The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-10-20 00:00:00

W AREHAM AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual ploughing match in connexion with
the Wareham and Purbeck Agricultural Society took
place on Friday, at Barton, in a field belonging to
Mr. Richard White. The number of ploughs
entered was not so numerous an on some previous
occasions, in fact some of the prizes were not com-
peted for, but the ploughing was performed admir-
ably, and turned out of hand in a very workmanlike
manner, and on the authority of those beet able to
judge of the merits of the work—the jadges--hag
never been excelled at any previous ploughing match
connected with the Society. The weather was very
fine, and several persons witnessed the competition.
The judges were Messrs. Lacey, Lillington, and
Best. After the ploughing was over the labourers
assembled at the Black Bear Hotel, where a bountiful
spread of the good things of this life was put before
them by Mr. Potts, late of the Junction Hotel,
Dorchester. J. H. Calcraft and J. C. Mansel,Esqrs.
ware most unremitting in attending to the wants of
the honest labourers, who seemed thoroughly to
enjoy the bountiful repast provided for them. Here
the distribution of prizes took place, which was as
follows :

Ploughing with Horsea.—Aren—ht prise, Thomas
Barnes, servant to Mr. William }Sudden; 2nd„ Robert
Pitman, servant to Mr. Thomas Reliant; 3rd, Frederick
Harris, servant to Mr. Richard White.

Ploughing soak horses.—Boa under 17 .—lst prise,
John Byrnes, servant to Mr. Moines Bennt ; 3rd, George
Bushrod, servant to Mr. Richard White,
Ploughing with Oxon.—Mex.-Ist prier, Richard
Rawles, servant to Miss Beaton ; 3rd, Nehemiah Lang-
ford, servant to Mr. William Sadden.
- -

Sheep Shearing. —lst vise, Joseph Willcox, servant
to Mr. William Sudden; 2nd, William Harris, servant
to Mr. William Fooks ; 3rd, William Old, servant to
Joseph Weld, Esq. _ _ .

. -
Sheep Shearixo.—Hoys. —lst prize, George Willcox,
servant to Mr. William Sudden; 2nd, Arthur Davis,
servant to J. C. Manse!, EN,
Morimp.—lat prize, William Meaden, Dement to Miss
Beaton, 2nd, Hobert Miller, servant to Mr. Thomu
Besaat; 3rd, William Howe, servant J. H. Celnsft, Esq.

Lomb Reariag —Shepherds' dom.—let prise, James
Holland, servant to the Earl of Eldon, 742 lambs from
720 ewes; 2nd, William Mantle, servant to Mr. T. H.
Saunders, 638 lambs from 628 ewes.
Lciab Rearoto . —lst prize, Henry Sennick, servant to
Mina Beaton, 458 lambs from 420 ewes; 2nd, Joseph
Willcox, servant to Mr. W. Sudden, 420 lambs from 400
ewes.

-
Ditto.—lst prize, Joseph Bagwell, servant to Mr.
William Fookes, 295 lambs from 2.50 ewes.
Carters. —lst prize, David Rolls, servant to Miss
Beaton, 9i years' service.
Perm Laborrere—lst prise, Jasper Hood, servant
to Mr. William Fookes, bringing up 8 children without
parochial relief.
Ditto.—lst prise, William Bushrod, servant to Mr.
Richard White, 52 years' service; 2nd, William Wood-
ford, servant to Kr. William Fookes, 36 years' service.
prim, William Barnes, servant to Mr.
William Foam, 23 years' service; 2nd, William Foote,
servant to Mr. A. Luckham, 24 years' service.
Ditto.—lit prise, William Dunning, servant to Mr.
H. J. Garland. 14 years' service; 2nd, Henry Cud,
servant to Mr. Henry Fookes, 13 years' service.
Women Farm Labourers. —Martha Rawls, servant to
Miss Beaton, 26 years two months.
Ditio.—Kesialt Adams, servant to Mr. H. Fookes,
101 years service.
- - • - •

