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ON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES

These are some useful specimens, out of many examplesthat might be given, of the rules adopted by such associations.

SECT. Y.

OF TIIE ADVANTAGES THAT RESULT FROM AGRICUL-TURAL SOCIETIES.

These advantages are often slow-, and may thence be im-perceptible to superficial observers; but they are progres-sive, and ultimately will, under a proper system, becomegreat and extensive. Their general nature, the following ob-servations will explain.

1. When landholders engage in such associations, and takea concern in the general improvement of the country, it givesa powerful stimulus to the zeal and activity of the farmers;and furnishes the labourers with additional motives to dili-gence and fidelity *.

2. When landlords and tenants meet together in social in-tercourse, it is considered by the latter as a pledge of friend-ship and protection ; and a useful spirit of emulation is ex-cited, whilst proprietors and their tenants, compare together,over a social bowl, their exploits in farming, and the cropsthey can respectively produce f.

3. In remote parts of the country, such meetings are attend-ed with peculiar advantages. They become a sort of agricul-tural festival, where the families of the members assemble fromdistant parts ; where relations meet and renew their intima-cy ; and where friendships are formed and confirmed. Theperiod of their future meetings is then looked forward to

* Dumfries-shire Report, p. 484.

| Ross-shire Report, p, 33!