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'
During the First World War the Society contributed to the war effort and gave advice to the Government. RASE had representation of the Agricultural Wages Board immediately after World War I, although representation was precluded in the 1930's. RASE took a major part in the shaping of future agricultural policy during the Second World War.
It's independance enabled it to convene a conference, held on 12 April 1944, which agreed on many of the provisions later incorporated into the 1947 Agriculture Act. The increased levels of membership which followed the Second World War were not sustained during the 1950's. The question of a permanent site for RASE is a central pivot of the Society's history. The decision to establish the Park Royal showground in 1903 and 1905 nearly led to the collapse of RASE. The move to establish a permanent showground and later the National Agricultural Centre at Stoneleigh in the early 1960's at first depressed membership as there was some initial disinclination for agricultrualists distant from the West Midlands to belong and take advantage of the facilities. The development of the Royal Show at its permanent site and the increasing sophistication of the Society's technical programme during the 1970's together with an overall expansion of its activities was reflected in a rise in membership only to be halted by the declining fortunes of agriculture during the 1980's. Stoneleigh now provides a year round programme of technical events, conferences and symposia and permanent demonstration units.
From the guide to the ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND COLLECTION, 1793-1963, (University of Reading, Museum of English Rural Life)
