The Sun.
London, England, 1839-07-22 00:00:00

ENGLISH AGRICULTURAL

sociEtt

OXYG2,I, TUESDAY EVENING.
The proceedings commenced this morniag with what
was announced to be an exhibition of agricultural imple-
ments, in a field adjo;ning that of the grand exhibition.
The place was thronged with members, who were much
disappointed at the results, as there was only an exhi-
bition of a sub-soil plough, a modification of an old prin-
ciple, which, however, succeeded well in loosening and
raising up the soil to a depth of nearly two feet. This,
which was intended to form a valuable department of the
Society's operations, may be pronounced at present a
failure, as the arrangements did not at all answer the ex-
pectations of the members.
The meeting this afternoon at the Town-hall was very
well attended, Earl Spencer, the President for the year,
being in the Chair, and supported by the Duke of Rich-
mond, Lord Portman, Lord Norreys, M. P., Sir Charles
Lemon, M.P., Mr. Childers, M. P., Mr. Handley,
M. P., and several other distinguished members.
Earl SPENCER opened the business of the meeting by
announcing that the different prize essays would be read,
and commenced by reading one from Colonel Le Couteur,
of Jersey, containing an account of the most approved
varieties of wheat introduced into England, for which a
prize of 20 sovereigns, or a piece of plate to that
value, had been awarded. The first description referred
to was that of the hoary white, or velveteen, a species for-
merly existing in Kent, where, however, it appeared to
have been lost. This was described as one of the most
profitable, leaving a balance to the cultivator of 151. 6s. 9d.
per acre. The next variety described was the Jersey Dant-
zic, which is, however, known in different parts of the
country under several names. It is not co hardy as the
former species, though it succeeds well in any part of this
kingdom except the north of Scotland. Like the former,
it is not liable to degenerate, and the straw is useful for
bonnet making ; the estimated profit per acre is
121. 14s. 6d. The third description named was the Whit-
tington, the grain of which was light, firm, and plump,
and afforded a straw generally six feet and not unfre-
quently seven feet in height. This variety is hardy and
very productive, but the straw is too long to be used for
thatching or for any practical purpose. The fourth variety
was the Talavera Belle Vue, which is hardy and prolific,
appearing above the ground in twenty-five days, and ripen-
ing much earlier than any other description of wheat.
Numerous experiments were adduced with respect to other
varieties, and the paper excited considerable interest.

Mr. HANDLEY:M.P., next read his paper on the eompa.
rative advantages of wheel and swing ploughs, for which a
prize of ten pounds, or a piece of plate of equal value, had
been awarded. He first gave a description of the various
difficulties which had to be encountered in the introduction
of new plans, however desirable, and then detailed the re-
sults of various experiments made by his direction with re-
spect to these two descriptions of ploughs. Notwithstand-
ing the cost of a swing plough was less than that of the
wheel plough, the advantages of the latter fully compen-
sated for it. It was also more readily managed, and with
greater mathematical precision, whilst a 1.);)y could attend
to it. It possessed advantages also in dry grounds from the
greater firmness of purchase, and Mr. Handley considered
that in every respect the wheel plough was preferable to
he other.

The third prize essay, Which was read by Earl SPENCER,
was from Mr. Richard Hopper, of Nottingham, being the
best account of the advantages of drawing turnips from the
land and consuming them in houses or yards, and to which
the prize of 101., or a plate of equal ♦alue, was awarded.
The writer prefaced his paper by alluding to the great de-
struction of crops in general, and of turnips in particular,
by the present modes adopted for taking them off the ground.
ft the broad cast plan of serving is adopted, there is no plan
of drawing which would not be more injurious than in the
drill system ; but even in the former, if proper atten-
tion were paid, not so much loss would occur as is generally
the case. He recommended that the ridges be 27 inches
apart, which would admit the wheels of the cart and
tha horses without injury, and be equally well adapted for
horse-hoeing. Various other pertinent observations were
made with respect io the adaptation of the seed to the ma-
nure and soil; and this brought the author to the next
point to be considered, " The comparative progress of
stock in fattening or thriving when consuming drawn
turnips or those still in the land." A variety of
food was essential to the advantageous rearing of animals,
as the hardy black cattle of the north, from the climate to
which they belong, could not be put upon the same food
as the Hereford, or the more delicate of our southern
breeds. The remainder of the paper was devoted to the
relative value of the manure to be employed. .
Mr. HANDLEY. M. P., next read a communication from
Mr. Childers, M. P., on the advantages of shed feeding
for sheep. The latter gentleman had made some interest-
ing experiments by placinga store of " hogs" in a shed,
contrasting them with a similar number kept in the open
grounds, each being fed upon turnips. A great advantage
was proved in favour of the former system, for whilst in
the course of three months the score contained in the shed
increased in weight 56st. 61b., those in the fields had added
to their weight but 36st. 81b.
Earl SPENCER next read some interesting physiological
observations on the breeding of cows, deduced from his own
observations, and then adjourned the meeting.
The influx of strangers into the town has far exceeded
the expectations of the most sanguine friends of the Society.
The decision of the judges for the grand show will not be
made known until to-morrow ; but the collection of animals
will exceed anything that has previously been brought to.
gether in this county.

