The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-10-27 00:00:00

MELPLAISH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of this flourishing West Dorset
Society took plans on Friday last, and the proceedings
were attended with gratifying success. The show of
stock was superior to that of any previous year. Mr. J.
PitSehl had an v•pvcially grand lot of beasts, and car-
ried off all the honours in the cattle class. For the
sheep prizes Mr. W. Dommett, Mr. W. Tucker, Mr. J.
Fooks, Mr. J. Pope, and othen entered the lists. and
achieved success, and the horned sheep of Mr. A. J.
Pitfield, shown as extra etock, were awarded no less
than three prizes. The ploughing match brought out
the skill of the West Dorset ploughwen, and some
capital work was dope. The judges made the following
•wardsr—
Roors.—os, given by .1. Gundry, Esq., for best throe acre
a Swedes, Mr. J. Way, Bradpole. AS given by R. D. 1.11
E.', for the best general root crop, not km than 12 scree, Mr.
J. Way. LS, given by Mr. J. Way, for four 110.01 of COMIII4
turnip., the manure to have been purchase.] of him. Mr. J.
l'itneld. Symondsbury. CS, given by Mr. H. J. Smith, for
two acres .4 mangoid trurtael, the manure to have been pur..
ehue.l of bun, Hr. A. J Eype; 2n4, 021. Mr. J.
Mital. C,given by Mr. If. J. smith, for four acres Reed,
the manure pureha.e.l .4 Hui, Mr. Parmitar, Helpilahl;
o.ort ; 2nd, LI, Mr. KG. Lei:v.o.mb. Down.
. _ _ . _

I.toe giren-lIW B. P. Owsdry. Eq.—Cl 10..
to Jdm Trott, shepherd to Mr. J. Pope, thittooddtury ;
June. Men Ile, .hepherd to Mr. J. Way, Bradpole: 10..,
Ihehard Slade, shepherd
.to Mr. J. C. rook., Cent. Abbe!,

Ilugma.—Ll pry, b, T. C..l.ft.a. En.-41 t 0... Henry
limbla., Jun., %errant to Mr. Noah 81.1.0 p, Melptth;
Slnicon I',-. mrrant to Mr. J. Pope; t:1 'Moms, While,
wrvant to Sir. J. Bradford; LI, William Ta3lor, servant to Mr.
A. J. Pitileltl.

