WHITEHAVEN.-Through the able labours of Mr. Musgrave and his predecessor, the Mechanics' Institution is in possession of the nucleus of what promises to be, at no distant date, a museum second to none in the country. The committee of this Institution regret the small advantage that seems to be derivable, in the formation or enlargement of museums, from the exchange of specimens as suggested by the Society of Arts. Mr. Musgrave has been in direct communication with several Institutions, that expressed themselves desirous of such exchange, but the answers of all who acknowledged the receipt of the letters were very discouraging. He has now in his possession duplicate specimens illustrative of the geology of the neighbourhood of Whitehaven, and will be very glad, on his own account, or on behalf of the Institution, to exchange the same with any Institution in Union, for a like number of specimens descriptive of the geological characteristics of a district or any other branch of Natural History, or illustrative of any Arts or Manufactures carried on in any particular locality; the only cost to each party being the carriage of the parcels received. Miscellanea. taken off the wood, and the wood is then cut in such away as MON. MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. London Inst., 7.-Mr. W. H. Monk, " On Chamber Music." Actuaries, 7.-Mr. Samuel Brown, "On a method of classifying Life Policies so as to afford a ready means of forming a Table of Mortality from the experience of the Office." Geographical, 84.-1. Lieut.-Col. Lloyd, "Account of an Expedition to the sources of the Amazon, and sketch of the road from Lima to the Silver Mines of Cerro de Pasco." 2 Lieut.-Col. Lloyd, "Short Account of the Failure of the Darien Expedition." 3. Baron de Bode, "Notes on the Steppes of the Turkoman and Country South-East of the Caspian." TUES. Royal Inst., 3.-Prof. J. Tyndall, "On Heat." Meteorological, 7.-Dr. Moffat, "On Medical Meteorology and Atmospheric Ozone." WELSH IRON AND COAL TRADES.-The markets for the two great staple productions of South Wales are most active, and business is described as being unprecedentedly brisk. The demand for coal is enormous, and the consequence is, that every collier is fully employed, and new pits are being sunk. WED. The quantity of steam-coal required for ocean-going steamers is extremely great, and a large trade rapidly springing up in the port of Llanelly for this species of coal, which is found in that neighbourhood in great abundance. The large steam companies are using it, and the Government contracts require 20,000 tons of it for supply in the Baltic and Mediterranean. The iron trade is also very brisk, the large orders for foreign rails and home consumption rendering the market firm. One of the large works is about to be re-opened, having been closed some time, which will give employment to hundreds of men. The wages now given to the workmen are very remunerative, and none now are out on strike. THURS. FRI. Civil Engineers, 8.-Renewed Discussions. 1. On Ruth ven's Propeller; and 2. On Decimal Coinage. 3. Mr. J. Brunlce's "Description of Embankments across Morecombe Bay." Medical Chirurgical, 84. London Inst., 2.-Mr. E. W. Brayley, jun., “On Physical Society of Arts, S.-Mr. Leone Levi, "On the Importance of a Correct System of Agricultural Statistics." Microscopical, 8. Royal Inst., 3.-Prof. Wharton Jones, "On Animal Phy London Inst., 7.-Mr. C. Cowden Clarke, "On the great Chemical, 8.-Anniversary. Antiquaries, 8. Royal, 84. Architectural Assoc., 8. Royal Inst., 8.-Dr. J. H. Gladstone, "On Chemical London Inst., 2.-Mr. E. W. Brayley, jun., " On Physical Royal Inst., 3.-Prof. Miller, "On the Chemistry of the PARLIAMENTARY REPORTS. Par. Numb. SESSIONAL PRINTED PAPERS. 99. Barnstaple Bribery Bill (1819)-Return. ANTHRACITE FOR STEAM PURPOSES.-According to the SAT. results arrived at by the experimental trip of the Great Britain to Australia with this species of fuel, it would appear that it is admirably adapted for all steam purposes, and for ocean voyages has a great superiority over all other sorts of fuel, by showing an economy of 10 per cent., stowing in a far smaller compass, creating no soot, ash, clinker, or dust, so as to choke the pipes, rendering it very unhealthy for the firemen, and covering the engines and ship with dust. On her first voyage to Australia she consumed from 50 to 60 cwts. per hour, while with anthracite the consumption in the 24 hours never exceeded from 30 to 40 tons-some days only from 15 to 20 tons. On leaving Liverpool the Great Britain took 1000 tons of best Pembroke. shire anthracite, and 800 tons of patent fuel. In the 13 days to St. Vincent, 380 tons were consumed; there 300 tons of Cardiff coal were taken in. After a voyage of 49 days she arrived at Port Philip, with upwards of 400 tons of coal in stock, having used about 820 tons from St. Vincent, or 1200 tons on the whole voyage from Liverpool to Port Philip. The men are better able to stand their work with anthracite than with other fuel. No fans were required to increase the blast, and with an ordinary draught it is perfectly easy and practicable, not only at all times to be enabled to generate steam, but likewise to maintain it.