The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-11-29 00:00:00

BLANDFORD FARMERS' CLUB.

AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

The indications of approaching Christmas are not
few but many. Animal repletion in all its lumpy
developments is not only to be seen on a scale of
magnitude in Baker-street, but the smallest towns
have now their miniature cattle shows where the
judgment of cattle fatteners and cattle purchasers
may be pleased and cultivated by the living forms
—types, not shadows—of the coming greasy beast.
The Blandford Farmers' Club Show does not aim at
being great in fatty excellence, but its object is
rather to gather together superior animals in shape,
condition, and breed, and to submit them to public
criticism in the working and feeding condition
characteristic of ordinary farming stock. The scope
of its utilitarian plan is not limited to prizes offered
for superior excellence in live stock ; but root crops,
wheat, and barley are brought into competition, and
as the root crops are viewed by competent judges
in a growing state, and the quantity and cost of the
manures applied, the management arid description
of land, and the influence of previous crops duly con-
sidered in the awards made, we cannot but think
that this section of the club's operations must secure
for its members a very large amount of practical in-
formation. In fact, were we to form our judgment
on the superior specimens of mangold wurtzel and
swedes shown this year in comparison with those
shown on previous occasions, we should not hesitate
to pronounce the improvement characterising this
department of the club's show to be than in
any other. And when it is considered =lre show is
but the out-door operation of the club, and that the
most useful sphere of its labours is in-door, where
the qualities of the different manures sold and the
entire range of subjects embraced in the science of
agriculture are fully and freely discuased, it must be
obvious enough that the practical information af-
forded by the mode adopted for deciding on the
superiority of root crops must have a powerful
tendency to direct and decide the judgment of in-
quiring agriculturists. We are, therefore, glad to
bud that the club has indicated the high importance
it attaches to the matter of root crops by placing the
prizes offered in this department first in the printed
programme, and by calling special . attention by
printed directions subjoined to the strict observance
of those conditions best calculated to furnish prac-
tical information to its members.
The show-field was not so well attended as on
many previous occasion.. We observed Lord Port-
man, Mr. Farquharson, and many of the most respec-
table and enterprising farmers of the neighbourhood
busily engaged in inspecting the stock; but the
number of visitors was not so great as we have seen
present, when the elements were less favourable.
The live and dead stock driven and brought into
the field did not exceed in quantity the average of
previous years, but in point of quality would have
favourably compared with any one of them. The
corn show, though of • very limited character, being
confined to eight tacks, embracing both wheat and
barley, was of • very superior quality, especially the
white wheat shown by Mr. Henry Fooks, and Mr.
Joseph Rawlins. If the samples of corn pitched even
proximately represented the general management
and produce of the crops grown by the gentlemen
showing them, we cannot but congratulate them on
the high state of perfection they have arrived at both
in the growth and management of their corn crops.
The working oxen and dairy cows were of an ordi-
nary character, and represented useful mediocre
theme of beasts, rather than those of • superior ex-
cellence. In fact, ugly protrusions of fat seem
essentially necessary to constitute an attractive and
superior show of beasts in a show yard, or show
field, whereas the oxen driveu to Blandford had been
unyoked from the plough, and the cows sent from
the milking barten, in a district where horse, are
more generally used for draught purposes than oxen,
and where corn and sheep are more cared foi than
grazing or dairy produce; therefore superior excel-
lence in this department could not be reasonably ex-
pected. The pens of sheep were not all filled, but
there were more than sufficient penned is quality and
number fully to uphold the high estimate formed of
the Dorsetthire farmer, for excellence in this breed
of stock. The general superiority c.haracterising the
rams, ewes, and lambs, was so pialPable that the
nicest judgment of those appointed to award
the prizes must have been called forth. We
cannot, however, refrain from specially notic-
ing the pen of Sussex Downs shown by Mr.
Henry Fookes, and in describing them as
the most perfect group of animals of their
kind we ever looked upon. They attracted much
attention, and the warm expressions of approbation
dropped by the most knowing ones, bore ample
testimony to their merits. These with the very
superior Hampshire lambs, shown by Mr. Henry
Ford, combined with the general excellence character-
ising this department of the live stock, serve to give
to the show a character of importance and attractive-
ness. The only description of horse for which the
club offered • prize was the cart horse. The
competition was of the most limited character, Mr.
H. Fool's, Mr. J. Rawhns, and Mr. Symmons being
the only competitors. These gentleman are known
to pay great attention to the superior character of the
live stock on their farms, and the primary object
of the club, by its show of working stook, is to
induce farmers to cultivate greater superiority in the
general farming stock they rear or porthose, and not
the en ent of the fattening proems in isolated
instance:au:lV: were glad to find that these gentle-
men appeared fully to encourage the object of the
dub, and they well represented-by the specimens of

