The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-10-13 00:00:00

CHESTER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

(Prong the Chester Courant.)
The first meeting of the Chester Agricultural Society,
under the presidency of the Most Noble the Marquis of
Westminster, was held in this city, on Saturday last. The
stock was exhibited in the Linen Hall, a place highly adapted
to show it to great advantage. We regret, however, that we
did not see its spacious area much better filled. The judges
were Mr. Scotson, of Toxteth-park, Liverpool, and Mr.
Dawson, of Gronant.
Before proceeding to notice the stock, we may observe,
that the necessity of the Chester Agricultural Society may
be clearly inferred from the appearance of some of the cattle
exhibited—we allude particularly to the bulls and pigs ; for
we must certainly either conclude that the farmers failed to
send their best cattle of that description to the exhibition,
or else that a great improvement is manifestly called for ; and
which, we hope, will speedily be effected. It must, however,
be remembered, that this was the Society's first meeting,
and that it is professedly established for the purposes of im-
provement, and to expect therefore that we should be ena-
bled to speak in as high terms of the exhibition at Chester,
as we have lately done of some exhibitions in the vicinity,
would, certainly, be somewhat unreasonable. Its beneficial
a_ency is now about to come into operation ; it is from the
present moment that we are to judge of its effects on the
agricultural interests of this part of the county; and we have
nut the slightest doubt, therefore, that at the next annual
meeting of the society, we shall have the pleasure of congra-
tulating all our agricultural friends on the improvement
which has taken place, and which it is the great object of the
society to secure.
The first class of animals which we may notice is the bulls ;
several were shown, but with the exception of the one which
carried away the premium, belonging to Mr. Taylor, of
Overton Hall, near Malpas, we cannot speak very favoura-
bly. Mr. Taylor's, however, was a very valuable animal, 15
months old. We have no doubt that the special attention of
the farmers will be directed in future to the improvement of
the bulls; especially when they reflect that in such a county
as Cheshire, a good breed is absolutely indispensable. We
may certainly speak more favourably of the dairy cows, as
several very useful ones in milk were exhibited. The first
prize was won by Mr. Parker of the Grange, near Chester,
but we think that the best cow in the field was one of the
extra stock belonging to the same gentleman ; this was a
truly fine animal. The show of heifers too, was very tole-
rable, both as to number and quality. Several very useful
ones were shewn ; and Mr. Palin, of Stapleford, whom we
had last week to record as a successful candidate at the South
Cheshire show, won the two prizes, viz. for the best in-calf
heifer and for the best yearling ditto.—There was no premium
given for sheep, but several very good pens were exhibited,
particularly those belonging to Mr. Walker, brewer, of this
city.—The show of pigs was not so good as we could
have wished, and if we except one belonging to Mr. Palin of
Stapleford (extra stock) we dare not say much in their
favour. We really think a better slow might have been
made, as there are several very good breeders within the
limits of the Society's district. Mr. Taylor, of Overton
Hall, won the premium for the best boar under two, and
Mr. Walker for the best stallion under one year old. The
sweepstakes for the best stallion was won by Mr. Parson-
age, several very good ones being in the field. For the pre-
mium of £7 for the best pair of horses for agricultural pur-
poses, there were two competitors, Mr. Podmore, of King's
Ferry, and Mr. Palin, of Stapleford. The colts shown by
Mr. Palin were very good and useful animals; but those be-
longing to Mr. Podmore were two of the most splendid
animals we ever saw. They won the premium, and besides
this had previously carried away premiums at Liverpool,
Ruthin, and Holvwell. The sweepstakes for the best brood
mare was won by Miss Lloyd, of Soughton, near Northop.
Several other sweepstakes were advertised, but they did not
fill. Amongst the agricultural implements were a corn drill,
two turnip cutters, &c., and they appeared to be very use-
ful implements.
We observed as extra stock, sent from our respected towns-
men, the Messrs. Dickson, a numerous collection of very
fine seed wheats, Italian and other grasses, new winter oats,
and other seeds for autumn sowing. Also some specimens
of their beautiful improved purple-topped Swedish, purple-
topped Scotch, and other turnips, red globe mange' wurzel,
white field carrots, &c., which were greatly admired, and
which would have carried away the prize for the sweepstakes
had they been entered. There was also exhibited from the
same establishment, a new turnip-slicer, and several improv-
ed garden engines.—The Rev. Mr. Park, of Ince, also sent
several new and most prolific potatoes, and a new orange
globe mangel wurzel.