The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-21 00:00:00

MESSRS. WEBB'S ANNUAL IWOT SHOW.

If it be true that that man is a benefactor to his
species who makes two blades of grass MR' where
before there was only one, then such gentlemen as
the Messrs. Webb must deserve well of their fellow-
men ; for they have by their skill and euterprisi done
much in the Last few years toinerease the ipality arta
quantity of the snrculent roots which form such a
necessary article of food in the cattle rearing and
stock breeding of this country. Anyone who donlited
this would have had all his doubts removed if he had
been present at their magnificent show of roots, OW
Thursday last. There he would see mangohls of
Brolidiuguagian proportions, giant swedes, intruense
cabbages, and beautiful potatoes, of tine flavour. The
whole of them were t,,ToWn from seeds selected and
iutroduced by the Messrs. Webb, and spoke volumes
for the care and skill bestowed upon this part of their
business, which is carried on at their glover Hill
Farm, where every variety of FeCtl is thoroughly
tested before it is exposed for sale. Hence, the great
success achieved by this firm, who have now earned
for themselves the reputation of being amoug,st the
most successful seed-growers of the country. As
natural consequence, their show increases every year,
both in the number of the exhibitors :wit the quantity
of the exhibits, the former being in a proportion of
503 this year as compared with 450, and the latter
being 6,000 as compared with 3,000 of the previous
year. Collections, too, were sent from all parts of
the country ; from Anglesea, Montgomeryshire, Salop,
Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Berk-
shire, Warwickshire, Surrey, and Kent. Amongst
the exhibitors were the Earl of Warwick, Earl of
Stamford and Warrington, Earl of Powis. Earl of
Beanehamp, Lord Windsor, Lord Hampton, Lord
Leigh, Lady Ward, Sir Edward Buckley, Bart., Mr.
C. C. Cotes, M.P., Mr. Sampson Lloyd, M.P., Captain
Dicken, and other celebrated root growers. The
prizes consisted of nineteen silver cups and other
preinitunt of the total value of upwards of „ell 0, and
the roots in the different classes embraced Webb's
Imperial swede, Colonel North's marigolds, kohlrabi,
;41Ten globe, Devonshire greystoue, beefheart, yellow
tankard, and round white turnips, carrots, Ac., At.
As it is not enough to have good se“l only, but
careful cultivation also, Messrs. Webb have. during
the past twelve months, added the sale of artificial
LaalatreS to their sale of seed, and the FaILW care
and skill having been brought to bear upon this de-
partment that distinguishes their conduct of all their
business, it has prospered in au equal ratio. And, in
this &pigment, the first prize of a silver cup, value
10 guineas, Was awarded to Messrs. W. and E. Grif-
fiths, of Bodlew, the weight of the produce per acre
of whose laud, which had been manure(' solely by Webb
and Suit's special manure, being as notch as 41! tons.
21rs. 24115., an extraordinary result for the
SCaSOII,

The show was, as usual, held in their spacious
seed warehouse, which is a tine building, soft. long,
by 45 whir, and 50 high, and occupied the whole of
two floors ; whilst in another department onexcellent
luncheon was laid out for all visitors to the show.

Since the last annual show there has been consider-
able improvements iu the works and machinery at Ivy
Mills. Anew compound beam condensing engine,
30-horse power, has bent erected by Wood Brothers,
of Sowerby Bridge. This supplies the motive power
for eight pairs of stones in the Steam Flour Mills, to
w Welt a new wing has lately been added. The engine
boilers, two in number, measure 30 feet by 7 feet, are
of the best modern construction, and were supplied
by Adamson, of Manchester. in the seed warehouse,
where, besides the roots on exhibition, there are
stored immense stocks of hops, wool, and, in the sea-
son, seeds, there is a new compact horizontal engine,
also by the Messrs. Wood, to facilitate eperations in
working the separaters and screens for cleaning the
seeds and cereals. Messrs. 'Webb have unother
in which seven pairs of stones are kept constantly at
work grinding corn, Ac. In addition to these exten-
sive works, which, together with the superintendence
of the seed farm, at Kinver, would appear to have
been enough to satisfy the enterprise of any firm.
they own a large glass manufactory, and are amongst
the most celebrated glass manufacturers in England.
At the Whitehouse Glass Works the operations of
cutting, etching, and engraving on glass were carried
on; as well as the maunfaeture of coloured and other
glass. There was in addition the peculiarly interest-
ing process of printing on glass, for which the Messrs.
Webb are the sole patentees. The visitors inspected
these works during the day, with considerable interest.
With regard to this year's root show, the most striking
feature is its vast extent, It is far larger than last year,
and probably the largest collection by • single firm in
any part of England. This may be accounted for from
the fact that seeds supplied by Messrs. Webb have already
left their mark on the prize produce of several agricultural
districts whose local shows were held this autumn. For
example, Webb's Imperial Swede—now admitted to be
the most prolific cropper known—obtained first and second
prizes at Derbyshire Agricultural Society's kilos ; first
at the exhibition of the Shensione and Weeford Agri-
cultural Is4ociation : second at the Newcastle meeting
of the Staffordshire Agricultural Society ; first at the
Cannock Show; second at the Severn Velley Farmers'
Club Show; and Lord Boston's first prize for the best
crop of swedes on his estates in Anglessey and
Carnarvonshire. For mangold, the roots from anti from
Webb and Sous secured first Immure at Sheustoue and
Weeford, and first for yellow-fleshed variety at Newcastle ;
also first for best root crop on one farm at the Severn
Valley Farmers' Club, be..

