The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-09-13 00:00:00

Vorsetsbirr.

DORSET ASSOCIATION FOR Tag IIIPROVE•
MENT or THI CONDITION or rug
LABOURLNO CLASSES.

The annual exhibition of vegetables, he., in con- I
nection with this society was held in the Corn
Exchange on Tuesday hut, which was tastefully
decorated for the occasion. The show was un-
doubtedly • very good one, and such as to surpass
general expectation, considering the unfavourable
nature of the weather for the growth of vegetables
generally. There were u usual mine excellent
specimens of home-made bread, which very naturally
attracted • greet deal of attention. The needle-
work also exhibited under the auspices of this society I
was, we understand, unexceptionable in point of
exultance, and showed that great care is taken in
promoting this very useful branch of domestic skill
and industry.
The garden produce in the Corn Exchange having
been inspected by the public from one to two o'clock,
a numerous company then assembled in the large
room above to hear the observations of the speakers,
and to witness the distribution of the prizes. The
labouring classes were well represented by the
attendance of many decently.ebul and respectable
persons of both sexes, who appeared to evince much
interest in the whole of the proceedings. Amongst
the friends and patrons of the society we observed:
—The High Sheriff snit Mrs. Fellowes and party,
the Venerable Archdeacon Buckle, Mrs. Buckle and
party, the Rev. Talbot Baker, the Rev. Sir James
E. Phillips, Mrs. Jones, Lady Michel, Rev. A. G.
S. Shirley, Mrs. Shirley, Rev. J. M. Colson, Mrs.
England, Rev. T. W. Knipe, Mrs. Knipe, Rev. M.
J. Green, Mrs. Green, George Warry, Fig., Mrs.
Warry, Mims Harbin, H. N. Middleton, Fag., Mrs.
kliddleton and party, Mrs. Eliot and party, Rev. E.
Ludlow, Rev. F. Fisher, Dr. Hawkins and party,
the Mayor of Dorchester (H. Lock, Fag.), Miss Foot,
Rev. J. P. F. Davidson, Mrs. Davidson, Rev. V.
D. Vyvyan, Rev. Bendish, Rev. if. B. Williams,
Rev. T. J. Brown, ke. The chair was occupied by
the Rev. C. W. Bingham.

