The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-07-23 00:00:00

The report was read at length by Mr. Handley ; but, as tt
usual practice of public bodies—not excepting even the as
sembled representatives of the country—is to allow the re
porters for the press access to all public documents, and nc
anticipating a different course would be pursued at thi
meeting, no notes were taken of the report. On one of th
reporters applying to the ex-member for the document, firE
of all a shuffling excuse was made that it was not in a fi
state for publication, and subsequently a positive denial c
the loan of the document was given, on the ground that i
was to be kept for the exclusive use of the society's publica
Lion. We are therefore unable to present our readers wit]

a copy.
The CHAIRMAN next announced that the three prize essay
had been obtained by Mrs. Gardener and Mr. Cuthbert W.
Johnson. The first was furnished by a lady of practical
experience, and was as to the best mode of improving the
food of agricultural labourers. The second and third, by
Mr. Johnson, were upon the use of lime as a manure, and
upon the improvement of peat soils.
After a brief pause, the CHAIRMAN rose, and, after a few
words of commendation, proposed the health of Earl Spen-
cer, which was received with loud applause, and drunk with
three times three and one cheer more.
Earl SPENCER, on rising to respond to the toast, was re-
ceived with loud cheers. His lordship said he thanked them
for the high honour they bad conferred on him by drinking
his health, and for the manner in which the toast had been
received. But if he was obliged to them for that mark of
their approbation, he was still more obliged to them for the
increased support they had given to the society. He felt
highly gratified at • the increased number of members who
now belonged to it, and at its extension throughout the king-
dom. (Hear, hear.) He (Earl Spencer) had stated at the
first formation of the society, that even in those parts of
England where the best mode of farming was adopted, im-
provement might still be made ; and the result of the opera-
tions of the society had fully borne out his observation.
(Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) The president had told
them of the progress of the society, but as yet they had not
done enough to deserve the name of such a society. They
had, however, done a great deal by directing the attention
of farmers to the subject of improving the mode of cultiva-
ting their farms; they had done that which lie was sure all
of them who like himself were in the habit of frequently
mixing in the society of farmers must rejoice at—they had
extended the desire of knowledge. (Loud cheers.) Whether,
however, the society would now or within a year or two lead
to any great result was more than he could say ; but one
thing was certain, it must ultimately be beneficial to all
classes. (Applause,) When the epidemic which had spread
among cattle first became general, his lordship thought the
society ought to circulate amongst the farmers a paper
which would teach them how to treat it. They applied to
some of the most eminent persons in the country, and having
obtained their opinions, a paper on the subject had been cir-
culated, and it had been attended with the best possible effect.
(Cheers.) He (Earl Spencer) thought,. from the great num-
ber of cattle attacked. that by receiving reports from dif-
ferent parts of the way in which the disease had affected
cattle, some conclusion might be come to as to the mode of
treating it. (Hear, hear.) They had heard the report read,
which had been founded on the communications received
from the most competent men in the country to give their
opinions on the subject. Those reports had been placed in
the hands of Mr. Sewell, than whom no man in the kingdom
was more capable of giving an opinion on the subject ; but
from the contradictory, and conflicting statements which had
been made, the society had not been able to effect any great
good; but although the society had been linable to accom-
plish any great good, it had prevented many of the farmers
from trusting to the quackery of horse and cow doctors, who
did so much mischief to the farmer. With respect to the
other points referred to by his honourable friend, he could
say that the society had collected a mass of information of
the highest importance. They had a report respecting the
turnip fly, which showed the fallacy of the common notion
that the fly existed in the seed. The fly was an insect of
hard skin, did not grow, and consequently would not be
formed in the seed. That report showed the natural history
of the fly. It was traced through its different stages, ant
the best means were pointed out to counteract the mischief
it inflicted on the crop, and perhaps eventually the society
might be able to point out means to counteract its ravages 1
FOP there were scientific men in the society who were assisting
in the investigation, and they might depend upon it that
effects would be produced quite incalculable at the present
time. (Applause.) His lordship said he did not repent of
the course he bad taken in recommending the forrnatipn of
the society—it was impossible, after seeing that meeting, and
when he contemplated the splendid assemblage he expected
to witness to-morrow, to do so. He should always have
great pleasure in looking back on that period of his life, ant
