Cort, Richard

Address to agriculturists

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ADDRESS TO AGRICULTURISTS,

ON THE

ational Aobantages

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PROVINCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS

FOR MAKING

CHEAP SALT FROM SEA WATER,

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i By R. CORT,
be
LATE SECRETARY OF THE CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN
; AND IRELAND.

“ He who makes two blades of grass grow, where but one did before, deserves
better of mankind than the whole race of politicians.”

1838.

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Address

TO

AGRICULTURISTS.

THE time is now arrived when formidable attempts are
making, and will no doubt be vigorously prosecuted, for
REPEALING THE Corn Laws.

Nothing, therefore, ought to be more acceptable to
the Agricultural Public, at the present moment, than
the introduction of any object calculated to improve the
condition and strengthen the hands of all who are
interested in the cultivation of the soil, or any improve-
ment ‘that can in any way enable the English Farmer
to stand up successfully against Foreign competition.

To prove that British Farmers are not at present
in a condition to compete successfully with Farmers
abroad, it is only necessary to take a slight glance at
the importation of Agricultural produce, the whole of
which might be grown here by the application of cheaper
and better manures, thus insuring an adequate supply
to meet the increasing demands of the people. The
importation of Foreign produce, in the year 1833,

6

amounted to nearly Fourteen Millions sterling® ; while
the value of bones alone imported for manure was not
less than £541,845, during the five years ending in
1835: add to this rape-seed, 354,887 quarters, which,
ata fair price, was worth £621,000; also rape and
linseed cake, 2,313,411 cwts. which quantity, supposing
one half to be rape, and the other half linseed cake, at
7s. per cwt., will amount to £809,693, making a total
on these articles alone of £1,672,538 sterling; added
to which, large importations are taking place in
Scotland, and other parts of the Empire, of animalized
carbon, at £3. 3s. per ton.

Mr. Kimberley, who is farming extensively at
Trotsworth, near Egham, in Surrey, observes, in des-
cribing the valuable discovery of his “ liquid manure’’ :—

‘“¢ And all this is going on (that is, the importation of
Foreign manures) while, at a moderate calculation,
from three to four millions of pounds sterliny in value of
what forms the staple manure of foreign countries is
washed into our rivers—a shameful waste, and in many
cases a dangerous nuisance—the evils and loss from
which are ably set forth in the work on ‘ Liquid
Manures,’ by Cuthbert William Johnson, Esq.; and in
the ‘ Report,’ by Dr. Granville, to the Directors of the
Thames Improvement Company. ‘These works are at
this time highly worthy of the attention of every
Landed Proprietor and Farmer, as it is there shewn
that in London alone there is a waste annually of

From 1797 to 1811, 20 years, the value of Foreign Corn imported
exceeded 57 Millions sterling.

7

712,611 tons of capital manure, although even this
quantity would, at 4 tons per acre, manure 158,152
acres of land each year; and supposing it manured
once in four years, would keep 712,611 acres, or 1113
‘square miles, in a high state of cultivation. But if
this valuable material is used in a way which I shall
hereafter explain, it may be made to manure eight
times as many acres. We will, however, only take it
at half, or four times, which is much below the real
quantity, and it will be found sufficient for 2,850,444
acres, or 4552 square miles of land, and this, be it
remembered, from London alone. What, then, must be
the loss in the three kingdoms, at the same time that |
we are expending Fourteen Millions sterling per annum
Jor Foreign produce.”

The gross annual Agricultural Produce of the United
Kingdom might be estimated at about £200,000,000,
which may, by better modes of fertilizing the soil, be
readily doubled.

The gross annual expense of cultivation, exclusive of
rent, is about £100,000,000, which may be reduced one-
haif when the soil is rendered more fertile.