—Mining Journal. AMERICAN DAGUERREOTYPE.-We have recently inspected some Daguerreotype Portraits executed in Philadelphia, which are as remarkable for their cheapness as their beauty. They are of the ordinary miniature size, coloured, and mounted in an oval frame, and then inserted in a folding ornamental case; the whole being executed for eight shillings. They are remarkable for their clearness and accuracy. The instantaneous character of such a mode of obtaining portraiture might surely render it cheaper among ourselves, and thousands obtain what hundreds only ask for now. It is an art cosmopolitan in its very nature. -Art Journal. PAPER FROM WOOD.-In the last sitting of the Société d'Encouragement pour l'Industrie Nationale a paper was read setting forth a plan for making paper from wood. The bark is first Delivered on 17th March, 1854. Church Estates Commissioners-Third General Report. Natal-Further Correspondence. Delivered on 18th and 20th March, 1854. 70. Savings' Banks (Number of Depositors, &c.)-Accounts. 100. Towns (Ireland)-Return. 1:0. Menai Straits-Copies of Memorial and Report. 44. Local Acts-Reports from the Admiralty. 105. Railway (Number of persons employed, &c.)-Return. 41. Bills-High Treason (Ireland). 42. Bills-Property Disposal. 44. Bills-Friendly Societies (Amended). 46. Bills-Oxford University. 47. Bills-Church Building Acts Amendment (Amended). Prisons (Scotland-Fifteenth Report of the General Board of Turnpike Trusts-First Report by the Secretary of State. Delivered on 21st March, 1854. 44. Local Acts-Reports from the Admiralty. Dated 28th February, 1854. 477. L. A. Pallegoix and A. L. Bellange, Paris-Treating wheat. 479. F. S. Thomas, 17, Cornhill-Rifle carriage. 481. A. E. L. Bellford, 16, Castle street, Holborn-Admitting steam, &c., to cylinders of oscillating engines. (A communication.) 485. A. L. Mallet, 52, Rue de la Pepiniere, Paris-Apparatus to destroy effects of shocks. 487. J. Medwin, Blackfriars road-Water guages for steam boilers. 489. J. T. Way, Holles street, Cavendish square, and J. M. Paine, Farnham-Gas. 491. J. S. Holbeche, Sutton Coldfield-Invalid bedsteads. Dated 1st March, 1854. 493. H. Gilbert, Suffolk street, Pall Mall-Artificial teeth. 495. W. Ehrhardt, Birmingham-Ordnance and fire arins. 497. W. J. Curtis, 23, Birchin lane-Levigating machine. 501. J. and T. Sibley, Ashton under Lyne-Cutting discs out of metal plates. 503. M. N. Illakowicz, 35, Maddox street-Picture frames. 505. J. S. Holland, Woolwich-Locks. 507. J. Parry, jun., Liverpool-Mills for grinding bones, &c. (A communication) 508. R. V. Houssart, 29, Dunstan street, Kingsland road, and R. Houston, 1, Skinner street-Vessels to contain fluids. 509. H. and J. Ellis, Salford - Finishing, &c., woven fabrics. 510. A. Barclay, Kilmarnock-Lubricating shafts. 511. A. Barclay, Kilmarnock-Mining engines. 512 J. Currie, Glasgow-Grinding grain. 513. T. Dawson, King's Arms Yard-Umbrellas and parasols. 514. J. Tann, Minerva terrace, Hackney road-Locks. 558. W. Warne, St. Austell Tubular steam boilers. 560. J. Blair, Irvine-Beds or couches. WEEKLY LIST OF PATENTS SEALED. 2161. Baldwin Fulford Weatherdon, of Chancery lane, and Matthew Slade Hooper, of Sydenham-Improvements in railway signals. Sealed March 17th, 1854. 2168. Henry Baron de Bode, of 8, Albert street, Camden roadImprovements in the manufacture of wheels. Sealed March 18th, 1854. 2174. Thomas Restell, of the Strand-Improvements in opening and closing ventilating louvres. 2194. Thomas West Walker, of Hanley-Improvements in the manufacture of crates made of wood for the use of potters. 2228. Michel Ovide Bernard Lesage, of Paris-Improvements in hydraulic engines. 2233. Thomas William Kennard, of Duke street, Adelphi-Improvements in constructing piers and foundations under water. 2332. William Muir Campbell, of Glasgow-Improvements in earthenware kilns. 2505. Andrew Maclure, of Walbrook-Improvements in lithographie printing presses. 2651. James Wills Wayte, of Gate street, Lincoln's inn fieldsImprovements in self-feeding furnaces. 2958. Paul Wagenmann, of Bonn-Improvements in the manufacture of liquid hydro-carbons and parafine. 3008, John Macintosh, of 12, Pall Mall East-Improvement in discharging projectiles. 57. Elmer Townsend, of Boston, U. S.-Improvements in machinery for sewing cloth, leather, or other material. (A communication.) 101. George Fergusson Wilson, of Belmont, Vauxhall-Improvement in the manufacture of candles and night lights. 