Experiments and Observations Concerning Agriculture and the Weather

A 1779 book by a pioneer of 'scientific' methods, describing practice, observations and experiments on an arable farm in Surrey.

William Marshall (Author)

9781108075831, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 February 2016

262 pages, 2 b/w illus.
24.4 x 17 x 1.4 cm, 0.42 kg

William Marshall (1745–1818), from farming stock, became a farmer and then estate manager and land agent after several years conducting business in the West Indies. This 1779 book (one of his earliest) describes his observations and experiments on his farm in Surrey (which he later had to give up because of his partner's bankruptcy). A description of the size, soil type and aspect of his various fields is followed by a summary of the experiments he carried out - mostly simple ones, such as comparing results if seeded fields were rolled or not. Diary records over two years for each crop are given, with areas sown, soil conditions and weather data. A chapter is devoted to weather prognostications, and another to day-to-day farm management and accounts. Marshall hoped that the systematic reporting of his findings would be of use to others, and the work provides interesting insights into the beginnings of scientifically based agriculture.

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The introduction to the experiments
Explanation of technical terms
Experiments concerning agriculture
Observations concerning agriculture
Observations of agriculture
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental management [RNF]