ifioca.—lloraa: Pair of airricultiaral horsey, £2, Mr. .1.
Pit&ld. Cart oilt,under 3 }cam CI, Mr. W. 11. Deakins.
Wy :don' Eagle. Ilea hack cob, under 3 year., LI, Mr. E. 0.
Legg.—Cort/e. 8011, any breed or age, 1/2, Mr. J. Pitfleld ;
thrre dairy vow. any breed or age. C 2. Mr. J. Pitlield; [air of
. heifer., 2 year .4 I, Any breed, al, Mr. J. Meek]; pair of
loafer., one year old, any breed, Cl. Mr. J. MAME -Sheep:
More rem... Yalta LI, Mr. W. Desmoset, ilmadelmar : Mr.
J. Pitdeld commended. Twelve horn ewes, £2, Mr. W. Tucker.
Twenty chilver horii lamb.. £2, Mr. W. Tucker. Twelve Down
ewe., Cf, Mr. J. looks ; Mr. J. Pope commended. Twenty
I dints.? Down hunt., Mr. J. Pope—Ester Stork: CIO
by the Society and ICI by 11. P. Gundry Esq.. for Down,
lambs, not competed for.—Mr. W. Pareuiter, Ct
for let now and CI for two colts; Mr. A. J. Pitileld, CI for
born rain, .C 1 for nut lambs, 1;2 for 12 horn ewes; Mr. J.
Pope, £2, for IS be., cue.; Mr. J. Pltlield, LI, for throe
dairy cows, £1 for three befer calve., and CI for pony. P';;;s:
Boar, any age, CI, Mr. .3. Davy, Tonilover ; sow, Cl, Mr. J.
Dewy, Tondover ; sow. Cl, Mr. J. Bowyer, Nelplaish; three
young sow., C I , Nr. J. Bowyer.
Coati—Seek .4 white wheat, LI, Mr W. Parmiter ; red
wheat, CI, Mr. W. Do 1111 l vett ; barley, LI, Mr. A. J. Pitdeld.
Puautusti. /IXII Class for Men : L 2. Cheri. Elliott,
sers ant to Mr. J. Pitflel.l. and 10.., given by Mr. Brown Bel-
pisish. the maker .4 the plough. Men, oho have not
previously won • Red prise : £2, Richard Kendall, in the
...nice of Mr. A. J. 'Weld, and l U. Mr. Bruen, Slelplaish,
U.. maker 14 the plough ; Ina, John cram, io tle sgrs
.4 Mr. W. Pope, C,rce.mbo; LI floury [hart, in the wen-ice
1.1 Mr. C. W. iie,iiiC ; 10s., nn.snav Paraotis, in the eervloe
14 the executors of the late Mr. Conway. Boy. ,LI, Ch ries
Pencil. In the senlie of Mr. J. W. Way ; William heard,
in the service r 4 Mr. W. Parmiter.
SVlVacc—Male servant in husbandry, LI. Thomas Hardt,
tid years servant to N.. W. 11. Dawkins; 10.. Henry Dunn. V(
year., servant to the late Mr. Conway. Female servant in
husbandry, CI, Isabella Courtney, 401 yearn senwnt to Mr. W.
Parmiler ; 10.. Lory Day, 31., years errvant 10 Mr. J. Pope. To
the servant in htplandry who hss respectably tinniest np the
greatest noniber of children with the smallest proportion 1.1
pan.chial relief —Simeon Seen!, in the ferrite of Mr. W
Partniter ; second, 105. Willi.= Taylor, in the service a Mr.
A. J.
The supporters of the society and their friends
numbering about 120 diced together at three o'clock,
in • commodious shed winch Host Toms had provided,
behind the Melplaish Inn. Joseph Gundry, E.g., of
The Hyde, presided,with Jobn Pope, Esq.' of Symonds.
bury, in the sive-chair, and at the bead of the table we
also noticed the Lion. and Rev. Spring Rice (Refiner.
bury), Benjamin Gondry, Esq. W.
Melplaish Court, N. If. Lenin, •Capthin Edwards,
Ist D.B.V. T. Codes, Esp., J. C. Peek., Req., he.
The usual loyal toasts having been received with due
enthusiasm,
The CHAIRMAN proposed the " Bishop and clergy •f
the Diocese," speaking in eulogistic terms of tie
character of the Bishop of Salisbury, and of the seal
evinced by the clergy in the diocese. The toast was
cordially reeeived.
The lion. and Rev. A. SPRING Rice respoeded in a
lengthy speech, in the course of which he pointed out
that the shurch consisted not merely of the clergy, but
the clergy and laity cumbined—(ebeers)—and the church
could only snowed aa an instrument for good so long as
both parties united in One Common purpose, lie did
not 'consider clergymen should endeavour to assert •
superiority over the laity, because they were men of
like Fiances and feelings with others ; still, they ought
ist al times to be ready to give the beet conned and
advice to those over whom they had been placed, by
Providence, as the ministers of religion. A great deal
had been said and written of late in regard to the
church being in danger, and of a likelihood that the
church would be separated from the State; but he did
not join in those Nara, for be thought there was no
prospect of the church in England being disestablished.
Re did not believe the &teethed members of that
church, or honest thinking sliseenters, desired that
object ; but the question bore a totally different aspect
when applied to Ireland. There • majority of the poen.
lation were Roman Catholics, and he felt assured the
church would be in a healthier and stronger position if
State aid were withdrawn than at present. Still be
weld not help thinking w far as this country is con-
cerned, it would be beeeficial both to Church and State
that they should remain united—(cheers). Speaking on
the question of education ho felt convinced that the
means of instruction afforded to the poor of this
country were not what they should be. lie did not
advocate raising the labourer above his station, but he
contended that every Man should have sufficient
education to enable him to read his Bible, to come
~,,,njeaue with hie friends, and to know the value of
money. These simple matters he did not think the
peasantry were acquainted with at the present time—
(hear, hear). He knew • prejudice existed in some
minds against compulsory education, but he did not
think it was • general opinion, and he hoped to we
some measure brought forward in the next Parliament,
whereby the half•timesystem adopted in the msnufacture
ing districts could be brought into vogue. Most of the
agricultural labourers at present depended on night.
schools but thew, he urged, did not meet the necessities
of the Case, lie also said there was a vast sum of
money available for the middle classes, which was not
putho the best use, and he urged thme reform in reseed
to the grammar and secondary schools in the gauntry.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the "Army, Navy, and
Volunteers," the tout being responded to by Litutem
ant B. P. COMMIT for the militia, and by Captain
EDWARDM for the volunteer serene.
Mr. T. COLPOR gave the "Lord Lieutenant and
Magistrates of the county of Dorset," paying a high
tribute to the merits of the F.arl of Shaftesbury,
end the manner in which the 1" great unpaid"
discharged the various duties they were called on to
f fil (o hears).
Mr. li. P. GI'SDRT responded to the toast, saying the
best possible reward the magistrates mold receive in
return for their endeavours to do their duty, was to
meet with public approbation inch as was always
accorded to them on 00CaM001 like the present—
(applause).
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the toast of the evening,
and he wished the eomprinly cordially to join him in
drinking "Snowsuit° the Meplaish Agricultural Society'
--(applause). Since the Society had been established he
eareet bad been one of uninterrupted prosperity, which
be thought was all the more gratifying to them seeing
they resided in the far west of the county, away from
the most important centre' districts. Every year
brought • greater degree of rumor, and he considered
the high position width the association held in the
ethate, WM to be altribaleg to the energy and eeterprie•

