The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-09-01 00:00:00

BEALINSTER.

—The
shLaowboourreirsihe'
manpree, erected in Rack'm Close. This year cottage
FilealnriCennr nAe°
Society°DAl SI
Dwtriserset held on Thursday afternoon, in a
gardenia& hos been carried on under great difficulties,
in consequence of the drought, and the exhibition here,
in common with shows everywhere else, has presented
evidences of the d isad vantages underwhich earden produce
has been cultivated. There were 231 specimens
exhibited, and, although on the whole they were not
so good seat some previous shows, they were satisfactory
considering the weather, and represented a good deal of
care and attention the part of the exhibiton. Potatoes
were largely shown. There were some very excellent
sampled of this important vegetable, although they did
not generally attain to the great size which has marked
previous straws here. Parsnips' and carrots were fine
and cleanly grown. The cabbages were not good. They,
of course, were greatly affected by the dry weather.
but still worse by the plague of "pelmet," which has
infested gardens this summer. Turnips were even a
greater failure. The beat scorched up the seed, and
prevented it from germinating for the most part, while
the few seeds that did burst into new life had a bard
tßimutetaheiook tand taiewr:rem.putnynoatudbestebul.tededinforthtehiartgro,
rawthth... I
would we eommisserate with them, for they suffer
the loss of expectid produce. There were • few
tolerable peas shown. The onions
.were a sparse
o4wthg.ffivili:
cottage window plants were the best, but they were by
edilixostpielab::ted, bthuweteeriet.;iserelflenir.rt..
dtThidsle.nosie.vneirilhdvaapr,:eeiryytesuwea.
The
no means numerous. The flower devices were not above
' the average,yet how can we expect it? for our oottagers
have scent opportunity of improving their taste or
skill in designing. It would appear, too, that the
collagen in this district do not devote much time to
wild flower gathering—perhaps they are amply occupied
in other ways—for there was hot one wild flower device,
I but it was awarded a first prise. The show to-day,howevr, r,
did not entirely depend for its attractiveness on the
cottager.; for, as in former years, ladies and gentlemen
of the neighbourhood kindly contributed of their best to
grace the allow. J. Gilbert, Ifisq.,aa aforetime,staged • fine
collection of flowers and plants,denizens of wanner climes
than ours, which he has carefully tended and petted
In houses, the temperature of which is a constant matter
of concern. The gorgeous colouring and luxuriant
growth of these foreign specimens afforded abundant
attractions. In tnis department of the chow, Miss
Margaret Leigh, Colonel Cox, and the Misses Marryatt
were also contributors. The chief novelty of the show
was a collection of ingeniously formed-articles, the con-
tributions of the Misses F.. Cox. Miss cod&Mis. C.
K.
Keddle, and Master Codd. Amongst them were •
miniature flower and vegetable show under canvass. a
beam and scales composed of moo with strings of bird:
and the reverie side "Libra," also done in birds' sip ;
a eggs,
choriat the beamgt bearing
mar r bwo word "plenty,"
oloe side
made d of b with hones of
potatoes, and • coachman and harness of ivy, ko.; • wax
flower-girl bearing fruit on her head and filberts in her
bands. A roadside with donkey and driver, and sign
post, and other well executed devices. This was
certainly the popular clement of the show, andrafforded
spacial placate to his. young folks. In addition to t

awards for produce, priest were given for the
best kept allotments and gardens; also to
parents far children's attendance at school, for needle-
work, &oil for reading, writing, and composition.
Duriog Voi afternoon the band of the Crowkeree rifle
corps played somo excellent selections, and there wu •
largo party of ladies and gentlemen of the neighboartood
preatifit. Among then, we noticed Colonel and Mrs.
Cog, and party. Dr. and Mrs. Gilbert. the Hon. and
Rev. and Mrii. Spring Rice, tlie Rev. J. H., Wm and
the Misses Chowne, the Ven. the Archdeacon of Dorset.
the Rev. R. and Mrs. Bragge, the Rev. S. C. and Mrs.
Malan, Mr. P. Cos, the Misses Cox, Mr. Kitson, the
Rev. A. and Mra. Cold and family, the Bev. E. C.
AustineClourlay, Lieutenant Eliot and Mrs. Eliot, Mr.
!Umbria, Mrs. Webb, Mrs. Scott, Captain Sanctuary,
the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Morris, the Rev. Mr. Keddle.the
Rev. Mr. Malonie, the Rev. F. Parham, Mr. and Mrs.
GA:tenor, Ceptain Griffiths, Mr. Tomlinson, Mr. Hine,
Captain and Mrs. Minas, Are. Prior to the distribution
of the prises. Colonel Cox, the president, mule a few
kindly remarks, and he was followed by the Rev. A.
Cold, who made some comments on the thow, and
he pointed out in referrenee to garden management that
It was a good thing to grow other vegetables besides
potatoes. As to the needlework the ladies who bad
Inspected it reported that the plain work was good, as
were sloe the specimens of darning and knitting, but
that more attention should be paid to marking on linen.
The school examinations progressed favourably, but he
wished he could persuade the elerey around each to send
three or four of their Seat scholars. He mired the
cottegers to take more interest in the prises offered for
window plants. The farmers of the neighbourhood he
said did not support the society as they ought to do.
If,. announced'his retirement from the secretaryship of
the society. The Rev. J. H. Chowne proposed a cordial
vote of thanks to the chairman end secretary. Both
gentleman responded, the latter saying that although
he should cease to be secretary, his interest in tho
society would be by no means abated.