inspector's return and the farmer's return differ very materially; and, without referring to the tithes, which are, as you are aware, paid on the averages, I may observe that, as corn rents are affected, it is obvious that, if returns are to be made at all, they should be as accurate as possible. With these observations, I beg to introduce to you, sir, Mr. Fisher Hobbs, the chairman of the London Farmers' Club.

Mr. FISHER HOBBS said, I have the honour of appearing before you, sir, with a deputation from the Central Farmers' Club, and, as their chairman, it will be my duty to mention to you the great evils which I consider to exist in the present imperfect mode of taking the corn averages. I believe the object of taking the averages is to obtain an accurate return of the produce grown, and of the value of that produce. It is now many years since the interest which was formerly felt by merchants in making returns ceased to exist. In 1842, the present system was established, to assist in carrying out the measure of Sir Robert Peel with regard to the introduction of foreign corn. All corn laws now being abolished, merchants have no interest at all in making returns, and it is well known that throughout the kingdom returns are made very imperfectly. I need not enter into any details on that point, because the gentlemen who are to follow me will explain much more minutely than I could do the fluctuations which exist. I am, however, prepared to shew that the present mode of taking the averages is very imperfect, and also that it is most unjust. It is most imperfect, because, at the present time, only the superior grain is returned. In most instances only one-third, and in many only one-tenth is reported. It is very unjust, because many farmers take land on a corn rent; and, in this respect, the system of taking the averages operates in the case of many farmers most injuriously. If you will allow me, sir, I will read to you a statement which appeared a short time since in one of the Brighton newspapers, respecting the imperfect mode of taking the corn averages there. It appears that in one week no return was made at all-on the 16th of January, 1854. This is a copy of the inspectors' return: -"No rye, no wheat, no barley, no oats, no beans, no peas." By the farmers' return, there were-70 loads, or 300 quarters, of wheat, and 200 quarters of barley. In the following week the inspector made a return of 27 quarters 4 bushels of wheat, and 35 quarters of oats; barley, rye, beans, and peas none." Here there was a very great difference between the inspector's return and the farmer's return. The London Farmers' Club has for some years past taken considerable interest in this question, and not only the Central Farmers' Club, but the local clubs throughout the kingdom. In the year 1850, the London Farmers' Club discussed this question, and their resolution on the subject at that time was as follows:-" That by the present system of taking the averages the price of corn is represented to be higher than actually is the case, and hence operates unjustly in all contracts based upon it, and demands the immediate attention of the legislature." The local farmers' clubs-I would refer especially to the Winchester oneadopted a similar resolution. Last evening I had the honour of presiding at a very influential meeting of the Farmers' Club, where there were present farmers from most of the agricultural counties of England, and I believe gentlemen from ten or twelve counties spoke on the subject. The resolution of this meeting was

“That, in the opinion of the members of this club, the present mode of taking the corn averages is imperfect in its operation, and injurious to the agriculture of this country. That

