The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-12-09 00:00:00

STA LBRIDGE CHRISTMAS CATTLE SHOW.
(Pox OUR ova saroaTla4

The show of fat stook took place on Monday, and
was well attended both by buyers and sellers. The
stock exhibiteil was of a superior description from that
of late years, and the entries were large. Of sheep
the number penned was not very numerous, but those
shown were five animals, and occasioned • close com-
petition. The pigs were extraordinary animals
generally, and remarkable for the smallness of bone, as
compared with their immense size and weight. The
show of butter was not very large, there being only 14
entries, whilst for cheese there were only two competi-
tors. The judges were—Mr. George Topp, Mr. John
Coate, and Mr. Robert Goodfellow, for stock; and Mr.
Henry Hurdle, and Mr. Walter Hatcher, for butter and
cheese. Great praise is due to the hon. secretary of
the society, Mr. John Hine; for the excellent manner
in Which he carried out the arrangements of the show
yard, and for his courtesy to all concerned in the
show. The dinner took place at the Red Lion Hotel,
and was served up in Mrs. Topper's usual good style,
there beings bounteous supply of all the luxurlea of this
life for the accommodation of her guests. About 80
gentlemen sat down, and J. It Lyon, Esq., ably
discharged the duties of chairman whilst Mr. George
Hatcher did the agreeable as vice-chairman. Grace
having been said, and after the removal of the cloth,'
The CHAIRMAN proposed "The health of the Queen,"
and in doing so expressed • wish that she might live
long to reign over a loyal and prosperoos people, and
although her life had been somewhat clouded by the
death of her royal husband, they might hope that
many years of happiness were still in ',tore for her.
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave " the Prince of Wales and
the rest of the Royal Family," and in connexion with
this toast said that the Prince of Wales was in a vary
interesting position, being about to take for himself a
wife from the royal house of Denmark. (Cheers.) If
report spoke true, this match was a love one, and ought
to run smooth. This would not be the first oonnexion
that England had bad with the House of Denmark, for
800 years ago England was ruled by a Danish Ring.
(Cheers.) He hoped that this tie would unite the two
countries in closer intimacy with each other and prove
for their mutual benefit. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN again rose, and proposed the brave
defenders of our country, "The Army,Navy,and Volun-
teers." He said that at no time, like the present, had
the Army been in snob an efficient state. The Navy
had been undergoing extensive improvements of late in
gunnery. Wood had been replaced by iron, and ships
of war, instead of carrying 120 or 130 guns, now carried
four or five guns of heavy calibre and • large numb.( ,
men. On this matter, however, there seemed to be al
variety of opinion as to whether the', were acting in
the rightilireotion, but he thought they would not be
far wrong if they had a number of ships like the War.
tier and Black Eagle. (Applause.) Their army was small,
and the country was constantly in a war panic, which
ill became a great nation like England, to give way to.
In consequence of this the volunteer force had sprung
up like magic, and now numbered 160,000 men. These
must not be considered as a lot of raw‘recruite, but in
speaking of this force he did so with the utmost deli-
cacy and difficulty, as he belonged to that body, bat
competent authorities had described them in many in-
stances as about equal to the regiments of the line, or
at least a few weeks training would make them so.
(Cheers.) In speaking of the volunteers he was not
alluding to riflemen alone, but the yeomanry as well,
and the only rivalry between them and the volunteers, ,
was, which body should most distinguish themselves.
(Applause-)
Lieutenant POWNTS, of the 83rd Regiment of Foot,
Quarter-Master HARRIS, of the Yeomanry, and Private
Sneer, of the Volunteers, appropriately returned I
thanks.
The CHAIRMAN again rose and proposed "The
County Members." He had hoped that one of their
members would have been present that evening, but at
this season of the year, invitations flew fast to them to
attend Christmas cattle shows, and it was impossible
for them to attend two or three places at a time, lie
then said that be bad received a letter from Mr.
Seymer, who expressed his regret at his absence, having
a party at his house. He had also received letters from
Mr. Sturt and Mr. Portman apologising for their non.
attendance. However, they would drink theirhealth
in a hearty manner, and they must hope that on the
next occasion of their meeting they would favour then
with their presence. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said that the next toast he bad to pro-
pose was the toast of the evening. It was " Success to
the Stalbridge Agricultural Society." (Cheers.) Their
society was called the " Christmas cattle market,"but he
thought they could dignify it with the name of
an agricultural society in common with other societies.
Alluding to the show, the chairman said that it far
surpassed any other they had ever had, both as to
quality and quantity, and the entries had been in excess
of shows of former years. Btalbridge had at one time
been one of the best market towns in the West of
England, or at least, if not the best, was second to
Taunton. and there was no reason, with additional
railway accommodation, why it should not regain its
ascendency. (Hear, hear,) They had it in their power
to make the market what it ought to be, and
the agriculturists had only to endeavour to
make this a good show, and a good one
it would sure to be. (Cheers.) Their deeply
lamented friend, the late Rev. H. F. Yeatman—peace be
to his ashes—proposed that in addition to the prizes
given to the agricultural labourers, there should be an
inducement offered to make them efficient servants, and
to give rewards to hedgers and ditchers. (Cheers.)