And again, Co]. Le Couteur, in his “ Treatise on the
Varieties, Properties, and Classification of Wheat,” is
of opinion, that by proper attention to the selection of
farinaceous seeds, it is possible to produce an increase
in the annual value of the wheat crop of the British
Isles to the extent of £18,900,000; while Mr. Kim-
berley estimates, that his new manure might effect an
economy in that department of husbandry to the yearly

8

value of at least £11,000,000*: for I have,” he
remarks, ‘‘after numberless experiments, made dur-
ing several years, succeeded, by an economical yet
powerful mixture of inaterials, in producing a liquid
manure equally efficacious and cheap, that will save to
the Farmer in many cases a sum equal to his rent, and
give him the power of making any quantity his cireum-
stances may require; and, by its enriching power and
retentive qualities, keep his land in the highest possible
state of fertility.” |

Mr. Kimberley states, that he ases a considerable
quantity of Salt in the preparation of his Liquid Manure,
the Recipe for which he is about to publish. But as
the Salt used by this gentleman varies at present in
price, the coarsest quality being 42s., and the best 54s.
per ton, it follows that if Salt can be delivered generally
in the Agricultural Districts of the best quality ave-
raging only one-half less in price, and Mr. Kimberley’s
LiquidManure should be generally adopted, Farmers
may not only save in many cases a whole rent, but thec st
of the Liquid Manure will be very considerably reduced,
so as to bring it within the reach of the poorest Culti-
vator of the Soil, besides giving him some of the most
valuable materials for preventing and curing the rot
in Sheep—improving the condition of his cattle—and
enabling him to use double or treble the quantity of Salt,
if required f.

The late John Curwen, Esq., when a member of the
House of Commons, stated in his evidence given before

* 'The cultivated Lands of England exceed 46 millions of acres.
+ See Mr. Kimberley’s Letter to Cuthbert William Johnson, Esq. in
the Twelfth Edition of his Essay on Salt, accompanying this Address.

9

a select Committee on the Salt Laws, that the saving toe
be made by using Salt for Sheep and Cattle of all kinds,
in the prevention of losses, and improvement of condi-
_ tion alone, without reference to agricultural produce;
would exceed Three Millions Sterling annually.

_ These advantages, however great they appear to
be, are not the only benefits which may result to the
LANDED INTEREST from the establishment of Salt and
Alkali* Works in suitable situations contiguous to Lime
stone or Chalk, founded on the Patents of Baylis and
Wilson, because, where Salt Works are erected, not only
that article will be made from Sea Water, fully equal in
quality for Agricultural purposes to any from the best
Brine Springs, but Lime also, and withthe same fuel serv-
ing for both operations. Owners and Occupiers will
thus save on the average at least 25 per cent. in the
article of Lime alone, besides which, Lime, when mixed
with Salt, is known to form Soda—a still better manure
- than Salt alone, all of which may be manufactured in
their respective districts, and delivered in most cases at
their own doors.

It is therefore quite impossible to contemplate objects
better calculated to render the English cultivator inde-
pendent of Foreigners, than the establishment of the pro-

* Three tons of Salt will make one ton of mineral Alkali, and as the
demand for Home consumption, principally for the soap trade, and ex-
port, will not be less than 100,000 tons, here are the means of consuming
300,000 tons annually of salt alone ; besides, the manufacture of Alkali
would render the Country independent of Spain for the supply of
Barilla as a substitute, which in 1834 amounted to 512,750 cwt.,
and last year only 90,000 cwt., and even this quantity will be more
and more superseded, by cheaper methods of making Salt.

10

posed Salt, Alkali, and Lime Works, in connexion with
the Agricultural districts, thus insuring Salt, Soda, and
Lime, on the most economical terms.

The proprietors of Baylis and Wilson’s patents, with
a view to facilitate the introduction of the proposed Salt
Establishments in the Agricultural Districts as quickly
and simultaneously as possible, have appointed Mr.
R. Cort, late Secretary to the Central Agricultural
Society of Great Britain and Ireland, No. 8, Man-
chester Buildings, as their agent to carry into effect
that object, for the general benefit of the LANDED
InTEREST.—See Note, at the end (page 12.)

