SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE - PMM 214

YOUNG, ARTHUR.

A Six Weeks Tour, through the Southern Countries of England and Wales.

London, W. Nicoll, 1768. 8vo. Uncut in a nice a little later (ab. 1800) half vellum binding w. gilt lettering to back. Library stamp to front free end-paper and to verso of half-title. Old owner's name to title-page (N. Barrett). A very nice, tight and clean copy. (4), 284 pp. Woodcut text-illustrations.

First edition of this statistically and economically very important work, which determined the scientific approach to agriculture and became a pioneering work of sample surveys.

"Arthur Young applied statistical methods to the study of agriculture, investigating both the statistics of production and the costs of this particular industry. He obtained his information from a series of extensive tours in England, Ireland and France, where he studied the state of agriculture at first hand." (PMM 214).

Arthur Young (1741-1820), "the apostle of la grande culture" (John Stuart Mill), was a highly influential English writer on agriculture, economics and social statistics. He, "like Jethro Tull, was a great agricultural reformer whose influence reached far beyond his own country." (PMM 214). His works were highly influential and very well received, especially his groundbreaking work "A Six Weeks Tour...", which he himself considered the only work to contain exact information relative to the rental, produce and stock of England to be founded upon actual examination. And, indeed, this work did make him a pioneer in sample surveys as well as a great influence on Frederick Morton Eden and Sinclair. Young continues to be famous for his investigating methods, and he is considered a pioneer in the field of national income statistics, most notably presented in the present work.

There is no doubt as to Young's status as the greatest English writer on agriculture of all times. "England, however, with its increased acreage of cultivated land resulting from the enclosure system, and the consequent rise of great landowners and farmers in the eighteenth century, especially welcomed innovations in agricultural methods… The main point in his programme were: the correct rotation of crops, a maximum net production of agricultural produce, the investigation of the chemistry of soils, which he undertook with the help of Joseph Priestley, the increase of the fertility of soil by the use of artificial fertilizers, the improvement of stock-breeding, the establishment of larger farm units, security of tenure, and the improvement of the road system. In short, he introduced many new and scientific ideas into agriculture and farm management." (PMM 214). But in spite of all this, part of Young's greatest achievement still lies in his skills as a social and political observer, and he quickly became hugely influential.

His main work "A Six Weeks Tour..." was quickly translated into almost all European languages, and his influence extended far beyond England, being especially profound in Russia and France.

Order-nr.: 38099