PROPOSALS RURAL INSTITUTE.

iscaieai
PROPOSALS
RURAL INSTITUTE, COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
THE OTHER BRANCHES
OF
RURAL ECONOMY.
Gee: Lf} B
ALY fi noe
w By Mr. MARSHALL./ AC Hebei
LONDON: coe
SOLD BY G. AND W. NICOL, BOOKSELLERS TO HIS MAJESTY, PALL-MALL}; G. G. AND Je ROBINSON, PATERNOSTER-ROW$ AND J. DEBRETT, PICCADILLY.
Printed by W. Bulmer and Co, Russel-court, Cleveland-row, St. James’
1799-

ADVERTISEMENT.
Ix 1777, after having given unremitted attention, during acourse of years, to prac- tical agriculture, and seen its defects among practitioners in general, I was led to the idea of establishing schools, or colleges, for its advancement; and sketched a Plan, for that purpose, in the digest of the Minutes of AcricuLTuRE.
In 1790, after having attentively surveyed the practices of professional men, of the higher orders, over the principal parts of the kingdom, and by‘this means seen, still more evidently, the probable utility of pub- lic seminaries, I again brought forward the proposal, and gave an outline of the plan, in the Rurat Economy of the Minsanp
Countiss.

( vi)
Since then, in the West or EncLanp, and in a survey of the SouTHERN CouNTIES, the advantages of a public institution have appeared in various points of view; and some of them are incidentally noticed, in the respective registers of the practices of these departments.
And, in revising the Minutes which arose from my own practice, in the SouTHERN Counties, other advantages presented them- selves, and are pointed out, in the new edition just published.
Having now finished the general survey of the kingdom; having practised in. dif- ferent parts of it; and having, at length, published the superior practices of profes- sional men, in’ each of its six agricultural departments, as well as my own practice, in four of them;—the time is arrived, when I can, with propriety, lay before the public my proposals, at large, and say, without injury or risk to my general undertaking, that I am ready to enter on the difficult task of
carrying the proposed plan into execution.

( vii)
For, although it is my fixed intention to publish the ceNnERAL work, which has ever been my main design*(different parts of it being in a state of forwardness) the esta- blishment, here proposed, will not tend to frustrate that design. On the contrary, an establishment, uniting theory and practice on a large scale, will assist, most effec- tually, to forward and complete the general intention.
Under the impression that a plan, which is calculated to secure to this island a state of permanent prosperity, cannot remain long unexecuted, by its present possessors, I shall continue to digest the unpublished materials that I have now by me, and to arrange those which I have hitherto published; as well as to select the useful matter which other pub- lications may afford: in order that the Institute, by having what is known, as well
as what is wanted, brought into‘a state of
* See the prefatory address to the RURAL Eco-
NomMy of NoRFOLK.

( viii) reference, and the most comprehensive form of view, may set out with every advantage, and(under ordinary circumstances) ensure
SUCCESS.
Lonpon, OcroseEr rgth, 1799.

PROPOSALS
FOR A
RURAL INSTITUTE.
Ty what is termed a state of nature, the wild woodland savage subsists on the na- tural products which the woods he inha- bits provide him: he gathers fruits in due season, and contends, for animal food, with the other wild animals of the forest. And, like them, men destroy each other in fighting for the scanty produce: thus keeping down population to the natural standard of the supply of food.
In this state, theart military is the prin- cipal art of life: war and rapine are as essential to the existence of the species, in the savage state, as agriculture is, in a state of cultivated nature; and, judging from the prevailing politics of European

2 PROPOSALS FOR
governments(which would seem to have been handed down, without due exami- nation, from the state of savage nature) civilized nations are not yet aware of the change which the condition of mankind has undergone,—have not yet discovered that agriculture, not war, is become the proper mean of apportioning the supply to the demand.
The first step toward civilization is traffic—bartering the natural products of one country, or district, for those of another.
The next is manufacture; thereby im- proving the use and value of natural pro- ductions.
These, however, are low steps; raising mankind not much from. the level of savage nature: the state of population being thereby little increased; though, in condition, it may be somewhat improved.
The pastoral life succeeds.‘This, by increasing the number of animals of food, and lessening that of beasts of prey, in-
———

