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

[ ciety, (cheers) you need not fear but that the speculations of of a goad system of draining—mentioned the improvements
men of science will have in them impartial and able judges, in the mode invented by the Marquis of Tweedale.and Mr.
will have in them also persons who will practically test the Beard, of Huntingdonshire, and then expressed a hope that
merits of their experiments, and in whom, each in their re- thus, would avail themselves largely of both these discoveries,
spective neighbourhoods, may place implicit confidence in and that in the course of a few years they would cease to see
the farmers, as they cannot expect to risk the loss of capital the water from the skies all over their furrows and spoiling
in hitherto untried experiments, they will, lam satisfied, at half their produce. When they had attained to this improve-
no distant time, be content to folloye. Gentlemen, I have ment, they would have done for one-half of England what
been more lengthy than I ought, and much more im- Mr. Coke, of .Norfolk, did for the other. (Hear, hear.)
perfect than I desired in sketching out to you very Mr. Coke had enabled them to grow wheat on the light
summarily some of the many benefits which are likeiy to lands of the country; let it be the object of this society to do
be conferred upon the agriculture of this country, by the as much as one individual had done,—let it be their object
Royal Agricultural Society of England (Hear.) In wish.. to improve the other half of their country. (Applause.)
ing it prosperity, I may congratulate you upon its increased, He had mentioned subjects which conveyed some imputation
and I may add, unparalleled prosperily at the present mo. of blame—he would now turn to others of a more agreeable
meat. Last year, the end of two years from its foundation, nature. Coming from the south of England, he bad seen
it numbered about 2,500 members; in the present year its with great satisfaction excellent crops of Swedish turnips,
numbers, without distinction of situation and party, or of which might be seen on all sides of Liverpool. He was told
any consideration, except an earnest desire to support the that it was not unusual to grow 35 tons of Swedish turnips
agriculture of this country, no less than 5,000 subscribers upon a single acre. Those farmers who came from the
have doubled its numbers in the course of that time. (Cheers.) south, when they had grown 20 tons, thought that they had
Gentlemen, it rests with you whether this society shall be done pretty well. He was afraid that the climate was rather
enabled still further to extend the sphere of its usefulness— against them, but at least let them try, in fair rivalry, to
whether it shall be able to go on proportionably increasing its equal their northern brethren. After commenting on the
means and extending its benefits ; but, from the assembly I great importance of increasing the means of feeding stock,
see around me, I fear nothing—at least for the neighbour- by improved cultivation, he said that the great assembly
hood of Liverpool arid for the county of Lancaster (Hear.) would shortly be dissolved, and he hoped every gentleman
I feel confident that the men who have here attended will would return to his home with an agreeable recollection of
not feel satisfied with the compliment of their presence, but ti e meeting at Liverpool, and with some increase of practical
that they will give more substantial marks of their approba- knowledge which he might be enabled to apply to his own
tion, and that in adding themselves to the number of sub- farm. For his own part he should carry to his home in
scriber, they will feel another year additional and more lively Berkshi .e a deep and lasting remembrance of the kindness
pleasure in drinking that toast, which I now propose to which hid been shown to him on this occasion by the farm-
them,—" Success to the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng- ers of England, and he had this additional satisfaction that,
land." (Tremendous chers, during which the Noble Lord if he were still allowed to conduct their organ, which he be-
returned his seat.) lieved to be of great usefulness to the society, he should still
Earl SPENCER then rose, and his reception also was most have the privilege of applying to all farmers for information i
enthusiastic. He said that if now, or at any period of his on any subject on which he thought the public required in-
life, he had felt anything like rivalry with his noble friend in formation. He knew from experience that that information
his eloquence and his power of speaking. he should rise at was not withheld by any narrow feeling of jealousy but was
the present moment with the greatest possible distrust and cheerfully given, and when he ceased to be their president—
diffidence, after such a speech as thit which they had just an office for which he felt his own want of ability (" No, no")
heard from him. But he (Lord Spencer) bad no pretensions —he still hoped that he might be the organ of their opinions.
of that kiisd. He came before them simply to propose to (Applause.) He felt great satisfaction in hoping, that when
them that in which he knew he should have their entire con- he left that chair he was not quitting their service. (Much
currence in his proposition, and he knew that they would applause.)
concur in the toast which he was deputed to propose to them, The VICE-CHAIRMAN said, that in proposing to them as
with as full satisfaction and as much cordiality as if he were a toast the " Highland Society of Scotland," he was con-
able to propose it with the most powerful eloquence, (Ap- scions of his own inability to do justice to it; feeling that to
plause.) The toast which he was deputed to propose to the enterprise, skill, and industry brought to bear by that
them was, " Success to agriculture, to manufactures, and to society, nature had been conquered in her most rugged
the commerce of the country." (Cheers.) He knew enough forms, by the successful attempts which had been made in
of those whom he was addressing—he knew enough of their Scotland to counteract the sterility of the soil and the incle-
feelings towards their fellow-countrymen--he knew enough mency of the climate. It was the landed proprietors and
of their feeling for the general benefit of the community at tenantry of Scotland who had given a national character for
large—to believe that if he were only to appeal to them to the first time to agricultural societies. The success of the
drink success not only to the line and to the profession and Highland Society of Scotland doubtless encouraged his noble
science in which they were themselves engaged, but also. to friend Lord Spencer to propose to the farmers of England
those in which others of their fellow-subjects were engaged, the establishment of a similar institution, and most grateful
he knew that they had such sympathy for the general welfare ought they to be for the example. They must look to the
of their fellow-countrymen, that it would not be at all neces- Highland Society of Scotland in the light of a parent, and
sary for him to add any comment, or to do anything to in- he trusted that that society would see no reason to be
duce them to concur with him in that toast. (Applause.) ashamed of the offspring now presented to their notice.
But even if he had felt any doubt_of this—which he did not (Applause and loud laughter.) It was a common thing
_ _