There was no reason why these should not receive
rewards for their labour. There was that important
branch of agriculture—the ditcher, and although Dorset
was not the land of his (the Chairman's) birth, still it was
the land of his adoption. He came from a famous
agricultural county, Cheshire, and he was much
surprised to find when he came borne that it was the
custom to have only a thatcher or two in a village,
who had to do the important work of house and rick
thatching, instead of making farm labourers thatchers
and hedgers. (Hear, hear.) He thought it was quite
as necessary that a labourer should be as good •thatcher
as he was • mower or reaper. He thought a prize for
thatching would be a good one for them &IL (Hear,
hear.) Then they had no prize for the shepherd who
reared the greatest number of lambs, and that was a
matter which ought to be taken into consideration.
One of the late Mr. Yeatman's suggestions had been
taken into consideration, in the 'hap° of prises for

butter and cheese. The Chairman concluded by
expressing a hope that they would not allow the sooiety
to remain in its present position—honourable as it was
—bnt would make it a first-rate society. (Applause.)
The Chairmen then distributed the awards, of which
the following is the list s
BRRRDINO AND STORE STOOL—Owner of the beet
bull of any breed, £2 25., Mr. Hanham, Horsington ;
second-best ditto, El, Mr. Samuel Andrews, Marnhull ;
two best dairy cows, which have been milked through
the season and now in calf, £2, Mr. Caleb Loder, Buck-
land Weston ; second-best ditto, El, Mr. Edward Drew,
Marnhull ; owner, being the breeder of the best pair of
stock heifers, rising 2 years old, £2, Mr. El Benjafield,
Stalbridge; second best ditto, £l, Mr. Wm. &Heater,
Marnhull ; owner, being the breeder, of the ten best
breeding ewes of any breed, £110s„ Mr. Robert Stibey,
Stalbridge Park; second-best ditto, Ifis. , Rev. H.
Boucher, Thornhill, near Stalbridge ; owner of the best
boar, El, Mr. James Sims, Henstridge ; sccond-best
ditto, 10ii., Mt. Short, Holwell ; owner of the best sow
that has produced one or More litters, and iv kept for
breeding, El, Mr. George Hatcher, tine's Mill, Item-
hull; second-best ditto, 10s., Mr. William Bugg,
Toomer Farm, Henstridge.
FAT Seocx.—Owner of the best fat ox which has
bee,, in yeesession not less than three months, £2, Mr,
James Senior, Hendon ; second-best ditto, El, Mr. Eli
Benjalield, Stalbridge ; owner of the, best fat heifer,
which hl as been in his possession not ess than three
months, LT, Mr. William Senior, Hendon ; second-best
ditto, El, Mr. Richard Sandford, Fifehead Magna;
owner of the best fat cow, which has been in his pos-
session not less than three months, £2, Mr. William
Senior, Hendon; second-best ditto, EL Mr. Robert
Stibey, Park Farm, Stalbridge ; owner of the best pen of
fat wether sheep (not less than ten in number), which
have been in his possession not less than three months,
El 10s.' Mr. John Andrews, Marsh Court, Marnhull ;
second-hest ditto, 13e, Rev. H. Boucher, Thornhill ;
owner of the best pen of fat ewe sheep (not less than
ten in number), which have been in his possession not
less than three months, El 10s., Mr. John Galpin,
Marnhull ; second-beet ditto, 158., Mr. Samuel Andrews;
owner of the best fat pig, which has been in his poems-
ion not less than three months, El, Mr. George
Hatcher, Biggs Mill, Marnhull ; second-best ditto, 10s.
Mr. Robert Turner, Templecombe ; a silver cup, value
ten guineas, gieell bx Mr. Thorley, to the owner of the
best fat cow; fed oh food seesehed with Thorley's oon-
diment, for three months, rind that has opt Moe a first
prize before, Mr. Henry Galpin, Marnhull.
BUTTER AND CHB:ESL—Maker of the best lot of
cheese, not less than 2 cwt., £2, Mr. Richard Davis,
fitalbridge Park; seoond-hest ditto, El, Mr. Eli Benja-
field, Stalbridge; maker of the best butter,not less than
one dozen lbe, £2, Mr. Levi Gulliver, Stalbridge;
second-best ditto, El, Mr. William Drew, Marnhull.