Fenak Domestic Servant.. —I et, non, Wills, servant
to Mr. and Mn. Freeland Miter, 94 years; 2nd, Sarah
Vincent, rerrant to Mr. Henry Farkas, 7 years.
•

• _ _
Ditio.--Serah Dimmock, servant to Mr. A. H. Minty,
five years.
The Society's fifteenth annual dinner took place on
the same day at the Red Lion Hotel, and perhaps is one
of the most successful that has ever taken plaits in
crnnezion with the Society. Host Years's), had made
every preparation for the occasion, and the tables
literally groaned with the good things placed upon them,
Including a bountiful supply of game, fish, and meat,
which were admirably served up. The proceedings
were under the presidency of 'John Clays' Manse!, Fag.,
and the vice-chair by J. H. Crilmuft, Esq. Amongst
the company were Colonel Maned, Lieutenant
0. W. Finer, Fry., F. Filliter,
C. Bartlett, Esq., A. B. Trevenan, Req.,e„
Filliter, Esq., Rev. F. F. Tracey, Rev. Hanham,
Messrs. J. Symonds, White, Fowler, W. Wee, Roper,
Pointer, Tapp, &limy, Luddism, Lill' , J.
Fowler, R. Taylor, It. Damon, H. Fookes, H. Richards.
Buddee, C. Saunders, J. Reader, H. Garland, W.
Minty, T. Bement, Beale, F. Jackson. W. Squire, T.
Jones, A. Oakley, C. Sudden, W. Bidden, Bishop, J.
Davis, Ellis, Whittle, Spicer, Headman, Ac. Mr.
Eyen's band was in attendance, and enlivened the pro-
ceedings by discoursing • most charming selection of
music at intervals throughout the evening.
Upon the removal of the cloth the CHAIRMAN gave
the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, after which he pro-
" The Army? Navy, and Volunteers of England."
posed
No he said he knew it was one of the most
popular toasts, in feet they might say they owed much
of their wealth and poseeurons, and all the blessings of
life, through the aid of these distinguished sons of
England. It was to the Army and Navy they looked
for protection at borne and protection abroad.
(Applause.) Our Government happily did not fight for
ideas. The sons of England were not sent forth to
fight for any other purpose than that of defending the
shores of their own) country and the shores and welfare
of their dependencies. (('heers.) They did not fight
forlltaly ; they did not fight for Poland; they fought
not for any great principle that mightjbe very popWer
at any particular time of their history in Europe.
(Applause.) The 7 knew that the Army and Navy
would ever do their duty when called upon. There had
not been a single instance in English History, from the
earliest times when the Britons withstood the attacks
of Omar down to the present time, but that they had
always shown the same pluck which now run in the
breast of every English soldier. He asked them to join
with the tout • most important section of their arms,
and that was the Volunteers. (('heers.) That was •
new phrase at a dinner table. It was only five or
six years since they had had the bealths of the
Volunteers drunk in the highest form, with
the army and navy. The Volunteers had come forth by
thousands to protect their native shores and native
homes ; beyond that they have not been called forth.
He believed the movement existed as firmly in the
breasts of Englishmen now as it did the first day it was
formed. (Cheers.) Alluding to the Volunteers of
England in the days of the great Napoleon, he said that
as soon as the genic Mid vanished by his having
threatened to invade this country. the volunteer force
...stored to time winds ; but the present seemed of
a more firmer chareeter, and he expressed a hope that
for • long period of time the heath of the Volunteers
would be associated with the Army and Navy. (Cheers.)
He WU in the south of France when this wonderful
movement took place, lied he well recollected the ex-
traordinary questions the French asked with regard to
li. They amid not underetaiiii how the English Go-
veranseet could venture topless in the bands of so large
a number of her eons weapons which would be used in
France and elsewhere in the subversion of the Governs

