THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



77 



just issued— that 74 new members had been elected during 

 the last year. It would be wrong to take credit on behalf 

 of the Committee of the year for that increase ; for the 

 circulars which were sent round the country, with the able 

 assistance of the Secretary, informing farmers generally 

 that there was such an institution as a Central Farmers' 

 Club, and setting forth its claims to the support of tenant- 

 farmers — those circulars, he said, were issued by a previous 

 committee. It had been already observed, that the sub- 

 jects discussed had usually been very well introduced. He 

 thought most persons would agree with him that the list 

 of subjects for the past year had been more than ordinarily 

 interesting ; but, at the same time, he hoped the list for 

 the ensuing year would be equally interesting and equally 

 useful. There was one subject which to his mind appeared 

 e.xtreraelj' interesting, and which he should be exceedingly 

 fflad to see brought forward. It had, indeed, already been 

 introduced on one occasion ; but it was done by a very in- 

 competent individual — namely, himself (laughter). [Mr. 

 Wood was understood to refer to the currency question ; 

 but he did not specify the topic to which he alluded.] On 

 that subject he entertained very decided opinions; and he 

 hoped it would be again introduced, by some gentleman 

 who was competent to deal with it. It certainly could 

 not be too well understood by the agricultural community. 

 Mr. Bell, responding to the appeal made to him by Mr. 

 Baker, made an elaborate statement of his views on 

 the currency laws, condemning the monopoly which, he 

 contended, was practcally established, under the present 

 system, in favour of capitalists as opposed to producers, 

 whether agricultural or manufacturing, and referring to the 

 suspension of the Bank Act cf 1C4-4 as a proof that the 

 system required alteration. lie concluded bj^ proposing 

 the health of the vice-chairman, Mr. Thomas, of Bletsoe, 

 which was very cordially received. 

 Mr. Thomas briefl}'- returned thanks. 

 Air. Mechi said he had been requested to propose 

 "The Local Farmers' Clubs," in connection with the name 

 of Mr. Pile, of Winchester. The remarks of the Chairman 

 with regard to the Central Farmers' Club were applicable 

 to farmer!.' ^clubs generally. If remaining always at home 

 and never associating with farmers belonging to other parts 

 of the country tended to perpetuate prejudice and ob- 

 struct improvement, still more must that be the case if 

 farmers did not associate together in their several localities. 

 One of the chief advantages of local clubs was that they 

 enabled farmers to test the merits of their labourers in the 

 field. He would not broach the delicate question of giving 

 rewards for good conduct, because that was a question 

 which was open to difference of opinion ; but he must say 

 that when a labourer who thought himself a capital plough- 

 man found himself the worst ploughmau among the compe- 

 titors, that result was likely to take a little of the conceit 

 out of him, and make him more humble and deferential in 

 future. The same remark applied to ftirmers who competed 

 lor premiums for the best farms. Moreover, farmers' clubs 

 tended to strengthen the social position of farmers in this 

 countrj', and there could be no doubt that their association 

 was in various ways a great mutual advantage. With 

 regard to the prospects of agriculture, he agreed with pre- 

 ceding speakers that they had to look forward to important 

 changes. Great improvements had doubtless been made in 

 their own time, but it must prepare their minds tor still 

 greater ones. They had already got rid of the fl^il, which cost 

 a shilling, and substituted for it a costly machine, because it 

 did the work cheaper; and it remained to be seen whether or 

 not that enormous power which clothed the world could 

 not be substituted fur the existing ploUf;h. Mr. Ilalkett, who 

 had nudettakeri this task, was a man of great intelligence ; aud 

 having gone the other day to see his machine at work, he must 

 declare his satisfaction at wliat he witnessed. As regarded 

 the expeiise, he did not thiirk Mr. Bullock Webster was quite 

 correct in stating the cost of ploughing at Is. 7d. per arre, as 

 that did not include the interest of money espended on the 

 rail (Hear, hear). He supposed that was additional. 

 Mr. Halkktt: Yes. 