returns should be made by the grower of all corn sold by him,
verified by the signature of the buyer; such returns to be
taken by the Excise or Inland Revenue officers."
It cannot, sir, I think, be questioned that the mode in which
the returns are made from various parts of England is very
imperfect, when it is considered that it is made sometimes by
weight and sometimes by measure. During the present and
last year the produce of the wheat of this country has been
very light in weight, as well as deficient in quantity. The re-
turns, for example, from Lincolnshire, a great agricultural
county, are made at 63lbs. per bushel; whereas, I believe the
average weight of the wheat of Lincolnshire at this time (it
was certainly the case last year) is not more than from 58lbs.
to 60lbs.; and that difference acts very injuriously with regard
to price. Again, at Wakefield, which is a very important
market, and where there is a great deal of inferior British corn
sold, the returns are 60lbs. to the bushel; and I believe that
in most of, if not in all the northern counties where the lands
are wet, wheat does not generally average so much. Now
sir, it is the opinion of the Farmers' Club that, as the
corn laws have been abolished, and as the class of persons who
formerly returned the averages do not now feel the same
interest in them, the present system should be entirely
abolished, and that in lieu thereof every grower should be com
pelled to make a return, that return to be verified by the pur-
chaser, and that that one return alone should be taken into the
averages. That appears to me to be a very simple system;
and, if it be the desire of the legislature to obtain a correct
return of the produce grown, and of its value, I see no system
so likely to lead to the attainment of that object. On behalf
of the farmers of England, I can only say that they look upon
this as an act of justice which is due to them. They do not
wish to upset the system of the Tithe Commutation Act, nor the
system of letting land on corn rents-a system which appears
to be increasing in its operation every day, and which is fre-
quently regulated partly by price, and partly by the payment of
a fixed sum. It is but justice to the growers of this country
to require that they should only pay upon the value of their
own produce. We ask the legislature, therefore, to amend a
system which is now so imperfect, and which bears so in-
juriously upon our interests. With regard to the question of
statistics, which has been referred to by my friend Sir John
Shelley, I can only say that the farmers feel, as I have said,
that it would only be an act of justice to them to re-adjust the
system of taking the averages; and if in any way the one
object can be so arranged as to facilitate the other, the Farmers
Clubs will listen with great respect to any proposal that may
be made to them by the Government. I will not enter into the
question any further, as there are other gentlemen present who
represent local farmers' clubs, and who will be able to explain
to you better than I can, the views which farmers entertain on
this subject.

Mr. PILE, delegate from the Winchester Farmers' Club, followed. He said: Mr. Hobbs has entered so fully into the subject as to have left me very little to say. To prove to you, sir, that farmers have for a long time felt the unfairness of the present system of taking the averages, let me say that, after the Winchester Farmers' Club was established, in 1850, the first subject which they discussed was that of the corn averages. The resolution which they came to was, "That in the opinion of this meeting, the present mode of taking the ave rages is imperfect and unjust to the agriculturists, and that it would be more beneficial to them, and the community at large,

if the averages were taken from districts in each county, and
a return thereof made compulsory by law both on the grower
and on the buyer." In further proof that the averages are
incorrect, I may state that in March last the averages for
Berkshire were taken at 1,596 qrs. of wheat, and the price at
50s. 1d. Now, Reading market is the best market for wheat
in Berkshire, and the average of that market in the week was
48s. 2 d., and in London only 48s. ; yet the Government
averages for the country were 58s. 1d. This shows the care-
less manner in which the duty was performed. The subject
of the corn averages has been discussed by the Winchester
Farmers' Club during the past year, and the resolution
adopted on the occasion was. "That in the opinion of this
meeting the present mode of taking the corn averages is im-
perfect, and most unjust to the agriculturist—that as at pre-
sent the returns are only made on the best qualities of corn,
the average price which rules for the tithe rent-charge is cal-
culated on false data-that in the opinion of this meeting the
return should be made compulsory upon the grower, backed
by the signature of the buyer, and should be collected in every
market of England and Wales by the Excise." It is shown
how very imperfect the system is, in a letter addressed by Mr.
Cowan, a large land-agent near Barnstaple, in Devonshire, to
the Right Hon. J. W. Henley, President of the Board of
Trade, in 1852. That gentleman says, "It is now more than
ever important that the average price of corn for each county
should be correctly ascertained, because every year is adding
to the number of tenant farmers whose money payments of
rent will be governed by this standard. It is to be feared then
in many instances the averages are calculated upon an erro-
neous principle: instead of dividing the total money amount
of the sales made by the total number of quarters sold, the
prices per qr. of the various sales are added together, and
divided by the number of sales, which is a very imperfect
mode of taking the averages." Now, sir, on behalf of the
farmers of Hampshire, I can only say that if the Government
will assist them in obtaining correct averages to regulate their
money payments, they will render their best assistance to the
Government in their efforts to secure correct returns of the
produce of this kingdom. I believe that when tithes were
first commuted, it was the intention of the Government that
the averages should be regulated by the price at which the
farmer might sell his produce; but it has been clearly proved
in various discussions which I have attended, that the profits
of trade have been allowed to have the effect of materially
raising the averages. It is but equitable that our tithe rent-
charges and money payments should be based strictly on the
price at which we dispose of our produce. To insure this, I
would suggest that the return should be made only on the
first sale, which would exclude the profits of trade, and also
the price of foreigu produce. What would be the best mode
of collecting the returns is a question which we must, of
course, leave to the decision of the Government; but if they
will condescend to consult us in the matter, we will give them
the best advice that it is in our power to offer.