meat. His answer was that the English were loyal
people ; they loved their Queen, and loved their country.
(Cheers.) The Chairman thin. in very complimentary
terms,adverted to the Yeomanry, and concluded by pro-
posing the toast, coupling with it the music of his brother,
Cannel MenueL (Loud applause.)
Colonel Mersey ;after thanking the company for the
kind reception accorded to him, mid it was the am-
bition of every Britidt soldier to win the esteem of his '
fellow countrymen, and the knowledge that his services
were apprecisted, induced him to do his duty. (Cheers.)
The Chairman bad been kind enough to couple the
Volunteers with the Army and Navy, and he begged to
return hi. thanks for the compliment paid them. Its
had double pleasure for returning thanks in this town.
because Wareham produced one of the most sealons and
.ffective come in the kingdom. (Cheers.) Under the
commandh ioffiacr.o, f
.0
da ptteen
aFtsternetri
na n
on
nu under rptahite
os st
hte• nooci ee r
ys!
it bad arrived at that steadiness that it was • credit to
the town, a credit to themselves, and • credit to the
battalion which he had the honour of commanding. (Ay.
please.) Whenever the Wareham corps had been called
upon it had turned out in the strongest numbers, and
this be thought was an example for other volunteer
corps in the county. (Hear, hear.) They were not
only excellent and good as a body of men, but they were
good as individual shots. They had the pluck to accept
any challenge offered to them, and he could assure them
they were a hard body of men to shoot with. They
were beaten at their last trial, but the score made by the
Dorchester corps was one of the best ever made in
England. (Cheers.) They must all have been pleased
at the remarks made upon them by Colonel Mc Murdo
at the late review. He *greed with him on every point
but one, and that was when he stated that the volunteers
were not expected to come up to the mark of the
old soldier. Now he (the speaker) contended that
considering the advantages the volunteers bad th...y were
expected to come up to that meek. One of these J'lvan-
tages was the material itself. The volunteers were more
superior in position and intelligent than soldiers of the
line. Next alma the officer whose ambition it wee that
his corps should be the beet in England. Then came
the drill instructor, who instructed them the same as
the army, and whose advice, kindness of manners,
and superior abilities, placed the volunteers in the most
fortunate and best position. He believed the volunteer
force was permanently established in this county. It is
in • healthful condition, inasmuch as the recruitments
exceeded the resignations, and lie knew that their num-
bers would be still greatly increased. (Cheers.) The
gallant colonel than alluded to the remark made by
Colonel McMurdo, that Dorset ought to produce 9000
volunteers. They knew that they could not raise more
than one corps in each town, therefore if they bad 12
towns they might expect 12 corps. Colonel McMurdo
did not take into consideration that fine body of men,
the Yeomanry, fele or COO strong. Taking these, together
with the volunteers,he (the speaker) thought the county
would show • very fine body of men in ease of any
' tumult that might arise. (Applause).
The CLUIRII,OI proposed in suitable terms "The
Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese," which was responded
' to by the Rev. Mr. TRACEY.
The Vial-CHAIRMAN said, being permitted by the
Chairman to propose a toast, he would propose one which
gave him the greatest pleasure, and he knew they would
receive it with every mark of kindness and respect. In
proposing the health of "The Patron of this Society"
he did so with feelings of peculiar eolemnity and pleasure,
as it had been the health of the third Earl of Eldon
which had fallen to his lot to propose. From the first
Earl of Eldon he bad received that kindness and support
which were accorded to him by his successor, and
continued by the present Earl. He believed the
Society had every reason to be thankful that they had
such a liberal patron as the Earl of Eldon, and he be-
lieved they might look forward with the highest hopes
and greatest expectations to the young man who now
held that distinguished title. (Applause.) The Vice.
Chairman expressed a hope that before long they might
expect to see him amongst them, as he was certain the
more he was known, the more he would be respected
and loved. He thought the young Earl was now doing
what well became him in his exaltid position prior to
entering one of the Universities, that of going abroad to
see the world • little. He (the speaker) thought he
had shown a wise choice in no doing, and in this no
doubt as in everything else he was advised by his
guardian. It'was well for all young persons, especially
those of his high position, to get away from home in-
fluences, and learn what other nations were doing and
mixing with strangers, instead of having everything
pleasant and agreeable, hardly knowing the roughs and
difficulties of life. (Hear.) He believed this young man
bad the best disposition and kindest feelings towards all
around him, • gentleman in his manners, and one cal-
culated to make himself agreeable with all with whom
he might be brought into contact. lie (the Vice.
Chairman) aho felt that he had good advice given him
by those who, in the Providence of God,had been'placed
over him.

