The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-23 00:00:00

THE BANBURY AGRICULTURAL

ASSOCIATION.

At the dinner which followed the 17th annual
meeting of this society on Tuesday last,
. . . .

Mu. VERNON HARCUCHT, in acknowledging a tout,
said, be was well aware that there were many persona in
the county who were not satisfied with his parliamentary
conduct, but a time would come when an opportunity would
be afforded him of entering more fully into it, for an election
would occur, when he should again offer himself u a candi-
date for their suffrages, and when he hoped that he should
not be unsuccessful in satisfying them that he had acted
hate -41 y, if he had not at all times carried out their views.
(Cheers.) Ile entirely concurred in what had been said by
hie excellent colleague (Hr. Henley) sa regards prosperity
to agriculture, for no one could have more interest in its
prosperity than himself—he had no other interest or income,
and was connected with four counties. Ile could not but
be impreased with the difficulties attached to the occupiers
of the soil, and, as an individual, he had endeavoured to do
his duty to those with whom he had been in connection;
be had made reductions, which, however insignificant to
meet those difficulties, varied from 10 to 30 per cent. (Loud
and continued cheers.) He I•ad made those re-
ductions according to the nature of the land, and
the claims which the tenants had upon him from
their mode of cultivation. That, however, did
nut meet the ewe in most instances, for they had to contend
against a great reduction of prices. Ile thought, however,
that it was a matter not unworthy of consideration on the
part of the tenant, and would tend to induce him to apply
Limself with greater activity than if no consideration had
been manifested by his landlord for the difficulties in which
be was involved. With respect to agriculture, its pros-
perity depended on three or four things—in the first place,
on the skill, energy, and capital employed in the cultiva-
tion of the soil; secondly, on the favourableness of the sea-
son; thirdly, on the remuneration which the cultivator of
the soil was able to obtain for his industry, and employ-
ment of his energies; fourthly, upon the due remuneration
of the labourer, because unless suck a large class of society,
who tilled the soil, and did the hard work for them, were
fairly and properly remunerated, agriculture could not he
in a prosperous condition. If in some respects they had to
mgret their present position, they had to congratulate them-
selves on others, for at no pres ions time had the labouring
classes been in so good a position as in this year.
There never was a time when the labouring
dames were more fully employed, and he made
that statement not only from personal observation,
but from official returns. the returns of the unions con-
firmed that statement, for they showed that of the able-
bodied labourers, there were in the last year 15 per cent.
less than in the previous year, and this county stood in a
remarkable position in this respect, because it was shown
that on the Ist of J uly last there was 22 per cent. less in its
unions than in the previous year. There was also a return
made to parliament of those who were in these unions for
want of work, and that number had diminished in the last
year from 9,000 and 10,000 to 5,000 and 6,ooo—the number
in July last was 5,000, whereas before it was 10,000. Emi-
gration had had, it was true, some effect in making this
ehaage; but no one would attempt to say that it had ope-
rated to anything like that extent. Had they a prospect of
obtaining better prices for their produce? He was scot
there to regret the cheapness which existed, beams it vat
not the tone, the language, or the feeling of an Imo* nom
towards others—if cheapness arose from a bountifhl hem*
and a favourable season, granted by Divine Provider*, as
one should regret it; but, is looking to their affairs, it was
desirable to know whether they might anticipate improved
pricea. lle would not venture to hazard an opinion—there
had been a larger introduction of foreign corn into this
country than any one could have anticipated. He found,
however, that agriculture was in an equally depressed state
ai France, for he had passed the last week in Paris, where
the tenants experienced greater difficulty in paying their
rents than had been felt in this country. The average
price of corn in }ranee for the last 22 years bad been
425. 6d. a quarter, whereas last year it was only 355. ; dur-
ing that period of 22 years it had been only twice so low
as 355. He had passed two days in Belgium, and on in-
quiry as to the rent of land there, he found that it was
toe. per acre; it was true they had no tithes, but they had
a very heavy land tax. He did not believe that when the
ports of England
were open to all the world, corn was
laxly to bear the price in fatale sears that it had in past
years. Ile thought that, for spindly and quality, corn
would be more remunerating Ude year than in last—the
quality of the corn was better, rad thenfors it would
come better into competition with that hem abroad ; the
harvest *IS better, both with regard ke ears end hay, and
he hoped that thei- corn would be at *err by the
millers as to give them better flour. It MS also • *aerie
fact that the importation of cattle bad set laseersd,
as it was shown by official rears that the im-
ports of the last six months IMMII not greater
than in 111-19. The use of cattle foe meat bad greatly fm-
creased, for 60,000 mere had beat slawskered this year
than last, and that irerease was awe thee the whole in-
Ports. In Liest end Oireprow slew, *OOO mot. had
been slaughteasd than la the preview year. As yaw fol-
lowed year, sad the prohibit lareaseg, esreisabag an
increased areal he their grids" he Orbs& that their
condition would hs rose ihrwrellit Be swells& and he
felt it as rush as am Ira, that it was em se raw. The
irises of ties rerolkeht party could ass pert eat say
sera he morlybri that auto of drew and he was
smiled to magi ha had tat bra laesearsatal k ero-
:lraded losears ha hod set voted he the re-
the sem He dared hat prisms right im.
rove, se se to raawreells the address, of the sell and
as thaught that ca easnists like the present they would do
war to Demote the prprity of agriculture if is.. per
sous eressesat with the subject would give then their
=.llea improved redo of rukivai reaping =a-
gesao, de. heard of eesupylag tnelitime with re-
•Cr • state ofrwhick, amp by energy, was, he
bored
ilmar, who
spoke to the esoas *set, said he felt
as. as MIS
es
tie deep impedes in which the
8040•11•011 pissed el the gesort wart ; he
eas aat argase la erre It_entelsalailLany great dit
limn inlet's% awl be iron la Hie present
alutralif be NM Iltat he mu any el;;;;;7 aa unnatural
ablitned /at *air padre. However much be,
iewares with rm. repetbsd what had bees done by
the aftdoe of dm Undo paw, be mold see no symptoms
ton so
as
Maly le be reared. He waa bona to
M that atoll led him to lap to ass a *rage in that
Oh to God that hew yea, because although
wise spasm* that coma dam. derived some
deinea_ am it, yet be barest that It was aot to
_ma aka tibia mar Nfflemod it t• be. la On
ow
*skit atm pint Is it dot suvisyriat Dm
1111.1117 IabeIHDI My oda a*