The Sun.
London, England, 1823-07-16 00:00:00

SHROPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The 14th Anniversary occurred (we cannot
say was attended) on Tuesday. There were exhibited 9 pens
of sheep, 2 pairs of heifers, 2 bulls, 1'1)(12 pigs. Of these, one
pairof Durham heifers, bred by Mr. White, were disqualified,
thargentleman having last year won a premium with the mime
kind of stock ; 3 Southdown wetbers and 2 rams, bred by Mr.
T. Block, were shown as extra stuck, andspartOolc of the merit
of his prize sheep; and a bull 7 years old, bred .by Mr.
Griffithes, of the Meadows, was also shown as extra stock, and
admired by those who knew the stoekiind its aptitude to fatten.
There were 2 Kyloe, or West Highland cows, belonging to
Dr. Johnson, which were hurdled off from the_ *bow ground,
and ruminated remotely, with as much indifference as to the
bit,iness of the day, as some of the early friends of " The
,Shropshire Agricultural Society."

After the usual toasts—the King—Royal Family, &c. the
health of the President, W. Wolriche Whitmore, Esq. was
then given.—Mr. W. Whitmore returned thanks, and said that
nothing gave him greater gratification than his endeavours to_
promote the interests of agriculture, particularly in this County,
and the prosperity of the SoCiety. He believed the present was
the thinnest Meeting which had occurred, and he knew not
to what cause to attribute this. He believed several of the
leading Members were absent from the county at this moment :
one Nobleman (Lord Bradford) he knew was confined in Lon-
don 'with a wound in his leg. He had heard that a feeling pre-
vails among some persons that the good which was in view
when institutions like this were founded, had been now attained
by them, and, therefore, that they need not be continued. He
should like to hear the arguments for and against such an opinion.
But if it be desirous to discontinue this Society, it should be
done in an intelligible manner ; it would be better that it should
be done by aspecitic vote of the Members, rather than be starved
and allowed to dwindle away. He not only regretted the absence
of several Members who were strenuous at the formation of the So-
ciety, but he also regretted that the show in the field was deficient,
compared with other years ; there appeared an apathy in the
sending of stock ; and surely it stock be not sent, the Society
must tall to the ground. The Committee were well aware of
the feelings of several Members, and that some had withdrawn
their names ; but they were not prepared for the defection
which does exist. It was deemed desirable' therefore, to call
a General Meeting, to know , whether the Society should be
continued ; and if so, he had no doubt it would start with re-
newed vigour in consequence of the discussion which would
take place. The Committee therefore commissioned him to
propose—" That a Special General Meeting be held at the Lion
Int:, on Thursday in the Hunt Week, to consider the propriety
of dissolving the Society, or of supporting It with greater spins
and elfect.'
J. BATMER, Esq. in seconding. the motion said, he hoped
it would not be considered out of time to make a few remarks
on the question, even before an audience all on one side. %Vben
they met last, it was in a season of gloom such as had been sel-
dom known ; but he trusted the time was arrived with brighter
auspices, when a man who invested a capital in agriculture
would know what lie was doing, and would be able to calculate
upon moderate gains. What reason then is there at this mo-
ment for abandoning this Society? Yet it would be far better
to abandon it than suffer it to dwindle away, and appear like
a Parson going to his Church without having a congregation.
He spoke as one not originating the Society; and he (Mr. B.)
submitted, whether the gentlemen of moderate rank and prac-
tical agriculturists, had not a right to hear from those leading
characters who did originate the Society, why it should be
given up ?., Those gentlemen ought not (he spoke it with
conciliation and courtoy) to withdraw in silence and leave the
young member', drawn in by the example of others, to
strangle the offspring which great men begot. The funds of
the Society ere good ; and having withdrawn the premium "for
the best cultivated farm," they could now afford to give larger
premiunie fer the exhibition of .stock : he for one should he
happy to hear the opinion, of practical farmers on the subject
and any suggestions.' Te pursuit of agriculture is raised from
the dunghill and the plough-tail, and exalted to a liberal pro-
fession; it *Worded amusement to the gentleman, profit to the
capitalist, and a livelihood to those engaged in it ; and whilst
better days are dawning—the manufacturer flourishing, taxes
decreasing, and a greater degree. of comfort and happiness
spreading throughout the country, the prospect must be melan-
choly indeed If the landed interest should neither partake of the
general improeeinent of others, not meet to cheer themselves.
and walk down gently without a stumble, which might be fetal
to the interests of their country.
Lord Wu. read a letter from the Earl of Bridgwater (whose
state of health prevented his attendince). stating that he con-
ceived it the duty of persons of property to encourage Agricul.
tore, most especially et the moment of depression. The Earl
of Bridgwater's health was then drank; and a deposition of the