-•-•
a W. Faunae, Esq., as the guardian of the young
Earl, returned thanks. He said he hoped that it would ,
not he for many, years more that the pleasing annual I
duty which had of laze devolved upon him, would con- I
Wine to be placed on his shoulders, or rather in his ,
mouth, namely that of returning thanks when they I
drunk to the health of their patron, young Lord Eldon.
He most sincerely trusted that before long, he could not
say when, but before long, the young Earl would be
there to return his thanks for the kind reception which
they would give him present as well as absent. (Cheers.)
He (the speaker) considered that be rendered • sort of
annual account of the young Earl, but Mr. Calcraft had
anticipated him. He then alluded to his charge going
abroad, and said he was most glad that such • step had I
met with the approbation of Mr. Calcraft. Mr. Calciraft
had hit the point where he (Mr. Fairer) thought it was
most valuable. He thought it was well that the
young ones should go abroad. He liked to see •
man of high position and fortune looked up to
and respected, and he hoped the young Earl would
come back fit to be respected and fit to be loved.
(Cheers.) The speaker alluded to Lord Eldon carrying
off Lord Spencer's cup at Wimbledon, and said the boy
had never given him greater pleasure than when he
won that prize. He was the champion of the public
schools. It was a great thing for a young man to excel
in something, and the young Earl excelled in rifle
shooting. He wanted him instead of going to Oxford
and receiving the usual routine of education, to do
something more than that. At the age of It he had
worked an achievement for himself. At the present
time he was travelling without a servant, but in oonr
piny with a clergyman, with a plain "Mr." for his
title, and he hoped that whilst lie was on the Continent
he would be brought into contact with the lower
classes; and he would ask him on his return, whether
in his contact with them, he had found that distinunish-
ing mark in them which Mr. Roebuck said so strongly
marked the foreign labourer, in comparison with those
of this country, whom, he said, were morose, suspicious,
and even repulsive. (Hines.) He was sorry that that
expression pawed from Mr. Roebuck, because there was
a great dad of admirable good in the lecture. In the
Northern counties the labourers were more refined than
those in these parts ; but if any man would take the
trouble to talk to the labouring population of Dorset, he
(the speaker) would take upon himself to say that he
could not with any truth make a correct application of
epithets to them in any one of three words. He should
certainly cross-examine Lord Eldon when be came home,
and he thought he would be able to assure Mr. Roebuck
that that was not his view of the labouring population.
He hoped that when he came amongst them be would
not give them reason to be suspicious, more/4'4nd he
did not think he would find them repulsive. (Cheers.)
In conclusion Mr. Ferrer proposed " The health of Mr.
Calcraft," referring to the gentlemanlike and able
manner in which he had discharged his duties as Chair-
man of the Parochial Assessment Committee.
(Applause.)
The Vice-Commis" responded. After remarking
that be wished the strains of Mr. Eyers' band could be
taken as a response to the toast, because he was quite
certain that its melodious strains would be far more
pleasing than anything he could inflict, he returned his
, thanks for the kind and cordial manner in which they
had received his name, and expressed his gratification
at seeing so numerous an assemblage. Alluding to the
society, he said it was true there were no prizes for
themselves for which they could compete, but if they
could not do so he thought they had • direct interest in
I endeavouring, by:any little means such as this Society
