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

GREAT MEETING IN LIVERPOOL

OF THE

ROYAL

AGRICULTURAL

SOCIETX

OF ENGLAND

After a political contest throughout the kingdom, now

happily terminated, in which antagonist feelings nave
been roused to a degree of excitement which, in some quar-
ters, threatened the very foundations of society, and which
we should hope, for the general weal, will never again be
exhibited,—we hail, with heartfelt delight, the advent of a
meeting, the proceedings of which will furnish a cheering
passage in the records of our country to which all good men
of whatever party will hereafter revert with pride and satis-
faction, demonstrative of eminent improvement in ag,ricul-
ture,—a science, the pursuit of which, though primitive, is
the most valuable to which human energy can be directed,
and which, by the chemical and mechanical appliances of

modern times is calculated, above all others, by increasing
the product of our own soil, and, consequently, with our
increasing population, extending, as it were, our terrestrial
boundaries, to conserve and consolidate our national happi-

tress, security, and independence

It has been well said by a distinguished writer, that that
man deserves well of his country who makes two blades of
grass to grow where only one before raised its bead ; and

how much more then ought we to commend the trium-

phant exertions of those by whose skill and.perseverance,
even the heath-covered moor, before scarcely conscious of
verdure, and the hill side, " with blossomed furze unpro-
fitably gay," may be blended with the fertile valley into one
common and prolific garden ! We entertain but a sorry
opinion of the patriotism of the man who would draw upon
foreign states for those articles of consumption Which, by a

proper appropriation of the gifts of Providence, he can pro-
duce upon the laud of his fathers ; and w•e shall never yield

.1 from

to the senseless clamour for unrestricted import
abroad, until we have brought into full cultivation every
available spot of ground at home. This we conceive to be
a principle neither invidious nor unjust, but wise and po-
litic ; and we would commend the same spirit, the same
Preference of home production in others, as the most bene-
ficial, by its promotion of industrial habits, for the general
family of mankind. It is a feeling, indeed, essentially phi-
losophical, and peculiarly English. The fragrance of the
rose that is plucked at the door of the cottage is sweeter in
odour to the peasant, who has assiduously reared it, amidst
difficulties and discouragernents, than if it were culled from
the parterre of the palace : the root which he has dug from
his own little garden, is more grateful to his palate than if it
were the purchased product of unknown hands; and the
same argument, though simple, if it be true as applied to
individuals, is equally valid on the broad principle of nation-
ality. What vintage of a sunnier clime can yield a beverage
so refreshing—so health-inspiring —as our own " home-
brewed nut-brown ale." And (we may further inquire),
what foreign pasturage—as witness the present exhibition—
can produce stock to compete with the home-fed beef of old
England ! Truly it may be said, indeed, that whether as
regards the necessaries of life, or the employment to millions
which their production creates, " there is no place like home."
'ith these impressions, the meeting of the Royal Agri-
cultural Society of England, at our western metropolis of
commerce, is an event of much interest and gratification,
and will, we doubt not, beget a more just and kindly feeling
towards the rural population, amongst the ultra-advocates of
free trade, than they have for sonic time exhibited. They will
learn from it, if they be accessible to conviction, that much
as has already been accomplished in the cultivation of the
soil, much more may yet be achieved ; and that we should
cease to be true to ourselves if, by neglecting to husband
well our own resources, discouraging the home producer, we
forward one interest to the ruin of another, and become
thereby dependant upon foreigners for any portion of our
supply of food, beyond an occasional fractional amount in
the rare occurrence of seasons of scarcity. The primary
object of the society is second to none that have hitherto
engaged the attention of man individually or collectively,
and is strictly compatible with the soundest and most un-
deniable principles of philosophy and political economy. It
is, by the encouragement of new and scientific improvements
and discoveries, to bring agriculture to the highest possible
degree of perfection ; in a word, to ensure to the husband-
man the greatest possible amount of the produce of the soil
at the least possible expenditure of capital and labour. A
purpose more beneficial, or more honourable, can scarcely
be found amongst the range of human influences ; and we
regard its originators with a degree of respect akin to that
universally awarded to the magnanimous Roman senator,
Cincinnatus, who, when his services were again in requisi-
tion in the guidance of the helm of the state, was found in
unobtrusive retirement following the plough!
The first great meeting of the Agricultural Society was
held at Oxford, in 1837, and the second at Cambridge, in
1840, both of which were patronised by a vast and influential
body of our agriculturists and others; and the generous
emulation which they excited, extended its beneficial effects
to the most remote, as well as to the proximate districts of
England. The present is the third meeting, and from its
central position, as regards England, Wales, Scotland, and
Ireland, and the facilities of conveyance from every point by
railway and steam-vessels, the attendance of strangers front
distant counties, as well as the immediate locality, is conside-
rably greater than that at any former gathering, exceeding, pro-
bably, 40,000, amongst whom were many of the nobility
and gentlemen of distinction, with their families, and a vast
concourse of rearers of horses, cattle, &c., growers of corn,
nursery-men, horticulturists, cattle dealers, agricultural im-
plement manufacturers, amateurs, and others interested in
such exhibitions. The proprietors of railways, (particularly
those from the south,) and of steam-boats, coaches, &c.,
have for some days reaped an unusually abundant harvest in
the conveyance hither of passengers, implements. specimens
of grain, roots, plants, and specimens of rare and extraordi-
nary vegetable production ; the principal and even secondary
hotels and inns, and the principal streets, are more than
usually animated and bustling.
Amongst the distinguished strangers we may enumerate
the following :
AT THE ADELPHI.—Lord Ducie, Lord Miltown, the
Dean of Tuam, Sir C. Morgan, Sir John Guise, Sir C. Cuffe,
Messrs. Skerrrur. Tyson, Penrice, MacFarlane, Young,
Barker, Purey, Kinker, Lawton, Cheap, Brown, Gray, Ir-
ving, Scarlett, Palmer, M.P., Pusey, M.P., Knatchbull,
Jaml, Sbaw, and Falcon.
AT THE WATERLoo.—General Swaithworth, Sir R.
George, Messrs. Connal, Weaver, Deighton, Stone, Todd,
Grey, Bless, Proctor, and Ranson.
AT THE ROYAL HOTEL.—Sir R. Langrish, Captain E. L.
Holsey (Charleston), Captain Ferris (New York), the Right
Hon. Brown, M.P., Messrs. Robert Stewart, Joseph
Gillis, John Gasgarth, Fishbourne, Maguire, Comporn,
Avonel. Gibson, Joseph Price, W. Phillips, E. B. Warner,
Davis, Willoughby, Yorke, Clarey, M'Evoy, Slameton, T.
Peterson, Roche, Champion, Waite, Dowles, and Jones,
Mr. O'Connor, family, and servant, Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick
and family, Mr. Mitchell and family, Mr. M'Clelland and
friend, Mr. Arthur Guinness and family, Mr. Mortage and

friend.
AT THE QUEEN'S ARMS.—Lord St. John, Colonel Eger-
ton, Rev. W. Egerton, Colonel Sandamon, Col. Crichton,
Richard Swan,
AT THE ANGEL.—Lord and Lady Flemming, Messrs.
Adshead, Littlewood, Ashman, Biddle, Hearne, Heath,
Gray, Green. Adkins, Steel, Gabell, Pearce, Garret, Bod-
dington, Whitey, Bright, Passenham, Bolt, Jones, Bretber-
ton and friend, Mr. and Mrs. Hart, Mr. and Mrs. Miller
and friend, and Mrs. Ermer.
AT THE GRECIAN.—Messrs. Sparling, Suffolk, Cook,
ditto, Crisp, ditto, Thorpe, Newark, Marfleet, Lincolnshire,
Griffin, Peterborough, and Litchfield, Cork.
AT TrtE NEPTUNE.—Sir S. Lawson, Captain Taylor, of
York, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke and family, Messrs. Affleck,
Smythies (2), Townsends (2), Richardson, Badsford,
Whvley, Ledger, Parkinson, Smith, Leddenhall, Metzler,
Laidlaw, Stables, Grundy, Lindsay, M'Chine, Mr. and
Mrs. Bury.
AT THE MONKS' FERRY HOTEL.—Mr. Hayter, M.P.,
E. Buller, M.P., P. D. Cooke, Hon. R. Clive, M.P.. J. W.
Childers. M.P., Hon. W. B. Baring, M.P., Mr. Divett,
M.P., W. Miles, M.P., Sir J. Johnston, M.P., G. Legaw,
H. J. Thompson, R. F. Shawe, Wilson Patten, M.P., J.
Villiers Shelly, R. M. Milnes, Mr. Gordon, Mr. Vavasour,
Messrs. Miles, Sir Richard Puleston.
Besides these numbers of the gentry, not only of this and
the adjoining counties, but from different parts of the three
countries forming our United Kingdom, and not a few from
the European Continent, and even from the United States
of America were present at this truly great national meet-
ing, in which much interest was excited apart from poli-
tical feeling at home, or national jealousy abroad. To these
latter in particular, and to strangers generally, the immense
and rapid increase of "the good old town," within compa-
ratively a few fleeting years, in splendid streets, public buil-
dings, elegant shops, docks, and other structures, and above
all in its vast mercantile marine, from which it may be said,
no inconsiderable fleet is daily sent forth to prosecute com-
merce in every part of the world, will doubtless form objects
f curiosity and admiration ; and for their guidance in in-
*Petting them, we furnish in another part of our paper a
brief aketc
11
them,
Wi., of a morning ride, or ramble, which will enable
this La'n a few spare hours to visit all the " lions" of
modern Tlearn that the Committee yre,
and its immediate neighbourhood. We
passed a Committee of the Lyceum News Room
members of resolutiontie to admit 'to the room during the week all
will no doubt be fAxicuttural Association, and the example
but by all the not only by the other news rooms,
inspection. Meantimnestittluiti°ns, all of which are well worth
company, the Amphitheatree Theatre Royal, with a talented
with admirable equestrian en-
tertainments, the Zoological gardens, with a splendid repre-
sentation of the Siege of Acre, Exhibitions of paintings, &c.,
will present attractions for both theofgrave and the gay ; and
aquatic trips to the opposite shore
Floating Light, Rhyl, or the menai B the Mersey, or to the
ridge, will invite those
who have more leisure at command.
At the last monthly meeting of the council of the Royal
Agricultural Society, Captain Challo submitted a general
programme of the business of the meetinigsinn the daily order
of its occurrence, of which the following
by the council, on Monday, at their meeting, .c.9I)Y, amended
at the Mechanics'
Institution, with some observations appendteidbnypoouorsielves :
PROGRAMME FOR THE WEEK AT LIVERPOOL.
Monday, July 19.—Meeting of the council for the
general
day determine
arrangements of the society. _
Tuesday, July 20.—The judgeswill this
the prizes in the implement yard. The members of the coun-
cil will dine by invitation with the mayor, in the banquettia
room of the Town-hall.
Wednesday, July 21.—The judges will determine the
prizes in the cattle yard. The exhibition of implements will
be open from eight o'clock in the morning until six o'clock
in the evening—admission ss. Trial of the implements will
be made in the fields. The council of the association will
dine in Lucas's Repository (at five o'clock), and the award
of prizes by the judges will be announced.
Thursday, July 22.—The show of cattle and implements
will be open from eight o'clock in the morning until four
o'clock in the afternoon—entrance 2s 6d. The grand dinner
of the society will afterwards take place in the great pavilion,
for the members, at four o'clock.
Friday, July 23.—The show of cattle and implements
will be open from eight o'clock in the morning until two
o'clock in the afternoon—entrance ls. [The price is this
day reduced with a view to gratify all classes. In the after-
noon there will be a splendid show of flowers, fruits, &c, at
the Botanic Garden, Edge-lane, when a large tent will be
pitched, and a band of music in attendance. The Royal
Agricultural Society is not, of course, connected with this
exhibition, which will be by far the most extensive and beau-
tiful ever seen in this part of the country.]
Saturday, July 24.—The sale of stock in the show yard
will take place—eutrance ls. [lt is expected that the greater
portion of the extensive collection of fine cattle will be dis-
posed of, as many of them are brought from distant parts at
a great expense. The sale of horses, pigs, sheep &c, will,
no doubt, be also great, and the occasion will be highly inte-
resting to connoiseurs and others.]
For many weeks past preparations on a most extensive and,
we may add, magnificent scale have been in progress, for the
grand agricultural show, and the public dinnners that will
supervene. A large piece of ground, was selected, enclosed

GRATIS.]

and covered with sheds for the exhibition, in an airy and con-
venient part of the outskirts; and the erection of a large
building was determined upon, for the grand public dinner on
Thursday, there being no room in the town that would ac-
commodate one half of the anticipated guests. Both these
erections arc now 'completed, and though they were built
solely for the occasion, and are destined ere long to be re-
moved, their respective magnitude and peculiarly appropriate
design have excited much interest and attention, and we
therefore supply a description of each somewhat in detail :

THE SHOW GROUND.
The ground enclosed and arranged for the show is in Wind-
sor, a short distance to the eastward of the Mount Cemetery.
it occupies the entire vacant space or square which is bounded
on the south by Upper Parliament-street, on the east by San-
don-street and Faulkner-square, on the north by Canning-
street. and on the west by Bedford-street. It is nearly on a
dead level, is of a light sandy soil, and is for the most part
covered with grass. Considerable expense was incurred in
levelling inequalities of the surface, and where the grass was
deficient, cinders and other substances were spread down,
and the whole compacted by frequent rolling. The entire
length of the ground is 550 feet, and its breadth 494 feet, so
that it comprises upwards of six acres, and forms nearly a
perfect square. The site is elevated and open, being, as it
were, though in the outskirts. in the open fields, where there
are few houses yet built, and these at some distance from it.
It has also the advantage of proximity to the Edge-hill rail-
way station, from which the cattle &c can be taken without
passing through any portion of the ground. The approaches,
too, are numerous, and uninterrupted,, so that all confusion
will be avoided. _ _ . . . .

The whole area is enclosed with boards, and the interior is
laid out with every attention to the convenience of exhibitors,
and the accommodation of visitors. There are no fewer than 13
very long sheds or tents of woodwork covered with canvass,
the greater part of which is perfectly water-tight. Each de-
partment, such are the arrangements, will be separate and
distinct. The portion of the area appropriated to the exhibi-
tion of implements of husbandry, seeds, roots, &c, is at the
north end, next to Canning-street, and contains four sheds,
running parallel east and west the whole breadth of the
ground. These are sixteen feet wide, and the pillars that
support them back and front are twelve feet asunder. A
portion of the south shed is fitted with tables for the show
of seeds, roots, vegetables, curious or rare forest trees, &c.
The long avenues between are each twenty feet wide. The
south side of the fourth shed from Canning-street is at pre-
sent boarded up, and will remain so, the better to separate
the implements and the cattle, until Wednesday, when the
boards will be removed in the night, so that the whole area
and its contents will be seen by the public as far as possible
in one uninterrupted view.
The ground southward of the implement sheds (and which
comprises about two-thirds of the whole square) is occupied
by nine long sheds running parallel with each other from north
to south, and each also 01 sixteen feet wide. Five of these,
on the west, are appropriated for cattle and horses, and four,
on the east side, for sheep and pigs. The avenues between
these are thirty-nine feet nine inches in width, and as well as
the others in the implement yard form delightful promenades.
The cattle sheds are peculiarly constructed and railed off in
stands or stalls below, so that visiters may walk along close
to the animal's heads under shelter of the roof. On each side
of all the sheds, and at a short distance from them, small
trenches are dug, to drain off any rain that may fall, and con-
duce to the dryness and comfort of the footing. The roofs
of all the sheds for implements, and of the most of these
for cattle, &c., are covered with large sheets of semi-tran-
sparent waterproof cloth, of an amber colour. The remainder,
on the east side, are rendered almost as secure, in the event
of showers, by vessels'saile,—chiefly topsails, and top-gallant
sails, that have erewhile borne many a gallant ship across the
ocean. All these coverings are neatly and tightly secured,
and the whole erections suggest the idea, of a new settlement
or town for emigrants in Australia, or some tropical country.
An immense quantity of timber was, of course, required to
complete them. The sheep pens are remarkably well ar-
ranged. Where there are four pens together, a pole is fixed
in the centre, surmounted by a square box or four-sidesls
placard board, resembling a lantern, each side facing one of
the pens, and each bearing the number of the pen, and the
description of the sheep on a large placard, and the rewar
if any, on a large card over it. Every single stall or standi
will be also numbered on tickets, with the description of t
animal in like manner. At our former shows for this a d
the adjoining counties this satisfactory manner of indexing
the breed, &c., was not fully or uniformly attended to.
At the centre of the south end of the enclosure, and outside
of it, there is a reception or entrance yard for the cattle, &c.,
of eighty feet in length by forty in breadth. The ground is
here so excavated that carts, &c., with cattle, pigs, or sheep
may back up with the body of the machine ou a level with
the cattle yard, so that the animals may walk out without
being lowered, or driven down an inclined stage or scaffold—
which will be a great convenience. The inner corners of this
yard (on the north) are occupted by two commodious rooms
built of wood, for the accommodation and meetings of the
council of the association, the committees, the clerks, and
others connected with the conduct of the proceedings.
On the south side of the yard are four erections resembling
large sentry boxes, each having an opening or window to the
south, at which admission tickers to the show will be sold to
applicants on the two first days of public admission. For
Friday, when the pr:ces will be lowered to Is., similar =co-
modations are provided at the north-west corner of the en-
closure, which is the nearest to the town.
The whole, now that it is filled with cattle decorated with
ribbons, and implements, &c., presents a highly animated and
most interesting appearance. The society is indebted for the
entire plan and arrangements to Mr. Thomas Gibbs; and to
Mr. Humphrey Gibbs, the dierector of the show, assisited by
his brother, Mr. B. T. B. Gibbs, all belonging to the old
established and well known concern of Messrs. Thomas
Gibbs and Co., nursery and seedsmen, Half-Moon-street,
Piccadilly, for superintending the erections. Mr. H. Gibbs,
who was also director of the two former meetings of the asso-
ciation, at Oxford and Cambridge, and is director of the
Smithfield Club, has acquired much experience in this line,
and has gone through the arduous task con arnore, and with
that persererauce which enthusiasm in the cause could alone
supply.
The show of cattle, horses, sheep, &c., is, we may venture
to say, the finest, whether as regards numbers or quality,
which has ever yet been witnessed. It were impossible for
an alderman to look at the fat horned cattle without feeling
his mouth water, and longing to see before him smoking on
the board one of those prime pieces of beef (of which the
stalls would supply hundreds) upon which James 1., in his
penchant for such substantials, conferred the honour of
knighthood, while lie sojourned at Hoghten Town, in this
county.
The visitor to the implement yard will be struck with the
beauty and ingenuity of the vast number of machines and
instruments, some of complex,others of simple coustruction,
and all of indubitable utility to the husbandman, that there
meet his astonished sight.
We have obtained a passing glimpse of the whole. Most
of them are entirely of new invention, and many of them ex-
ceedingly neat and ingenious ; but it were premature to notice
them fully until they are put to the test of trial, or to name
the inventors in detail until the respective prizes are awarded.
Suffice it here to say that they comprise numerous descrip-
tions of harrows, ploughs, drill-sowing, harrowing, grubbing,
rolling, cutting, threshing, winnowing, grinding, bruising,
and other machines ; all sorts and sizes, in fine, of apparatus
for horse and man power, to torture the poor soil into mel-
lowness, to prepare it for, and impregnate it with, the seed,
to gather in the harvest and prepare it for use—in fact, to do
all but masticate the food for her majesty's lieges, when it is
cooked or baked, which operation alone is left to their own
jaws. One contrivance struck us as admirable,—a cart with
machinery, that can be thrown out of or into gear at pleasure,
to cut turnips for sheep or cattle in the field, and leave them
on the ground as it proceeds of about the size of potatoe sets.
There is also a portable threshing machine (on wheels) worked
by a five-horse power high-pressure engine, by a manufac-
turer in Birmingham. We also noticed churns, cheese-
presses, and turners, many of " Ransome's” celebrated im-
plements for sowing turnips, corn, clover-seed, trefoil, &c.,
&c., and great numbers of machines for cutting straw, hay,
turnips, and other fodder, and for crushing the same.
Amongst the numerous articles exhibited are also several
specimens, in large flags, of the Blue Lias, or Warwickshire
Stone, so much approved of for the laying of barn floors, &c.,
from the birth-place of the immortal Shakspeare.
The nursery stands or tables will be viewed with great in-
terest. At that of Messrs. Gibbs, (before noticed) some
fine specimens of dried grasses, the seed of which is adapted
for permanent pasture, will be shown ; also a variety of
roots and plants of extraordinary properties and dimensions.
Our townsman, Mr. Skirving is, as usual, up and doing.
He will show fine samples of seeds, roots, rare forest
trees and shrubs, and various kinds of manure, the properties
of which will be explained. Amongst the trees we observed a
fine specimen of the Araucaria Imbricata, a species of pine tree
from the mountains of South America, which has recently
been introduced into this country, and is not only highly
decorative in lawns and pleasure grounds, but is sufficiently
hardy to withstand our climate, and produces a timber much
superior to our native fir trees. It is a beautiful evergreen
with hard leaves closely placed and completely enveloping
the trunk and branches. Here too, under one of the sheds,
is pitched a handsome round portable tent, from the manu-
factory of Mr. Edginton, marquee, tent, and flag manufactu-
•er, of London.

