The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-08-29 00:00:00

THE ROYAL NORTH

LANCASHIRE
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

YESTERDAY.

(FROM OCR OWN RE PORTER

The annual exhibition of the Royal North Lancashire
Agricultural Society took !place at Preston, 111 large
day
field adjacent to the town near Penwortham. The. Was exceedingly unfavourable, the rain descendingn
torrents during the whole of the day, which materiallyane
marred the interest of the proceedings. The attendance
oe_
nevertheless was very numerous. The show, both_
ur-i
live stock and agricultural produce, was splei.adid—ns
Passing that of any former show. The exhibition of
A gst
horses and cattle, was particularly attractive.
the exhibitors, were several of the most noted b meeders
In different parts of the country. The show of arericul-
tura' implements was also exceedingly good, there being
la immense number of specimens on
,the ground. The
Poultry exhibited, was not so good as we have seen at
former shows.
Lord Stanley who was announced to presipe at the
dinner, did not'arrive in Preston until five o clock, and
'Mich anxiety was felt at his non-appearance on the
fFound. The caus- of his absence is explained by what
follows. The show being over,
THE ANNUAL DINNER
Took e
place in the spacious rooms at the Corn
ofExchaong_
at four o'clock in the afternoon. In the absence .L
arnd.
StanleY, J. Wilson Patten, Esq., M.P. for North L
cashire, took the chair. James Heywood, Esq., the other
Member for the northern division, was also present, as
also Sir James Kay Shuttleworth, C. Townley,
_Esq ,
Rt.. &c. Just before the cloth was removed, Lord
-`arliey entered the room, amidst loud and long continued
-"eel's The chair was at once vacated by Mr. Wilson
Patten., and occupied by his Lordship.
Lord Stanley, on rising to move the first toast (the
health of the QUeen), was received with loud and long
Continued cheprittg. He said, I think before I address y9u
flllion other topics, I am bound to explain and to apologise
mthe lateness of my appearance here this afternoon. I
quite sure that you will he convinced that by delay no
discourtesy on my part was intended. (Local cheers.) The
:truGthiais, that our friend " Bradshaw," though an excellent
1-"ltie'" iS not infallible. (Laughter.) [His lordship here
-Pnateed that he had ben misled by an error in the rail-
Way guide respecting one of the trains between Liverpool
and Preston.] Ile then said—Now, gentlemen, let us proceed
to the business of the evening. The first toast I have to proposed
to yon You is one which I am quite sure will require no words
b V" to render it acceptable. I have to give
you
aafter
~ea th of
" Eer Majesty the Queen." Those who, in .
~,11,11108 shall look back upon these eighteen years of the reign
;',.;Qu'een Victoria, will, I think, admit that ours has been
ir, "ttle, not indeed wholly unchequered by foreign war, or
_I domestic distress, but a time of internal tranquility, cf
material Prosperity and of social progress. Many causes
Cone to that result. Never, I believe, was the great
_Majority of Englishmen better disposed to look with respect
ull the institutions under which they live—never were
Pe
more inclined to regard with reverence the Queen ash
, ir sovereign, and' never was there a sovereign who, both
lerespect public and private relations, better deserved their
,ut• (Loud cheers).
„,;le to was drunk with three times three.
re :fie Chairman next proposed " Prince Albert. and the
acclamation,al th Royal Family," it was also received with
iiaThe Chairman again rose, and proposed the "Armyearned
thay.Y;" Referring to the late war, he said he
il t wiring its continuance, placerememibn thed
a discussion too
reaoTiostell;Lf
tCoommons, in which a gentleman who was opposed,
the war, but to all wars, and who did not
wrd tHe 'higher classes with any special feeling of favour,o_
thanB) nevertheless, compelled to admit that the sufferingsf
ficers had been greater, in proportion to their number,_e
ties
iifi any other class. The expression the gentleman made
place'
lord, when
IvAass, " they have been first in valour, as in
to the private soldiers, continued the noble
aura, when I look hack to what was done and suffered
during those 1
when I know eagwelldttldersary and
months before Sebastopol,
service, to
tion of ,o
pcivate soldiers,offered by the organisation of our
stimulate the energies or to encourage the amhi-
a cou:t;rw I do thank God that I belong tod
PWith here the honeit and humblest citizen is inspired
tdeling of patriotism and of self devotion-as high, as
d
the 0 aolld as intense, as ever inspired the energies or prompted
makes mentionct PfnY general-or statesman of whom -history
Thee t (Tremendous cheering.)
t,t,...0 oast of the " High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant of
'1_1; untv"
'' having been proposed and responded to,
W The Chairman again rose and said; the time is now come