should feel the greatest happiness in reflecting on the fact of
his having been the first person to propose the society,
(Loud cheers.) His lordship concluded by again thanking
them for the honour done him , and sat down amid loud cheers,
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of Mr. Smith,
a gentleman from Scotland, who had passed his life as au
agriculturist, and whose experience and intelligence had been
of great service to the society. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. SMITH returned thanks for the honour conferred upon
him. Whatever services he had done the society were amply
repaid by having his health drank in such a meeting as that—
by having those services appreciated by the Royal Agri-
cultural Society of England, and by the farmers of England.
(Loud cheers.) He had turned his attention from cultivating
the manufacturing arts to agriculture. He had no doubt the
farmer, like the manufacturer, if he had better tools his work
would be better done, and it was quite evident, on viewing the
Implements which had been exhibited that day, there was a
wide field for improvement. (Applause.) He felt assured
that if the mechanical skill of England were directed to that
point, and he had no doubt it would be by that society, a vast
improvement would soon be the consequence. (Cheers.) He
felt proud to think that they had been able to contribute
something of advantage to the English farmer from his poor
country of Scotland. He felt also gratified in believing that
the society had been formed in some measure on the High.
land Society of Scotland—a society which had produced
considerable advantage in that country by bringing into a
better state of cultivation the poor land of his country. He
had no doubt that in this country, where there was more
capital than in the north, ere long England would become a
perfect garden. The improvement of the agriculture of this
country was most important to the commercial and manu-
facturing interests. (Cheer.) They cried out for cheap bread,
and justly so, too ; but how so well were they to get cheap
bread as by the improvement of the lands around them?
(Continued cheers.) Every farmer knew well there was
nothing so good in agriculture as the consumption of his own
produce on his own soil. (Hear, hear.) The same principle
which was good in small things would also hold good in
larger. (Loud cheers.) It was to the advantage of the
farmer that the grain he required should be produced at his
own door, and there consumed ; and it was equally beneficial
that the manufacturer should have his manufactures con-
sumed in his own country, leaving its enriching influence
on the ground. (Cheers.) This country had been able to
bid defiance to the cheap labour of all other countries on
the earth, and so would she continue. (Hear, hear.) In the
improvements which had been made, no doubt they had been
led on by a selfish feeling to a certain extent, and in all ques-
tions of public benefit no doubt such &feeling must exist.
People must look to their own interests or they would do
little for the benefit of the public. It was, however, quite
clear, that in order to have bread cheaper, the best mode was
to produce a greater quantity, because the more that was
produced the cheaper it would be to the consumers. (Hear,
hear.) He would advise the society, if he might be allowed,
to avoid two errors into which societies of that kind cona-
!nonly fall, not to discourage persons who came forward with
improvements, nor to be too hasty in rejecting such as were
offend to their notice. Ile had frequently seen things of-
fered to the notice of such societies which at first appeared
exceedingly absurd, but in the end turned out to be really the
germs of the greatest improvements. At the same time he
would advise competitors, if at first their implements were
not noticed as they might imagine they deserved, not Nbe
discouraged, but to persevere, and eventually tirey might de-
pend on succeeding. (Cheers.) In taking a survey of this
county, and more especially in this neighbourhood, there was
great room for improvement, but that meeting would doubt-
less sow good seed, and in due time an abundant crop would
be reaped. (Hear, hear.) There was no principle for pro-
ducing improvements better than the itinerating principle—
it excited a spirit of inquiry, and, by the converse with
()piers, it improved men's minds, and by competition facul-
ties were brought into exercise which would otherwise have
lain dormant. It was, therefore, that he approved of plough.
ing matches and other modes of competition amongst farmers
and their servants. (Cheers.) He had had the good luck of
bringing forward some implements on the present occasion,
and if spared, he hoped on future occasions to exhibit still
further improvements. (Loud cheers.)
'The chairman and the principal portion of the guests then
left the room, and, after a vain attempt to induce Mr. Hand-
ley to accept the chair for a short time, the meeting separated

THE SHOW GROUND YESTERDAY.
Yesterday morning, at an early hour, the precincts of the
show-yard began to exhibit an animated appearance, curi-
osity having been excited amongst our vast population by
the appearance amongst us of an unusual number of strangers,
many of them distinguished individuals in the senate or in
the " ploughing" field. A number of additional refresh-
ment tents had also risen up round the yard, the creation of
a night.

