Royal Agricultural Society of England

The Royal Agricultural Society of England was founded on 9 May 1838. After it had been proposed by the third Earl Spencer at the annual dinner of the Smithfield Club held on 11 December 1837. His proposal was prompted by a growing appreciation of the potential of applying science to agricultural operations and of the challenge posed by the food requirements of a rapidly rising urban and industrial population. A Committee was appointed to frame rules, appoint officers and report to a general meeting. The Committee of management framed the Society's ten objectives during May 1838 and the Society's motto 'Practice with Science' was adopted in 1839. The pattern of the Society's early activities were three general meetings of members held in December, May and July (the latter during the week of the Show in a country location) the others at the Society's first headquarters in Hanover Square which was acquired in 1841. General business was conducted by the Council at meetings held on the first Wednesday of each month. Specialist committees were established for veterinary, chemical, journal, country meetings etc. Additionally, open meetings were held at Hanover Square. The main areas of the Society's work during the nineteenth century were the publication of the Journal, the country meetings, consultancy and later agricultural education. By 1840 the Society had attracted some 2000 members and membership reached 7000 a few years later.

A growing rift between the Society and it's members was in existence in 1850's RASE's leading critic Samuel Sidney stated the Society's Council had 'too many gentlemen and too few working men'

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