108. Edward Highton, of Regent's park-Improvements in suspending the wires of electric telegraphs. 134. Nehemiah Hunt, of the State of Massachusetts, U. S.-Improvements in machinery for sewing cloth or other material. (A communication.) 147. Henry Watson, of High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne-Improvements in water closets. 178. John Ridgway, of Cauldon place-Improvements in the method of generating and applying heat to kilns, ovens, and furnaces, for manuiacturing purposes. Sealed March 20th, 1854. 2181. Ferdinand Potts, of Birmingham-Improvements in the manufacture of paper tubes, and in the apparatus connected therewith. 2184. Henry Needham, of Wardour street-Improvements in revolving fire-arins. Sealed March 22nd, 1851. 2190. James Baldwin, of Birmingham-improvements in the making of paper bags. 2191. Frederick Crace Calvert, of Manchester-Certain improved processes for separating emery from other matters. 2235. Peter Armand Le Comte de Fontainemoreau, of South street, Finsbury-Improvements in treating certain exotic plants for the production of a fibrous substance, known in commerce by the name of vegetable silk. (A communication.) 2293. James Bullough, of Acer ngton, and John Walmsley and David Whittaker, of Black burn-Improvements in machinery or apparatus for warping and sizing, or otherwise preparing yarns or warps to be woven. 2353. William Muir Campbell, of Glasgow-Improvements in potters' or earthenware kilns. 2411. Robert Shaw, of Glasgow-Improvements in writing instru 1853. 25. William Rigby, of Glasgow-Improvements in steam-hammers and pile-driving machinery. 35. John Davie Morries Stirling, of the Larches, near Birmingham -Improvements in the manufacture of iron. 71. Henry Beaumont Leeson, of Greenwich-Improvements in gas burners. 165. Henry Seebohm, of Esholt, near Leeds-Improvements in combing wool, goats hair, alpaca, cotton, and other fibrous materials. 205. Thomas Thurlby, of Guildford street East, Spa fields-Improvements in the means of effecting instant communication between distant points of railway trains. WEEKLY LIST OF DESIGNS FOR ARTICLES OF UTILITY REGISTERED. Title. Date of No. in the Register. Proprietors' Names. 1854. March 18. 21. 3577 3578 An Artiste's Cornet à Piston Seamless Lady's Shoe Address. Cranbourne street, Leicester square, Horns lane, King street, Norwich. No. 71. Vol. II.] JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF ARTS. [MARCH 31, 1854. Of all questions that of subsistence is the most important which could engage the attention of the legislator, the senator, the statist, or the civilian. It is the touchstone which draws into it all the elements of public and social welfare. It is the foundation of national prosperity, and the essential of individual happiness. When one of our mighty floating palaces weighs her anchor for a long passage across the ocean the first of her preparatory duties is the purchase of provisions-to see that a suffi ciency of stores is provided for her crew and passengers. And when on the setting in of winter we enter on our yearly pilgrimage, is it not the duty of a nation as of individuals, to make an estimate of the amount of food we are likely to have-whether we shall have full rations, or have to make up with half a one? And yet we are blindly groping our way, eating, perhaps, in superabundance for a few short months, and when well entered into the gulf of our yearly existence we must put into a port of distress to purchase food, at whatever prices it can be got, and to compete with the famished crew of many nations, in exhausting the surplus of a scantily provisioned stock of grain. number of farmers in Great Britain actually does not exceed 300.000, so that in the extended practice of large holdings any calculation becomes circumscribed and easy. We may conceive that in such an immense country as Russia, with half the land comparatively raw and unapproachable by the ice, or in such a country as the United States, now only subjected to human strength by the iron axe of the sturdy settler, it will, indeed, prove difficult to scan it all over, to compute the number of acres sown with different crops, and the number of quarters of grain which they yield. No such difficulty ought to be experienced within the British Islands, every portion of to its capabilities to the best of human powers and which has been long explored, inhabited, and tested as ingenuity. But experience is the mother of wisdom. What does it teach? Have attempts carefully made actually failed? On the contrary, we find that individual merchants, such as Mr. Sandars and Mr. Hodgson, of Liverpool, have obtained pretty accurate accounts by sending individuals into different parts of the country whilst the grain is you in the ear, to cut out a square yard