As regards the probable consumption that may be
expected to afford an adequate scope for beneficial in-
vestment in the proposed local Salt Works, it may not
be irrelevant to notice, that in the year 1773, when the
late learned Dr. Watson published bis Essays, he stated,
that the demand for Salt as a manure had become even
then so great, that at one town only, Northwich, in
Cheshire, the Farmers purchased three thousand tons
annually for that purpose, although it was then bur-
thened with a duty of 13s. 4d. per ton, and wheat was
as low as 45s. per quater. The total demand for Salt in
England is now about half a million tons annually.
But if only one-tenth of the 46 millions of acres, at pre-
sent under cultivation, were to benefit by the use of
Salt, at sixpence per bushel, in the ratio of halfa ton per
acre, the demand for agriculture alone, besides all other
purposes, would be equal to two miilions three hundred
thousand tons annually !

At such Agricultural improvements every lover of his

11

country will rejoice; since, by advances in science like
_ these, the English yeoman will be soon able to defy all
Joreign competition ; for, by greatly increasing the fer-
tility of his land with manures exclusively his own, in
any quantity, always at command, and at the cheapest
rate, he will reap the just reward of his labours; and
then, when the quantity and consequent cheapness of
his crops is by such efforts amply increased, he need
not fear Foregn interference, as England, from the
increased prolifickness of her soil, may become a
Corn EXPoRTING Country. The Commercial and
Shipping interests will also be greatly improved, by the
same means of cheapening the article of Salt, while by
rapidly extending and increasing the prosperity of our
Fisheries, it will afford at all times the best means of
strengthening and upholding the Naval Power of the

Nation.
: R. CORT.

No. 8, Manchester Buildings,
Parliament Street, London,
24th November, 1838.

By:

NOTE.

Tue Central Agricultural Society of Great Britain and Ireland was
formed in 1835, expressly for Agricultural Protection and Agricultural
Encouragement, totally divested of party or political feeling. President,
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K. G. Vice Presidents, Earls Tan-
kerville and Darlington, M. P.; Lords Wynford and Western; Sir
George Sinclair, Bart. M. P. ; General Sir Charles Broke Vere, M. P. ;
Edward Wodehouse, Esq. M.P.; William Ormsby Gore, Esq. M.P.;
John Benett, Esq. M.P.; Henry Handey, Esq. M.P.; E. S. Cayley,
Esq. M.P.; John Maxwell, Esq.; besides forty-five Baronets, more
than seventy Members of Parliament, sixty-six local subscribing Agri-
cultural Associations, and several hundred Owners and Occupiers of

Land.

The English Agricultural Society has since come forward to carry out
Agricultural Encouragement alone, by uniting some of the most influential
parties in the State, many of whom doubtless only wait the opportunity
for co-operating cordially with a similar Institution confined to Agricul-
tural Protection. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the Central Agricul-

‘tural Society, when it assembles the day after the next Smithfield Cattle
Show, will determine upon affording to the Members of the English
Agricultural Society an opportunity so desirable, by remodelling the
constitution of the ‘* Central,” and confining its future operations to
Agricultural Proteclion—then may we expect to see the two Great
Agricultural Societies steering an even course hand in hand together,
each assisting the other in following out objects the success of which
is vitally interesting to both, as well as to the whole community, and
among these the very objects proposed in the above Address, and

a ee ee a a a te

13

accompanying Pamphlets*, are well calculated to enable the Landed
Aristocracy of the three kingdoms, at no distant period, to afford the
Repeal of the Corn Laws, and to secure the independence, prosperity,
and safety of our Country.

To those who may not know the author of the present Address, it
may not be considered obtrusive to add the following—

TESTIMONIALS.

At the Anniversary Meetinc of the Cenrrat Acricutturat Society,
held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, on the 14th of
March, 1837; E, S. Cayuey, Esq. M.P. in the Chair;

Rcaived,

«€ That the cordial thanks of the Society be given to the Secretary,
Mr. Cort, for his great exertions in bringing forward, at his own risk
and expense, the Invention of Captain Rudkin, for better securing the
Spirit Duties, and assisting the Government in dispensing with the
Malt Tax.”

