from the establishment of farms of this defcription in the following words: "What man, whe. ther of the fuperior clafs of yeomanry or tenants, or of the fuperior class of tradesmen or others, who are now bringing up their fons to husbandry, would not, after his fon had gone through a courfe of private tuition, and received the rus diments of inftruction from himself or fome profeffional friend, wifh to perfect his education in a public feminary; where he would have not only an opportunity of feeing practice in its highest state of improvement, and of converfing with profeffional men of the most enlightened understanding; but where he would be duly initiated in the theory of rural knowledge, in the method of making, registering, and obferving the refult of experiments; of afcertaining the inherent qualities, and improving the various breeds of live-stock; where he would fee order and fubordination, and learn the proper treat ment of fervants; and among a variety of other branches of useful knowledge, the form and method of keeping farm-accounts, and of afcertaining with accuracy the profit or lofs upon the whole and every part of his bufinefs, confequently of bringing it as nearly as in its nature it is capable of being brought to a degree of certainty?" Such are fome of the advantages that may be expected to refult from establishments of the above description, if properly managed. Of their importance importance every intelligent reader must be fenfible, and at the fame time convinced, that were the previous measures above recommended to the confideration of the Board of Agriculture to be adopted, no plan is more likely to promote effectually the laudable and patriotic intentions of the members who compofe that Board; nor any that has a better chance of producing in time a complete reform in the modes of conducting the various operations of husbandry in these kingdoms. It is with peculiar fatisfaction that the writer has it in his power to congratulate his countrymen on the establishment of one fuch experimental farm at least. In the Report of the County of Leicester it is mentioned, that the members of the agricultural fociety, which meets at the town of Leicester, have agreed to rent what they call an experimental farm; and which they propofe to put under the management of the most intelligent practical farmers in the county. There is therefore no reason to doubt but that, in the courfe of a few years, many useful experiments will be tried on this farm, and much light thereby thrown upon the more important branches of rural affairs. The establishment of fuch farms in every county would no doubt be attended with confiderable expence, especially at the outfet. But whoever will coolly reflect on the advantages that must neceffarily refult from fuch establishU u 2 ments, ments, will readily agree, that a portion of the public money could not poffibly be more ufefully expended; as fuch a measure, taken in conjunction with thofe before fuggefted, would se. eure, as much as in the nature of things it is poffible, the complete improvement of the coun try. CHAP. CHAP. XXXIV. Miscellaneous Obfervations, containing fome Remarks on the proper Management of Eftates. T was intended in this Chapter to have brought IT several subjects under review, that are either entirely omitted in the former part of the work, or mentioned in a curfory manner only; but this the writer finds it impoffible to do in the limits he originally prefcribed to himself. He fhall therefore confine his obfervations to the ftatement of a few particulars refpecting the proper management of eftates; which being of great importance to the agriculture of the country, he confiders as meriting the attention both of proprietors and their agents. The management of an eftate is a trust that, to discharge properly, requires the agent to be converfant in country bufinefs in general, and with the various modes of conducting it in the particular district where he refides. Without this be the cafe, he must be often regulated in his conduct by the advice and opinion of others; fome of whom may very probably have an intereft in deceiving him. This appears to be the chief reason why fo many of the county reports contain complaints against proprietors for employing perfons refiding in towns to fuperintend the management of their eftates. When this happens, it is ten to one if the intereft of landlord or tenants, or the speedy and permanent im. provement of the property, become steadily the objects of fuch agent's attention. The management of eftates, with agents of this description, can only be a fecondary object. Their other avocations render it frequently impoffible for them to devote that attention to minute particulars, which, to execute the business in a proper manner, is indifpenfably neceffary. But, fuppofe they had it in their power to bestow the requi-. fite attention, yet it is impoffible, confidering their fituations and habits of life, that they can become thoroughly acquainted with what may be called improved practical husbandry; and that being the cafe, it is equally impoffible their agency can prove profitable either to the proprietor, the tenants, or the public. It will be found, by the perufal of the following pages, that, in conducting the affairs of a confiderable eftate, many circumftances muft neceffarily occur that require the skill and attention of profeffional men, and |