The CIAIRICAIS said he did not at all feel as if he were
in his right place that day. If their good friend the
president, Ile Poreher, were there, lie would perhaps
quote the words of his favourite poet, and tell them—
"home men achieve greatness—some men have great-
ness theist upon them. Now, he was in the position
to-day of having had greatness thrust upon him. The
case stood thus: The president of the society, as many
were doubtless aware, had recently through God's pro-
vidence, been laid aside from all active duties by •
severe attack of nixes, and his physicians had desired
him to abstain from all such public) meetings as the
present. He believed nothing could grieve him more
than to be absent from them that day. Upon that, he
Pomba.) looked about to find • substitute • but he
the ohatimsn) was sorry to say that many, who would
me Wed the post more appropriately than he could,
absolutely refused to have anything to do with the mat-
ter; he did nos know the reason, but so it was. Mr.
Pincher, in hi extremity, then applied to him, and as
be liked be do what be meld to aid such • kind friend as
Br. Percher had ever been to hiss, be did not long hesi-
tate in accepting the invitation to sit in that chair as
his substitutes. He was sure they would join with him
in uprooting • hope that their president would soon be
restored, so that his doctors might withdraw their pre-
sent embargo, and enable him to appear in his proper
position on the next, and on many future occasions.
Now, if he said that he hesitated at all about taking the
chair that day it was certainly not from any indifference
to the like of this society. It was an institution in
which, from its foundation, be had always taken great
intense, and be believed be had attended as many of the
anneal and committee meetings as any other individual
connected with this society. He always thought this
anniversary was one of the pleaeantest end brightest
days of the year. Everybody seemed to be happy on
this day. The potty were happy, and they had good
reason to be aci, because they were the means of confer-
ring happiness upon others; and the lower orders were
haelie. became they were receiving that pleasure and
at th happiness. The winner* were happy, bemuse they
had got prime,— and he did not know that the losers
were very unhappy for he was sure that in many cases
they had the comartable *Deviation that, if the judges
had only seen their articles in the right light, they would
be ma to have won the prim, or at all events if their's
happened to be number two, number two was not so far
behind number one. (Hear, bear.) Now be did not
mean to say that the society was • perfect society—we
could not And that In anything human—end there was
one cause of regret from year to year. namely, the lack
of ompetition. The judges had informed the committee
that the vegetable show this year was not so large se in
preceding yeses. He believed this was in some measure
to be accounted for by the dry character of the season,—
still be thought those who inspected the room below
would be unshed that their labour had not been vain,
even in oompe.riaon with former years. (Hear, bear.)
The want competition, however, was the thing they
had to regret. There were several parishes on the list
which never appeared on this occasion. He could not
understand this matter. He could not understand why
every parish should not compete. As far as he was
able to learn, the only objection made was, that if the
clergyman of the parish, and the little committee
he might form for the examination of the allotments
previous to the visit of the inspectors,—that if they
recommend certain allotment& and cottages they
awakened jealousies in the minds of the people. But
he had lived long enouli in the world to know that if
we would do people good, we must do it in spite of
themselves, and not care for any of those little diffi-
culties which might stand in the way. The feet was, if
they did not feel jealous upon this subject they would
probably exercise that feeling upon something elec. He
was satisfied that this was a mere visionary objection,
and if people would only set themselves to work in an
honest and conscientious spirit to benefit their poorer
neighbours, all these little troubles would vanish like
clouds before the sun. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) He
was happy to say, however, that if the society lacked
somewhat in competition, it had its imitators. He
understood that an institution somewhat on time model
of their own had been established at Besininster, and
had already held one or more meetings. It also hap-
pened that that very day • society of • similar character
held its first show at Blandford. Ho rather wished
the two meetings had not clashed, because there were
many present, doubtless, who would have wished to
have visited the daughter society, and so might have
gained a few hints for the improvement of the old lady
at home. (Hear, hear.) In this happy country we had
great caner for thankfidneis. It pleased Gosl, from
year to year, to allow us to gather in our harvest, and
to take in the (rune of the earth in due season ; whilst
other nations, not very far distant, were reaping the ill
Mime of the horrible scourge of war which had lately
devastated them. He hoped God would long preserve
us from so frightful • visitation; yet if it should come,
it ought to find us prepared. And bore he would
express his regret—which their worthy president would
also have expressed had he been present—that the sub-
ject of arming the country had not been more warmly
taken up in Doreetabire. He (the chairman) was one
of them who believed in the words of seripture—" When
• strosg man armed keepsth his home, his goods are at
mem' Ha wanted to see the " strong num armed"
keeping our house. Not bemuse be loved war—he
bated ik—not Mame be wished to see pesos broken,
bei become he wished to see it pe in our own
and other lands. It was not for want of martial
spirit is our county, that we had not espoused the
011101141 warmly, beams we had produced many brave
and noble warriors, to whom, however, he would not
farther ailed* in the presence of deer friends. He did
not know how it was, bet there did not seem to be the
proper spirit awakened in our county—with the excep-
tion of ftridport, there had not been that patriotic
expression aroused which we so much desired to sm.
Home people laid the blame upon persons in authority,
who, they stated, had thrown cold water upon the
subject, If so, he was sorry for it. On the other hand
he was glad to see that their worthy President had
beaded the list of subscriptions for the
as e defence of the
country with ei 00. (Ap use.) He hoped it w not
too late, but that we might yet see the useful recreation
of rifle shooting adopted amongst us. (Hear, hear.)
Little more remained for him to do, except to convey—
▪ he was sere they would wish to have moseyed—
their thanks to the many friends of the institution who
had rendered it their assistance, and who had so
cordially and heartily given it their co-operation. They
ought to Weak their worthy president for the kind
"'femme ta• always took in the institation, and he
was certain they would express with one accord
their sanesthopes that he might, by God's biasing,
be
Perieltbel to preside over the meeting next
year, and on many future anniversaries. (Hem,
Lear.) Timm was also another gentlemen W 'haw
Ida thanks of the amity were due. Hs believed they
were little aware what an active officer they had in Mr.
Kinderslay, or bow entirely the welfare of the society
depended upon his constant and untiring exertions.
The committee met two or three times • year, and at
their annual ineeting,—but Ite. supdendey was always
at work, year after year, and be thought they would bs
able to see from the flourishing condition of the society,
the good effects of his services. On that amount, he
(the elisinsan) felt certain they would join with him in
their boarty thanks for his exertions in this
=6:B7lApplaues.) Then, they not to forget
the lades, who hail so kindly • the needlework
exhibited by the oompetitors. Fur his part, he should
hive been excessively puzzled to ham given an opinion
upon the merits of this department ; t the ladies__
many of whom had mine from distant parts of the
county—had assisted the committee, and had given
awards which be hoped would be satisfactory to every
one concerned. If their judgments had not given satis-
faction, it certainly ought to do so, foe it had been
honestly and patiently wandered. (Hear, hear.)
Thanks were also due to the inspectors of this year,
whom office, to decide between the many admirable al-
lohnenta and excellent cottages was no 'immure- "'eh'
duties were often of • difficult nature, and the gentle-
men who had acted in this capacity were deserving the
thanks of the society, which he now tendered in its name.
In concluding his remarks, be would remind them of an
old saying—so old that some good people fancied it came
from the Bible—namely, " Cleanliness is next to godli-
ness." He thought they might venture to make a new
one, and say Industry is next to godliness." In fact it
was, to • certain extent, the fruit of godliness. We
found that the heathen, when converted from its natu-
rally idle and savage slate, became industrious under the
influence of religion. This was roved in • marked
meaner in Western Africa and in hew Zealand. There
NMI, from the nature of the climate, and other mums,
were naturally idle, but under the influence of godliness
they had become enterprising and industrious. He of
comes did not mean to say this was an absolute rule.
He would remind them, however, that their very indus-
try in terePoral things would rise min judgment against
them, if they were careful sod troubled about earthly
things, and careless about their immortal souls. Lot
hies, before be sat down, put the odium questions—
" What shall it profit • man if he gain the whole world
sad'ees hales soul?---es what shall • min give in ex-
-I",getr soal r The reverend gentleman then
estiesiog the nein al the awitiou 'h.
SitßS gl.tbreemliveltedatz theln
2 the Laboureri hymeneal Ikelety. (Ap-
plause.)