When I am afraid I shall have to solicit your indulgence in
Proposing that which is -emphatically -and properly__called
the toast of the evenink. That toast is " Prosperity to the
Re te
I Y.. North Lancashire Agricultural Society." (Cheers.)
think you will excuse me if in compliance- with practice,
and in accordance with what I believe to be your wishes, I
Preface that toast With giving a very brief statement of
present position and prospects. This is the tenth
thi,m,rifting of the society, our- foundation dating from 1847.
ne have already been held, three in Lancaster, two in
"Is torn of Preston, two at Burnley, one at Lytham, and
*no at Blackburn. As regards the number of our
subscribers, as far make that a test,
prohe condition as one can
of the society .has not been one of uniform
pr
g • lam bound to state the facts as they are, and
thereasefore I have to say that in this respect the society has
is the t unfornalY Progressed, but it is progressing now, and there
i greatest reason for -sa-tisfaction. IVeebegau- in 1847
With
430 members. In 1848 we had 526, whilst in 1853
it
had fallen again as low as 360. But we have now, for
the first time during the last five years, risen to above 400
members_
at the present time numbering 420. Now, Ido
net think that the falling off in members, after the first
law, Years, is at all to be wondered at. It is almost a natural
n'aw, applicable to this society, as indeed to anything else, that
uan association is first formed, a number of persons are
'Lawn into it, who are not likely be permanent members.
When to
n the novelty ceases the members fall off, and hence I
!iattribute the falling off in the members of this society, after
la
.first two years of its existence. But now the association,
Itasv.lng two
down on a steady, permanent basis, numbers
its
its subscribers only those who really take an interest in
membersi weldoing hear, hear)—and, therefore, the number of
having now increased to 420, proves that the
soc is in a very prosperous condition. Turning from the
taking
f4e receipts from all sources together, we had
1855, in
1847' in 1849 we had £7OO ; whilst in
We last year, our receipts were £1,644. and next year
have every
r.....
on
e--. 9 to believe that we shall show a better
balance. Lara bound that in the statement I have
Made ito say
, n reference' to last year, there is a gift of £4OO from
another scietY, Which dissolved last year. I think that
that statement is enough to show you that we have no
zestn to fear a failure on financial grounds. Tam glad to
from the testimony, not of one, but of several of those
Who have witnessed it, that the show this year, both in
point of Taantit
has tak y and quality, very far exceeded any that
en place until now. lam glad it has been so very
Rat there
more particularly as regard horses and cattle.
Aat there it another subject in connection. with our
illeeting this year, that I advert to with peculiai satis
faction—I cm glad ,to see a larger
ilabscribers and attendants of tenant, farmers than we have
1111t1 for some time. I am delighted to see this, because,
'lst
Year, when I attended another meeting of this sort in
another part of Lancashire, I was compelled to notice the
coMparative absence. of the tenant farmers, as a sign of the
"Inn-prosperity of the association, It is of the most vital
importance that the sympathies and the interest of this
Class should be enlisted in support of our agricultural
societies, because without that I hold that the objects of the
societies
themselves cannot be fully carried out. There is
neitelhae7 of Ton who work harder than the tenant farmers,
creditable there
t any body of men who hold a more
.. "'lion that they do; and, therefore, I say
that
should t
I ads i 4.
' 'the first importance that they
the i„ry,
of
tical knowledge of it,whi -
agriculture to that prae-
them do this, arid then/ Bee , possess. Let
• CII: tbey undoubtedly
be able successfully/tecOhip,,,
7 no reason why they should not
-1 with the highest in the land.
I say that no agricultural sada.
answer the ends for which it 1,5 can or will prosper, or
as established, if it be sup-
ported exclusively by the, landlord - " '
ik ' (Rear. hear, and
cheers.) Now, from the affairs of this - ,
a !urger and a far wider enquiry. pi
- .Tetsociety, I pass on to
, I would ask What
are the requirements of agriculture in 'this district ?
land secondly, cl.lat are its requirements .:in Erl,._.,
and generally ? You ca 11..; perhaps, excuseliii;
if gi
do not go into details. I am not ' a practicaul ni '
ferer, and, therefore, I cannot have the prestn4 tio to attempt to instruct those who are perhaps much better
able to instruct me. I will, however, say, gentlemea, that
fI do not think our agriculture is quite in so far advanced a
ate as we have a right to expect it should be, judging
°l2l the progress made, and the achievements effocted by
means of science and practical energy in other business and
Prc'fesaional pursuits. One cause why our agriculture is

