The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-07-17 00:00:00

Ety cts)toutivibge Obseruec.

SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1836.

T UP. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Tile mammoth display of fat beasts and ;
triumphs of mechanical skill in the NraV
farming implements and appliances, whiell
has this week been made near Norwich.
under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural
Society of England, is the event of the
agricultural year, and it is matter for much
regret that the success of the opening (lay
was marred by rain. The total of the visitors
has fallen far short of what it, would have
swelled to, doubtless, had the week been one
of uninterrupted sunshine. Bad weather
will have materially reduced the society's
income for this year, a serious thing for an ,
association which enjoys no State snbsidy,
but rests entirely upon voluntary contribu-
tions and payments for admission to the
Shen-. Considerable eclat was given to the
meeting by the visits of the Prince and•
Princess of Wales, and the young Princesses,
and by the Royal President taking the chair
at the anniversary Then the 1886 Show is
distinguished as being the occasion when a
large number of Indian and Colonial agri-
eultuealists were present to view the great
array of things pertaining to farming. The
guests were most hospitably entertained,
and in a long memory of eathusiastic recep-
tions the Colonists will especially keep green
the recollection of the hearty welcome and
cordial treatment extended to them at
Norwich. Then the Prince-President in-
vited them over to Sandringham, and they
had an opportunity of seeing how good a
farmer their future King is. As to the show
itself, so far from interest declining in the
Royal Agricultural Society and its annual
exhibition fixtures, the entries were in many
cases larger than ever. Cattle, horses, sheep
and pigs were as good as numerous, anti
more than a thousand big truck loads of
machinery went on to the . ground by one
line alone. It may safely be said that the
attractions of the Royal Showyard have never
been greater than this year. The ground is
beautifully situated. Shire horses have
seldom been so strongly represented:
Suffolk s and Clydesdales were very good, as
were also the numerous light horses here
entered. The cattle classes were in the main
well above the average. Shorthorns were
of a high order of excellence, though some of
them were rather small. As to sheep, all
sorts, Shropshires and Southdowns, Oxford-
shires and Suffolks, were splendid; and pigs,
too, were distinctly good. The Jersey cattle
were the finest ever taken to a Royal Show.
The implement stands, sent up by 320 exhi-
bitors, was not so numerous as last year's
display at Preston, but the collections were
ad:uirable and contained many interesting
exhibits and not a few valuable noveltie.s.
Thirty-seven years have passed since the
Royal Agricultural Society last visited
Norwich, and by comparing the show of
I 8 t 9 with that of this yeat one may note
the progress made by the important associa-
tion which aims at the improvement of field
arid dairy farming. In 1.849 the awards for
hems amounted to £165,-now the prize list
reaches a total of £2195, Three divisions
of sheep had then £l2O each offered for the
best pens. now £965 is distributed over
eleven different divisions. E 8!) was given
for pigs 37 years back, £360 is the sum now
scheduled. And so on, through every variety
of exhibits, while the scope and aims of the
Seeiety have experienced corresponding en-
largement. With a decreasing aggregate of
H$
members in 1849, the Royal Society
hat now a grand total of 9207, and the his
is being steadily expanded every year.
Foended two years earlier as the English
A,;Ticultural Society, the Royal Agriculture!
Society of England was incorporated by
Resal charter in 1840, "for the general
advancement of English agriculture." Tts
mein objects have been officially stated to be
"To embody such information contained in
agricultural publication and in other scien-
tile works as has beer proved by practical
experience to be useful tonthe cultivators of
the soil; to correspond with agrieultnral.
horticultural, and other scientific societies,
at home and abroad, with the view of obtair.-
ina information such as may be likely- to
le).1 to practical benefit in the cultivation of
the soil ; to reimburse any person who shall,
at L!ie question of the society, undertake to
ascertain by experiment how far such in-
fotenation leads to useful results in Practice;
to encourage men of science in their atten-
tion to the improvements of agricultural
implements, the construction of farm, build-
ings and cottages, the application of chemis-
try to agriculture, the destruction of insec-'
inj qriOUS to vegetable life, and eradication of
weeds; to promote the discovery of new
varieties of grain and other vegetables useful
to man or for the food of domestic animals;
to collect information with regard to the
management of woods, plantations and
fences, and on every subject connected with
rural improvement; to take measures for
the improvement of the education of those
who depend upon the cultivation of the soil
for their support; to take measures for im-
proving the veterinary art as applied to
cattle, sheep, and pigs; at the meetings of
the society in the country, by the distribe
tion of prizes and by other means, to encee r-
aze the best mode of farm cultivation end
the breed of live stock ; an Ito promote the
comfort and welfare of labourers and t en-
courage the improved managerrent of th2ir
cottages and gardens." The objects the
society has kept honestly and steadily in
view, and since 1839 has held its show an-
nually, except in 1866, when the Cattle
Plegue prevented the meeting. Next year
a Spring Horse Show will be inaugurated in
addition to the July show. The good work
done by the society by promoting scientific
farming is incalculable. The Journal alone
is a splendid monument of successful endea-
vour. Then we have the farming experi-
menth at Rothamstead and at Woburn--all
eminently calculated to assist the agricul-
turist to till his land with understand;ng.
Some day we shall have a Minister of Age.'
culture to preside over the comely edifice
which this useful society is erecting; and
the sooner that occurs the better for farm-
ing.. Meanwhile the Royal Agricultural
Society of England is receiving practical
support all over the English and Welsh
countries, as, also, to a smaller extent, from
rarmers and country gentlemen of Ireland
and Scotland. And the townsfolk, as well
as the country people, who go to the annual
show to marvel at the pigs, so surrounded
with fat that food must be offered them in
order to determine with certainty to which
end of the animal the head is attached, are
helping modestly and pleasantly in the
society's good work.

THROAT IRRITATION A:4D COUGH.—Foreuess and dry-
ness, tickling and irritation, inducing cugh and affecl-
irig tbe voice. For these symptoms use Epps's Glycer-
me Jujubes. In contact with the Wanda at the
moment they are excited by the act of sucking the
Oly:erine in these agreeable confections becomes
actively healing. Sold only in bout; 'Tid , tins Is lid
labelled "Jamxs EPPS & Co. Hotnceop.tbic ,:heinists
London." Dr. George Moore in hit work on —Nose
and throat Diseases," says ihe Glycerine Jujubes
prepared by James Epps and Co , are of uuduubtod
service as a curative or pal is.ive agent," while
Guidon Ilo!mes, Se,dor Physciau to the Mucipal
Throat and Ear Infirmary, writes : "After an extended
triai, I have found tilyceriho Jujubes of cousido:
,;,1, Leue:it in 411 to, ii ci throi,t disease.
Medicinai !nayte lted et 1314, ffign Street
titouriaridge.