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 8
creases population, and still farther meli- orates the condition of the species.
But, yet, the state of the human species is little better than that of other gregari- ous animals; they still wander in families or tribes, over unreclaimed wilds, and are still liable to the attacks of ferocious ani- mals;' population being, even in this state, inconsiderably advanced.
It is the art of reclaiming wild nature, in every part,—it is the art of agricul- ture, taken in its largest sense,—by which the state of mankind is meliorated, both in number and condition.
By freeing the soil from whatever is unprofitable to the species, and furnishing it with productions( whether vegetable or animal) which are applicable to their wants,—thus uniting cultivation with the pastoral employment,—not only the ne- cessaries of an increased population are produced, but an increase of materials for manufacture and commerce are provided;
in this manner conducting agriculture,

As PROPOSALS FOR
manufactures, and commerce, on a firm basis,—rooting them in the soil,—and in- terweaving them with each other;
thereby uniting in one interest the inha- bitants of a country.
This is the broad and firm basis of POLITICAL ECONOMY;—the only perma- nent foundation of civilized nature,—and that on which the Chinese nation have rested many thousand years, in, perhaps, as high a state of civilization and pros- perity, as permanently belongs to human nature. A nation, who proceed under the guidance of this principle, are treading the firm ground of their own country; and continue to increase in population, until its full extent of produce be attained.
On the contrary, whenever a nation, negligent of their own territory, have given way to the lust of conquest, and the colonization of distant countries, and, under the pretexts of commerce, have become freebooters, and dealers in every thing that debases the human charac-

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 5
ter, though they may have blazed out, for a while, dazzling the world with their splendor, like other freebooters, their reign has been short, and their ruin cer- tain. The history of European nations, for the last two thousand years, is little more than a melancholy detail of the ef- fects of this mad principle of government.
THE UTILITY of a public seminary of agriculture will, perhaps, be thought too evident to require to be explained: for if public seminaries of language have assisted in diffusing the principles of grammatic learning, and promoting lite- rary pursuits, and if the public universi- ties have tended to promote the interests of general science, establishments of a similar tendency, it may be inferred, will as assuredly promote the advancement of agriculture.
England, at present, does not produce a supply of food for its own inhabitants; while a considerable portion of its lands

6 PROPOSALS: FOR
may be said to lie, virtually, in a state of waste; and while the parts, which are now in cultivation, are under-produc- tive; by reason of defective practices; arising from a want of the improvements of which, even, the best practices of the present day are capable.
Within every one’s recollection,—but a very few years past,—this island expe- ‘rienced little less than actual famine,— even under the present flourishing state of commerce: and the country is of course liable to a return of the calamity,—even under the meridian influence of a full- blown commerce. What evils, then, may not be expected, when the bubble bursts! and the agriculture of this small speck of
earth shall have the deluded victims of.
half the world’s commerce to support.*
* This was written before the present more ear- nest threats of famine were perceptible; and at the moment when the commerce of this island stood on tiptoe, eying all the world, and claiming it as her own!

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 7
Even under the circumstances which must, in the ordinary course of things, take place,—when the present ferment shall subside,—when ingenuity may ex- ert itself, in safety, and industry be every where protected,-when the constella- tion of inventors, to whom this country principally owes its present commercial splendor(a phenomenon. which may never shine, again, in this country) shall have passed away, and their inventions be spread over Europe,—this country cannot longer expect to hold more than its proportional share of commerce;— with some additional advantage, which its natural situation as an island may give it, and which it ought of right to claim. By vainly grasping at the whole! the whole may be lost:
- Itis not the splendor of any particular period, or the transitory views of men who happen to be invested with temporary power, that can be regarded, in founding the lasting prosperity of a nation. It be-