The season for root-growing has been singularly an.
propitious. Owing to the dry weather farmers were led to
expect that swede-growing would this yen be an entire
failure. There was, however, later on an improvement
in the atmospheric conditions which permitted farmers
to " hope on," and, though late, some farmers have been
able to produce good, if not pro ific crop,. This is
especially ehown in the cleans exhibited at Wordsley.
The mammoth long red mangold are marked examples
of quick growth and kindly development. The competition
was very close, and the judges had no light task to
distribute the awards. In this class the silver cup went
to Mr. Ford, of Madeley. Webb's improved Colonel
North mangold were a good class, cleanly grows tine
quality, and the season considered, fairly heavy weights.
Some splendid heavy fleshed roots were shown in this
elms by Mr. I). Tough, the farm steward of the Earl of
Warwick (Heathcote Farm, Leamington), which carried
off the first prize. These were grown on the Learning.
ton Sewage Farm, and were drawn from • crop of up-
ward. of eighty tons per acre. The Karl of Beauchamp
was awarded the third prize for a lot of superior sped.
turn, in this class. The first prize for iVebb'a selected
green globe turnip WAS awarded to Mrs. Beach of The
Halloos, with some choice examples of Staffordshire
growth. The kohlrabi were an even, good lot or roots ;
the first prize lot were small, but fine in quality. Other
exhibitors sent large but not better bulbs than the
Palmerston Colliery Company, to whom the first prize
was awarded. Webb's imperial swede was • strongly
marked feature—about ISO entries, mostly evenly-grown
and well-shaped bulbs, tilling one of the floors of the
building. They were extremely handsome specimens of
this distinct variety, and true to the principle laid down
oo its selection ago good cropper. In the other turnip
classes—lmproved Devonshire gray stone, Improved
beef•heart, yellow tankard, ,tc,—the entries were flume.
rose, and the quality excellent. Some magnificent
apecimens were shown in the carrot classes, in which, for
" any one :variety," Lord Leigh, of Stoneleigh Abbey,
took first prize with some White Belgian, of great merit.
The competition in tubers was very keen. Lord Windsor
carried off the first premium for Vebb's Red Skin Flour
Ball Potato, with some extraordinary roots; Lord Leigh
took similar honours for Peterson's Victoria variety ; and
for twent-four tubers "of any sort of potatoe not
mentioned above," Lord Windsor obtained the first prize
for a new variety, newly introduced at the /Hover Hill
farm by Messrs. Webb. This tuber has yet to be
christened ; and if we might make a suggestion, it is that
it should he called "The lord Windsor,- after the first
prize-taker. It has " royal characteristics as a vege-
table. A white potato of extraordinary quality, and al-
ready known ass prolific grower and good keeper, with
less than the ordinary tendency to diaeme. Of this sort
the firm will have a limited quantity to send out for the
next planting season.

Of the cerealo. sent out by the Messrs. Webb, the
most marked attention has been given to their 't K inver
Chevalier barley." " Webb's Challenge White Wheat,"
and'' Webb's Challenge Vhits Canadian Oats," intro-
duced last spring ; and " Webb's Prolific Black Tertsrian
Oate," first sent our last year. Of the first of these a
great grower, at Madeley (Salop), writes :—" The Kirmr
Chevalier Barley may be simply described as superb."

SATURDAY; NOV. 21, 1874.

(la's —FUr 12 Rome of Ireld,'s Selected Green Glob
Tornip :—First prize, value £2 26, Wry. Boson, Sles
flattous : Second Teri,. value £1 1.. Mr. Lobed L.
Leigh. Wim'ey ; Thirl ;val.le 10. ill, Mr. H. Bows,
Little Whislou, ...ihroviolpd, Mr. Stephen Cress-
...ll jos.. Br ms • C....mended, Mr. J .olvs Parry.
Swindon.
9. P., 12 /:
azzi, Shm, rirpip :•-le;r4 prize, v time £ o ud. Mr.
Edward Cores. Clan Park ; Second prize, voles fl I. ud,
Mr. IV alliam ea. aiLoal 11, ri E., •, v.lO. 10. 64,
Mr. G. ti. Ciriltin, Ealls Cuo, t ; Highly commanded, Mr.
William Viiblw. Woutheurue. . _