—he would say that lie addressed them, and asked them to

concur in this' toast for their own individual interests

(Hear, hear.) It was for the interest of agriculture in this
country that the country should be wealty—that it should be
prosperous in every branch, and throughout its whole extent.
He therefore believed that there was no toast on the paper
laid before them more consistent, or more closely united
with the objects of this society, than that which called upon
them to drink success as well to commerce and manufactures,

as to the agriculture of the country (loud applause) ; for how
could they hope to carry into effect the objects of this so-
ciety, which was to extend scientific and improved agricul-
ture throughout the country, without wealth and capital to
be applied to the improvement of agriculture? Every thing,
therefore, which promoted the wealth of the country—
every thing which increased the wealth of the consumers in-
creased the prosperity of that business in which they were all
engaged. (Applause.) He would, therefore, detain them by
pressing this fact upon their attention, but permit him to say
some few words on the present state of this society, and on
the exhibition which they had had at their present meeting.
His noble friend had most properly stated that the main and
principal objects of this society were not confined to shows of
cattle, or merely to the improvement of stock, but it was,
undoubtedly, one of the prain-objects of agricultural improve-
ments that they should improve the stock which they reared,
and should be enabled to bring it to market early, and at a
cheap expense, the animal produce which they brought for-
ward. These shows, therefore, though certainly not the
principal and main object of the society, were of great im-
portance amongst the objects which they had in view. They

were important in tham;elves, as they showed what skill ani
attention could do in improving the breed of domestic ani•
mals, and they were important as a means of collecting to•
gether such an assembly as he had now the honour to address,
With respect to the• present show he should say, that, in his
opinion, it was the best show they had had at anv of tbeii
exhibitions. He knew there were some who doubted this,
but he was quite sure that if there were such even, they must
admit that there had been no falling off. (Hear, hear.) In
his own opinion the,show was greatly improved. They bad
had in soma of the classes an exhibition of stock which had
surpassed any thing that he had seen in those classes, and if
he might be allowed to trespass on their attention he would
allude to some of them. He was speaking now as a practical
farmer, he was speaking from his own practical experience,
and whilst he was willing .to leave to the able and eloquent
speech of his noble friend the general interest of the society,
he (Earl Spencer) felt more in his own sphere, more in his
own element in speaking to them practically on the stock
which had been laid before them. He would mention one
animal, and he was sure they must have observed it as well
as himself. He called their attention to a yearling bull, of
the Hereford breed, exhibited by Mr. Walker. He thought
that young breeders would do well to examine that bull, for
in it they would see all the points which should be sought

in such an animal. With respect to breeding-stock he would
call their attention to a cow, bred and exhibited by Mr.
Booth. With respect to sheep—both South Downs and
Leicesters—there were many of extraordinary merit. One
in class 8, exhibited by Mr. Logan, was one of the most ex-

o Wish that such a One might be a better man thau

is father ; and he was quite
• • • .