8 PROPOSALS FOR
hoves the proprietors of a country,(of any
country)—men to whom the territory, as property, belongs—men who have a PERMANENT INTEREST in its welfare,— to exert themselves in matters of political economy, if not in those of government,— to look to the foundation of their house, if not to its management.
BUT, trusting not to generalargument, let us take an analytic view of the pro- posed institution, and point out its utility, more particularly, by examining it, in the separate characters of—
1. A place of instruction, for pupils.
2.———— Improvement for. initiated
students.
3.———— Science, and general infor-
mation, for both classes.
4.———— Experiment, and general
improvement.
5,———— Dissemination of every part of the art and science.

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 9}
1. As a ScHooL, ACADEMY, OR PLACE
OF INSTRUCTION, FOR NOVICIATE PUPILS. —Every other art, mystery, and profession has the means of gaining initial instruc- tion. Trade, and the lower branches of law and physic, are taught in appren- ticeships, and clerkships,——the higher branches, at the universities; while the art ofagriculture,—more valuable, if not more difficult, than the rest united,—has been left to accidental tuition. Formerly, if a young man happened not to be educated on the farm of his father, no common road of instruction lay open to him. Of late years, it is true, pupils, by paying suitable ac- knowledgments, have been admitted to the practice of professional men, in some particular parts of the kingdom. But, even in the districts where this has been the case, there are few men, who are at once sufficiently qualified for the under- taking, and willing to be encumbered with young men of that description.
If the Mitirary AcADEMy of Wool- wich has been useful to Engineers, and the
B

10 PROPOSALS FOR
Royat AcapEemy of London to Artists; so assuredly may the Rurai, ACADEMY, here recommended, be rendered service- able to Agriculturists, and to husband- men of every description.
2. AS A PLACE OF PRACTICAL OBSER- VATION, AND IMPROVEMENT, FOR INITI- ATED STUDENTs.—A young man who has been bred to trade seeks improvement, after he has finished his apprenticeship, in the shops, wareliouses, or counting houses of the metropolis; or goes abroad for instruction.
The apothecary, in like manner, re- pairs to'the capital, and finds, in the hospitals and infirmaries, the required improvements, in physic and surgery; by being admitted into the wards and thea- tres of these medical institutes.
The attorney, after his clerkship is ended, gains admission to the practice of a town solicitor, and in the courts of Westminster-hall acquires a_ practical knowledge of his profession; returning to his district with his mind improved,

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 1i
beyond what his private tuition had been able to furnish it with.
And young-men(of some education and suitable expectancies) bred to agri- culture, will, with equal certainty, find improvement in the practical establish- ment here proposed: where they may see the several branches of the rural prac- tice conducted, with every advantage which the existing state of the art is ca~ pable of affording; and where they will enjoy a free communication with men of their own profession; and have an op- portunity of hearing the various topics agitated, and each point discussed: thus eradicating the weeds of prejudice; and, by this advantage alone, receive ample recompense, for their time and expences.
g. As A PLACE OF SCIENCE,—WHEREIN TO DEMONSTRATE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ART, AS WELL AS TO: TEACH ITS AS- SISTANT SCIENCES.—Have the lectures de- livered by the anatomist, the chymist; and the physician, been useful to the Be

12 PROPOSALS FOR
healing art? or those delivered in the universities, and elsewhere, to general science?
It is true, an illiterate rustic, who never entered a college of agriculture, can farm: and so can he converse, though he never went toschool. Just so a village doc- tor,—though he never walked the hospi- tals, nor attended the theatres, elaborato- ries, and lecture rooms of science,—can practise physic,—and with a certain de- gree of success. But why, in difficult cases, call in the physician? Because he has taken a more comprehensive view of the subject, and is better acquainted with the principles of the art itself, as well as with its assistant sciences; and has been habituated, in medical institutes, to more general and accurate practice.
The same illustration involves law and divinity. A merecountry-bred attorney can deal out law, and a field preacher di- vinity: yet law and divinity have long been taught in public institutes: ands I