" 47;;1-0. For 12 Roo s of Webb', Imprbred Beef
—First prize, value f 2 2. ghl, Mr. William
:Nickoil.. Swancote ; Second prize, value £1 la 0.1, Mr. Y.
T. Webster, Bisliton Hall: Third prize, value 10s 6,1, Mr.
E. A lAslinal, Ilmomererich ; Highly commended, Me.
Edwad Pere. The lienfron ; Commended, Mr. Thomas
Darby, Iverley.
e/oss 11.-1 r 12 Prt.bb'a Telbac Tankard
:—First prize. value £2 2s Od, Mr. H. Bowe.
Little Whistou ; Second prize value fl la, Mews. This
Palm. rstown Colliery Company, Wyrley ; Highly ..in.
mended, Mr. W. late., Grinille House ; Cormuenffild,
Mr. Wm. Dickin, Hodnet.
('/ass 12.—For Roof, el White Iloind Turnip:—Pigal
prize, value £1 Is, Mr. W. Tates, Grind's H 0....
Reeond prize, value 10. 6, Mr. J. Rimell, Sainthary,
13.—E0.12 j:,41 01 Webb'. Nrtle fop Mean-
: male Turnip pirze, value £1 1., Not awarded.
Cla,sl4.—For 12 I:u.a, ff el eel. any OAS ganiely :
First prize value Lis lid. 'the Right IHon. Lord Leigh,
stoneleigh Abbey. Steward, Mr. H. Blewitt ; Second
prize, value 7. 6.1, Mr. Wall, Acton Beauchamp.
Oass 15. tie ISpcciaooo (lob's Clamtpuol Drum-
luaul Cow Cabbage :—First Prize, value 15s, Mr. Alfred
Parkes, the Heath; Second prize, value 7s 61, Mr. E.
Lewis, Whitienge.
(his, 16.—F0 21 Tuber 6 ttf MlA's Si.in Flair
flail Potatae : —First prize value los lid. The Right Hon.
Lord Windsor, Howell Grange, Bailiff, Mr. F. W. Dyteh ;
Seeend price, value 3., Mr. James Nickolls, Tuck dill ;
, Highly Commended, Mr. Samuel Nutt. Ocubcraley ; Coin.
mended, Mr. Sampson Bird, Austelille.
Chi's 17.—E, 21 Tubers ,Lf American Early lies,
rotatoe: : —First prize, value 10s 6d, Mr. H. Bowe, Little
Whistan ; Second price. value 55., Not awarded.
Clasa 10. —Ear •24 Taber, of l'ocreon's Victoria Pula
to( :—First prize, value 10. 64, The Right Hon. Lord
Leigh, Stoneleigh Abbey, Steward, Mr. kl. Blewitt ; Soc.
ond prize. value 51, Mr. E. A. Ashman, Hammerwieh ;
Highly commended, Messrs. J. Bradley and Co., Shut
End ; Commended, Mra. Davies, Ilarringtou Hall.
Class 111.--For 24 Tubers ty. any tort r I l'atatue sn.4
nolaionatl aborc :—First prize, value los 64, 'the Right
Hon. Lord Windsor. Hewell Grange, Bailiff, Mr. P. W.
Diach. _

.-•--
PRIZES FOR ROOT CROPSHOrn to the United King-
dom.)—Judge, Mr. W. Yates. tirindle House, Shilnal.—
Class I".—For the best crop of not less than fire acres
of Webb's Imperial Swede : let priee, • silver cop value
.glo toe., Messrs. W. and E. iirilSths, Boinew ; weight
per acre, 01 tons 3ewt. 2qrs. 2 (lbs. ; grown with Edward
Webb and Sous special manure, without the aid of farm
yard manure. For the second best crop of live agree •
Weblis' Imperial Swede: '2nd prize, a silver eup, value
five guineas, Mr. W. S. Joberas, Hint.; weight per Imre,
25 tone, lucwt 2qrs., Sibs ; grown with lest of Webbs'
special manure, without the aid of farmyard manure.
For the third best crop of Webb.' Imperial Swede, grog*
with the aid of Webb.' special BMWS, drd price, • enp
yahoo £3 Is., the Mitdeley Wood Colliery Company, Ho.
mar Farm, lair Mihail; farm steward, Mr. T. O. Ylet-
cher. Class 2s.—For the host crop of not less than Wirmi
acre* of Yellow &Hobe Ilsogolds, grows with the all el
Edward Webb and Sons' apecial manure, a silver sap
value £3 54., Messrs. IV. and J. Perry. Action Pigott.
The judges were Mr. C. Mendell, of Charbury, Broshain
Ur. it. 13. Masten, of Pendeford, Wolverhampton ; Mr.
Hording, of Colchurst Manor. Market Drayton ; and Mr.
J. P. Parrott, of Weston 'Turrillm Tried.
, The Priv, Boots will be eshibillol on stolid lA. at
the forthcoming Cattle and Boot Show all Bingley
Birmingham ; and on stand 43 at the Smithfield Club
! Show. London.