THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 



45 



LONG MANGOLD WURZEL, 

 First prize 2 gns., Mr. Charles Pratt, Stratford-upon-Avon ; 

 second, 1 gn., Mr. William Horsburgh, Bournefield Farm, 

 Readiug. 



GLOBE MANGOLD WURZEL. 

 First prize, 2 gns. Mi. Charles Pratt, Stratford; second, 

 1 gn., Mr. William Horseburgh, Bournefield. 



Commended. — Mr. Richard Benyon, Englefield, and Sir 

 William Heathcote, Bart., M.P. 



SWEDES OF ANY VARIETY. 

 First prize 2 gns., Mr. T. R. B. Cartwright,Ayuhoe,(Sutton's 

 Champion) ; second, 1 gn., Mr. John K. Fowler, Prebendal 

 Farm, Aylesbury. 



Commended, Mr. George B. Morland, Esq., Chilton ; 

 Mr. William Cox, Brailsford Hall, Derby ; and Mr. Thomas 

 Keable, Rowdefield. 



COMMON TURNIPS. 



First prize, 2 gs., Mr. Charles Kearsey, Glewstone, Ross ; 

 second, 1 gn., Mr. George B. Morland, Chilton. 



Commended. — The Duke of Portland, Chipstone Park 

 Farm, Mansfield ; and Mr. George Mangles, Givendale. 



CARROrS OF ANY VARIETY. 

 First prize of 2 gns., Mr. G. S. Foljambe, Osberton Hall, 

 (White Belgian) second, 1 gn.,Mr. John Mallabey Baker, Hall 

 End, Tamworth. 



OX CABBAGE, 

 No merit. 



POTATOES. 

 First prize, 2 gs.,Mr. Thomas Halford, Newbold-upon-Stour, 



Shipston-upon-Stour (White Blossom Kidney) ; second, 1 gn., 



Mr. George Mangles, Givendale, 



Judges of Poultry. 



George James Andrews, Esq., Dorchester 



Mr. John Baily, Mount-street, Grosvenor-square, London; 



Mr. Thomas Challoner, Whitwell, Chesterfield ; 



Mr. Edward Hewitt, Eden Cottage, Sparkbrook, near Bir- 

 mingham ; 



The Rev. Robert PuUeine, The Rectory, Kirby Wiske, near 

 Thirsk. 



Judges op Pigeons. 

 Mr. T. J. Cottle, Pulteney Villa, Cheltenham ; 

 Mr. Harrison Weir, Lyndhnrst-road, Peckhatu, London. 



RUTLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



MEETING AT OAKHAM, 



Upon the eve, as it were, of another season of rejoiciug, we 

 are again called to the gratifying task of recording the pro- 

 ceedings in connection with a reunion which annually brings 

 with it a variety of social pleasures — we allude to the Christ, 

 mas assembly of the Rutland Agricultural Society, which took 

 place at Oakham, on Wednesday, Nov. 30. The English — and 

 farmers especially — are strongly gifted with the rural feeling ; 

 they possess a quick sensibility to the beauties of nature and 

 a keen relish for the pleasures and enjoyments of the country. 

 This feeliug seems inherent in them, and is, perhaps, never 

 more observable than at agricultural meetings. These annual 

 gatherings serve to bring landlords and tenants together on 

 terms of free discussion and good fellowship ; a friendly and 

 beneficial rivalry is promoted ; the bonds of society are drawn 

 more closely ; the condition of the people is improved ; and 

 (as has been so often noticed in this county), a very effective 

 impulse is given to agricultural progress. Never were the 

 good effects of societies like these more pleasantly illustrated 

 than at the recent meeting at Oakham, at which means of ob- 

 taining knowledge were ample, and the day's enjoyment was 

 crowned with a first-rate social festival. 



On the whole a better show of stock was not seen than the 

 one which graced the Riding School on Wednesday. Each 

 class was well-filled with competitors, and, generally speaking, 

 the quality of the animals exhibited was, as is usual in this 

 county, of a high order. In the classes for oxen, steers, and 

 heifers, there were some splendid specimens. The three years 

 and eight months old steer belonging to Mr. T. Swingler, of 

 Langham, and which carried off the principal prize in Class 

 1, was much admired. In all its points this animal was sym- 

 metrical, and reflects great credit upon its owner, who is the 

 breeder and feeder. The second prize ox (in the same class) 

 belonging to the Marquis of Exeter, although not quite so 

 nicely proportioned, is a fine specimen, and attracted conside- 

 rable attention : it is three years and eleven months old, and 

 has been fed on linseed-cake, bean and barley-meal, and vege- 

 tables. In this class a fine ox belonging to Mr. Wortley, of 

 Ridlington, had a number of admirers. We have not space 

 to notice in detail every animal which deserves remark, but 

 before closing a brief sketch of this department of the show, 



we must not omit to make a passing allusion to the prize oxen 

 exhibited by the Earl of Gainsborough and R. W. Baker, Esq., 

 which were perfect specimens, and (except so far as age was 

 concerned), equal, if not superior, to the stock exhibited in the 

 first class. Mr. Payne, of Stamford, has purchased for the en- 

 suing Christmas the second prize steer in Class 5, exhibited by 

 R. W. Baker, Esq., of Cottesmore. There was a decline in the 

 show of hunting horses : both in respect to quality and num- 

 ber, it was not equal to the exhibitions of former years. The 

 sheep-pens were again well filled with first-class specimens ; and 

 foremost upon the list of successful competitors was Mr. C. 

 Bradshaw, of Alstoe House, who, although having to contend 

 with the Marquis of Exeter, the Hon. Col. Lowther, and other 

 owners of high repute, had the good fortune to carry off no 

 less than five first prizes out of six classes. There was an ex- 

 cellent show of pigs, ■ two remarkably fine ones belonging to 

 Mr. W. Carver, of lugarsby, being especially noticed. The 

 tenant-farmers' heifer class was generally commended by the 

 judges. 



Outside the hall there was exhibited some fine roots. Some 

 fine specimens of the kohl rabi (a new [vegetable of the 

 turnip species), and superior carrots grown on the Earl of 

 Gainsborough's farm from a crop of 27 tons per acre, were 

 highly commended. 



Before dawn on the show day there was a fall of snow. The 

 weather, however, was favourable for visitors, and the town 

 presented a very busy aspect. Amongst those who visited the 

 Riding-house were the Hon. Colonel Lowther, George Finch, 

 Esq., the Hon. G. J. Noel, M.P., the Hon. Gilbert Heathcote, 

 M.P., the Rt. Hon. Sir John Trollope, J. M. Wingfield, 

 Esq,, R. W,and W. H. Baker, Eaqs., W. R. Morris, Esq., J, 

 Morton, E8q.,&c. Nearly 500 were admitted, and the receipts 

 at the doors amounted to £24 15s., being an advance upon the 

 sum taken last year. Upon this occasion the enclosure was 

 comfortably warmed by the aid of gas burners, twenty branches 

 being suspended from the roof of the building. Considering, 

 that the weather was severe, this arrangement (which will be 

 continued) was a great improvement. 



Judges op Stock. — R. G. F. Howard, Esq., Dunholme 

 Lodge, Lincoln ; W. Inett, Esq^., Asfordby,^ Leicestershire; 