a ae ee,
a
A RURAL INSTITUTE. 19
appeal to the two benches, whether col- legiate education is, or is not, beneficial to these professions.
A fisherman, or coaster, can grope along the shore he was bred upon; but blown out to sea, he is left to the mercy of the elements: while the scientific na- vigator can cross the widest ocean, or sail round the world, with confidence and moral certainty; though he has no other pilot than science to direct him. The coaster can hand the sails and guide the helm: but the educated sailor can do more; for he has studied the principles of his art, and the assistant sciences on which they rest—astronomy, geography, and the theory of navigation; and has moreover studied the courses, bearings, soundings, and professional remarks, of those who have gone before him.
4. AS A PLACE OF EXPERIMENT AND GE- NERAL IMPROVEMENT.—In this character
~ a Rural Institute would excel other esta-
blishments of a similar nature. Practice

14, PROPOSALS FOR
and theory, art and science, would not only be intimately united, on a large scale; but the subject of agriculture is such, that experiment has unlimited scope,—may be prosecuted and extended at will, without injury or risk. In the healing art,(which has more affinity than any other to agriculture) the sub- ject of experiment is the human body. Viewing an Institute of Agriculture in no other light than that of a theatre of experiment, anda seminary of practical improvements, an hundred thousand pounds a year(if it could not be con- ducted with less) might be expended upon it, with sound policy. There is no hope of attaining the higher stages of improvement(especially in what relates to the growth and general economy of vegetables, including their food, and the operation of manures) without a public establishment. A single improvement, annually, might repay the nation, ten-
\

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 15
fold, for the expences of that which is here proposed.
The millions that have. been recently expended on the islands of New Holland, and St. Domingo, are in the greatest part lost to this nation;—with scarcely the most distant hope of any return being made for them: whereas the few thou- sands which are required for the im- provement of our own island, will remain wholly within it;—with a fair prospect of return, for the portion of labor, which the prosecution of its improvement may incur.‘The risk is small,—the chance of gain incomparably great.
5. AS A PLACE OF DISSEMINATION.— Improvements in physic and surgery are disseminated by the hospitals, infirmaries, or medical institutes,—not of the metro- polis only, but by those which are now dispersed over almost every part of the country; and new maxims, in law, are promulgated, by the whole body in cir-
srovels on, in
cuit: while agriculture g

16 PROPOSALS FOR
ignorance, or is left to the mere accidents of communication. Practices of a superior kind have been carried on, for centuries, without having travelled out of the dis- tricts in which they have been struck out, or adopted. See the practices of YorxK- SHIRE, West oF ENGLAND, MIDLAND CounTiss,&c.
Whenever it shall take place, that each agricultural department shall be fur- nished with a subordinate establishment, and the leading men of the profession,— the superior managers who take the lead in their respective neighbourhoods—shall be attached to them, as honorary assist- ants,—the whole kingdom will become systematized, and useful information be thrown into continued circulation; col- lected from every part to the center, and impelled from thence to every atom of the system.
At present, and until educated pupils be dispersed, this desirable purpose will be best promoted, and rendered most ef-|

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 17
ficacious, by a dissemination of managers, workmen, implements, superior varieties of farm crops, and breeds of domestic animals. And to this end, the central establishment, now proposed, will, under the following regulations, be found of incalculable advantage, and produce im- mediate effect.
1. By opening books for the several classes of managers and workmen, who are candidates fer employment, as well as for employers, who require their assist- ance, both may be readily accommodated; while many valuable practices will, by this easy method, be disseminated.
If this regulation be extended to te- nants who want farms, and to proprie- tors who wish to improve the manage- ment of their estates, by bringing upon them men of skill, from well managed districts, its benefits will be greatly increased.*
* Those who have experienced the difficulty of
procuring farm stewards, and tenants, from districts