,ure that the Highland

Society would rejoice if, in the progress of friendly rivalry,
they should even outstrip it, and at all events they would
rejoice to hear of the successfui meeting that day. Nothing
remained for him but to propose to them the continued suc-
cess of the Highland Society of Scotland, with which he
begged leave to couple the name of Professor Johnstone,
'drunk with_ great applause.)

Professor JOHNSTONE, in replying to the toast said he had
formerly reason to be proud of the honour conferred on
him, unexpectedly, by the Royal Agricultural Society of
England, in electing him an honorary member, in virtue of
which he was entitled to appear before them that day ' • but
he did not expect that that additional honour would have
been conferred on him to return thanks for the toast then
proposed, and which they had received in so cordial a
manner. He could only account for it on consideration
that he was situated at Durham, about half way between
the Royal Agricultural Society and the Highland Society
of Scotland. Although he would have an opportunity at the
meetingof that society, in Berwick, of addressing them on the
connexion between that science to which he had been devoted
and the art of agriculture, yet he did not consider himself en-
titled to represent that society which existed long before he
was born, and of the members of which there existed some
who were deeply acquainted with all that the art of agricul-
ture could lay before them before he had studied the elements
of the art. When he had an opportunity of addressing them,
he would tell them that in formerly an inimical country,
England, there were men more friendly towards them than
_ _

traordinary animals of that breed that he ever saw. Some of
the South Downs exhibited,—a very large proportion of
them indeed, were excellent, but he would particularly
call their attention to one of the shearling ewes, exhibited by
Mr. Webbe. If they looked at these animals they would see
to what perfection breeding could be brought. Those who

words could tell—men not only willing to give them credit
r for what they had done, but, what was a greater indication
of friendship, willing to follow their example. (Applause.)
He was surprised that the Highland Society of Scotland
should have existed for sixty years without the agriculturists
of England following in their footsteps. The learned pro-
fessor then proceeded at some length to advocate the utility
of hone dust as manure, and to show the benefits derived by
agriculture from science, but the meeting got very impatient,
and he concluded by thanking the meeting in the name of the
Highland Society.
Lord FRANCIS EGERTON said he had to request the largest
measure of their indulgence, not, indeed, for the toast he
had to propose, but for himself. It so happened that public
engagements yesterday at Manchester, occupied with private
circumstances, had prevented him execuiing his own wish in
attending this celebration at an earlier period, and he only
arrived at Liverpool that day in time to cast a cursory glance
over the splendid exhibition in this neighbourhood, and to
arrive in time. for that festivity. On entering that large
building, an old and valued friend had put a toast into his
hand, on reading it he felt somewhat consoled, for he felt that
it required no adornment of language to recommend it to the
meeting. If he had had all the time since the last meeting to
ropare this speech, he could not have done better than just
_ _

to name " The Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland." He
saw many around him, in every consideration better entitled
to offer so distinguished a toast to their attention. It might
be that the committee recollected that some years ago
he was in some measure connected with that country.

Perhaps they knew the fact that in no place was a temporarjy
residence—whatever be the object of it, or whatever be the
colour of a man's coat, be it blue or be it red—more sure to
make a person depart with a sensible value of the better fea-
.ures of the character of its inhabitants, of the kindness and
,berality, the gratitude and indulgence, which they were - -