afforded,to rain the self respect and morals amongst the
labouring classes. Every time he came to this meeting
and attended the labourers' dinner, and had an oppor-
tunity of talking with them, he was convinced that they
valued the small rewar3s which the moiety was able to
offer. (Cheers.) After all, £3 to a labouring man paid the
rent of his cottage, and that was something, and par-
ticularly when this was accompanied with the dis-
tinction of having excelled his neighbour. After
further alluding to the spirit of emulation among the
labourers which the Society was the means of propaga-
ting, Mr. Caleraftoontinued. Although they as occupiers
of land, and breeders and owners of sheep and cattle,
did not get prime, be thought it was worth while to
maintain this Society smonpt the many kindred ones in 1
Its efficiency. If anything wee worth doing at all it I
was worth doing well. (Cheers.) He then expressed his
obligations to Mr. Ferrer for the manner in which he
had connected his name with the Assessment Com-
mittee, and observed that it might give rise to great
difference of opinion and unathisfaction. It was not to ,
expected that the committee could please I
everybody. All they did was to endeavour
to do their best, and to act as between man
and man. lie had no doubt they had failed, but
all he could say was that they were sorry for it, for it
was done entirely against their wish. They took the
best means in their power to gather information, and if
they had failed, it had not been from want of care or
attention—they had endeavoured to act with truth.
After some further remarks bearing on the subject, 1
Mr. Calcraft proposed "The Chairman's health" in
highly eulogistic and complimentary terms.
The Csaisgsg, who was enthusiastically received, on
rising said he knew well before he bad his health drunk
the kind feelings they had towards him, for with almost
every one in the room he was personally acquainted
with, and from whom he had ever received every mark
of affection, but he was not prepared to receive the very
enthusiastic reception of the toast presented to their
n otice th rough the 'undimmed blades: andexcellent friend.
In responding it would ill become him if he did not
sew words upon sousesubjeat in which both of them
might be unanimously agreed, but it would be still more
unbecoming of him, a tyro in agriculture, to say one
single word In connection with the important science,
for if he did so he ought rather to be an (inquirer listen-
ing at their feet. But be might perhaps have got up
something with regard to oxygen: and hydrogen, but
if be succeeded in attracting their attention upon these
subjecte, upon which they were so well qualified to
understand, it would be perfectiy useless to him, as
the resources ("he laboratory wereuseleas unicorn applied
to the field. This be could not do, and must there-
fore let it alone. He did not despise the assistance
of the Society's science, for since agriculture had
had ita free scope—from the time of free-trade—
it had advanced in the highest sciences. It embraced
every science- chemistry, philosophy, and geology. He
therefore felt convinced that all that was required now
was the test of experience. The Chairman then re-
ferred at great length to the varieties of soil in the vales
of Blackmoor and Purbeck as adapted for agriculture,
and then on notice the American war. He
believed the system to
stem adopted by the Government of
this country was perfectly proper with regard to the
peat question of Arnenca. He believed if England
had in any way held to the North or South, the
foreigners would have been upon our backs and
we should have been charged
asificiPleashuesaof nonin-inhstereenvingtionbenkewh'io?mhielngn-lh
eitethen laid" CX.enegotitPnlnxinbd;
the great statesman of this country. (Cheers.) Alter