The company, toward noon, began to muster pretty
strongly, but the assemblage inside never amounted to what
may be termed a throng. A number of flags were displayed
on the comarativeiy minute erections outside, but not a
single rag of bontain was shown in or belonging to the yard
itself. We suggested, on Tuesday. the propriety of a few
flags, as not only decorative, but requisite, to invite public
attention. But the " council," par excellence, of this nota-
ble society appeared to shriek from even showing their
colours. We could have lent the " Royal Association" a
Union Jack, or perhaps a " Royal" Standard, and its ex-
hibition, we trust, would not have offended, but rather
pleased, every true Englishman, whatever politics he might
profess. The conduct of this society, indeed, towards our
Lancashire public, reminds us of that of certain functiona-
ries sent down from London to the Custom-house here,
some years ago, to introduce amongst us, benighted and
untortunate creatures as we are ! " the practice of the port
of London." Some of these wiseacres objected to the
entry of " cow and ox hides," and would not do the needful
until the gender of the hide was most uncavallierly reversed
to "ox and, cow hides, for which they merited a sound
hiding. The present worthies have, throughout, manifested
an equal discourtesy towards us. They have come upon the
mere assumption of a name—the " Royal Agricultural So-
ciety of E- gland"—and treat us as if it were a mighty boon
on their pa tto visit us at all. They will take no hint from
so paltry a own as Liverpool ; they will only condescend to
take our cash.
The show, however, by force of fortuitous circumstances,
was good ; though not so good by half, through force of their
perversity in not giving sufficient public notice, as it would
otherwise have been. The implements shown were nume-
rous. and, on the whole, most ingenious,—demonstrating,
indeed, a high degree of intellect, study, and perseverance,
on the part of our brethren in agriculture in various parts of
the kingdom. In the complicated machinery for sowing,
the " southerns" have excelied at this exhibition ; in
the simpler, but perhaps more valuable, department of
ploughing, our " northern" neighbours, the Scotch, have
borne off the palm.
The difficulties of access to information, of which we have
to complain in common with our brother journalists' must
plead our apology for not entering into long details, or parti-
cularizing more 'than a few names :
Amongst those who showed implements were Messrs. Gar-
nett and Son, Leiston works, Sazmundam, who brought a
variety of working implements, as well as beautiful models of
drilling-machines, &c., in mahogany and brass and copper
work. _

Messrs. J. R. and A. Ransome, of Ipswich, exhibited a
variety of fine implements, particularly ploughs and drilling-
machines.

Mr. Wilkie, of Uddington, near Glasgow, exhibited se-
veral excellent ploughs, and a capital brake or scarifier,
effecting great saving in expense and draught.
Mr. Hornsby, of Lincolnshire. obtained the £lO prize for
a corn, seed, and manure drill.

Mr:Jos. Brewster, a premium of £2, for a turnip cutter.
Mr. Michael Lea, of Liverpool, for an oval tubbed double
acting vertical churn, with a large fly wheel,—a capital con-
trivance, £2.
Mr. Wedlake, Essex, for the dibbling machine, which was
shown on the Race Course. The same gentleman also ob-
tained a prize for a cheese turner.
Mr. Townsend, Leicestershire, for his field turnip cutting
cart, (before noticed,) £5.
Mr. Glover, for his turf and stubble paring plough ; also
41,9 at the Race Course.

Messrs. Garrett and Co., for a crusher for corn, &c, £2.
A horse hoe, £5.
Mr. John Howard, of Bedford, for a plough, £5.
The Earl of Ducie, for his horse hoe, shown on the Race