number of

THE

not in that advanced state in which we could wish to see it,
arises, in my mind, from the smallness of our fields. P, r-
haps, however, there are circumstances which, to some
extent, render this unavoidable and inevitable. But there is
another cause which ought not to exist, and for which there
is a remedy. I allude to our incomplete drainage. It is well
known and proved to pay ; and above all it is a matter in

which, above all others, landlord and tenant can help each
other. There is a great deal in the answer which one
farmer gave another, whilst in conversation together. In
reply to the observation which the one made to the other,
that it was a pity he did not make more improvements in
his system of farming, the other remarked, " Oh, it is very
well for you to make improvements, you can afford to run
risks and spend money." The other rejoined, " I have
tried both ways of farming, and I find that I cannot afford
to farm badly." Ido not think, gentlemen, that you will
have any doubt as to which of the two was right. Within
the last few years a new era in the promotion of agriculture
has commenced. At the meeting which I attended last
year, to which I have already referred, I made a statement
as to improvements in agriculture, which I will now repeat.
There are 77,000,000 acres of land in the United Kingdom.
Three-fifths of this land is already under cultivation, bad or
good, as the case may be. One-fifth is not cultivatable by
nature, and the other one-fifth might be cultivated, but is
not. That statement shows you the possible ex'ent of
agricultural Brea within the limits of 'these islands. But it
is not so much from the opening up of new soil, as making
the best of that which is already open to us, that we may
expect to derive the best results. I have already alluded to
the question of drainage, and I say that in my judg-
ment, what has hitherto been done in the country, is
nothing to what might be done. All experienced

agriculturists say that there is yet room for the expenditure
of £100,000,000 sterling in drainage in this country.
Now, I know that is a very large sum, but statisticians say that
it is an amount which would be profitably expended in this
branch of agriculture ; and when you recollect that, during
the last twenty years, no less a sum than £300,000,000 has
been expended in the construction of railways, leaving