WEDNESDAY EVENING

The influx of visitors to-day has kept the city in a
very lively state of excitement from an early hour of
the morning, every description of vehicle, loaded with
passengers, coming in from every direction, so that ac-
commodation either far man or horse was with difficulty
attainable. The exhibition at the grounds iu Hollowell
was, of course, the great object of attraction, and the
Comrrittee very judiciously made a charge of 2A. 6d. for
every ticket for admission between that hour and twelve
o'clock. Within a quarter of an hour after the gates were
opened at least five hundred persons were present in the
grounds, and the judiciousness of the interior arrange.
merits was much admired. The enclosed part occupied
an area of four acres: and, at convenient distances, stalls,
covered with tarpaulin, were provided, which allowed
of an inspection of the animals from each side, without
much interference or confusion amongst the crowded com-
pany. The minor arrangements were, however, bad, a!
no persons were admitted who were not provided with
tickets, which they had to procure from the book,ellers in
the town, and which throtighow the day I:‘d to a ,rent (Fal
of confusion, itundreds brit .g compelled to r, turn a dis-
tance of nearly a mile, who were unaware of the rrange-
ments of admission, which were not made sufficiently pub-
lic. No catalogues or list of prizes were issued till a late
period of the day, and the visitors were thus quite astray.
After one o'clock the charge of admission was reduced to
one shilling, whets the crowd of visitors was perhaps
greater than has ever been known on any similar public oc-
casion. The implements, which were exhibited in th„:
centre, consisted principally of ploughs, threshing ma-
chines, harrows, &c., from Messrs, Rauserne, of Ipswich ;
and there were also two marquees erected, one of whirl:
was devoted to an exhibition of different varieties of wheat
and in the other was a show of seeds and grain from
Messrs. Cormack, of New Cross ; specimens of soils, mi-
nerals, and manures, from Mr. Lance ; and some finely
cultivated Swede turnips from Mr. Skirving, of Walton,
near Liverpool. In neighbouring grounds were shown,
as separate exhibitions, a large American ox, weighing
4,0001b5., with the " largest horse in the world," and
other curiosities equally attractive to the numerous visitors
from the show. The spacious quadrangle of Queen's
College, which is a square of 144 feet, the tables, and
other preparations for the dinner, were exhibited to the
public for two hours in the morning, and attracted a very
large number of persons.
Tne display of the beasts was probably superior to what
had been previously brought together in any collection.
One novelty in the exhibition above that of the Smithfield
Club show was the exhibition of stallions and cart mares,
with their foals, being an carriest of what may be realized
by the future exertions of the Society in this important de-
partment of agriculture. The list of prizes was ample,
and the decisions of the judges were much commended.

PRIZES FOR IMPROVING THE BREED OF CATTLE.
CLASS 1.-SHORT HORNS.

1. To the owner of the best bull, 301. Mr. Thomas
Bates, Kirkleading, Yorkshire ; three years and nine
months old.

2. To the owner of the best cow in milk, la. Mr.
Bates, ditto ; aged four years and eight months.
3. To the owner of the best in-calf heifer, not exceed-
ing three years old, IM. Mr. Bates ; age, 1 year 11 months.
4. To the owner of the best yearling heifer, 101. Mr.
Bates ; age, 1 year 10 months
'3. To th.- owner of the best bull calf, 10/. The Marquis
of Exeter, Burleigh Park, near Stamford; age 7 month-.
In this cla-s may also be noticed a yearling heifer, bri•d
and exhibited by Sir Charles Morgan, Tredegar, Mon-
mouth!hire, as well as some animals from Mr. Carrington,
of Great Missenden. The specimens were generally objects
of admiration.
CLASS 2.—IIRREFORPS.

1. To the owner of the best bull, 30/. Thomas Jefferys.
jun., Esq., of the Grove, Herefordshire; age, 3 years 10
months.
2. To the owner of the best cow in milk, 151. Mr. Wal.
ker, of N ir,hlands.
3. To the owner of the best in-calf heifer, not exceeding
three years old, 151. Mr. E We=t, Littlepoome, Hertz ;
age, two years and seven months.
4. To the owner of the b-st yearling heifer, 101. Mr.
J. Hewer, of Houghton Lodge, Herefordshire,
5. To the owner of the best bull calf, 10/. Mr. J. Walkcr,
Burton, Worcestershire ; age, eight months and a half.
In this class may be remarked a Hereford bull, bred by
Mr. White, of ',Pals, Wiltshire, and soma fine animals from
the Duke of Bedford, Lord Western, and the Earl of Mac.
elesfield.

CLASS 3. -DEVON S.
1. To the owner of the best bull, 30/. Mr. Paull, of
Corupton ; age, three years and two months; and was
bred by the late Mr. Flitton, of North Moulton, Somerset.
2. To the owner of the best cow in milk, 151. Mr. J.
B. Peters, of South Pretherton, Somerset; age, nine
years and six months.
3. To the owner of th' best in-calf heifer, not exc ed-
ing three years old, 151. Mr. T. Stephens,
lackington.
4. To the owner of the best yearling heifer, 10/ Mr.
Cothar, Middle Acton.
5. To the owner of the best bull calf, 101. Mr. Paull;
age, six months.
This class eicited great attention from the purity and
beauty of the breeds. A regulation :vas adopted by the
judges, that the prizes for in-calf heifers in these classes
were nut to be paid until they had calved.

CLASS 4.—CATTLE OF ANY BREED OR CROSS,
1, To the owner of the best bull, 30/. Mr. R I-1.1-
ton, of Sherbourne, Worcestershire, for a pure long-
horned bull ; age, four years two months.
2 To the owner of the best cow in milk. ml. Mr. J.
Putland, West Ferle, Sussex, for a pure Sussex cow;
age, five years four months.
3. To the owner of the best bull calf, 101. Mr. Co-
tiler, of Middlr. Acton, for a cross between the Hereford
aod Durham ; age, eighteen weeks,