state of his flock this year was read, viz. that 436 ewes had
yeaned 667 lambs, and that 561 had been reared.
The Pnxsiiixx r proposed "Success to Agriculture;" and
said it was of great importance that farmers should reflect upon
the times through which they had passed, and endeavour to as-
certain those on which they were entering ; the subject should
be investigated in the closet, and by discussion between man
and man, so that they may understand the intricate and dark
road which agriculture has yet to travel. He (Mr. W.) believed
the price of cern had notreached its maximum, and this opinion
was formed on the ground that there never was a period, ex-
cept in one of scarcity, in which the stuck of corn was less
than at the present moment ; that there never was less specula-
tion, nor ever less corn in the farmer's hands. He always hail
an impreseion, that we should be sitiliged to have recourse
to an import of foreign corn before the next harvest, and
this he inferred from the fact, that an average year's growth
of corn WAS not sufficient for the consumption of the coun-
try. But should there he no import this yeas the consumption
would reduce the stock in hand so low as to lead to the neces-
sity of a larger importation in the next year. It Is well known
that by the existing law, all corn under bond, that had been
imported previously to May twelve months, would he allowed
to come into the market duty free, wheneverihe average.r.rice
amounted' to 70s. per- quarter. Now, although the precise
quantity then in bond he did not know, yet he did know that
it could not exceed 800,000 quarters, and some little may have
been admitted since the time just mentioned. Judging then
from the stock in hand end the growing crop, he was of opi-
nion the average price next year would be high. But the still
unmitigated distress of small farmers, and the demands that
would be made upon them as soon as they had any funds to
pay with, would force the grain into the market immediately
after harvest, and thus occasion a glut. This opinion may
induce tenants to hold back their corn, and landlords not to
force them before the extent of the crop be known. But at.though a high average price may last for two or three years,
" T should (continued Mr. %V.) tail in my duty if I said high
prices can long continue. You will have to pass through other
degrees of ruin. The capitalist may standit, but the mass of
farmers cannot stand the ruinous fluctuation of prices occa-
sioned by the present system of Corn Laws."
The following toasts were then given:—Sir John Trill ; Lord
Hill returned thanks. The Vice-President, Penton Corbet,
Esq. who returned thanks. The Members for the County ;
Mr. It. Hill returned thanks. The Vice-President elect, John
Bather, Esq. ; Mr. B. thanked the Meeting for drinking his
health, and jocularly remarked, that although he felt no syrup-
tonic of mortality, yet he had little hope of enjoying the honour
of Vice-President; but should the Society survive (he hoped It
would survive, for he believed It had done much good) he
trusted there would be a larger company, which always makes
thing,' go off better.—The Member for NVenlock t Mr. Childe
returned thanks. The Secretary, Win. Egerton Jeffreys, Esq.
to whose exertions they were indebted for the prosperity of the
funds and other advantages; Mr. J. returned thanks. The
Judges of the Show ; Mr. Matthew Jones and Mr. (I. Fanner
(the Judges) returned thanks. Mr. Sutton; Mr. Childe, of
liinlet; Lord Bradford, &c.
During the evening, questions and suggestions on subjects
connected with the Society, and hints far establishing it on a
wider basis, were discussed-with animation, freedom, and hu-
mour, by Messrs. Sutton, Bather, Ravenshaw, NV. I. Childe,
Lloyd, (the Grove), A. D. Jones, &c. and the general opinion
seemed to be, that from the present evening the Society. would
be re-animated with new vigour. When_ the company wp..,
breaking up, the l'resident rind Mr. Bather urged the sstbscri-
hers at large to come forward at the meeting in the Mint week,
and deliver their suggestions ; for their attendance would per-
haps materially sway the decision of the Land-owners on that
occasion as to the utility of continuing the Society. "If (said
Mr. Bather) the Farmers attend at that meeting, and express a
wish that this Society he continued, and promise to support it
with spirit, will the Aristocracy desert it? And even if it be pt r-
mined to expire now, will not the flame of similar institutiot 8,
in surrounding counties, he extended to Shropshire on a future
occasion, and rekindle this Society once more." Front some
expressions which dropped in the discussion, it appeared that
the names of about 15 gentlemen had been withdrawn from the
Society last year : live of these in consequence of deaths.
Besides the names above mentioned, the following were at the
field or the dinner :—E. (Amide, J. Gen. Lethbridge, Col.
Gooch, Dr. Johnson, Mr. Buyley, Mr. J. Black, Mr. S. Bluck,
Mr. Blakeway (Wootten), Mr. Bowning, Messrs. Croxons,
Mr. Playfair, Air. Fox, Messrs. Oatley, Mr. Winters Mr. W.
Price, Mr. T. Price, Mr. White, jun. &e. &c...—GY/trctes&riry
Chronicle, July 11.)

On the 20th January died at Triclunopoly, of
cholera marina, Mu N(10 PATIK, M.D., eldest son of the cele-
brated African traveller. .

BETT Y has been performing with consider.
able success at Croydon, and by paxticular desire, has extended
Ws engagement fora night or two.