Mr. Mecui continued : If the invention were adopted, the 

 power of kcepius; "these horses" at work night and day would 

 be an enormous advantage. He was happy to find that Mr. 

 Halkett was going to explain his views on the following even- 



ing. The question at issue seemed to hinge on the practica- 

 bility of using steam-power without encountering too much 

 friction, and he hoped that question would now receive a satis- 

 factory solution. 



Mr. Pile, in replying, alluded to the efforts which were 

 being made in his own neighbourhood to improve the condition 

 of labourers. Besides the ordinary means, a society with 

 which he was connected was endeavouring to promote that 

 object by means of cottngers' shows. In order to make the 

 labourers in the neighbourhood better gardeners they gave re- 

 wards for the best garden productions. They also bestowed 

 premiums on the wives who were the best inauagers. The 

 society had only been in existence two years, and there was 

 already visible aud material improvement. 



The Rev. Mr. James, on rising to propose the next toast, 

 said, having had a glimpse of the list of toasts, he regretted to 

 find that the honest and hard-working agricultural labourers 

 were not included. He had no doubt that that omission was 

 an inadvertent oae, and would be supplied. (Hear, hear.) 

 The toast which he had himself to propose was, " The Agri- 

 cultural Prea?," coupled with the name of a man, whom to 

 know was to esteem — he meaut Mr. Tuxford. (Cheers.) He 

 would say of that gentleman that his principles of action 

 always appeared to be the same. 



Mr. Tuxford lelt very much indebted to all present 

 for the kind manner in which they had been pleased to 

 receive his name in connection with the agricultural press of 

 this country. He did not know that any man could fill a 

 prouder position than the one in which he was required faith- 

 fully, conscientiously, and independently to dischitrge such 

 functions as had fallen to his own lot (hear, hear). Still per- 

 haps there was no office with cuties of a more onerous cha- 

 racter attached to it. (Hear, bear). You had to speak inde- 

 pendently of all men, regardless of any crochets or any peculiar 

 views which they might entertain, and even at the risk of giving 

 them oft'ence. You had to speak the truth on all topics 

 without considering the consequences which might befal you 

 in the discharge of your duty. Now, when such was the case, 

 the recollection of the kindness evinced towards himself that 

 night would be a source of satisfaction to him through 

 life (hear, hear). But if ever the press of this country should 

 be actuated by sinister motives, or led by anything else than 

 a sense of rectitude, it would forget the nature of its office, atd 

 descend from the high position it had now attained (hear, 

 hear). He would now supply the omission mentioned by Mr. 

 James — and in doing so he thorotighy ajreed with him 

 could only have been an oversight — by proposing "The Agri- 

 cultural Labourers," and he was quite sure there was not a 

 person present by whom that toast would not be received 

 with as much enthusiasm as any preceding one (cheers). 

 Ho was glad that so much attention was now being devoted 

 to the education of agricultural labourers. There was a period 

 when the plough constituted almost the only implement on 

 the farm. That time had now happily passed away — a very 

 different state of things existed — aud if they wished to culti- 

 vate their fdrms on the best principles, they should take care 

 to educate the labourers, so as to prepare them to properly 

 fulfil their duties, instead of injuring, from their want of know- 

 ledge, the new machinery which was now being brought to 

 bear on agriculture (hear, hear). 



The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. 



Mr. W. Shaw proposed "The Secretary," observing that it 

 was the united testimony of all who had had the meaus of 

 forming an opinion, that no man could possibly discharge the 

 duties of the office better than they were discharged by Mr. 

 Corbet (cheers). 



The toast was very warmly received ; but Mr. Corbet having 

 retired shortly before, was of course unable to reply. 



The concluding toast was " The Visitors," coupled with the 

 name of Mr. Halkett, and to which that gemleraan replied 

 at some length on the subject of tteam power, and his own 

 invention. 



The company' then separated. 



EXTRAORDINARY AGRICULTURAL CASE.— At the 

 Aylesbury County Court, on Friday, Nov. 20th, an important 

 case was heard, aud the facts iuvolved the point whether the 

 owners of bulls are permitted to turn them out without taking 

 proper care that they could not brenk through the fences 