18 PROPOSALS FOR
2. By a repository of implements, that are now in use, in the several depart- ments of the kingdom, systematically arranged, so as to shew the comparative merit of each, with a manufacture of 7 those of superior merit, by workmen of superior skill, and tested on the spot, that they may be warranted by the institute,— every part of the kingdom may be reci- procally furnished with the more valua- ble utensils of the other,—as well as with such improvements, varieties, or new spe- cies, as the institute, and individuals, may from time to time discover.
3. By collecting and cultivating the best varieties of each species of agricul- tural crops, by improving these varieties, and by bringing into cultivation fresh species, any part of the kingdom may be easily supplied with superior kinds; and by keeping open registers of such other
whose practices are preferable to those of their own, will be best able to appreciate the advantages which! are likely to arise from the proposed regulation.|

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 19
superior kinds as are produced by indi-
viduals, in the different departments, the
community at large will be still more generally benefited.
4. By drawing together the most valu- able breeds of the different species of live stock, or domestic animals, by improving these breeds, and by opening registers for the valuable breeds of individuals in every part of the island, the general im- provement of the various species will, with moral certainty, be promoted.
Thus, even as a PLACE OF INTELLI- GENCE, an institution of the nature of that which is here proposed, will be found highly useful.
HAVING thus seen, in various lights, the probable utility of the proposed in- stitution, let us now take a nearer view of the place itself, and the establishment it is proposed to contain. In doing this, however, it will be unnecessary to de- scend tominutie. For, if the foundation

20 PROPOSALS FOR
be firm, and the outlines justly drawn, Study and perseverance will supply the rest,
On dividing the kingdom into agri- cultural departments, and viewing the various circumstances, which will ope- rate on the establishment in view, there appears to be only one situation, in which it can with strict propriety be placed. This is near the center of three given points;—the metropolis, and the two universities. For this situation will not only bring it within a moderate distance (a day’s journey) from each of these places; but will also bring it sufficiently near the center of the six departments,| that, in the event of provincial schools being hereafter established, the metro- politan institution will most readily com- municate with them, and render complete the organic system which has been men- tioned.
It so happens, however, that the cen-
tral point of these places falls ina passage

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 21
of country, which is unfitted, by nature for the intended purpose; and a more northward situation is more central to the kingdom; and the soil and clima- ture are, there, better adapted to the general intention.
There are reasons why the collegiate establishment, now proposed, should be situated near a town; and there are, per- haps, only two near which it can be
_ placed, with accuracy. These are New-
port and Northampton. The latter is more central to the kingdom: but the former would be more convenient for those who are most immediately inte- rested in the success of the institution; namely, men of fortune who reside in town, during the spring months,—the most interesting season of agricultural operations. And, in the outset of the establishment, nothing could give it greater celebrity than their attentions.
The extent of the lands, which are re- quisite to an institution of this nature, is

22 PROPOSALS FOR
not necessarily confined to any precise number of acres. I have in another place,* mentioned five hundred acres; and a possession of that extent, will be fully sufficient, at the outset.
The characteristics, with respect to soil, subsoil, surface, elevation,&c. ought to be varied. But it would be in vain to dwell on these particulars: as it is not probable, that a parcel of land, minutely answering to any arbitrary, nicely drawn plan, can be obtained. The situation must first be chosen, and the best that it affords be procured. Or, if the best situation furnish not a suit of lands, appropriate to the intention, it must be changed for another. It is the institu- tion, viewed in the aggregate, which 1s the main object: not any particular plot of ground, in a precise situation. Per- severance in search will, doubtless, dis- cover one, that will sufficiently answer
the purpose.
*See MiIpLaNnp CounTIEs, Sect. FARMERS.