alluding to the part which England had taken with re- 1
formica to the lonian Islands, and adverting to the
sending of convicts to Western and Southern Australia,
the Chairman said be would now endeavour to say a few
words with regard to one or two subjects which were of
agriculturists, they took a deep In in. He
great importance to the marl yea and which, as
then alluded to the establishment of a county
school which bad received the approbation
and support of • great Lumber of farmers.
He believed it was now admitted that •
special education was not a favoured one. It had been
tried in the Universities of Scotland, London, and even
their own agricultural college at Cirencester, and had
failed. He believed any education which was not of •
general character was a mistake, for the great advan-
tage of education vu to develop the mind, to get the
child by degrees to have his mind and brain so far formed
as to be able to receive those impressions which would
be useful to him in after life. It had been found
that (freak and Latin, classics aid mathematics,
and the different sciences, ought to be mixed
up with education. (Hear.) The institution of
this middle school, was, be thought, so far placed on •
footing that they would won be able to find whether it
had been properly and duly considered. He believed
this was the first time in which • bill or Act of Parlia-
ment had been passed for purposes of • commercial
character, that had been brought to bear upon an
educational one. He mentioned this because as the
company had taken up the Limited Liability Act,
persons might think that theme engaged in the affair
had some advantage in so doing. The only profit
they hoped to receive, was the profit they gave the
children, and the only bonus they had was
the confidence and approbation of those persons who
allowed their children to be placed under their care.
Ile believed the master was efficient as could possibly
be, end with their help he thought they would be able
to give all their children as good and cheap an education
as could possibly be desired. (Hear.) After a few
further remarks the Chairman said lie had every reason
to believe that the school would start with 50 children,
and if they were able to carry out their education for b 0
small* sum as L'2s a year, each child should receive as
good an education as could possibly be wisbed for. In
alluding to labourers' cottages, the Chairman said
said be did not wish to pander to anyone, but at the
tame time, be did say that the Deflectable° labourers'
houses wore not in such a condition as they ought to be.
It was useless for some persons to say that nothing had
been done. The evil was so extensive, and might!! be
traced so far back that whatever any body miiht say,
or the newspapers might say, it was impossible that this
great evil could be remedied at a single moment or in
generation. It was so deeply grown that they would
have to contend with it for years and years. It was not
fair to say that nothing had been done to remedy this
evil. Ile would appeal to any one who had lived in this
county,and watched the condition of the labouring man,
if be wu not cone inoed that a great improvement had been
made. In further alluding to this subject, he said
this was the first opportunity he bad ever had in his
life to address • body of farmers in this way, but he was
only too glad to give them his opinion upon these
important subject!, and observed that it had been said
that one of the great causes of the badness of the
labourers' cottages was owing to the land being possessed
by • few large landed proprietors. This cause he
reviewed at great length, and then said he believed the
cottage question in Dorset had received the greatest atten-
toirttislieeo7:fty wlthihtehewcondoiretaoLovfontd conunrtiineg classes
s of the
North, and considered the atlas of the labourers of
lAte.pplartinse.m)atLlluctinngeGtoted
thuectciohnairof.
Dorset equal to the galas of the labourer elsewhere.
tlwiethgeengriennicultiunretro,d
man observed that they wanted skilled labourers, for if
they were such they would get good work and good
pay. He suggested the advisibility of establishing
an Industrial School. He said he was interested
In the Reformatory School, and the boys there
earned about .£l4O in labour besides doing the work
connected with the establishment. If such were
formed be thought the employers of labour would be
able to do that which they were now unable to do upon
their own farms, in consequence of labour being so
warm The Chairman then briesy alluded to the law
of settlement, and concluded by tendering his thanks
for the kind reception they had afforded him.
(Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN again rose and proposed "The
Health of Joseph Weld, Esq. " the aged President of
the Society, observing that be had received a note from
E. Weld, Eq., stating that his parent was unable to
attend in consequence of his very serious illness.
C. Baartithr, Esq., steward of Mr. Weld, returned
thanks, expressing his regret at the alarming illness of
the President of the Society, and said be was fearful as
to its results. _ _ _

The 't ICE-CHAIRMAN, in highly eulogestic terms, pro-
posed the health of the "Rev. N. Bond," which was
suitably acknowledged by FRZILLAND FILLITIR. Esq.
The CHAIRMAN gave the "County Members," stating
that be had received letters from Mr. Portnnui and Mr.
Seymer, stating that they were unable to attend;
whilst Mr. Sturt did not know that the meeting WAS to
take place until the day previously.
Other toasts followed of • cotnplintentary character.
and the proceedings were prolonged until a late hour,
music and singing adding much to the pleasures of the
evening: