THE ROLE OF WILLIAM SMITH'S AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS TO PRISLEY FARM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GEOLOGIC MAP

For roughly a decade near the beginning of the 19th century, William Smith was supporting himself in large part as a consultant in agricultural engineering, designing and constructing irrigation and drainage systems throughout England. One of his most significant projects was for the Duke of Bedford at Prisley Farm. Some of the most prominent men in England came to see this property. Smith made frequent reference in correspondence to prospective well-to-do customers about his success for the Duke of Bedford at Prisley. He also authored a publication about the benefits of irrigation and drainage to further his agricultural consulting career as well as to provide a benefit to his country. This paper briefly presents the historical context of the times, an overview of Smith’s extensive work in the bogs of Prisley, and photographs of his field plots. We explore the pivotal role his agricultural improvements at Prisley Farm played to sustain his efforts to publish the geologic map.