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 23
The plan of the establishment, with respect to the lands,—admits, in the out- line, of no alternative. They will.re- quire to be divided, as their given cir- cumstances shall point out, into two parts. The larger division to be: laid out as a common farm’; and to be managed on the best plan of established practice:— as a school, or academy, for initiating pupils; and as a place of observation, and improvement, for students in general; agreeably to the outline already sub- mitted.
The other division of the lands to be appropriated, particularly, to improve~ ments: to experiments, in every branch of the art, and every principle of the sci- ence;.as well as to prove, by repetition, newly discovered practices,—whether by the institute, or by others,—before they be admitted into the school of practice, or recommended to public adoption.
The buildings, requisite for the prac- tical farm, will be a convenient suit of

PROPOSALS FOR
24 farm offices; such, perhaps, as the given premises may afford; or these, with some suitable improvements.
But those of the collegiate farm will be numerous and expensive. The prin- cipal, the professors, their assistants, | workmen, and laborers of every class, i’ as well as pupils of every degree, will require to be accommodated, on or near the spot. And, for the accommodation of boards, and committees, as well as of gentlemen, and strangers in general, who may occasionally visit the institution, a house of entertainment, of the first class, should be provided. Contiguity to a town would render these provisions the less necessary; though, perhaps, in any case, proper.
Also a repository of implements,&c. &c. and a manufactory of such as require— to be distributed. Also lecture rooms, a library, an elaboratory, a veterinary, botanic garden, nursery ground,&c.&c. all of which ought to be raised, progres-

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 25
sively, as they shall be wanted: begin- ning with what is most required; and proceeding, with even, firm, and delibe- rate steps, until the whole be completed in the most suitable manner.
The professors, which long delibera~ tion on the subject has suggested, and which the nature of the rural science requires, are these:
1. Professor of agriculture: under whose immediate management the ope- rations of the two farms should be unit- ed;—that no jealousies or contentions may take place, between the old and the new husbandry,—orthodoxy and in- novation: he having a capable assistant, to superintend, under his directions, and. frequent eye, the practical farm;—with other experienced men, to assist him in conducting the operations of experimen- tal agriculture; also in the construction
of implements; registering the weather, &c.&c.
Cc

26 PROPOSALS FOR
The lectures in this department should turn on,, The plan and general management of farms. The operations of agriculture, and the implements in use. The various crops in cultivation. The management of grass lands. The breeds and management of live- stock. The management of servants and beasts of labor. The calculation of the chances of the weather. The business of markets. Farm accounts,&c.&c.&c. |) 2. Professor of fossilogy, and of agri- cultural chemistry:—to teach the ana- lysis of soils, waters, and manures: and to assist in experimental agriculture.
3. Professor of botany, and of the ve- getable economy:—to teach the identity of plants, their structure, habits, and modes of growth and subsistence; and

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 27
to prove, by experiment, their: natural qualities, as food of the several species of domestic animals; in order to ascertain which of them are objects of culture, and which of extirpation:—a subject that requires great and continued exertion. Native plants that are now neglected may, thereby, be found valua- ble; and exotics of known value may, by persevering art, be reconciled to this climate.
4. Professor of farriery, and of the animal economy:—to teach, by living subjects, the outward form, the texture of the flesh, the constitution, habits and modes of subsistence, of the different species of domestic animals,—by dissec- tions and preparations, their inward structure and general economy,—and, by operations, médicines, and applications,
‘direct the cure of the diseases to which
they are~ severally liable: also the shoeing of working animals; guarding every description from insects, and ac~- Ce

28 PROPOSALS FOR
cidents; and teaching, in general, the prevention, as well as the cure, of diseases.
5. Professor of Mechanics: to teach the laws of nature, and the mechanic powers, as they relate to the human frarne, as well as to that of brute ani- mals of labor, and to implements and tools of every description: to explain their manners of operating: and to assist in superintending their construction.
6. Professor of Estates:—whose de- partment will be ample, and task se- vere; to him it will belong to teach— The appropriation and inclosing of
wastes.
The reclaiming of wild lands; by
clearing, draining,&c.
Laying out estates into woodlands, and farms.
Surveying and mapping.
Valuing farm lands.
Letting them; conditions of leases; and treatment of tenants.
Lessons on business, and accounts.