wished to improve themsel`v'es in the knowledge of what ani-
mals could be brought t", need only look at these animals,
and he thought they would see in them what, in shape and
quality, they ought to endeavour to obtain. Having said
thus much with respect to the stock, he ought to address them
on another part of the exhibition, the exhibition of imple-
ments,—but his own practical knowledge was not sufficient
to enable him to give them any practical information on this
subject. With respect to implements, however, they had
seen to what mechanical skill and science had brought the
ploughs, which their ancestors thought incapable of improve-
ment. The implements exhibited, both for their number,
variety, and excellence, were well worthy of the attention and
well worthy of the encouragement of all who were engaged in
farming. It was undoubtedly with great satisfaction that he
had seen such a meeting as the present. It was most satis-
factory to him that, coming into the greatest commercial city
of this empire, they had been able to show the earnest desire
of the farmers of England to improve the cultivation of the
soil,—that they had been able to show that from every part
of the united kingdom, the farmers had come to show the in-
terest they took in the improvement of agriculture, to meet
those engaged in the same line with themselves,—to commu-
nicate information and to receive information from others in
return, because it was undoubtedly one of the merits of this
kind of life in which they were engaged, that they never en-
deavoured to conceal their discoveries from one another.
(Hear, hear.) Whenever they discovered any thing impor-
tant in the cultivation of the soil, they were always most ready
to communicate it to their neighbours in order that they
might follow the example,—and if they had a fault, it was
that they were sometime more angry than they should be
when they thought that they were not imitated so quickly as
they ought to be. It was therefore of great importance that
the farmers should come together at such meetings as this,—
a meeting so numerous that he could hardly wish to see it
more so. (Applause.) He hoped it would continue year
after year such as he now witnessed it, exempt from every
feeling which could produce difference of opinion,—united in
one great object,—the improvement of agriculture throughout
the united kingdom. His lordship concluded, amidst great
applause, by proposing " Success to the agriculture, manu-
factuses, and commerce of the country," [drank with great
applause].
The CHAIRMAN said he had next to propose a toast which
he was sure required no argument to enforce it. They
had been most hospitably received in this noble city of
Liverpool, upon their third meeting, and he was sure they
would agree with him that their council had properly selected
the place tor that meeting, and if they looked to what quarter
they could pay their debt of gratitude for that reception, there
was but one to which they could turn, and that was the chief
magistrate of this city. (Loud applause.) The Mayor of
Liverpool had exercised the most liberal hospitality towards
the council, they had themselves seen in how well regulated
a city they had met together—the merit of those regulations
must rest with the mayor,—and, without one word more, he
knew enough of English gratitude, and of the gratitude of
farmers, to propose at once, with all their hearts, and with
the utmost honour which they could pay, " The mayor and
Corporation of Liverpool." (Drunk with all the honours.)
Tha MAYOR, (Thos. Bolton, Esquire,) rose to return
thanks, and was very warmly received. He said he was
deeply sensible of the kind manner in which they had been
pleased to notice any little attention which the Mayor and
the Town-council of Liverpool had had it in their power to
show. He only regretted that they had not more within
their command, and he begged, on behalf of the people of
Liverpool, to express their gratitude to the noblemen and
gentlemen constituting the council, for selecting Liverpool as
their place of meeting. (Applause. Though he was himself
unacquainted with the science of agriculture, he had that day
witnessed a noble show of cattle, and an exhibition of the
most perfect implements of husbandry, and when he consi-
dered that this meeting was composed of persons from various
parts of the kineom, and that these specimens of cattle and
these instruments of husbandry would thus become known
to every part of the kiugdem, it was a most gratifying thing
to congratulate and thank the gentlemen of the Council for
making this the place from which so much useful knowledge
might be distributed. (Loud applause.) After an allusion
to breeding stock his worship spoke of the great increase
which had taken place in the population of Liverpool. During
the last forty years, from which period he had resided here,
the population had increased by upwards of 200,000 souls,
and he need not mention the great increase and extension of
commerce and the enlargement of the port which had taken
place. Manchester had also increased its population from
various tributary streams, and it was a remarkable fact that
notwithstanding this increase, and notwithstanding the great
improvements in machinery, and the great diminution which
they produced in the amount of labour, there had been, up
to the present time, as great a demand for labour as there
ever was, and every year, until the last two or three years,
had given more employment to human beings than the year
which precededit. (Loud apelause.) Much had been justly
said of the capability of increase for a better mode of
agriculture, and he believed that the same remark might be
made with regard to the increase of the not less useful art of
commerce and manufactures. After adverting to the great
.
advantages possessed by this country coals and minerals,
and in the skill, industry, and enterprise of the inhabitants
his worship again expressed his thanks for the kind manne
in which the toast hadbeen
proposed and received. He then
said that he had a pleasing duty to performs, it was one whica
he should not have assumed to himself. It was one which
had been suggested to him,
and by their call he most willingly
responded, it was to propose the health of their most excellent
president. (Loud applause.)
The CHAIRMAN said he was unable to return thanks as
he ought, for the houour done to him, and therefore he trus-
ted that they would accept the will for the deed. He had
endeavoured to do his duty to the utmost of his power, in the
office to which they elected him a year ago, and he rejoiced
most sincerely to see around him the evidence that the inter-
estsby his inexperience.
of this society had not suffered
(Applause.) The more he saw of British farming the more
he was pursuaded that it occupied the first station in the
agriculture of the world, and because he knew and believed
it to be so good, he entertained the hope that it would be bet-
ter still. His hope was founded on this, that they were all
agreed to learn from each other. He could tell them nothing
which they did not know much better than himself, but there
were one or two points to which he would just allude. In
travelling from their homes to this place, they had passed
a great variety of district, and they could not but have ob-
served how great a portion of the land of this count must
defy the utmost energies of British farming so long as it re-
mained in its present state—so long as it was saturated with
moisture. (Hear, hear.) He commented on the necessity