the country not poorer but richer than they found
if you consider and reflect upon that fact, I think none of
us need trouble ourselves with the question, " Where is the
money to come from to carry out this extended amount of
drainage ?" But there are two other points to which I
wish to allude, by attention to which the advancement
of agriculture might be promoted. The one is a greater
attention to the economising of manure, and the other is
the continued and increasing application of machinery.
At present we find that it pays to bring
manure to this country from the extreme ends
of the earth. We send for it to the Pacific, and else-
where, and we see that there is a ready demand and con-
sumption for it ; but that is a source of supply upon which
you cannot calculate for ever. That supply may be—indeed,
must be—exhausted in course of time, and then we shall be
driven to that, probably in our own day, which we are now
neglecting, the saving of that national manure, which I
conceive we are now most thoughtlessly wasting. We have
proved that one and a-half million sterling has for some time
been annually expended in the purchase of artificial manures.
Now, 1 do not say that that amount is so much money
actually wasted, but I do say that a great deal of it might
be saved, if our natural manure, now lost, was secured for
agricultural purposes. On the principle that that which
conies from the soil ought again to go into the soil, to
invigorate and strengthen it, I hold that that which
is now lost ought to be retained, and I more par-
ticularly allude to the sewerage from our large
towns. I know there are difficulties in the way
of saving this natural manure, and I am not disposed to
under rate those difficulties. lam aware that there is the
difficulty of deodorising it so as to render it as little as
possible offensive to the particular localities, in which it •
might be deposited, and there is also the further difficulty
of getting it into such a small space as might be considered
desirable, but I Say that science has surmounted and
overcome equal difficulties in other matters, and I
see no reason for our despairing that the difficulties
to which I have alluded cannot elso be grappled
with and conquered. It has been ascertained that the
cost of poisoning and polluting the Thames alone, by
turning into it the sewerage of the metropolis, amounts
to £5,000,000 a year I cannot, myself, give you any
estimate on the point, hut Ido say, that if the obstacles
which I have spoken of were once overcome, and the
saving of this sewerage and natural manure became a
regular practice, instead of, as it is now, the
practice, to waste it, you would be able to recover
what would amount to from one-half to two thirds
of the entire taxation of the country. Now, lam not
saying it is for the farmer, or even for the landlord, to
take the first step in this matter. I know that the
accomplishment of it must be left to the development and
operations of chemical science, and that we must wait for
new discoveries to effect that which many people may
now think to be altogether impossible, but I think,
for myself, that there is every reason to believe that in a
few years it will be done. The other branch of agricultural
improvement of which I have to speak is that of machin-
ery. During the last fifteen years, the improvement in
this respect has been great. We have seen the thrashing
machine, the reaping machine, and the ploughing machine
brought successively into operation, and superceding the
necessity of the labour of man. In all this we have fore-
taste of what we may expect will yet be effected. I see
that since 1850, no less than thirty-five patents have
been taken out for the application of steam to
ploughing ; and by a report which was read by
Mr. Evelyn enison, at the Paris Exhibition, it
appears that 1,392 machines for agricultural purposes,
representing 9,000 horse power, have been sold ; and,
another report, w hich was read at the tn4eting of the
R Ira' Agricultural Society at Chelmsford, this year,
showed that the number of agricultural implements was
larger than was ever exhibited at any former meeting of
the society. These are signs of good, but, again I say,
that the farmer has, perhaps, a right to say that he
ought not to be called upon to try experiments, and that
it is the business of the landlord. I agree to a very great
extent in this conclusion, and I must say that I know of
no better employment in which a man of property, whose
attention and pursuits are directed to agriculture, can be
engaged, than in a large and liberal outlay for the benefit
of his tenants, which promises so much good. (Loud
cheers.) Now, there is another question on which I
wish to say a few words, although it may not be in
accordance with the opinions of all now present. It
is a question upon which you have all heard a great deal
lately, and one on which there has been a great deal of
misrepresentation. I allude to the question of agricul-
tural statistics. It was said that the government, in the
bill proposed last session, desired to obtain statements
from farmers respecting their private affairs, which they
had no right certainly to expect. (Hear, hear.) Now, in
answer to that objection, I say that there is no person
engaged in any kind of business in the kingdom,
who is not subjected to the same kind of inspection.
Every bale of cotton which comes into and goes out of the
country, and the employment of men in various grades of
business is carefully registered. I never will be the per-
son to ask for agricultural returns which may be inquisi-
torial, but I say that in a proper and well arranged
system of agricultural statistics the farmer himself is
more deeply interested than any other class of society.
According to the present system the farmer buys and sells
his produce in the dark, and the consequence is, that, in
taking it from the dealers, he does not know its real
market value. He is entirely in the hands of the dealer,
and sometimes, even with his superior information, the
dealer himself is at a loss to know the value of an
article; the whole process is really a case of the blind
leading the blind, and the only wonder is, that they do
not oftener tumble into the ditch. But I agree with
those who, in the House of Commons, argued that
these returns should be as plain and simple as possible.'
(Hear, hear, and cheers.) Now, one word about agri-
cultural education. Some of us are apt to forget that
agriculture, within the last few years, has almost risen
to a science. Ido not undervalue that knowledge which
is the result of actual practice ; indeed, I believe it is the
best of nll knowledge, for without it theory is worthless.
But there is a theory in the occupation of farming ; and
the farmer would not be the worse for being mixed
up with the latter. (Hear, hear.) Lately I was in
the West of England, and was much interested in becom-
ing acquainted with the working of an agricultural college
which has been recently founded at Cirencester. Al the
present time there are seventeen papils there, and both

