The National Register.
London, England, 1821-10-14 00:00:00

PLOUGHING MATCH AT EAST WICKHAM.

The pursuits of agriculture arc of a nature so interesting to
every mind capable of receiving delight from simple and natural
objects, and are at the same time of so much importance in a
rational point of view, that we feel it to be unnecessary to offer
any apology for calling attention to the establishment of a society
fur the improvement of agriculture. The society, to which we
allude i.. called 7he Agricultural Association of the Hundred
of Blackheath, Little and Greater Ltsisness; and Bosley, in the
county of Kent 1" and it has been founded principally by the
exertions of Air. Dickson. an active and intelligent Scotch gen-
tleman. When Mr. Dickson came to reside to the hundred
about a year ago, he was struck by the clumsy construction of the
ploughs ts hich were generally used in the county. Mr. Dickson
observed, that the great draught of these ploughs rendered it ne-
cessary to employ three horses and a driver, besides a man to
manage the plough, and saw that if he could succeed in intro-
ducing the use of ploughs of a lighter construction, similar to the
Scotch ploughs, which would only require two horses and a
ploughman, a great saving of expense would be effected in favour
of the farwer. Mr. Dickson, however, found all the recom-
mendations of the light plough thrown away upon the farmers,
owing to their attachments to old habits, and their dislike of what
they culled innovation. Tkey thought their ploughs worked
well, and needed no amendment : but Mr. Dickson was not to
be deterred from endeavouring to do good to the farmer, and he
persuaded several of his neighbours to join with him in forming
a society, which by offering premiums for the employment of
two horse light ploughs. would excite a spirit of emulation, and
enable the farnitrs to obtain practical evidence of the utility of
the light ploughs. In March last about 80 gentlemen, including
two noblenten, enrolled their names as members of the new asso•
elation, which, us we think, will appear from the following list of
premiums alretuly offered, is calculated to produce results highly
beneficial to the neighbourhood in which it is established.
The socie.y propose to give—
To the best ploughman, having two horses without a driver,
31. .

To the second best ploughman, having two horses without a
driver, el.
To the third best ditto, ditto, 11. Is.
Then follow three premiums for the three best ploughmen
w:tli three horses, though to a less amount.
To the plouglimaker wno makes the best plough, to he ap-
proved by the Committee upon trial in the field, 21. 2s.
Tu the agricultural servant who has :.erred his master (a mem-
ber of the Society), the greatest number of years, 11. is.
To the married servant who has brought up the largest fatuity,
the youngest child being under one year of age, without paro-
chial a:sistance, 11. Is.
the shepherd who has raised the greatest number of lambs
from an equal number of ewes, not less than 100, 11. Is.
For the best thrill machine that will sow 0 and 10 ridges at
once, from 7,0, and 111 to 27 ridges apart, with cups for all
kinds of grain and seed, the price of which is not to exteed 251.,
21. 2s.

I'o the maker of the best winnowing machine, price not to
exc.:el 121., 11.
Tue.tlay hat was the day appointed for the trial of skill among
the coimictiturs fin the premiums for ploughing, and the match
took place in a field of 27 acres, belonging to Air. Stodart, of
East Wickham. There were 52 candidates for the premiums, a
prooi of the spirit of emulation which the society has already
excited, to each of whom half an acre was allotted to plough. The
scene which the field presented was in a high degree intere,ting.
Many of the surrounding gentry paraded up and down the
g:ound on horseback and or. foot, attentively watching the
labours of the ploughmen. Among the labouring classes, too,
the Icy seemed to be observed as a holyday, and large numbers
of them repaired to the field, anxious to witness the skill of their
relations or friends.