wont to exhibit to the strangers who visited them with what-
ever purpose, provided he maintained an average character
for integrity in his dealings towards them. (Loud cheers.)
In conclusion, his lordship said, that in receiving that toast
from him, they would forget the unworthiness of one who,
in an agricultural subject, had not a right to mingle. He
came there with a hope and intention of learning much, but
not with a vain and presumptuous hope of raising his voice
amongst them. He hoped they would drink to the success
of the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland.
A Gentleman from the sister country, whose name we
could not learn, briefly returned thanks.
ROBERT PALMER, Esq., M.P. for Berkshire, proposed
the toast, " The town and trade of Liverpool," and hoped
the trade and commerce of this great town would continue
to flourish.
Sir THOMAS BRANCKER returned thanks. After the
many eloquent speeches delivered that evening, and at that
late hour, it would be presumptuous in him to attempt to de-
tain them at any length, even if he possessed the ability to do
so. He would simply return them thanks, as an old inhabi-
tant of Liverpool, and to express, on behalf of the inhabi-
tants, their high gratification at seeing so numerous an assem-
blage in the town, consisting of the noble and wealthy of the
land, and many of the most intelligent farmers of the king-
dom. The occupation .of the inhabitants of Liverpool they
knew to be chiefly commercial, but they were deeply con-
cerned in the agricultural concerns of the community. In
fact, it would be absurd to separate the one from the other.
(Applause.) If one languished the other would languish
also ; and if one flourished the other would not be long be-
fore it participated in its advantages. (Applause.)
Dr. ROCKLAND said he was much too anxious to do every
thing i❑ his humble power to promote, in the smallest de-
gree, the interests of that great association, not to accept
readily the task suddenly imposed on him of performing a
duty which, from his situation as Professor of Geology in the
University of Oxford, he was very unfit for,—it was to pro-
pose the health of the Stewards of the Yard and of the Judges
of the Stock. The stewards of the yard were well known in-
dividually to them ; they were their first Noble President,
Earl Spencer, Mr. Ducie, his own neighbour, who co-
operated so ably with the society at Oxford, and the secretary ,
of their own local agricultural association. These were names
which required not one syllable of recommendation from him.
The judges of the stock were too many to be personally enu-
merated, but they would forgive him if he suggested to them
the propriety of placing the prize animals on platforms, so
that they might be visible to every one, a practice which he
had seen advantageously usedat Aberdeen. and of producing
some gentleman skilled in stock, and universally respected
for his skill, to lecture to the surrounding farmers, and to
point out wherein consisted the excellence of the stock.
After a few remarks on the benefit of draining, he concluded
by again naming the toast.
P. W. S. MILES, Esq., M.P. for Bristol, rose to return
thanks, but as it had become nearly dark, part of the cover-
ing of the pavilion was removed to allow the light to enter,
but this produced such a draft that it drove the persons from
their seats, and those who remained, buttoned up their coats
and put on their hats. A scene of great confusion ensued,
and bawling and shouting was continued during the greater
part of the time Mr. Miles was speaking.
The CHAIRMAN then called for Mr. Grey, of Dilston, but
that gentleman not answering, the chairman rose again and
proposed what he conceived to be one of the principal objects
of the society, " Success to the agricultural labourer." From
the .confusion which prevailed, this toast passed off un-
noticed, except by a few who received it with marks of dis-
approbation. Amidst the disturbance which prevailed,
The CHAIRMAN bawled out that there was only one toast
more—the health of his successor, Mr. Handley. He (the
chairman) left the affairs of the society in his (Mr. H.'s)
hands, and he left Mr. Handley in the hands of his friend,
Lord Ingestre.
Lord IKGEsTRIE, amidst great uproar, said he craved their
indulgence for two or three minutes while he proposed to
them the toast which had been committed to his charge.
After attempting to be heard for some few minutes, he con-
cluded by proposing the health of the " President elect."
Mr. H ANDLEY rose to reply, but was treated as unceremo-
niously as was the Noble Lord who preceded him. Most of
the company had departed before he rose, and the remainder
were moving off as fast they could whilst he was on his legs.
The toasts of the evening having been gone through, the
Chairman vacated his seat about half-past eight.