As is usual at these meetings the National Anthem
was now sung by the omispeuy, and the sweet voices of
souse of the helieo rendered the performance a very
pleasing interlude.
E. L. KINDIOIBI. T. Esq. acknowledged the compli-
ment. lie said the president, if he were present, would
he able to express in better terms than he could in his
behalf, his genre of the manner in which they had re-
ceived the kind words regarding him which had fallen
from their expellent chairman. Fur himself, he could
only say he wished the praise bestowed were better de-
served. He could nut but think that the Chairmen had
drawn a picture of whet • secretary ought to be, rather
than what he was in the pre wilt GUN. In one respect,
however, the Chairman lAA Hut belied him, Biel that
was in the interest he took in the society. He admitted
that hiss feelings had not been overstated in this matter,
and he cougratulated sincerely the members of the society
, upon its present prosperous condition. It had sustained
thirteen years of trial, and they had now got 31 parishes
I steadily couipeting fur the prises offered to their notice.
I The power of this society was great, and the results of ito
, labours had been unquestionably good. There were
some ready to say, however, that it had also • power
for evil. There existed in the minds of many, • strong
feeling that the admission of competition into within
was the signal for the entrance of jealousy and bitter •
heart burning's. Far be it front him to think lightly of
the introduction of such feelings as he had mentioned ;
but if these sentiments were to prevail, where were we
to find a substitute for the only stimulus we possessed
for the encouragement of education, and of progressive
improvement? Where was the parish, where was the
school where this stimulus of competition was not in ac.
tive exercise' Where should we find a parish or school
where emulation was not excited, either by the rewards of-
leech, or by the desire to obtain the good opinion of others,
the master of the school it inight be, or the clergyman, or
the squire' There was no place where that stimulus, pro-
perly encouraged and controlled did not tend to gaud, and
to promote the welfare of the people. He felt this to be
the feet most conclusively, and he wished others could
see with him. (Hear, hear.) He would now turn to
the prim list, mid call the attention of those present to
Class A, the best cultivated allotments, gardens, lie.
He, himself, had inspected two of the districts this
year, and he could fairly say, as a rule, that the culti-
vation of the allotmenta and the cleanliness of the cot-
tages WWI Toot creditable. (Hear, hear.) Of course
there were inany cases where the reverse might be said.
For instance, he had seen some allutieenta bristling with
I thistles (laughter), while the one adjoining—and there-
fore labouring under great disadvantage—was in &dull-
, able order, and evinced a great amount of rare end
I skill. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the condition of
I the cottages, it was delightful—nothing could equal it.
In Class B. the judges of vegetables bad desired him to
announce that sonic of the growers of potatoes had been
disqualified on account of not complying with one of
the conditions, namely, that of supplying a dish of
boiled ones with the samples, so that the judges might
be enabled to pronounce as to their boiling qualities,
as well as to their size and appearance. Some of the
onions had also been disqualified on account of their not
. . .