cart horses they sent into the field, the superior
merits of this valuable description of animal. It is
somewhat surprising that the club does not add
to the prizes offered for excellence in this department
of its show. Surely, in a neighbourhood, singularly
well supplied with horses of all descriptions, from
the cart horse to the hunter, the probability is that
a series of prizes offered by the club for superior
excellence in the !Twister and bunter, as well as the
cart horse, would induce a spirit of competition of a
much more active character then appears at present
to exist. Farmers are necessarily owners of cart
horses and hacks, and not a few of them can bout
of keeping a tolerable hunter or two, the appeal
therefore to their spirit of emulation by such a series
of prizes, would be peculiarly appropriate, whilst
• more attractive and useful feature would be added
to the club's operations, and as a consequence, a large
share of public interest elicited.
The roots appeared to attract considerable anal-
lion, and the magnitude of the mangold wurtzel evi-
dently excited in the non-agricultural mind great
astonishment. Some of the bulbs of the ntangold
were of the largest description. Those shown by
Mr. Frampton averaged the extraordinary weight !
of 15Iba. each, and were drawn from a field which
produced upwards of 55 tons per acre. The weight
of each bulb exceeded by several pounds those
shown by Colonel Worth, M.P., at the Banbury
show, which attracted considerable attention and re-
ceived special notice in the Times. There was,
however, this difference between those shown at
Banbury and Mr. Frampton's the former
weighed heavier by *event tons per acre. This im-
portant fact should not be disregarded, since the
proper cultivation of this valuable root depends
upon the compactnes and solidity of its texture
rather than on its size. That force of growth which
drives meander its fibres may give expansion of
bulk but will not give the greatest weight per acre,
nor create those sound and nutritive qualities so
desirable for storing and feeding purposes. The
bulbs of this root shown by Mr. Henry Fookes
were even more giant-like in girt than those grown
by Mr. Frampton, but the hollow tone they gave
forth when struck by the foot proved too palpably
that they were wanting in those neceessry qualities
to which we have referred. The judges wisely dis-
criminated between the larger and smaller bulbs,
and adjudicated in favour of those of a medium size
shown by Mr. G. Keynes, whisk will most probably
weigh more per acre tkuia them of the monster
character. 'There were many competitors for the
prize for swedes, and those exhibited were gene-
rally of that description which would recommend
itself to the judgment of agriculturists; as the best
in size, quality, and shape either for keeping
or feeding. It will be seen by the award
of prizes subjoined that Mr. Tette' were ad-
judged the best. Most of the gentlemen ex-
hibiting drawn roots in the field had competed for
the largest prizes when the awards made were
of m
governed by thebr
as
a w r.fo
crops of swedee given
i
! previous to the show, many of the drawn roots
shown were probably taken from fields to which
prizes had already been awarded. The increase in
the quantity of live stock kept on farms in this
neighbourhood now compared with that kept on the
same area of acne twenty years since, gives to the
subject of root crops great importance. The best
fanner now is the best grower of roots, and we find
that the better the growth of roots in a district the
higher is the cultivated state of the land, and the
Larger is the quantity of stock kept. Therefore the
cultivation of root crops is not only a subject affect-
ing the interests of the farmer, but it has an im-
portant influence on the interest of the nation—the
supply of a people's meat as well as bread.
In the pig department there were duly assembled
noble representatives of counties great in the pig
line. They were not porkers, and to call them lean
stock would be to unpig them. The fine and coarse
! breeds, short-legged and long-leged, prick-eared and
lop-eared were well represented, and there were not
wanting some promising juveniles. The boar ex-
hibited by Mr. H. Richards and the sow by Mr.
Symmonds, both of which took primp, were very
superior; Mr. G. Hill's fine bred boar justly de-
served and took a prize. Farmers now appear to
be paying much more attention to this cLiss of useful
animals than they once did; which may be ac-
counted for not only on the ground that they make
much and good manure, but likewise that the in-
creased firowth of roots gives to the farmer greater
means of keeping larger stocks and more profitably
rearing them for the market. Redundancy of fat is
not wanted even for the pig to make him saleable;
and therefore though many of theme exhibited were in
good killing condition we saw no eyes bidden in fat, no
apparently legless trunks of swine deformity,
neither did we hear any asthmatic kind of breath-
ing, but we looked upon a number of superior pigs,
a pen of them well adapted for the pork butcher,
and the remainder well fitted for breeding, fattening.
or stock purpose.. We feel justified in saying that
usefulness was eharacterinc of the whole show, and
all cattle shows will become, in our opinion, marked
by the same feature, when superfluous and wasteful
fat is pared down to meet the common sense views
of a common sense public.

There was an important auxiliary to the show
which though noticed by us last was far from least
in giving significant proofs of its usefulness, in quick•
ening the motion and cheering the countenances of
those who came from Mr. Henry Blandford's hospit-
able cottage. This gentleman has on all occasions
gratuitously placed the field connected with his cot-
tage at the disposal of the club for its show purposes.
His kindness has not stopped here, but he has sup-
plemented to it a warm and general invitation to
those visiting the show field, to partake of the re-
freshments he had provided. Those who have
visited cattle shows held in exposed @Anshans at
this time of the year will best know bow to appreciate
the essential character of Mr. Frampton', hospitality
and the forethought which suggested it.