When the candidates had completed their tasks, three practical
farmers, who hail been appointed the judges, inspected the
ground, and deemed the first prize, for the two horse ploughs, to
William Brack, ploughman to Mr. Collier, of CrapOrd. The
second prize was awarded to James Black. ploughman to Mr.
Dickson, Kidhrooke, Blackheads; and the third prize to Thos.
'filly, ploughman to Mr. Stodart, of East Wickham]. The first
prize for the three horse ploughs was won by James Print;,
ploughman to Mr. Owen, of Nairthpark farm; the second by
John Wade, ploughman to Mr. Pap, of ; and the third by
James Kimpton, ploughman to Mr. Saunders, of Bexley. The
successful candidates were 'madly cheered by the populace, and
&emitted with rabands and in order that their kss fortunate
compeers might participate in the general joy, the society with
meat liberality presented ss. to each. Among the candidates in
the early part of the day wits a ploughman in the service of the
Marquis of Londonderry, who prom! to be as bungling a work-
man to the field as nis master in the cabinet. After making only
two furrows as crooked and irregular as the noble Nlarquis s
policy, pour Pat the was an Irishman) was stab:oiled to proceed
Luther, imd quitted the field precipitately. amidst the laughter of
the spectators. This CIICUIIIStiIIIJC affiirded not a little amuse.
mem to the rustic throng during the coarse of the day. After
the priza:s wire aludali, Oarge party of gtatknom repaired to

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the Nag's Head tavern at Welliae, and earteuk loi a mil stem id
English dinner.
After dinner the customary toasts upon such occasions were'
drank.
Mr. DICKSON, who was in the Chair, then proposed the
health of " Mr. Coke, the best landlord and farmer in England."
—(Applause.)
Mr. lloitertrsoe then gave the health of Mr. Dickson, Cie
founder of the sncie:y, was drank with midi applause.
Al r. DICKSON, in rising to retails thanks for the honour which
the eampapy h sal dime hint by thinking his health, observed that
he might 'peril:lei be allowed to make a few observaiions with
respect to the society of which lie might be considered the
founder. The sacicty at the present time consi-tiel of between to)
and 90 noblemen, gentlemen. end farmers. It might indeed be
considered to be in a flourishing state, as the number of stile.
ecribers was daily increasing. It was true that the plan of the
society had originated with liini.'but he lied been greatly assisted
in carrying it into effect by the exertions of the gentlemen com-
posing toe ennimittee. I.liese gentlemen had consented to serve
for the ensuing year, and lie hopol that by their means the num-
bers of the society would be doubled at the next anniversary. It
would always give him great pleasure to do any thing in his
power to support the institution whilst lie lived in that part of the
country. It was the interest of farmers to support uie society.
In a time of such general depreediin as the present, it beeeme
necessary to retrench all expellees as much as possible; and if the
tamers could be convinced that ten 110 MS could draw 3 iii!o igh
or 4 cwt., they might effect a sating of So p:•r cent. The woriliy
ge•itleman conducted, midst applause, with uetsting the com-
mittee.
Mr. GUATWICH (one of the committee) observed, that
although his c.illeagues felt honeared by the flattering mention
which Mr. Dickson had made of them, yet they wese persuaded
that they could do little without the ussistance of that gentleman.
With respect to the society Mick, he wail, of (Tinier, that it would
be attended with great moral good to that Ilan of the country.
Many other toasts wete drank, and several slings were sung
during the course of the evening, and the company finally de•
parted, cidently much gratified with the events of the day.