being ripe, and therefore not in proper condition to
judge of their quality. As regarded the other vege-
tables exhibited, lie believed the judges' opinion was that
the show was not equal to former occasions. The dry.
nese of the season had doubtless contributed to this
result, u it had retarded the growth of vegetables,
especially in light sandy soils. Towards the end of this
class there were three prizes to which he wished to call
attention)—these were for honey. He was certain that
there was no article in which the poor man could invest
money more profitably than in this, and yet it was
sadly neglected. Again, those who did keep bees, col-
lected there produce in such a way as to destroy three'
parts of the hive, to say nothing of the cruelty of burn-
ing them, ss was the common custom. It was sad,
when one neighbour asked another how much honey he
had obtained during the season, to hearth, reply—"!
have not burnt my bees yet." From his experience of
the modern mode of handling bees, he could say it was
far more profitable and humane than burning them.
He had himself taken this year from one hive—a top
box as it was termed, constructed of wood, and placed on
the top of the hire—thirty-five pounds of virgin honey,
which was • good return from one hive. By thus
practising improved methods he was enabled to be in
advance of his neighbours when the season began, for
he had saved all his bees, while they had lost three-
fourths of theirs. It was true, the hive wee • little
more expensive than the ordinary ones, but be had
ascertained that they could be constructed for five or
six shillings. He should be happy to give any hints or
advice in the new management to those who might
wish to leani something of it. With regard to Class C,
he admitted there was not much competition. In fact,
it was sadly neglected. Capital prizes were offered in
this clam, and he had no doubt but that, if each
member of the society would look round him in the
course of the year he had no doubt the lists would be
speedily filled up. The competition in class I) had
been, this year, very good. A case from Milboume
called for special mention. In the prises for needle-
work there had been a little falling off, but this was
probably owing to the districts in this class having been
done away with, in that smaller parishes were perhaps
disinclined to enter into competition with the larger, as
they supposed greater facilities existed in these for
obtaining the prizes. This, however, had proved to be
a wrong view of the case, for the smaller parishes had
turned out to be the most successful. In conclusion,
he would add, with regard to Mr. Porther, that the
doctors (as before stated) had restricted his attendance
at any public meetings for some time to come, but
there was every prospect, he was happy to say, of his
returning to his place amongst them on the next anni-
versary. ( A pplause.)
The awards were then distributed amongst the sue-
ocean' competitors as follows :

iLLOTIIRTI, , AID CO1tA011:11.

For the four best cultivated allotmenta in the respective
dlstricta, not being km than quarter acres, 10e. cach.—Charles
Randall. Stafford, John Squibb Boekhampton ; William Grit-
shell, Martinatown Thomas Dswnton, ; George 0111,
Radipole ; Henry Hallett, Radipole ; Henry Harris, Itadipok ;
James Thorn, Preston ; Matthew Spracklin, Preston ; Elizabeth
Wellman, Woodshed • Philip White, temington ; James
Paul, eismington ; Charles Priestley, Broadway; Janus
Puckett, Tincleton ; Charles Way, Tolpuddle ; Job Wm, Tot-
puddle ; George etiekley, Ililborne ; Charlotte Durrant, Buck-
land Newton: William English, Little Minterne • Richard
Styles. Maiden Newton ; %Vb.= Dunford, Longbredy ; George
Ellery, Longbredv • Obadiali Barrett. Littlebredy.
For the four iie.t cultivated allotments or cottage gardens
in the respective districts, being ler than quarter scree, 7s.
sash—Elba Reed, Stafford : John Bishop, Bockhampton ;
Levi Diusent, Steepleton ; George HalleU, Bredlord • James
Bartlett, Winterborne ; John Fooko, Predou ; Thomas
Browne, Preston; George Downton, Osmington ; Charles
eok, Osinington , Thomas Ayles, Bincombe ; George King,
Bincombe ; Owen Robins, Tincleton ; Edward Daniel, To.
puddle Benjamin Roper, Tolpuddle Benjamin Spicer, Tol-
puddle Geopge Tuck, Piddiehinton ; James Way, Piddle-
Milton Sydenharn Burgh, Piddlehinton ; Janscs George, Pid-
dlchinton ; William Foot, Ill:stern< ; George Paully,
MU.-
tern. ; Joan Lovelace, Frome Vauchumb ; John Jamb,
Fenno Vauchurch ; James Courtenay, Sydling ; Charles
Bridle, Sydling ; Maria Neale, Longbredy ; George Groves,
Littlebredy ; John Grey Littlehredy ; William Watts, Compton
Valence.

