The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1864-06-21 00:00:00

THZ HONITON LAMB SHOW.

The Council of the Bath and Wart of England
Society mem to have foreseen the coming removal of
the woollen manufacture to the North as far back as
17914, for in that year they began to offer a series of
premiums, with the view of improving the manufac-
ture of broadcloth. Their well-meant effort was, no
doubt, of advantage in many respects, though they
did not retain for the West the trade which York-
shire has since monopolised to a great extent. West
of England cloth still retains its fame, however, and
the moons which attended West of England manu-
facturers in the two great International Exhibitions
warrants the supposition that the stimulus applied
by the Society has not even yet lost its elect This
year an attempt has been made to improve the
Honiton lace manufacture, and at the same time to
improve the position of the hundreds of women and
girls to whom it gives employment in Devonshire.
The fact obi great deterioration in the quality of this
article of luxury has been under the council's con-
sideration, and, thanks to the perseverance of Mr.
Williams. one of the stewards of the Arts' Depart-
ment, and of others, the necareary arrangements
were made in time for the Exhibition of 1864, to
invite eompaition, and award premium* for new and
beautiful designs. Two causes have led to the in-
jury and depression of the Honiton lace manufacture
—the chief being • diminished demand for lace—at
all *yenta for lace of this description. The second
cause has been the necessity of producing a cheaper
article. The consequence has bean that old and in-
ferior patterns have been adhered to, and the spirit
and enterprise, without which a revival of the trade
cannot be expected, have been wanting. Brussels
and Buckingham, Nottingham and Limerick lace,
has all come into competition with Honiton, and
improvement most be attained, or the Vale of
Honiton will lose the manufacture for which it has
long been famed, and upon which the livelihood of
so many of its inhabitanta depends. It is thought
that, with the aid of more artistic designs, and with
the publicity which the annual exhibitions of the
society will give the subject, the favour which this
lace once held will be reclaimed, and the demand for
it be as brisk as heretofore. The council having
placed £2O at the disponel of the Arts' Committee
for this laudable purpose, that sum was increased by
"axial subscriptions to £7O, and with that sum •
start was made in this new 'Rolla of usefulness.
What remains after the distribution of prises will be
devoted to gratuities among the workers of the
specimens shown, and the circulation of good
patterns among those who produce the article.
The first Honition laos show must be pronounced
• satisfactory one. Upon • screen in the picture
gallery 53 contributions are bung, and an inspection
of the beautiful rumples of work on view does not at
all lead to the belief that the manufacture is in •
state of decadence, or that the highest skill in the
use of the needle has in any way departed from
Devonshire. Each contribution is framed and
glued, the pieces of 'boa being stitched on black
cotton velvet. Mr. Hudson. of Salisbury, who offi-
ciated a, judge, had the utmost difficulty in award-
ing the palm in auroral instances, so equal sad ex-
°Oat are the epsoiniens. He seems to have with-
held prime because of aim difficulty—it would have
been more encouraging to have breasted the oom-
petitors—_giving them equal distinction for equal
merit. Flowers, fruit, leaves, bees, and beauties
are imitated from nature with astonishing accuracy
and elegance, and most of the designs free and grace-
ful. The nosegays are exquisitely wrought, and the
whole collection augurs well for the future prosperity
of the trade in this delicate fabric, if superior
patterns and superior workmanship, or rather work-
womanabip, can restore it to its former flourishing
conditon.

nis TRIAL OP IMPLININTS
oommessoed on Tuesday, in some 6ekla midway be-
tween Hof&id and Nina. A large number of
persons attended, and the arrangement of the
etewardi was very efficient. Howard's cultivator
wu tried, and appeared to give great matiefaction.
The competition among mowing and reaping
machines was very keen, the object of the trial
seemingly being 16 discover the beet and cheapest.

- - -
THZ •SNITAL MZETING
was held in the council tent, on Wednesday morning,
under the presidency of Earl Fortes:we, the president
of the moiety.
The Secretary (Mr. H. Si. John Mask) read the
following report :—The society at the present time
comae of 101 governor', 911 members, 54 life
members, making a total 01 1066.
The Gametal statement, made up to the 31st of
Deoember, and duly published and circulated, may
be regarded as favourable to the society.
Baurrox Magma —The council having regard
to one of the principal objects for which the society
wee edeblished, and the importance of the locality
in which thiarjtd present meeting is being held, have
this year largely increased the number and value of
the pwass for breeding stook. The amount
so drorod hoe been augmented by the sum of £l5O
given by the local committee, and the Satiety of
Merchant Venturers of the city of Bristol, for
various classes of mock, which, though not originally
contemplated in the list arranged by the stock
price-sheet committee, have been omeidered suffi•
meetly important to be included in • supplemental
schedule. As the spring show of satire home;
tried last year at EU*. IS 1111 experimental measure,
wee not regarded favourably by many members
whom views are entitled to consideration, the
council remind, after careful deliberation, to offer
rims of equal value, but slightly altered conditions,
in the hope of inducing the owners of good animals
to send 44m for exhibition at the ordinary annual
, meetings. Though the entries in the bores dames
are not as numerous as the council could wish,
they are greatly in excels of those at any former
meeting, and the desirability of promoting the im.
movement of the breed of horses In the Wee* of
Ifiggland will tiontinue to engage the council's atten-
tion