and see what it would produce in the different kinds of land-clay lands, sandy lands, &c. The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland have recently transmitted abstracts of returns of the Agricultural Statistics of the Counties called forth the approbation of the Board of Trade. of Roxburgh, Haddington, and Sutherland, returns which There we find the number of acres under different kind of crop; the amount of stock; and also the amount of steam. water, and horse power employed agriculturally crops. Similar statistics have also been obtained for the in East Lothian, and an estimate of the produce of the counties of Norfolk and Hampshire. But the most complete answer which may be given to those who apprehend insurmountable difficulties, is to be found in the satisfactory results of the statistics of the produce of Ireland, collected by the efficient aid of the Constabulary and Metropolitan Police, on printed forms, and in pursuance of instructions supplied to them. It is not asserted they are perfect; it is physically and morally impossible that such statistics can ever be perfect, but as a whole, for all practical purposes, they may be considered a most successful performance. These fur nish the number of holdings, the extent of land under crop, and an estimate of the quantity of produce by counties and by Poor Law Unions; the rate of produce, the classification of crops, the breadth of flax cultivated in each county and the numbers of stock of all descriptions. To arrive at a correct appreciation of the subject, we must first be convinced of its importance, and of its expediency, then distinctly apprehend what is required, and, lastly, by what means it may be attained. On the importance and expediency of collecting statistics of agricultural produce, it might seem scarcely necessary to enlarge, but the claims of statistical science in this direction, have not hitherto been universally recognized. It is a melancholy truth, that as yet few believe in statistics. The philosophy of inductive science is with large numbers a mysterious problem. Every body admits that if in repeated instances, over a long space of time, a certain event has happened at certain periods there is good ground for believing that the same will continue to What are agricultural statistics but a computation of happen; but a preconceived scepticism in numbers prethe number of loaves we shall obtain from our own fields vents them applying common reason to great but every for one agricultural year, and how many pounds of meat day occurrences. They have not the power of magnifywe shall get from our cattle? These are surely practical ing figures, and of preserving the same faith in them. questions which cannot be misunderstood. And yet Besides, other considerations, foreign to the purpose, as whilst their plaianess defies speculation, mountains of dif-well as self-interest, political tendencies, or dread of ficulties arise, and a phantom disturbs our vision, so that we are driven back from our inquiry without further consideration. What is our field of operati. n? The arable and garden land of the United Kingdom is about twenty millions of acres, and the meadows, pastures, and marshes contain twenty-seven millions, a surface ccnsiderably smaller than that of many other countries. The revelations, enter the mind, and are sufficient to make them decided enemies to statistical inquiries. The masses must, therefore, be taught the meaning of statistics, their object and province. Statistics is the science of observation. It takes actual facts and studies them in their nature and effects. It is founded on experience rather than on theory. A chemical discovery is made It is applied to the cultivation of the soil. The statistics of produce of that soil before and after the ap plication of such chemical discovery, is the surest test of its worth. Within the domain of statistics is whatever is important to the interest of a State, whether it be Institutions, physical forces, education, science, crime, or religion. Its province is to elaborate truths which lie remote from the surface of daily life, and to reduce into statistical analysis, the wants, the resources, and the experiences of society at large. In the words of the fifteenth annual report of the Statistical Society of London:-"Man in society is the subject of our study; to detect the influences which bear upon his wel fare, our ultimate aim; inductive reasoning from phenomena observable, and observed with mathematical precision our method, and to make use of all evidence of this character which may be turned up in the early working of society, as well as to collect new data our necessity." As to the statistics of agriculture, we have abundant evidence that a sufficiency of supplies of food for the growing population is most