At a Meetine of the Genera Commirter of the Central Agricultu-
ral Society, held at No. 8, Manchester Buildings, Parliament Street, on
the 3d of May, 1838; Ww. Ormssy Gore, Esq. M.P. in the Chair;
for the purpose of suspending the Proceedings of the Society till the
day after the Smithfield Cattle Show,

Resolved—

“That the thanks of the Society be given to Mr. Cort, the Secre-
tary, for his constant and zealous exertions for the advantage of the

* On the advantages of Bay11s’s and Wrison’s Patents for the Manufaeture of Salt
from Sea Water and Inland Brine Springs, &c.; with also the twelfth edition of an

Essay on Salt, containing Directions for the use of the same for Agricultural Purposes:
by permission of the Author, Cuthbert William Johnson, Esq. Barrister at Law.

14

Society, and in so doing the Committee express a hope that hereafter
they may be enabled to evince their gratitude in a more efficient manner.”

Since which, the trial of Captain Rudkin’s Invention has been resumed
at the Government Distillery, by the special direction of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, under the superintendence of Dr. Birkbeck, merely
to satisfy a doubt of very minor importance raised by the Excise
authorities, and the following commanications (A and B) will shew how
triumphantly that dowbt has been satisfied :—

(A) ee
38, Finsbury Square, Nov. 15, 1838.
My dear Sir,

The inclosed (B) ought to have been with you yesterday
morning; but my engagements were such, that I could not finish
it so early as I intended. It will not, I hope, be too late for your

purpose,

You will rejoice with me that our labours—for you have been a yaln-
able and industrious co-operator in this difficult affair, are now likely
to be brought to a favourable conclusion. "Whatever may be the result
to the great interests of Agriculture, the adoption of Mr, Rudkin’s

Machine, the accommodation of the honest distiller, and the angmenta- _

tion of the revenue, must necessarily and largely ensue.
I remain, my dear Sir,

Very truly yours, i OE

Gerorce BixksBeck:
5 Cort, Esq- r ay e255

Committee Rooms of
The Central Agricultural Society.

(B.)
: 38, Finsbury Square, Nov. 15, 1838.
My dear Sir, :

The Committee of the Agricultural Society. haying
been informed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, through its valuable
chairman, Mr, Cayley, that afother experiment was in progress to
complete the examination of Mr. Rudkin’s Machine, I have great
pleasure in communicating, for the information of those gentlemen,
the results of that experiment. I may remind you, though I

‘
ESET TE TR Ee

15

believe you are aware of the fact, that a dowbt was expressed by the
Excise Reporters, upon my Report as to the identity of the two frac-
tional portions of fluid collected in the two vessels inclosed in the Safe
for examination by two-superior officers, and affording, as we propose,
_ the only foundation for the charge. This doubt was grounded on an

he amaginary difficulty, which my acquaintance with the construction of

the Machine never allowed me to entertain. That it was imaginary,
-our trial, on Tuesday last, has most unequivocally demonstrated, five
competent persons having declared, when the two portions had acquired
the same temperature, that there did not exist the slighest difference of
‘specific gravity, The fluid, all agreed, was the most disadvantageous
that eonld well be supposed for the experiment, and the Hydrometer,
of large scale, and very distinct divisions, was admitted to be of extra-
ordinary capability. Nothing now remains, { apprehend, but a proper
introduction of the Machine into the regular distilleries of the United
Kingdom.
I am ever very faithfully yours,

; GerorcE BirKBECK.
R. Cort, Esq.

The very skilful and honourable conduct of Dr. Birkbeck throughout
this most important experiment cannot be too highly appreciated. The
_ Central Agricultural Society has nobly done its duty ; and having thus
far succeeded in one of the first steps to promote the best interests of
Agriculture, it may be presumed that the “ Central” will not be less will-
ing to assist in realising the objects set forth in the above Address, espe-
cially when it is found that these objects will do more to secure Agricul-
tural Protection and Agricultural Encouragement, than has yet been
attempted, much less accomplished, in this or any other country.

R. C.

WILSON AND Son, PRINTERS, 57, SKINNER STREET, LONDON.

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Gentlemen wishing to become Subscribers, may signify the
Kimpertey, Trotsworth, Egham, Surrey: if by Letter,

DUE NOTICE WILL BE GIVEN WHEN THE PAMPHLET IS READY
SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL BE RECEIVED.

78 Cort, Richard

pe 5 Address to agriculturists

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