GosPoeT, OcT. 9.-I'he erects of the late severe
gales are beginning now to show themselves. Yesterday a
collier came into the harbour which had carried away her
mainmast just above the rap, and was otherwise much crip-
pled in her rigging. The port news farther 111 the westward,
it is apprehended, will prove still more disaatruss. This
morning arrived from the eastward, the Bastard sloop of war,
which saluted the Admiral, Lad then brought up at Spithead.
Sailed his Majesty's ship the Alligator, for Woolwich, to
be paid off; us likewise the two transports, with a division
of the 84th regiment for Plymouth, and most of the outward.
bound vessels which have been so long detaiued, the wind
having iit length got round to the Southward. The Grecian
schooner, latelyattached to the Royal squadron, is condemned
as unserviceable. lit conformity with the system of retrench-
ment, orders have been sent out to India for the recall of
Admiral Sir Henry Blackwood, Commander in Chief oil that
station. He is to he superseded I.y Commuckre Great, who
goes out in the Liffey.
A SMUGGLER SHUT.—A coroner's inquest was held
at Alnwick-green, near Bognor, Hants, on Friday last, by
Mr. Ellis, coroner for the eastern division of this county,
on the body Of James Jurd, when it appeared, that on
Tuesday night previous, a smuggling craft, with 48fi nibs
of fin ergo spirits, was chased and boarded by the Little-
/tampion preventive galley, when the crew of the smug-
gler simultaneously jumped in the seizing boat and rowed
of with her. Being repeatedly hailed without effect, a dis-
charge of musketry followed, which wounded two men,
the above fatally. Verdict—Justifiable homicide.
PEDESTRIAN PEAT.-011 Wednesday morning a
gentleman named Miles, and who it is stated is an officer
on the half-pay of an infantry regiment, started to per.
form 10 miles within 55 minutes, for 150 guineas, on the
Brighton road, near a small village called Nuffield, a
short distance from Croydon. The bet was made a frw
days since, at a well known sporting house, in the neigh-
bourhood of St. James's, and time was backed at m 1.15
of 6 and 7 to 4. Mr. Miles accomplished lite distance
within 7 seconds of the given time, teasing perfoained the
10 miles in 54 minutes and 33 seconds.
First Love.—tin the 5111 instant, was married at St.
John's church, Chester, Mr. R. Mercer, of Hepburn.
bridge, near Black hunt, to Mass J. Nlorris, of Chester.
The parties should have been married 36 years ago. The
bridegroom has since been married, and had eighteen
children by the first wife. Ile had not seen his present
wife for 35 years, wheat he met her at Chester, and mar-
ried her the following morning.
CURIOUS BRF.ACII nF PlioAl,3l Oi MARRIAGE.
Wednesday afternoon an occurrence of rather an exir
Ordinary nature took place its Lambeth 'Marsh. A
young couple who had been attached to each other for
some time, were to have been that day nsarried at Christ-
church : and matters had gone so far, that the girl hail
left her place, purchased a wedding-ring, :ruin her frienils
had prepared a feast for the occasion. The bridegroom
paid a visit to his affianced wife early in the intoning,
and under some pretence obtained the wedding-ring for
a moment, and then managed to leave the house unper-
ceived. This creak dno alarm, but he did not return.—
At length it became too late to have the ceremony per-
formed that day, and great aiipreliensions were enter-
tained for the yOllll 11111111.5 safety, whilst the young
woman was ready to sink with grief and disappointment.
At Icogili it was suggested to go its rplest of him, and
after a laborious search, lie was found by the girl and her
brother at a public-house close by, playing, at skittles
with his brother anti a minsbber of other melt. A scene
of mutual recrimination then took place, and the poor
girl went Imo hysterics, whilst her faithless lover made
a precipitate ;circa I to avoid the vengeance of her brother
Howes er, his relarise who remained behind oink tip the
cudgels in his defence, and the two men instantly pro-
ceeded in the little field near the Coboitrg Theatre Irisltt
hand side of the new road), where, after an obstinate
contest, victory was proclaimed for Wrier sex. it was
afterwards discovered that the worthless fellow had
pawned the ring, and spent the money which he gut
for it.

Fatal ifietake.—A few days arp, a lady of great re.
spectahility residing at Livt.rpoid, who was confilietl by
indisposition, requested the si.miai In poor out a yam-
titv of tin.dieitte, sufficient for a dos••. from a bo:tle
standing on the chinnitee.pie,e of the mum. :%1(1.1
)))) inxely the attendant took the prescribed quatitit.
ahote two tahle spoonfuls, from a bottle of
standing in the sante place, in consequence of which,
though prompt assistance W 35 administered, the lady
tip;red ilia following morning.

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