important to the moral, political, and material welfare of a state. When misery prevails crime abounds. When corn is dear a cry for reform finds a ready ear; and when our loaves cost 10d. instead of 6d. money is dear, prices of manufactures are low and labour is scarce. It is to enable us to meet these contingencies betimes that agricultural statistics are wanted. If we possess an early estimate of what we are likely to require from foreign countries, we shall be able to send ships to the Baltic long before the Russian ports are frozen, and shall be early in the markets to provide for our wants. We must remember, that as the harvest on the Continent is generally two months earlier than in this country, they have the first chance of obtaining their supplies at cheaper rates than we can, when our wants are fully manifested. It is not then an abstract question, but one of great practical bearing to possess proper statistics of agricultural produce. Its pounds, shilling, and pence value is not less evident. The Deputation from the City lately presented a petition on the subject to Lord Aberdeen, and it was by them stated, that the quantity of corn annually sold in the United Kingdom is not less than 40 million quarters, and the simple oscillation of 1s. per quarter would make a difference of about two millions sterling. The fluc tuations in prices in the last few years is as follows.Highest and Lowest Average Prices of Grain from the year Highest. s. d. 1846 to 1853. Difference. Por Cent. 8. d. 27 Years. Lowest. 3. d. 50 The shipowners also find in this uncertainty the utmost difficulty in providing ships, the difference in the tonnage alone being estimated at one million tons. Having so far established the position, that it is important and expedient to obtain agricultural statistics, we shall proceed to the second enquiry, and the most important one, viz., What kind of statistics, and at what intervals of time, and at what months of the year are they required? The important object to be kept in mind is, that of all statistics agricultural statistics are intended to meet a substantial want. We cannot adapt our wants to such statistics, but we must adapt such statistics, and the machinery for obtaining them, to what is felt necessary. To have the statistics of the quantity of food at our disposal for a given time, when that quantity is all eaten up, is altogether absurd. And yet such are the agricultural statistics of Ireland, which appear a year and a quarter after each harvest. The same may be said of the returns received from the Highland Society, and of those not yet published for the counties of Norfolk and Hampshire. What is wanted is, first, how many acres of land are sown with each kind of crop; secondly, the probable yield, and this sufficiently in time to govern the markets, to check alarm, or to give a timely warning of impending wants. We know our wants, if we do not know our supplies. We know that a population of 28 millions will require 28 millions of quarters annually of wheat and flour, besides what is wanted for cattle, horses, malting, and other purposes. Already our population is largely dependent on foreign wheat. Estimating the yearly consumption of each individual at eight bushels, and taking the average yearly importation of wheat and wheat-flour, it seems that whilst from 1801 to 1810, the mean population of Great Britain being 11,769,725, the number of persons fed upon foreign wheat was 600,946. From 1841 to 1850, the mean population being 19,967,876, the number dependent upon foreign wheat and wheat-flour was not less than 2,818,328. The quantity of grain imported from 1847 to 1853 was as follows:Grain Imported into the United Kingdom from 1847 to 1855. Years. 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 Average Quarters. 11,672,533 7,528,483 10,669,661 9,019,579 9,618,026 7,779,145 10,068,665 66,356,092 9,479,441 Formerly the quantity imported yearly, varied considerably. One year we might want one or two millions of quarters; the next, nothing. Of late, however, the importation has been uniformly large, leaving a conviction that our agricultural produce does not keep pace with the increase of our population, and with their growing resources; and we are the more interested to ascertain as early as possible what is that amount of extra supplies which will be required to meet our already large want of foreign help. Of the two subthe probable yield-the former is easier ascertained than jects of enquiry,-how many acres of land are sown, and the latter. In both there must necessarily be some looseness. The first would embrace the number of acres sown with wheat, barley, oats, rye, beans, peas, flax, seeds, turnips, potatoes; the number of acres in permanent grass, and the number in annual grass, &c. The second, an estimate of the probable