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 29
The rudiments of law, as they relate to landed property:
Those of architecture, as they relate to farm buildings.
The forming of roads.
Raising and preserving hedges; and
The propagation and management
of woodlands,
This department, alone, may well fix the attention and support of every man of large landed property: as capa- ble managers, and accurate management, will necessarily grow out of it: and their heirs, at least(if they should not deem it fit to attend, themselves, to the in- structions it will infallibly disseminate) may imbibe principles of conduct, which will render them what every large pro- prietor of lands ought to be—affluent and respected; especially by his te- nants;—whose comforts in life depend more on the government of the estate they live upon, than on that of the coun- try in which it is situated. And it is

go PROPOSALS FOR
with a view to the good harmony, and reciprocal advantages, of proprietors and their tenantry, and of course, to the consequent amelioration of the lands in which they are mutually interested, that I make choice of the proposed situation, for the center of the establishment: in order that while young men of fortune, or fair expectancies, relax from the studies, or the restrictions, of a college, they may have(even as visitors) an opportunity of receiving impressions, that may improve their incomes, and diffuse happiness over their estates.
To guard against misapprehension, it will be right to remark, here, that the several professors should be practical men, rather than men of science; except the professor of chemistry, who ought to be well grounded in the sciences, and acquainted with modern discoveries. Thus the professor of plants should be a well educated gardener,—not a mere botanist; that of animals,—a well educated
ee a

A RURAL INSTITUTE. S31
farrier—a veterinary pupil—not a mere naturalist: and that of mechanics, an educated artist—not an abstract ma- thematician. Those of agriculture and of estates should be men who have been bred to these professions.
All that is wanted from philosophy and the sciences, is a sufficiency of theory to assist practice. It is not so much the investigation of abstract principles that is required, as the application of those which are known.
For these, and for other reasons, it- would be improper to attempt lectures, at the outset of the institution: perhaps not within the first three years: during which time, the several professors would be the most profitably employed, in studying their respective subjects,—in reading authors who have written on them,—in proving what is asserted,—. and developing what is unknown; as well as in attending lectures, on relative subjects:—thus forming the ground-

32 PROPOSALS FOR
work-of instruction, and, at the same time, gaining some knowledge of the art of delivering public lectures.
To give unity to the institution, and efficiency to its several branches, a super- intendent will be requisite: one who has a competent knowledge of the general subject: one who is familiarly acquaint- ed with the practice of agriculture: not in any particular district, only; but in every department of the kingdom; and, this, without partiality to any one: having his mind free for unbiassed choice; and being thereby enabled to se- lect, from the several practices at present established, those which are best, and fit- test to be emplanted in the minds of the pupils, and students, who shall ap- ply for instructions.
The superintendent should likewise be enured to experimental agriculture, and should have a competent knowledge of the several sciences that are requisite to its assistance. He should, moreover, have

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 33
an extensive knowledge of landed pro- perty, and the various branches' of its management, as well as a_ practical knowledge of the propagation and ma- nagement of woodlands.
And let no man attempt to establish an institution of this extensive nature, who has not been accustomed to plan, and to execute his plans with some success, and who has not been in the habits of arranging practical men, of different arts and employments, so as to reduce them to one connected whole, and to shift his attention, from one branch or department to another, with- out embarrassment, and with equable advantage to the different parts.
After the institution has been duly established, and the connexion and de- pendencies of the several parts have been ascertained, by practice,—and their movements rendered even and smooth, by habit,—the greater difficulties will be passed; and the professor of agricul-

34 PROPOSALS FOR
ture, or of estates, will aptly succeed, from time to time, as principal.
IT NOW REMAINS to point out the leading steps which will be required to be taken, in carrying the proposed plan into execution.
The first is, to lay a permanent foun- dation; to secure, before any other step be taken, a fund to defray the ex- pences, for at least ten years.-
The second, to procure a proper site.
The third, to engage professors, their assistants, and workmen of superior skill.
The fourth, to plan, to adjust, to bring into the fittest course of ma- nagement, and to stock, the lands, both of the practical and‘the experimental parts. And
The fifth, to plan and erect the re- quisite buildings*,
*T refrain from detailing, here, the minor steps E that are requisite to be taken, in the early progress
——N_“ sail== OE"_ a