'7E)—tbe cottager's rife or widow whose house and preniass
shall have been kept in the tidiest and cleanest state, regard
being had to the nunibcr of children (the four bast in each
district), 100. cach.—Betsey &peer, Stafford; Elisabeth
Churchill, Wintarbeene ; Mary Bartlett, Winterbonse ; J•ne
Richards, Bradford; Jane Austell, Bradford; Pitcher,
Preston ; Conway, Preston; Ann Loyclace, Bincnnibo ;
Sophia Sundae, Ounington ; Louisa Downton, Oerningion ;
Marla White, Oenington ; Mary Warren, Tbiciatun ; Din
Crumpler, 71nelaton ; Susanna Rigp, Malcom)* Hose;; Fanny
Hari* Suborn.; Louisa Foot, Buckland Newton : Mary Mu
Buckland Newton ; Ann Fox, Sixteen.; Mary Wells,
Mlnic•nie Mari Efloty, Longbredy ; Jane Palmer, LitUe-
Leidy ; Ann Slade, Littlebredy ; Elias Watts, Llttlebredy.
TROST Ann. emir. maw, te.

pukes, Ant, 6.. John Toogood, Tolnutklie • second, 4a,
gams Robin. 'indict°. ' • third, b. dd.. Cbales Way, Tol-
puddle. Uoderground Onions, Ara, 5d.. Edward Dealell, Tol-
• vetoed, 4a., George Derrick, Mllborne ; third, b. dd.,
Y:sktUess bake, luddle. Carrots, Ant, b.. James Squibb,
Stingier!! ; .so 4a.. Charles Way, Teipuddlo ; third, b. dd.,
William Ricketts, Standard; Parsnip, Ann, 5.., John Too-
mood. Tolpuddle ; tecond, U., Charles Way, Tolpuddle ; third,
Is. ed. Susan Robins, Tineiston. Beetroot. first, Si., ~ LA
, flthislord ; wooed, 45., John Pry, Lonerbredy. Rut&
first, be., Lug Rioneil. &lambed • second. 44. Jewel
Stinsford , third, to. &1.. John ehamberlayne, Stun..
lord. Cabbage% Ara, 65., William Palmer, Llttiebredy ;
...ad, Is., William Crow, Tolpuddla ; mond, to. id., John
Paully, Minterne. Rod mbb.gm, Sm., ler I Bused', Stamford.
Savoys, but, 6.., Jamcs Squibb, @Raeford ; second, 4., Win.
Dumferd, Longbredy. Turnips, fin& fla., Wlllkuu Cram Tol-
puddle ; awned, to. dd., John Slade, Binghanl's Holcombe.
Peas, Int, , John Paull'', llinterne second. ts. Jame.
Squibb, Htlnsford ; third. Is. dd.. Lati Rummell, Stlimdord.
Broad Ream, lint, U., Levi Rowell. Stamford tetood. tr..
lune. Squibb. Stindord. Early potatoes, ant, 5., Willlams
Ricketta, Stinshird ; mcond, 4., June. Squibb, Stlndonl,
late potato... first, M., John Paully, Mlnterne ; second. In,,
Mil Rummell, Stamford. I( idnoy Potato.% first, John
Miaterne: tamed, es., John Slade, Bingbames Mel-
oombe. Honey, find, M., JUIN/ Charted, Hailington : second,
4., Hemp Cot, Llttlebrody ; third, Is. dd., Leri
Stinsdord. Heatemeek Bread, first fid., Saodrin Sleds, Bing'
ham'. Macomb. and Martha Rumford, Longbied, I 05031",
4.., Elisabeth Randall, Steßord, and Ann Trey., Staidord
third, b. dd., Mary Rigp, Bangbanis Macomb., and Elisa-
beth Read, Stafford.