The ordinary routine business having been die.
posed of, and Mr. Lewis, of Ash, elected chairman
for the ensuing year, a large party proceeded to
dinner, provided by Mr. Eyers in his tonal Myle cil
excellence. The chair was occupied by Mr. Joel
Roper. and the company included the Mayor of
Blandford (Mr. F. T. Johns), Mr. W. C. Fincham,
Mr. H. Fookea, Mr. J. Ford, sen., Mr. J. Ford,
Jun., Mr. V. B. Watts, Mr. George Harding, Mr.
E. 0. Spooner, Mr. S. Pond, Mr. J. N. Tett, Mr.
Robert P'ookes, Mr. L Groves, Mr. H. Richards,
Mr. Porter, Mr. C. Flower, Mr. Miller, Mr. Scott,
Mr. H. Blandford, Mr. Henry Ford, Mr. John
Keynes, Mr. Dibben, Mr. George Hill, Mr. J. Cox,
Mr. Daniell, Mr. George Lock, Mr. R. Lock, Mr.
H. Simmonds, Mr. George Summers, Mr. H. Framp-
ton, Mr. J. Roper, jun., Mr. Forester, Mr. C. logram,
Mr. J. B. Roe, Mr. Petty, kc. The vice-chairs
were occupied by Mr. J. H. Mitchell, and Mr. W.
H. Atkinson, bosomy secretary of the club.

In the course of the evening daring which several
excellent speeches were delivered, which, for want
of space, we are reluctantly compelled to omit,) Mr.
Atkinson read the list of prises as follows :

Boor Coors.

Class I.—For the boa ten acre, of swedes grown on • tern%
exceeding 400 acre., £6., Mr. V. B. Watts; looond Ohio. Xi,
Mr. Joseph Williams.
Chia 2.—For the but Ni or of swedes grown on • fern%
not standing 100 maws, LI, Mr. H Ilieherde.
Class Z. For the bre two scree of swede.% grown by. mem-
ber whose quantity of Arabia land dote not exceed 120 scree, £2
Mr. &MINI Food.
Clow 4.—Fox the best six woos of 'Mangold voirteel, grown
on a tarns exceeding 400 acres, Lb Mr. George Hill.
Class 6.—For the beet thaw scree of mengold wurtsel, mom
on • Ism not 011osallng 400 scree, £3, Mr. H. Richerds.
. .

Clue cleaspraftion.
Chas 7.—For the beet crop of swedee, not ler than all acres,
grown atter any preview, green crop, BR Mr. V. B. Matte ; Mr
B. Fowler highly commended.
Clog. B.—For the but clam of mammon turnipa, as above,
Mr. R. Richards ; Mr. V. B Watt. highly commended, 11r. J.
J. Rawlins commended.
Extra Prlae.—For the be general rout crop, on the farm of
• member. 44, Mr. V. B. Watm
Coos.

Clue o.—For the beat mei of white wheat, £1 10., Mr. H
Fookee.
clew 10.—For the beet meek of red wheat, Ll 1.., Mr. H
Ford.
Clow 11.—Forth. beet reek of barley, £1 H., Mi. H. Hi.
monde
Seam

Claes It —For the beet cart horse or mare, which ha, heel
in the pawanion of the exhibitor for twelve months perilous.
to the time of showing, and has been regularly worked an the
farm, El le., Mr. J. J. Kew Hoc ; Mr. M. Ford highly asp
mended.
Claes 13.—For the bast pair of working oxen, subject to the
OMAN conditions as the cart bore.,, 111.., Mr. V. B. Matta.
Claa It —For the beet bull of any breed ne age, which has
bee in pasemion of the exhibitor not lens than twelve months
El Mr. B„.Teelter:

111; SS dairy eoe, subject to Use mine con-
ditions, all 1.., Mr. H. Ford.
Clam 16.—For the bent Sussex southdovro ram, of any age,
it zs. Mr. H. Fucks ; Mr. John Ford, jun., highly cos
mese.
Clem Il.—For the beat Insroved Hampshire clown ram, of
671:1'.111-14eMileits!.:w114 of tea &um: soutbdown
.11
tooth ewe, £1 1.., Mr. H. Foots.
11.—roe the Set pen of ten Improved Hampahlre
Son six-tooth ems, LI Is. Mr. Lewis.
C 1... 10. —For the best bZer of any .mall Is breed. £1 1.
Mr. H. Illcbards.
Class IL—For the beet boar of any large sow., breca.
it t.., Mr. George Hill.
Cla= 10.—For the beutbr of any man ADS breed,
gt 1.., Mr. V. B. Wats.
C 1... U.—For the beet breeding rai of any lug.
breed, Li, Is., Mr. 11 Simmustria.