Mr. CARDWELL: Mr. Pile, you have been rendering good counsel and assistance to us in the experiments that we have been trying in Hampshire on the subject of agricultural statistics. I am very glad to see here a gentleman who has given such proofs of his zeal in the cause; and I shall be glad if you will continue what you were saying, and point out to me the mode in which you think your object may be best attained.

Mr. PILE: The view which I take of the matter sir is

this:-I think both the quantity and quality of all the corn grown and sold in this kingdom should be returned upon the first sale only by the seller and the buyer. I would endeavour to make the matter as easy as possible to the farmer. The resolution which we arrived at last night suggests a weekly return; but, knowing what I do of the habits of farmers, I am rather in favour of a monthly one. This is a matter which must, of course, be left for future consideration. I would recommend, however, that the return should be made on the first Tuesday in every month; that it should be sent, sealed, either to the clerk of the Board of Guardians in the several unions, with the names of the parties making it on the outside, or to the supervisor of excise in each district; and that, whoever might be the party to receive it, it should be forwarded to London unopened. I may remark that the farmers might be rather suspicious if clerks of the unions in the several counties, who are generally attorneys, had an opportunity of seeing the returns. They might think that that would operate injuriously to them; but, if the returns were sent to London before being opened, there could be no such objection.

Mr. CARDWELL: Well now, Mr. Pile, speaking on behalf of the Winchester Farmers' Club, would you propose that Parliament should pass a law by which it would be made penal for a producer to allow any grain to leave his premises without at the same time sending an accurate return to a public office? Should you be prepared for the enforcement of penalties in a case of that kind?

Mr. PILE: I should recommend it, but only on a small scale. If you imposed a high penalty, you would not get people to come forward to convict; and, on the other hand, the law cannot be carried out without some penalty.

Mr. CARDWELL: The object of having a penalty is, as you are aware, to secure the observance of the law. Now, are you prepared, on behalf of the farmers of Winchester, to recommend that every person who grows corn in this kingdom shall be subject to a penalty if he permits corn to leave his premises without at the same time sending to the Government an exact record of the transaction ?

Mr. PILE: Yes, decidedly; a penalty of small amount. Several other members of the deputation expressed their concurrence in this declaration.

Sir J. SHELLEY: I for one must say that I do not think that would be likely to go down in this country; and notwithstanding what has been said, I must, as a large farmer, protest against such an infringement on the liberty of the subject. I believe, however, that the difficulty might be got over in this way: Farmers, in general, would not object to the Government knowing the quantity of ground under wheat, barley, and oats in every union. That might be ascertained, without much trouble, through the boards of guardians and the relieving officers; and, when it is known what is about the average quantity of corn grown in each district, it will be easy for the Government to arrive at the average growth of corn without entering into any detail as to the grower. I am convinced that, if a penalty were enacted, there would be an outcry against it from one end of the country to the other. If farmers are compelled to make a return of all the corn which they sell, the next thing will be that every grocer will be required to make a return of all the tea that he sells. As I should protest against such an enactment in the House of Commons, were it proposed by the Government, I think it best to state my objection at once.

Mr. PILE: I only suggested the plan as being that which in

my opinion would give the least trouble to the farmer. If the Government will assist farmers in obtaining fair averages, I am convinced farmers will render every assistance to the Government.

Mr. SKELTON, from Lincolnshire, said: I rise, Sir, to take part in the proceelings, not only because I am a farmer and a member of the Club, but also because I am to a considerable extent a corn buyer. My own experience has been gained at Wisbeach, the leading corn market of perhaps one of the largest corn-growing districts in the kingdom. You are well aware that at the time of the last harvest there was every appearance of the crop being short. As soon as that became known, the effect was great excitement in the corn market, and much speculation in corn. In the first four weeks after harvest, in 1853, one-half more was returned than in the corresponding period of 1852; in the first eight weeks after harvest there was a similar excess; and when I compared the returns of twelve weeks after harvest in the two years, I found the quantity returned equal-a striking proof that there was a great deal of irregularity in the returns. The quantity of corn delivered in the market in the first twelve weeks of 1853 was considerably less than in the first twelve weeks of 1852. The explanation is to be found, as I know from experience, in the excitement of the market, and in the amount of speculation which was car ried on. I know three or four instances in which a cargo of wheat was bought and sold three or four times over, and each time there was an additional value of four, six, or even eight shillings per quarter. My experience of the first three months after harvest in the last year clearly shows that the returns were not made on the actual produce, but on the speculations of dealers. On examining the returns up to the end of the first sixteen weeks, I found a considerable decrease; in twenty weeks the aggregate quantity returned was, I found, one-third less in 1853 than in 1852; while in twenty-four weeks it was one-half less. It is evident that the returns were materially influenced as regards both quantity and price by speculative transactions; and when speculation ceased, as it naturally did when prices had reached a high point, the truth was soon discovered. I have thus given you a practical instance of the abuse to which the present imperfect system leads; and I think the plan suggested in the resolution which we adopted last night would be a great improvement on the present mode of proceeding. It has been tauntingly said that farmers generally are too inert, too indolent, and too careless in matters of this kind to make proper returns. I do not admit that: but if the present system has failed through non-attention on the part of those who ought to make returns, I think it would be only fair to give those who are not to blame in that respect an opportunity of obtaining what they require. I quite agree that every return should be faithfully made in the manner which you suggested yourself.

Mr. CARDWELL: Don't say in the manner that I suggested -it was suggested to me.

Mr. PILE: I would observe that every return should be made to the nearest inspector of corn returns, either by letter or by personal delivery. Returns should be made everywhere. At present there are only a certain number of towns from which any returns are made. There are many villages in rich corn growing districts where transactions take place without the parties going into the market; and, as the object is to get at the quantity and value of the produce of the whole kingdom, I think every man should be compelled to make a return; and with a penny postage it might easily be transmitted to the proper quarter.

Sir J. SHELLEY (to Mr. Cardwell): I do not think we need trouble you with any further observations. I am quite

sure you will agree with us, that the subject is well worthy of the consideration of the Government. I would merely add to the suggestions which have been made, that the return should not only state the quantity of corn sold by each person, but also whether or not he is the grower; in which case the same corn could not be returned twice over. Every one knows that a good sample of corn is sometimes sold by the grower under its value in the market; and that, after being first disposed of, it is sold again and again, and each time at a profit. My object is, that such corn should only be returned once; and what I suggest would remove any difficulty which might arise from the circumstance of the return being made only by the seller and the buyer.

Mr. CARDWELL: I can only say, gentlemen, before you leave, that I am exceedingly glad to have received so numerous and so influential a deputation of farmers on the subject of agricultural statistics. You know that we are extremely desirous to render as perfect as possible that branch of our knowledge; and we are so for this reason, amongst others, that, important as that kind of knowledge may be to the commercial part of the community, it is still more important to those who are themselves the producers of the commodity. In the commercial world people have means of their own of forming estimates and making calculations of probable profits; and certain and accurate information accessible to the producer of the commodity, and guiding him as to the price he ought to ask for it at a critical period of the year, would, as it appears to me, be of very great value. We are, therefore, endeavouring to secure the best agricultural statistics that we can. You probably know that in three counties in Scotland we have met with very general co-operation, and have been rewarded with considerable success; we are now trying the experiment in two English counties, Norfolk and Hampshire, the result of which I shall have officially before me in a short time. My knowledge at present is not derived from the official reports of the gentlemen who have conducted the inquiry. Well, now, you have justly said, that the two ques tions of the corn averages and agricultural statistics have an intimate relation with one another. I hope, therefore, that, having an anxiety on the one subject, you will use your infla ence to the utmost of your power to assist us in the inquiries and endeavours which we are making to perfect the other. Well, then, with regard to the collection of the corn averages, I am perfectly aware of the different objections which you have urged to the mode of taking the averages which is in operation at present. But the remedy which I think was suggested to me from Sussex last year, and which has to-day been suggested to me by Mr. Pile, who, as I have already noticed, has shown his sincerity in the cause of agricultural statistics in the course of the inquiry in Hampshire-that remedy, I say, involves the enactment of a highly penal law. You observe that you want the corn averages to be made correct, not merely for the general purposes of statistics, in order that, if we have returns at all, they may be accurate; but you want them to be correct because they virtually regu late transactions between private persons, because they govern the payments for tithes, and because in cases in which farms are let ou corn rents, they govern the transactions between landlord and tenant. Now, of course, in any system which might be enacted by Parliament with that object, the tithe-owner and the landlord would expect to have some mode of forming their opinion as to the accuracy of the returns made by the producer. It would not, therefore, be desirable to have those returns made in so secret a mode that they would not be capable of local verification; for in that case they would obviously be open to reclamation on the part of

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE DRIFFIELD FARMERS' CLUB.

of their funds in reporting their proceedings, their lectures and discussions. It was only by promulgating what they did that the club was calculated to benefit the neighbourhood and the country at large. There was a nice, charming, little place called Burlington Quay, at which an excellent agricultural show had been held for many years. Encouraged by two or three successful exhibitions, Driffield felt that it was strong enough to have an agricultural show of its own. It seemed a very great pity that two towns so near each other should not be united. He would recommend-to use a fashionable word that there should be a fusion of the two towns, and make the shows peripatetic.

Mr. W. ANGUS responded. No one took greater pleasure in the club than he did, and its success had been very satisfac. tory with so efficient a chairman and other officers. And they need not go beyond that table to form an estimate of its true character.

The Rev. R. C. WILMOT proposed "The Health of the President," as one of the best of tenant farmers, and of whom they had great reason to be proud.

The CHAIRMAN briefly replied.

exercising his own judgment, but too frequently laying down a course at variance with the interest of both landlord and tenant. With the present progress of agriculture, it must be considered vanity indeed of any person to lay down a regular course of cropping without destroying the interests of the tenant. If so, the land must go likewise. Both interests would go together. If the tenant farmed well for himself, the land would be im proving at the same time. Let them ask for scope to be given to their intelligence and capital, and let them do their utmost in regard to cultivation, and especially implore the landed proprietors to take off that heavy burthen-their stringent covenants and let them by their practice convince the landlords that they were deserving of the boon (cheers).

Mr. MATTHEWS, the other honorary secretary, having been loudly called for, said-After the able and eloquent manner his colleague and friend had responded to the toast, there was little or nothing left for him to say than to tender his best thanks for the very kind manner in which they had received the toast of The Secretaries. He might, however, say that as that society was formed to discuss matters connected with political affairs touching the agricultural interest, as well as

E. H. REYNARD, Esq., proposed "The Health of the Vice- introducing subjects for discussion on practical agriculture, he Presidents," to which

Mr. T. DAWSON replied.

Capt. DUNCOMBE, in proposing "The Health of the Treasurer," expressed his great desire to see the two societies of Burlington and Driffield amalgamated; and he hoped the arrangement would be effected in a business-like manner, by deputations from each society meeting and settling the matter, and not leaving it to paid secretaries and letter writers.

The TREASURER returned thanks.

Mr. J. BARUGH proposed "The Committee."

The Rev. J. BLANCHARD said, he had very great pleasure in proposing "The Health of the Secretaries." Mr. Wheatley was a good practical farmer, and Mr. Matthews was a most skilful agricultural manure manufacturer. He had been very much edified with a conversation held with Mr. Matthews, who had stated that he would make Mr. Reynard's land six times as good as it was. He replied, "If you can do that, Mr. Matthews, you will make Mr. Reynard what Mr. Harrison wishes him to be as rich as Sir Tatton Sykes" (laughter).

felt that he might say a word or two on the soil they cultivated
and the crops they grew. To increase the fertility of the scil
of this or any other country was a subject of vast
national importance, a subject of great importance to our land-
owners, and a subject of much importance to the occupiers of
the soil; and, as the wealth and the riches of this country
proceeded from her soil, and as it supported the monarch on
the throne as well as the poor in the cottage, did it not behove
every one to endeavour to find out the elements which were
necessary for each particular crop? He believed there
was no doubt on the minds of agriculturists that there were
certain elements which would produce an abundance of straw,
however poor the soil might be. Was it not reasonable, then,
to say that there were other elements which could produce the
grain? and by blending or mixing these elements together,
either chemically or mechanically, they had that which pro-
duced the staff of life in abundance. It was also of great im-
portarce, for the benefit of agriculture, to have all agricultural
experiments carefully conducted. Let an acre of wheat be
top-dressed with Peruvian guano, another acre adjoining with
nitrate of soda, another with soot, another with ammonia
phosphate, another with superphosphate of lime, and so on,
leaving an acre undressed, and at harvest time let each experi-
ment be cut, kept, thrashed, and measured separately; and
afterwards compare the quantities and qualities of both straw
and grain. He had no doubt they would find a difference in
some of them that would surprise them.
As he had the
pleasure of addressing some of the best class farmers in Eng
land, he sincerely hoped that the few words that had just
dropped from his lips would not be lost on some of his hearers.
They might depend upon it that if this mode of farming were
followed out, they would have a guide-post in every field with
the finger pointing to plain truths (applause). He could not
allow the opportunity to pass without tendering his best
thanks to Mr. Reynard for his kindness in assisting him this
season to carry out the view he had just stated; and he hoped
that at their next auniversary Mr. Reynard would be able to
tell them that there was a great difference both in the yield
and quality of the experiments made (cheers).
HAROLD BARKWORTH, Esq., proposed "The Town and

Mr. J. WHEATLEY returned thanks for the honour conferred upon himself and Mr. Matthews. When he saw the progress which agriculture had made, with the evidence before them that the light of science had already developed some of the most hidden mysteries of their profession, and trusting in a further extension of knowledge, he looked forward to the day with exulting hope as to the result. It was his firm belief that the time was not far distant when the practice of agriculture would be no longer confined to a series of experiments, but eventually be based on the unerring principle of a known, acknowledged, and perfect science. Then would the skill and industry of the British farmers soon prove to this country their independence of foreign supplies for their food; and when that time should arrive, they might be assured that no small share of it was owing to the increase of agricultural knowledge through the agency of farmers' clubs. With a field so wide before them, and the rapid tide of improvement still carrying them on, let them entreat the landed proprietors to allow them to grasp at every improvement and try every new manure which science was daily bringing out, and not to covenant them to the mode of cultivation and kind of tillage to be applied, which too frequently fettered and tied the leading strings of the tenant, not only depriving him of the power of ness Fox-hunt:" to which

Trade of Driffield :" to which

JAMES HARRISON, Esq., responded.
Mr. G. HOPPER gave

"James Hall, Esq., and the Holder