he theory and practice of agriculture is taught, and a

good agricultural education may be obtained for the sum
of 440 a year. The institution is now self supporting,
and is paying off the debt incurred in its original construc-
tion. Now, I think that half a dozen such colleges in dif-
ferent parts of the country would give to agriculture a
stirhulus- and an encouragement, of which the- beneficial
effects would be felt, not only in the present, but in future
generations. In this college, of which I have spoken,
the pupils age mainly either the sons of colonists, or young
men going out to the colonies, to carry their agricultural
knowledge with them. Now, in tbis country we have,
I think, as much knowledge as is to be found
rpoinarnty;) part of England, and I see that in your
report of last year, you recommended that such a college
should be established in Lancashire, and, it my opinion is
worth anything, I must say that I quite agree with such
a recommendation. It only now remains for me to repeat
my satisfaction at the prosperity of this society. We are
not working alone. We have upwards of 400 similar socie-
ties in the country, and, success to all, I say. Let us
bear in mind that, in promoting agricultural pursuits, we
are not only developing it as a science, and increasing the
wealth of the country, but that we are engaged in one of
the noblest tasks which human enterprise can select for
its labours. We are relipving the wants, and alleviating
the sufferings of the libouring classes, because this is the
class which gives to the encouragement of agriculture its
greatest charm. Let us, by all means, encourage the
continued introduction of machinery in the promotion
of agriculture, for the more machinery we introduce, the
less brute force shall we recognise. By pursuing this
,ceurse we shall have a less demand on our labourers'
Muscles, and a larger amount on their brains. The
noble kard resumed his seat amidst the most enthusiastic
-1-123 list of prizes was tbon read by Mr. Hunt, the
s/ rata after which several other spcoAes were made,
the proceedings terminated shortly after ntue o'olnek.

one or two
TATTERSALL's, Yesterday Evening.—
embers present, and consequentlyThcre
there was
m were only
ao business of importance transacted.

NORTHERN TIME

DOCK COMMITTEE.-YESTERDAY,

The usual weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was
held at one o'clock yesterday. Charles Turner, Esq., in
the chair. The other members present were—Messrs.
• Shand, Littledale, Robinson, Mann, Rankin, Langsdale,
Hubback, Lockett, Mondell, Holme, Bold, Palmer, and
Smith.

The following tenders were recommended by the sub-
committee of works, and agreed to :-.-The tender of Mr.
Richard Bromley, for painting and papering the dwelling
house at the south end of Prince's dock, occupied by the
master of the George's dock. The tender of Messrs.
Willis and Co., for 500 square yards of roofing felt ; and
that of Messrs. Pickup and Buchanan, for wrought iron
work, for the sliding gate of the sheds on the north-west
corner of the Wellington dock.
The'Committee of Works produced a list of rules and
by-laws, including the rate of charges, for the working
of the dock line of rails.

Mr. Bold suggested that the fines for infringement of
the regulations should not be limited in the manner pro-
posed.
Mr. Holme thought that if they fixed the rate of charges,
as proposed, they would not have their lines much used,
as the:railway company could convey heavy loads cheaper
by other means. He reminded the board that they had to
compete with Hull, where there was a railway round the
dock quays free of charge.
The Chairman remarked that the railwa:- company at
present had such goods conveyed from one station to
another along the line of docks, by flats, which must
involve considerably more trouble and expense.
Finally, the proposed regulations, &e., were referred
back to the committee of works, to enable them to consider
the suggestions offered.

The Marine Subcommittee produced a report, from the
marine surveyor, of the change in the several channels
during the past season, which, it was recommended,
should be lithographed, and the alterations carried into
effect, as soon as the consent of the Trinity Board could
be obtained. The report was as follows :
The marine sir veyor submits his survey of the northern approaches
to lAverpool executed during the season of 015¢.
The principal changes which have taken *late since The last sur-
vey in 1854. are the following,_ viz. '

The Victoria Channel 's greatly reduced in breadth, in consequence
of the Little Burbo Bank having extended itself into the channel
about 150 yards. The water on the outer bar hos improve 1, the least
water now being twelve teet. The West Middle, which terminated
at V. 3, red, his extende i as f,r to the westward to join the Little
Burbo, reducing the water on the inner bar to eleven feet, which is
still gradually shoaling. The depth of wa' e: over the Little Burbo
rema ns at from two to three feet.

The Queen's Channel has increased In width more than one-eighth
of a mile, the depth of witer on the bar remains nearly as before,
but the deep water of the Crosby Channel has advanced about a
quarter of a mile into this channel in such a manner as to have nar-
rowed the bar, or, spate included within the 12.f00t line, to the same
extent.

