The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-06 00:00:00

VISIT OF THE MIDLAND FARMERS
CLUB TO ME:nSM. WEBB AND SONS
SEED FARMS AT KINVEE.

On Tuesday the members cf the Midland Farmers'
Club paid a visit to the seed farms of Messrs. Welb and
Sons .at Kinver. The party assembled at New Street
Station to the number of about fifty, and soon after
noon left for Stourbridge in saloon carriages, which had
been specially provided for their accommodation. They
eroceeded from Stourbridge Station to Kinver, a die-
Lance of about five miles, through a chareningly-pic
turesque and well-wooled country, and at their destina-
tion were welcomed by the Messrs. Webb. An elegant
luncheon lied been provided by these gentlemen, and
after this had been partaken of a visit was paid to the
fields of which the farms ale sompoaed. Much
astonishment was expiessed at the marvellous results
which had been obtained, and although it was taken
into consideration that the Messrs. Webb are seed
growers, and not farmers in the steict sense of the word
those present were decidedly of opinion that agricultural
skill and experience could not be brought to bear with
greater effect in the production of cereals and vegetables.
e:verywhere the greatest pains had been lavished in
order that the seeds might increase and multiply under
the most favourable circumstances, and though not
directly apparent, those experienced in farming—and
there were present the most eminent authorities in the
Midland district—were ready to point out how apparently
simple ends had been attained by really scientific means.
En every case there was noticeable ,as much neatness
and order as could have been wished for by the most
fastidious of landscape gardeners—a neatness and order
that would be impossible in ordinary cases. After a
couple of hours had been pleasantly spent the party
returned to Stourbridge, and reached New Street Station
at eight o'clock, eminently satisfied at having spent an
ins ructive and thoroughly enjoyable day. The weather
in the morning showed somewhat threatening, but there
was no rain, and a cooling breeze and bright afternoon
made the trip pleasant in the extreme.
Amongst those who accepted invitations and were pre-
sent were the following Arthur Hodgson, of
Clopton House, near dtratford-on.Avon (president of the
club), Mr. H. A. Howman (vice.president), Sir John
Morris, Messrs. John Lowe. E. Lowe (Tamwortb),
George Wise, J. Nock, J. B. Lythall, J. Hence (left.
warpe Court), T. T. Lawden, J. Smith (Henley-iu.
Arden), J. Brooks, J. Hancock, E. Scriven, (Leaming-
ton), R. Bennett (Walsall), 5, Tonks, F. J. Keeling
(Wolverhampton), J. Wilson (Bridgnorth), B. Cewper
(Wolvert,n), C. R. Keeling (Penkridge), Geoige Griffiths
(Stafford), T. J Addison, John Brewster, J. T. Dace
(Peukridge), Richard Pullen, C. Walker, T. T. Burman
J. Heynes (Barnt Green), H. Fielding, W. Brewster, D
Teugh. J. Heape, T. Lowe, John King, E. Kendrick, J
Taylor, S. Forrest, T. A. Negus, Arthur Startin, John
Ford, S. Sheppard, W. 0. Gordon, A. L. Wells,
Henry Heyden, John Hetnus, Cooper, F. H. Yates,
D Birchley, R. Potter, and A. A. Sylvester (hon.
Mr. Arthur Hodgson occupied the chair at the
lueeheon, and proposed the toast of " The Queen,"
coupling with the name of her Majesty that of the
l'iince of Wales. He remarked on the popularity of his
It yal Highness, and spoke of the connection he had
had w,th him in his official capacity as President of the
iiritisli i etiou of the Paris Exhibition. He had fi u !ri
his Royal Highness highly conversant with every .sub-
ject brought before him; and his kindliness of feeling
atul urbanity of manner had established such an entente
cordiale as had seldom existed before between the two
naaons. The toast was received with all the honours,
as was also the health of the Messrs. Webb. The
Chairman, in giving this, commented on the generosity
which their hosts had exhibited in extending to the club
an invitation to visit their magnificent farms. When
gentlemen stepped out of their way to do honour to the
club the members could not but feel that such conduct
was deserving of their deepest gratitude. (Hear,
hear.) ,
Mr. William Webb responded on behalf of himself
and his brother, Mr. Edward Webb, and proposed the
health of the President.
Mr. H. at. Howman proposed the health of Mr. A. A.
selvester (the hon. sec. of the club), and alluded to the
trouble and care with which that Aentleman had
arrauged the programme of their proceedings.
Mr. Sylvester responded, and the toast list soricluded.