In 1875, however, this situation was remedied by the initiation of the Land Purchase Act. This Act enabled farmers to own their own land instead of renting.

Many of the agricultural societies initiated during this period, encouraged farmers to use modern farming methods. Two early societies formed on the Island were the Farmers Society in 181 l and the Central Agricultural Society in 1827. In 1845 the Central Agricultural Society became the Royal Agricultural Society, and this society existed until 1865. It was the first Agricultural Society to be established in the St. Peters area.

THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

The Royal Agricultural Society had a branch established in St. Peters in 1850. Their ‘Act of Incorporation’ that year entitled the society to receive supplies of seeds from the society’s warehouse. The society stated in its Second Annual Report that “the benefits from these societies is beginning to manifest itself in heavy crops—particularly of turnips- raised." (6) The next year a newspaper clipping from Haszards Gazette in 1851 stated it was “Ordered: That the sum of £3 be given to the St. Peters Branch, For prizes for turnips, for this year only.” (7)

The Royal Agriculture Society, its name from their Royal patron Prince Albert, encouraged an interest in competing for prizes and an interest in agricultural topics among its members. (8) This interest in competition was displayed in the results of the St. Peters Branch members at the 1853 Kings County Cattle Show and Ploughing Match. That year Mr. Edward Webster of St. Peters placed second in the “Best Entire Colt” class with a prize of £1. John Leslie and Alex McKenzie of St. Peters placed first and second and won £2 and £1 respectively in the “Best Filly" class. (9) These winners from St. Peters contributed to the Island’s reputation for good quality horses, which had been established by the 18503.

In 1854, the St. Peters and Georgetown branches converted to dEpots, which were warehouses that supplied seeds and implements to the more remote areas throughout the Island. Farmers were encouraged t0 try crops other than wheat and potatoes, such as seed, flax, carrots, parsnips, mangel wartzel (beet), yarns, and Indian com. (10) With local businesses beginning to provide seed, political disagreements, and a lack of farmer’s support, the society ran its course and folded in 1865.

In 1860, a new form of fertilizer had begun to turn into an Industry Of all its own. ‘Mudding’ or Mussel Mud as it has come to be known, was in fact an ancient method, nonetheless considered very modern for Island farmers at this time. Fertilizing land was a big issue in agricultural societies in the 19th century. Influenced by the Royal

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