The Zebra Bank covers about the same ground spact., but has
shifted bodily to the eastward towards to Jordan flats, thereby
reducing considerably :he breadth of the Zebra Channel, the water
in which continues the same as before, viz., six feet at low water.
Formby Channel and Pool remain nearly the same, but the en-
trance is narrowed by about Ifo yards; from the Pool a gutter has
formed through Formby Bank, leading Into the Crosby Channel,
with water sufficient for a flat to go through at low water.
Taylor's Bank, Jordan Bank, and Jordan Flats occupy till same
position, and remain in other respects the same as in the last survey.
The northern lace of Great burho has extended itself to the
northward, with an increased elevation along that :ace of from 2 to
3 feet.

In consequence of the foregoing changes, the marine surveyor
suggests the following alterations in the lighting and buoyage of the
pool.
That the light at present exhibited in. Formby Lighthouse be di.-
continued. and Crosby Lighthouse brought into use; that the
Formby Lightship be shif ed abort half-a mile S.S.E. E. from its
present position ; that the Bell Beacon be shifted 400 yards to north-
ward—these three objects to form a leading line up the Victoria
Channel over the deepest part of the west ;middle into the Crosby
Chan, el; and that the limits of the shoal water on either side of
this line be further defined by addit'onal bu. ys to be placed on eech
aide of the bight formed by the Victoria Channel in the west middle
shoal.

The present amount of traffic through the Queen's Chinnei,
together with the great promise !his channel gives of future improv.
renders it desirable that a .flirway buoy should be placed to
m ,rk its entrance.

Crosby Lightship requires to be moved one-third of a mile N.N.
half W., to suit the elbow of the Burbo Bank, and with the Form-
by ship will Le a ustfil guide to the navigation of the Queen's
channel.

The buoys on the inner bar of the Victoria Chinnel remainin? in
their position w 11 continue to be of sertice in cases where the
draught of water may mike it necessary to avoid the bars of the
Queen's Channel and the West Middle.
The shifting of the po ition of the Zebra Bank makes it requisite
that the fairway and other buoys in that channel should be suited to
the buoy Q I black and white, and V 2 black requires shifting; also
V 1 red. These, together with all other proposed alterations or addi-
tions, are exhibited on the manuscript charts submitted herewith,
coloured red.

The superintendent and mister pilot. named in the margin have
attended at my office, and the proposed changes, itc., having been
explained to them, I have to report that they agree with me in re•
commending these changes as desirable.
MURRAY T. PARKS, Marine Surveyor.
It was agreed that the recoromeniations should be
carried into effect.

A letter wasiread from Messrs. Vernon and Son, apply-
ing for permission to use a portable steam engine and
punching press on the quay between the Sandon Graving
Dock No. 1 and 2, for the purpose of• effecting repairs in
the Great Britain and Royal Charter, and undertaking to
make good:any damage done to the pavement.

The7Chairaian said the inittei before the sub-
committee upon a representation from the pt.rties in charge
of the Sandon Graving Dock, that Messrs. Vernon and
Son had ordered men to take tip the pavement without
any permission having been obtained from the dock com-
mittee. This they considered could not be allowed, nor
could they, as a sub-committee, take the matter into
their consideration under the circumstances. He believed
there was no objectio❑ whatever to the request being
granted, provided the privilege had been asked for at the
proper time. As the Messrs. -Vernon had apologised for
breaking up the pavement, he thought there could be no
objection to granting the permission now.
The request was accordingly granted.
A letter was read from Messrs. W. Laird & Co., thank-
ing the committee for the berth appropriated to their
steamers in the Wellington Dock, and requesting that a
transit shed might be erected at tire west end of the berth,
without which they stated that they must. necessarily ex-
perience great inconvenience in conducting the business
of their steamers.

The letter was referred to the Harbour Masters'
Committee. _ _

A letter was read from Messrs. Papayanni and Mussa-
bini, thanking the committee for the permanent berth
appropriated to their steamers in the Wellington Dock,
but renewing their previous application for a berth in the
Queen's Dock, in the event of that dock being appro-
priated at any future time to the use of steamers. The
writers also expressed their approval of the principle of
Mr. Wandall's projected plans for the appropriation of
docks to the purposes of steamers.
This concluded the principal business.