yield of each per acre. The returns of the number of acres under crop might be collected early in spring. By extensive meteorological observations, the progress of vegetation might also be obtained at various intervals. The estimate of the produce should be ob tained within one month, at the latest, after the harvest. The difficulty of obtaining the accounts at such an early period is doubtless considerable, having regard to the time requisite for printing, distributing, collecting, and classifying the returns It has been suggested by Mr. G. Wingrove Cooke to select in every county some few parishes, which shall fairly represent all the diversities of soil, culture, and climate, that obtain throughout the county. Having settled on the representative parishes, subject, of course, to changing them for others, if any alteration should occur in their culture which would destroy their representative character, returns should be collected of the culture and produce of such representative parishes, which, by due calculation of the proportion of the parish to the district, would exhibit the agricultural statistics of the county. Hitherto we have spoken of annual estimates. It may also be important to obtain decennially more complete agricultural statistics for purposes of taxation, and for the object of showing the progress of agricultural science. The Statistical Congress, lately held in Brussels, at which there were official representatives and men of science from thirty-two countries, confined its recommendation to decennial statistics. At these distant intervals the statistics might furnish complete information on the conditions, proceeds, and results of agricultural industry, comprising facts with reference,-1st. To the soil itself. 2nd. To the natural phenomena which fall under the observation of the cultivator. 3rd. To the implements used for cultivating the land. 4th. To the means employed to supply the substances with which the soil is wanting. 5th. To the domestic animals. 6th. To the special culture of each useful vegetable 7th. To the laws of production, division, and | consumption of agricultural produce; and 8th. To the relation of agriculture to society. All these various items of information do not form an essential part of agricultural science. What concerns the soil, its nature, and its properties, belong properly to geology. Natural phenomena are within the domains of physics, zoology, or botany. The Statistical Congress did not consider it possible to reduce all these subjects in the form of statistics, and therefore simply recommended generally that the information should comprise all the conditions, proceeds and results of the agricultural industry of the country at a given time, and all the facts which may assist towards the proper appreciation of them in all their different aspects. This is also exceedingly useful. But what is most essential, is the annual estimate, and that is the great practical object aimed at by the advocates of agricultural statistics in this country. Now that we have cleared our path as to the objects and requisites of agricultural statistics, we shall consider the means by which they may be obtained. One might think that what is actually required is not such an enormous labour after all. The difficulties are more imaginary than real, and the enquiries are such as private individuals, stimulated by interest and enterprize, often partially carry out by themselves. We have already pointed out what Messrs. Hodgson and Sandars, of Liverpool, have done. Another illustration of a similar character may be produced. A corn factor of London, in 1850, sent a large number of schedules containing questions on the results of the potato crop in Ireland. He received a number of replies, some from Roman Catholic clergyman, some from millers and dealers in the corn trade, and some from land-holders, public functionaries, &c. The replies referred to all parts of the country, and they constituted a comparison of the potato crop of that year with the preceding one. They showed inwhat, and how many districts the tubers were not affected, where slightly, where partially, where much, and where at all affected, then, as to the portion of the crop that would be saved for human food. The reports gave, also, accounts of the wheat crop, describing in how many districts it was deficient; in how many a fair average, a good average, and where abundant. These are successful experiments by individuals. The same may be said of the quarterly meteorological observations made by Mr. Glashier in forty two places of Great Britain. There is one great advantage in individual efforts,-the responsibility is less; inaccuracies are excusable; the credit attached to them is proportioned to their intrinsic value. Not so with government accounts. They come out with