Engineering for Estates. By Alan Begot. (Kagan Paul, Trench, and
Co.)—" The contents of this book," says the author in his Preface, "are intended to afford the owner or his land-agent, and others interested in such matters, such information as modern agricultural operations demand." The work is, of course, too tech- nical for our criticism ; and we mast content ourselves with giving a brief account of its contents. Part I. deals with " Surveying, Levelling, Drainage, and Water Supply." Here we must pause to remark that Mr. Begot is very sarcastic on "clergymen of parishes," who, he says, "cannot learn too soon that the land-agent's once, and not the platform, is the proper place to urge improvements to raise the social condition of the labourers in his parish" (whose parish ?). Unless land-agents and their employers are unlike the rest of mankind, the platform is very much needed to awaken a sense of duty. As for the clergy, what with Mr. Begot and his friends lecturing them on hos- tility to the landowners, and Liberals reproving them for servility, they are in a difficult position. In Part IL Mr. Begot deals with the subject of "Materials Used in Repairs and Construction, with Instructions for Utilising Limestone and Clay." "Earthwork and Roads," " Steam and Machinery," " Electricity and Gas," form the subjects of the other parts. Some miscellaneous matters are also discussed.
Previous page
