measure adopted by the Board, name ly, a general survey of the island, was a useful one, has been acknowledged by every person ; but doubts have been entertained by many, concerning the utility of seve ral subsequent measures, which deserve some consi deration. It has been urged, and with some degree of justice, that the endeavours of a public Board should be limited to such objects as exceed the powers of an indi vidual to accomplish ; and that a Board, composed of materials like the present one, ought not to interfere with the minutia or practice of farming ; but leave these matters entirely to the management or direction of per sons by whom the art is exercised. Under these,ini pressions, it has been stated, that the Board were dis charging their duty, when they recommended to par liament a division of common and waste land ; and, in like manner, that their efforts would constantly be of ad vantage, when directed to a removal of obstructions to improvement, which required legislative interference. A recommendation from a public Board carries a weight along with it, ensuring a degree of success not to he obtained by the petition or complaint of one or two in dividuals. Hence the propriety of originating, at the Board of Agriculture, a111 laws and regulations inlluen cing or operating upon rural economy, h•cause the men) bets of the Boa•d may reasonably be suppom_d to pos. sess a degree of knowledge in rural science, re meting them sufficiently qosflfk d to judge ol, and determine upon, the measures to be adopted.