The Express.
London, England, 1849-09-26 00:00:00

SOUTH-WEST MIDDLESEX AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.-ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.

Yesterday the fifteenth annual ploughing match
under the auspices ef the above society, took place in a field
belonging to Mr. Shoehorn, a short distance from AIL
Southall elation on the Great Western Railway. The MT
of agricultural skill took place under the most favourable
teepees. The day was beautiful, the competitors were
numerous, and a vast concourse of spectators, attracted by
the fineness of the weather and the interest of the competi-
tion, was scattered over the ample area devoted to the match.
The proceedings commenced about nine o'clock, and the
ploughing was pronounced by competent judges to be far
superior to any that had hitherto been seen in that part of
the country. The struggle between ?diddles': and Surrey,
which was at last determined in linos: of the latter county,
excited peculiar interest.
Not the least interesting portion of the day's proceedings
was the presentation of pecuniary gifts and testimonials to
farm servants (male and female), and lab ,uren who ha I
complied with certain conditions respecting duration of servi-
tude and good conduct specifi Ain the programme. Shortly
after twelve o'clock the succeleful candidates were assembled
under a tree close to the canal, and Mr. Cos, of
Hillingdon Hell, the chairmen of the day, presented tc
each his prise and his testimonial, concluding with a
suitable admonition to all to persevere in a course which
had already produced such good results. The recipients
appeared highly gratified, and we arc bound to add that
their appearance seemed fully to justify their selection as
prizeholtten. They were well clad, in good condition, and
their deportment was everything that could be wished for.
After the tern.ication of the ploughing match, the leading
members of the society and their friends dined in a pavilion
which had been prepared for the occasion, close to the Red
Lion, Southall, Mr. Cox presiding. About 120 gentlemen
at down to dinner.
At the chairman's table were Lord Robert Grosvenor,
G. B.Cele, Eeq., Messes. Daniels, Cooper, Cox, jury., Rev.
Smith, Gotelee (Secretary), &e., &o. The remainder of
the guests comprising some of the most extensive farmers of
dm coun
On the ty.
health of the county members being proposed,
Lord R. OZOSTINOI rose to return thanks on his own
part, and oa that of his hon. and pliant colleague. He was
conscious of his inexperience in agricultural matters, but one
or two remarks ho would venture to make with great de.
keen°, to the superior judgment of those he saw around
bim. Although he had not much knowledge of agricultural
matting, he always took a deep interest in them, as a proof
of which he might mention, that having paned the last
winter in Madeira, he had been attracted by what he con-
'Wend a handsome breed of cattle, and had purchased a
bull and a cow for transport to this country. He did not
hope to get a prise by them, but he expected that their
outlandish appearance would at least excite the curiosity
of the Middlesex farmers. (Cheers and laughter.) He
would with Feet respect make one suggestion with refer-
ence to the objects of the society. He did not know whe-
ther it was practical or not, bat the society having already
proved bow possible it was to raise the character of the
labours; he thought it would be desirable to introduce an
additional prise for a species of sericulture in which he teak
great interest—be meant eottage husbandry. (" Hear,
kear," and camera.) He knew that each prises were given
in some counties, and that they. had given a great stimulus
to the labourers to improve their own homes. (Cheers.)
He neney threw out them hints in the hope that so impor-
t:et an element in the condition of the labourer as the con-
-1 struction of his house and the cultivation of his garden might
net be begotten by those who were devoting so much atten-
tion to his welfare. (Hear, hear.) On the health of the
Treasurer being proposed,
Mr. Sternum congratulated the meeting that notwith-
standing certain unfavourable features in the character of
the ground, they had never seen better ploughing than had
been wintered that day. (Hear, hear.) They had distri-
buted in rewards to ploughmen, 791. • and to farm servants,
1271.; but they could have found deserving recipients for
1001. more if they had the fends. He trusted that they
would not only have new subscribers, but that those who
had put down their names would promptly pay up their
arrears.
The list of prizes was then read, comprising various sums,
from 16a. up to 9L fts., but as the successful competitors are
of course only known in their own immediate locality it
would hardly add to their well-deserved laurels to publish
*dramas in a London newspaper.
The remaining toasts having been disposed of, the Downy