all the credit and éclat of official statements, and if they prove erroneous, they mislead a much larger number of persons; and it should be a principle of action on the part of government, whenever it is not in their power to produce strictly correct accounts, to leave private individuals to make them on their own responsibility. With respect, however, to agricultural statistics, it needs be a vast national measure, co-extensive with the kingdom itself, requiring considerable and permanent machinery, such as no private energy can in any case supply, and, like the census of population, the statistics of education or of crime, it behoves government to undertake it by the best means at their command. This duty government is about to assume, and it is all-important that all classes-the farmers, the merchants, the land-holders, and the magistrates—should afford them their moral and physical co-operation. Let us now see what is the machinery at their command for such a purpose. At the suggestion of the late talented Mr. Porter, a statistical department was formed in 1832 connected with the Board of Trade. Such department has hitherto not extended its functions beyond the statistics of commerce and shipping, but the principle which it em. bodies is, that it should become a department for the regis tration of all the statistics of the country; that whilst the other offices are for administration, for direction, for inquiry, for legislation, &c., this should be for registration, or for the statistics of trade and commerce, population, agriculture, industry, crime, &c. A statistical department of such a character has been established in most countries. The statistics of agriculture, should devolve on the Statistical Department of the Board of Trade; but that office would require to be expanded and reconstructed to undertake this important duty. The next statistical organisation in this country is that of the Registrar General for births, deaths, and marriages. That office lately exhibited an unparalleled activity and ability for performance of labour, in the collecting of the census, by the wonderful machinery employed, by the expedition with which the returns were collected, and by the extent of the information obtained. This office has already ascertained the number of farmers in Great Britain, and also the number of farms, and their size. The plan they adopted was (the enumerators being above 30,000 in number) to deliver to every oocupier of a house or tenement a householder's schedule, 7,000,000 in number, weighing in the aggregate nearly 40 tons. They trusted to the parties to fill such papers honestly and in the best way they could, and notwithstanding the difficulty of getting ladies to tell their ages, and many other local or personal prejudices, they obtained the most comprehensive returns ever published. The same plan could be pursued for agricultural statistics as for statistics of population. Schedules might be annually sent to the 300,000 farmers, and the result, in course of tine, would, undoubtedly, be assatisfactory as by any other means. In Belgium they pursued the same plan. In France they formed commissions and sub-commissions spread throughout the country, a most complicated and unsatisfactory process. The other statistical organisation, which Government seems disposed to adopt is, the Poor Law Board; and it is by their instrumentality, that agricultural statistics have lately been obtained for the counties of Norfolk and Hampshire. I confess I have a strong aversion to the machinery of the Poor Law for this purpose, and fear that the associations connected with it may prove injurious to the object in view. The plan pursued in the case of the foregoing counties, was as follows. The Poor Law Board sent schedules to the Board of Guardians. These were handed to tho enumerators, or relieving officers of the parishes, who distributed them among the occupiers of the land, and got them filled up. A committee was moreover appointed by the Board of Guardians, consisting of some of the guardians and some experienced farmers, to inspect the proceedings; and where any farmer objected to give returns, to direct themselves to the proprietor himself or otherwise. The experiment proved successful. But it should be observed, that the counties of Norfolk and Hampshire are counties much advanced both in intelligence and resources. With regard to Scotland, the Highland and Agricultural Society having succeeded in the statistics of three counties, they, in all probability, will be entrusted with the entire management for that part of the kingdom. In a letter addressed by the Secretary of that Society to the Board of Trade, the following statement was made respecting the mode pursued in collecting the statistics: "When the extent of acreage was collected, occupiers |