THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



887 



or useful scale. I'he Entomological Society's opera- 

 tions are extended to all classes of insects, and not spe- 

 cially directed to tlioso injurious to agriculture. At 

 Kew Sir W. Hooker lias introduced to sonio small extent 

 the insects which prey upon trees, ke , and the effects 

 and diseases are partially siiown. 



Dr. Lyon Phiyfair, we believe, contemplates collect- 

 ing, and exhibiting in the Food Department at the 

 South Kensington Museum, specimens of the insects 

 injurious to animal and vegetable products. But 

 while these are auxiliary steps in the right direction, 

 we should like to see a more concentrated course of 

 action, and special and continued attention given to 

 this matter by the Royal Agricultural Society. 



Let that body put itself in communication with the 



provincial, colonial, and foreign s.'ciuti.s, and solicit 

 their aid in replying to queries and furnishing speci- 

 mens; and contributions of a very valuable character 

 would soon be ama-sed, which, when arranged, com- 

 pared, and described by a competent entomologist, 

 would result in large practical benefit, not only to our 

 0"An country, but to the world at large. 



We have hitherto stood high in our science and prac- 

 tice in all departments of agriculture; let it not, there- 

 fore, be a reflection on us that other countries are more 

 energetic in this minor, but very important, matter. 

 No one can fully estimate the heavy periodical losses 

 inflicted on cultivators, in gardens, fields, and planta- 

 tions, by the insect pests to which we have alluded. 



ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY. 



SPRING CATTLE SHOW. 



Tir.3 raeetiug took place under very favourable auspices on 

 Tuesday .WeJoesday, Thursday, and Friday,' April 27, 28, aad 29. 

 It was proaounced to be one of tlie beat exhibitions of stoeli 

 ever seen here. The Shorthorns came out very strong, and were 

 beyond all praise — 131 yearling bulla. We subjoin the list of 

 prizes, and thoui^h, generally speaking, these were well awarded, 

 they as usual did not properly distinguish between fat and 

 good store condition. Mr. Douglass' bull and heifer were 

 perfect animals, but we much doubt if they will ever be 

 very large. Mr. Barnes' yearliug bull was not so fat, but 

 a beautiful even beast, and sold at a very large sum, though 

 not named by the judges. ]Many of the best judges pronounced 

 Mr. Christy's two-year-old bull 8\iperior to Master Butterfly: 

 he will be sold for a large sura. Lord Clarina had a nice 

 heifer, but only in store condition : Mr. Massy refused 70 

 guineas again and again for her. Mr. Turner's cow was as 

 near perfect as anything ever see:i. Lard Waterford bought 

 her and her fellow for a great sum. The beauty of the Short- 

 horn stock was the common talk. The half-bred class shows 

 their value as a cross — they are noble animals, of vast size and 

 weight. The long-woolled sheep were largely represented, 

 but not of very great merit; although Mr. Thunder's Leices- 

 ters were of fine quality. Mr. Beale Brown's ram lambs were 

 of large size, constituting a portion of 70 of those, we under- 

 stand, he has challenged the world with for a thousand po\inds. 

 Mr. King Harman's ram was a very even animal. The pigs 

 were well represented, and, as usual, very good. 



His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, in a very good practical 

 speech delivered at the evening meeting of the Society, thus 

 touched on the merits of the show : — " I believe, without flat- 

 tery, it is a show equal to, if not surpassing, any show of the 

 BOrt whicli has taken place in England or Scotland. As regards 

 the class of shorthorna, I am informed — and certainly my recol- 

 lection beirs me out in all the shows I have ever seen — that in 

 Ireland this is the largeit and best show that has ever taken 

 place ; and certainly I can confirm it as regards my own expe- 

 rience even i^i o'.her countries. On looking at the animals 

 which I had the satisfaction of witnessing to-day, I 

 confess that I never have yet seen anything which 

 gave me greater pleasure than the heifer belonging to Mr. 

 Douglas — I believe as perfect an animal as ever has been 

 shown at any agricultural meeting; and I am sure even an 

 assemblage of Irishmeu may pardon me if, following out 



Lord Clancarty'a views, I do take a little national pleasure 

 to myself, that that animal was accorded the first prize. 

 Mr. Douglas has also carried off so many prizes that I 

 will not go on with thera too long ; but I now come — I will 

 not say with greater pleasure, but with more satisfaction 

 to this company— to the Kerries. The Kerry cattle 

 have long been the greatest possible favourites of mine. 

 I think they are— if I may use the term— the thorough-breds 

 of cattle. To my mind they are the most beautiful cattle I 

 know. I saw some beautiful specimens of them to-day, and I 

 believe it is as good an exhibition of this description of cattle 

 as I have ever seen, and I admired them probably as much as 

 any of you ; and certainly in that respect no feeling of 

 nationality came in my way. I also admired with feelings of 

 partly pleasure and partly regret, the small stock of Devons, 

 to which viere accorded the prize, belonging to Lord Charle- 

 mont. I believe if there are any persons present who were 

 present six years ago — I am afraid six years make a 

 great difference — they will remember that I gave 

 great praise to the pigs. It appears that during 

 these six years the pigs have certainly improved. I 

 do not think it possible to see a finer show, though I 

 will not go the length of one of the stewards with respect to 

 their private excellence, their domestic qualities, and their 

 talents (laughter) ; but I admired them excessively. The only 

 thing that gave me some decree of dissatisfaction was that 

 there was not so large a show of Ayrshire cattle as I should 

 have wished to have seen from my own country. What I saw 

 were good, but I sincerely wish that the inhabitants of my 

 country would pay more attention to your shows. It gives 

 roe great pleasure to see the progress that the Royal Dublin 

 Society has made during the time I have been away." 



THE PRIZE LIST. 



JUDGES. 



Short-horns. — Wm. Sanday, Holme Pierre Point; MarkS. 

 Stewart, Southwick, Dumfries; Henry Croker, Groom. 



Mixed Brekds .vnd Fat Stock. — Samuel Garuett, Robert 

 W. White, C. G. Grey. 



Sh HEP. —Thomas Twitchcll, Wellington, near Bedford; Cap- 

 tain Ball, Caleb Going. 



Swine. — Captain Edward Croker, Captaiu Aibuthuot, Henry 

 Thurnull, Koyston, Herts. 



BULLS. 

 Short-horns calved in 1857. — First prize, 5 sovs., James 



