History of Agricultural Education in Wiltshire - Lackham Countryside ...

then 'Cockaface 1 ! Cry."
In 1652, Bligh's book mentioned the importance of irrigation or "drowning" the
land by digging trenches in winter and bringing the water from the nearest river
or stream. The water was allowed to flow evenly over the grass for a short time
and quickly drained away by means of deep drains. He advocated windmill pumps
to lift water where gravity was not possible.
1653 Sir Richard Weston introduced lucerne, clovers and sainfoin.
1720 Jethro Tull, Berkshire, invented the corn drill and horse hoe and
did much to improve the cultivation and fertility of thoil. The drill
was used extensively in Wiltshire.
1730 Lord Townshend, Norfolk, developed the famous four course
rotation on his estate using clover, turnips between two corn
crops.
1760 Robert Bakewell, Leicestershire, improved the old English horse,
the Longhorn cattle and Leicestershire sheep.
1776 Coke of Holkham, the Earl of Leicester, improved his poor Norfolk
soil by "marling". He also established a fine herd of South Down
sheep and Red Devon cattle. He was a good landlord and taught his
tenants.
1777 Bath and West Society formed. Show now on a permanent site
near Shepton Mallet
1793 Charles Collins improved the Shorthorn breed by inbreeding and
out crossing. His famous bulls were "Hubback", the "Durham Ox"
and "Comet".
1793 The Duke of Bedford established the Woburn experimental farm
and encouraged his tenants and others to attend his sheep
shearing and ploughing demonstrations etc. He was called the
"Farming Duke"
1793 Board of Agriculture formed:
President Sir John Sinclaire
Secretary Sir Arthur Young
Scientific Consultant Dr A. Voelcker
1793-1815 Britain at war with France. Food became scarce and expensive.