leg spirit of the tenant farmers of that neighbourhood.
He had been told by those who were competent to form
so opioion that their show of cattle and sheep excelled
those of any previous years—Near, basil—that • finer lot
of puriebeed Devon beasts were never befoie witnessed
at any of our local aliows—(applause). The jedges if
the root crops hal also intimated to him that even
putting aside the fact of the unfavourable session
the crops wire most cieditable, and be had himself
seen some remarkable fine specimen, exhibited on the
show ground that day. He considered they might well he
proud of the position the society held in the county, and
he hoped it would continue in the career of soccer and
prosperity upon which it had entered—(ohrrers). The
ploughing matches had turned out highly satisfactory,
and moreover the distribution of so many premiums
amongst the deserving poor must be contlacsirs of thii
grab:at possible advantage of the locality. He coupled
with the toast the name of Mr. J. Pope—(sheAgiall)•
Mr. Pon, in responding, rid he could heartily
corroborate and confirm the sentiments expressed by
their worthy chairman that the animals shown that day
by the society were not to be surnamed by any in the
runty or indeed in the West of Entennd—(epplause)
The society was formed with the objeet of rewarding
merit wherever it might arise, in the several branches of
agneultural industry. He was glad to he able to attend
these anniversary gathering', brans* there they had an
Opportunity of detailing to each other the experience
which they had derived in the past year. What hat
bur the trait of the season just closed ? They must
be gratsful to Providence for having blessed them with
a bountiful harvest. and they had also been favoured
with beautiful weather fee the in-gathering of the hay
crop. Thom, who were practical men would agree with
bini when he said the hay had been sawed in magnificent
condition, whilst the crop of wheat was one of the finest
they had ever known. Some of the samples exhibited
at the show tn•day weighed no less than 13 score 41b.
and 13 score Glb. per sack ; Anil soma of the barley
weighed as much as It score lfilb. per sank—(theere).
He considered that was a highly satisfactory stets of
things, considering also that present primes were re.
ninnerative. They might depend upon it farmers were
never so well off as when they could produce a
moderately good crop, and dispose of it at a fair return
for their outlay--(liese hear). There wire several
important questians before the (*entry at the present
time, some of which affected the interests of the
agricultural body. 040 of the Chambers of Agriculture
in the North of England had thought it desirable that
three main questions should be submitted to the eon'
sideration of candidates for representation, viz., the
means of securing this country against • recurrence of
the eattJe-plague, the establishment of financial boards,
and the repeal of the malt tax—(cheera). He wee very
sorry they were not honoured with the present* of one
of the county members to.day, so that try might have
been able to asc retain their opinions In regard to these
momentous matters—(bear, hear). Ile concluded by
again congratulating the satiety upon the successful
issue of that day, and trusted that those who bad been
unsuccessful lin the {competitions would not be those
who "fought and ran away," without coming back
again in pod humour to engage ln future competitions
—(•pplause).
The Hon. and Rev. Segurc Ricg next gave the
"Health of the President," which was most entho•
elastically received.
Mr. .1. GUNDILT expressed his unfeigned thanks for
the flattering reeertion they had been pleased to accord
to him, not only en this bat on many previous occasions
when he had been privileged to meet them at the
festive board. He was glad always of the opportunity
of attending these meetings, because they had been the
means of his acquiring no little of that knowledge of
agriculture which it was eseentiai an English gentle-
man thould possess. Speaking on the questions to
which his excsllent friend Mr. Pope had referred, be
said they would all agree with him that the first tax
which should in juries be repealed was the malt tax
—(cheers). Ile believed in that most distinctly; but at
the came time he must couple with it this condition—
it was of no use to remove that tax if by so doing they
would be obliged to put on another that would be just
as bardensoine—(hear, bear). Still the first impost
that should be taken off the shoulders of the agricul-
tural interests, if it could be done consistently with
justice. should be the malt duty—(arces). He also
agreed with Mr. Pope as to the establishment of county
financial boards, upon the principle that those who
contributed to the rates should have a voice in their
expenditure. Ile believed this would be one of the
questions which would be dealt with early in the next
session of Parliament. Still be did not bel•eve that
when the tenant farmers were joined with the magis-
trates in the administration of the county finances.
there would lie any greater economy, or that any great
using of money would be effected, ho concluded by
proposing "The health of N. M. Loggin, Earl.," the
excellent honorary secretary of the association—
(*been).
Mr. N. 11. LonGie having briefly returned thanks
for the oompliwent which had been paid to him by
the company, read over the names of the successful
competitors, and the prises were distributed by the
chairman in acoordance with the list given above.
"The healths.of the judges" was next proposed by
the CH knouts, and responded to by Mr. BKVI6II, Yr.
J. ItgAoga, and Mr. ToLuggx.

The CHAIRMAN then proposed "The bealths of the
successful candidates," which was well received, and
the toast was responded to by Mr. JOHN PITFIBLD. or
§ymondsbury, Mr. W. PARMITER. Melplaish Court,
Mr. J. Foons, CI rue, Mr. Leo°, Reatninster.

A number of complimentary toasts were proposed
and duly honogred, and the company sepatated at an
early hour.