A RURAL INSTITUTE. 95
- These operations, if properly conduct-
ed, will employ the first two or three years; during which time, as has been observed, the professors will be em-. ployed in preparing to fill, with due effect, their several offices.
Hence, it would be imprudent, if not in a degree impracticable, to receive pupils, in.the first three years; though any person might be permitted to in- spect the preparations. And hence the propriety of fixing a term certain of ten years; as, in less time, the esta- blishment cannot be expected to reach its full effect.
FINALLY, with respect to the ex- pences of the proposed establishment,
-
of the establishment. I have examined them with attention, and have sufficiently ascertained the con- nexion and dependencies of the several parts to be able to say, with confidence, that I believe the entire plan is practicable, and that I consider my- self equal,(under ordinary circumstances) to the superintendence of its establishment.

36 PROPOSALS FOR
they will of course be proportionate to the scale on which it may be con- ducted.
The outset expence will, doubtless, be considerable: the buildings, appa- ratusses, collections, and furniture, to- gether with preparing and stocking the lands, will require an ample fund. Ten thousand pounds, laid out with discretion, and on the lowest scale of expence, will, I conceive, be found suf- ficient.
The annual expence will depend much on the salaries of the different officers employed, and on the spirit with which the whole may be carried on. Three thousand pounds, a year, might be rendered equivalent; if libe- rally conducted, five thousand, I appre- hend, will be required.
The whole expence, for ten years, may be set down at£...50,000, or£.5,000, a. year. ¢
a |

Ve
A RURAL INSTITUTE. 37
If the annual expence be compressed within£°.3,000, the whole will amount to{°.4,0,000, Or£4,000,@ year.
It may, I trust, be safely suggested, that the public utility will be in pro- portion to the money judiciously ex-
pended.
Printed by W. Bulmer and Co, Russel-court, Cleveland-row; St.James’s,

THE RURAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND,
Published by G. and W. Nicol, Booksellers to his Majesty, Pall-Mall; G. G. and F. Robinson, Paternoster-row; and Ff. Debrett, Piccadily; and to be had separate, or in Sets of TWELVE VOLUMES Octavo,
THE PRESENT PRACTICE OF RURAL ECONOMY IN THE SIX AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENTS OF ENGLAND: % CONTAINING THE MANAGEMENT OF LANDED PROPERTY, THE TREAT=- MENT OF WOODLANDS, AND THE PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE, IN EACH:
The Practice of the Northern Department being exemplified in THE RURAL ECONOMY OF YORKSHIRE; In Two Volumes, Price 12s. in boards.
THAT OF THE WESTERN DEPARTMENT, IN
THE RURAL ECONOMY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE; In Two Volumes, Price 12s. in boards. THAT OF THE CENTRAL DEPARTMENT, IN THE RURAL ECONOMY OF THE MIDLAND COUNTIES; In Two Volumes, Price 14s. in boards. THAT OF THE EASTERN DEPARTMENT, IN THE RURAL I CONOMY OF NORFOLK; In Two Volumes, Price 12s. in boards. THAT OF THE MORE WESTERN DEPARTMENT, IN THE RURAL ECONOMY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND; In Two Volumes, Price 12s. in boards. AND THAT OF THE SOUTHERN DEPARTMENT, IN THE RURAL ECONOMY OF THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES;
In Two Volumes, Price 15s. in boards,
By Mr. MARSHALL.
Also recently published In Two Volumes Octavo, Price 1§s. in boards, MINUTES,&c. OF AGRICULTURE IN THE SOUTHERN COUNTIES. A NEW EDITION. To which is prefixed, A SKETCH OF THE VALE OF LONDON, AND AN OUTLINE OF ITS FIRST RURAL ECONOMY, NOW FIRST PUBLISHED 5
BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
These Fourteen Volumes contain the whole of what Mr. MarsHALt has pub- lished on the Subject of AGRICULTURE,

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