REWARDS FOR INDUSTRY AND LONG SERVITUDE,
etc.—labourer in husbandry, who has worked the
greatest number of years in succession (not less than
ten) on the same farm or with the game employer, and
retained a good character, and not having before
received any prize, half-a-sovereign and a coat and vest,
value LI, William Courtney, servant to Mr. Stay,
Templecombe, 30 years ; second ditto, live shillings and
a coat, value £1 10s., George Williams, eetrant to Mr.
J. Bugg, Stourton Cautidit, 30 years; boy (under 18
years of age) who has worked on the same farm, et
for the same employer, the greatest number of years
In succession, and retained a good character, five
shillings and a coat, value El Is., Richard Court, 'er-
rant to Mr. Jennings, Marnhull, 9 years 7 months;
second ditto, five shillings and a pair of boots, value
10s. 64., James Jeans, servant to Mr. J. Bugg, 8 years;
female servant who has lived the greatest number of
years in the same situation, and retained a good
character, LI, no competition; second ditto, ditto, El,
no competition.
After the delivering of the prizes, the CHAIRMAN
proposed the health of those gentlemen who had con-
sented on this occasion to discharge the onerous, he
might gay the "odious" duties of deciding upon the
superiority of the animals sent for competition.
(Cheers.) They were all apt to consider their own
articles, no matter what they were, as the best, and
the umpires could not please every one, but he was sure
those gentleman had done what was just and right, and
if they had failed in giving satisfaction it was an error
on their part. He then gave "The Health of the
timpires." (Cheers.)
Mr. Tore, Mr. llHRtitt, and Mr. HATCHati, responded
IC the toast.
The CHAIRMAN then gave "the Successful Candi-
dates," and in doing so °Nerved that he could
only wish that their board was deootated with
silver cups and spoons, as prizes. (Hear, hear.) Gold
was a very useful commodity, and more especially so
on the other side of the Atlantic, and he hoped
that each year their prizes would increase, not only in
number but in value, and that they might be able to
award handsome prizes of plate. (Cheers.) Gold was
soon disposed of, but a silver cup remained on the
shelf, and was handed down to posterity to show that
their predecessors had been successful in their competi-
tion. (Applaase.)
Mr. ELI BENJAFIELD returned thanks.
Mr. SENIOR, as another of the successful candidates,
also responded, saying that in doing so he was about
to do what he had done many times before. He could
assure them it was now no mean thing to bring an
animal to Stalbridge and win a first-class prim, but he
could remember the time when he could send a very in-
ferior animal and do so. (Hear, hear.) But now it re-
quired • good animal, a large share of attention and a
a good deal of expense. He must ask the chairman
why Mr. 'Phorley's cup was withheld, as he thought it
ought not to be any more than any other prim ?
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN, in reply to the question why the cup
had been withheld, said it was for this rezone, that
there should be no mistake in awarding it, and having
what was called an after-class. It had been said by
some one that Thorley's food was all moonshine, and
they had brought this difficulty upon themselves. Mr.
Thorley read the report of this, and no doubt he felt
somewhat nettled, and he (the Chairman) thought they
were in some degree to blame for the restrictions that
had been put upon that prize. He believed that after
the affair had been gone into by the committee the
prise would be given to Mr. Galpin. (Cheers.) A
aommittee meeting would be held that day fortnight to
discuss the matter.
Mr. BENJAFIELD also returned thanks. He said be
had felt great pleasure in getting up good stock from a
boy, and he hoped that as he advanced in years he
should get better and better. (Cheers.) He was glad
to hear what their chairman had said about more silver
cups, but he knew of no man better able to give them
than he was. (Laughter.) Mr. Benjafield then passed •
very high euloginm upon the merits of Thorley's condi-
ment, explaining the good results which had arisen
from its use amongst his own stook.
Mr. Semite and Mr. ClucLiveß likewise returned
thanks.
The VICI-CHAIRMAN then proposed the Chairman's
health, which waa enthusiastically received.
The CHAIRMAN, in responding to the toast, after
thanking the company for the kindness with which they
had received him, said that one of the most difficult
parts of a chairman's duties was to return thanks on
his own behalf, and that when the heart was fullest
words were most wanting, He felt it a source of the
deepest gratification to know that the toast had been
received in so cordial • manner, and it made hint be-
lieve his services, if not his previous life' was appre-
ciated by his fellow-countrymen, and that was one of
the beet things an Englishman could desire. (ilmen.)
He wished a more able chairman had been found -than
he was, and that they hadiseen more of the great magnates
of the land there that night, and he thought they had
been a little deserted in not having the county members,
but he reset give them credit for the reasons assigned,
by them for their absence. He concluded by given the
health of " The unsnoceesfid candidates."
Mr. POPE returned thanks on their behalf.
The VICM-CHAIRMAN then proposed" The health of
the Marquis of Westminster," which was warmly re-
ceived.
Several other toasts were given and acknowledged,
and the proceedings were of the most harmonious
character. We must not forget to mention that the
festivities of the evening were much enhanced by the
performances of a 'Toed and instrumental band.,