THE PAVILION

This building, in which the great dinner of the members
of the society will take place on Thursday, is, though but
temporary, the largest and most unique that has ever been
constructed in this town. It is on the vacant ground where
stood the Old Infirmary, in Lime-street, in part of which the
excavation for the New Court House has already commenced ;
and, from its magnitude and peculiar appearance, has for
some weeks attracted much curiosity and attention. The
architect is T. Wild. Esq., of London, and the general form
is that of a huge tent. In the exterior wall of wood-work,
it is a twenty-four sided figure, described equilaterally within
a circle ; it appears, and is almost in reality, owing to the
obtuseness of the angles, perfectly circular. The diameter is
171 feet—and the height of the outer, and only visible, wall
is 14 feet. The roof resembles that of a tent, rising to an
apex ; but with this difference, in order to obtain light and
ventillation, that there are between an outer circle and a centre
piece (both rising on the same angle) a succession of twelve
radiated risings, of the ordinary roof shape, the outer ends of
which form perpendicular gabels or pediments, which are
left open, with the simple protection of calico curtains or
blinds, to be drawn only in the event of the wind blowing in
any rain that may chance to fall while the guests are
at the banquet. As the centre circle of the roof
rests upon the ridges of these radiated portions
other similar triangular, but smaller, openings are left
G-.
between the slopes of this part of the rooffing, wi
curtains of same material, hanging lower down and forming
decoaative drapery. The opepings are therefore, in all twenty-
four in number, rad admit an ample volume of light. The
covering of the roof is of immense large sheets of canvas,
Prepared for the purpose, with composition or varnish of a
reddishght. hue, totally impervious to water, and nearly so to
li
be called
by no means
The appearanceun. of the structure is remarkable and
architectural decoration, we confess
we should like
p easing ; though in the absence of what may
to see the Royal Standard of England floating from the cen-
tre. We may here, by the way, add that a flag in the middle
of the Show Ground, and a smaller one at each corner, would
interior appearance
o f
tohfe
show the extent of the area, and tend greatly to enliven the
tipleavwilhioonle.
The general
is of imposing extent, and
when peopled by thetables amply
guests, with the numerous
furnished witn the good things of this life, the effect will be
magnificent. Within the outer circle or wall are two smaller
clerics of pillars diminishing in diameter, supporting the roof.
These are so slender and so far apart compared with the ge-
neral extent of the building, (170 feet in diameter,) that they
form litlle or no obstruction to the view, and none to the
sound. Those of the centre circle are 34 feet in height ;
those of the inner 42 feet. The central portion of the roof
rises, on a slight acclivity to its apex, 73 feet from the ground,
and strongly resembles an immense extended parasol, without
the stick, for there ix no central pillar.