THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



47 



the Hon. G, J. Noel, M.P.. the Hon. H. Noel, E. W. Baker, 

 Esq., W. Baker, Esq., and R. Smith, Esq. ; and on his left, 

 the Hon. G. J. Heathcote, M.P., G. H. Finch, Esq., W. A. 

 Pochin, Esq , and the Rev. T. Byers. The vice-chairmen were 

 Mr. Berridge and Mr. Wortley, We also observed amongst 

 those present the e;entleraen undernamed: W. R. Mortis, 

 Esq., H. Samson, Esq., Thos. Syaon, Esq., Wm. Fabling. 

 Esq., Wm. Sharrad, Esq., B. Adams, Esq., &c., &c. 



After the usual loyal toasts, 



Mr. G. H. Finch gave the Members for the County. 



The Hon. G. J. Noel returned thanks, and made a political 

 speech of considerable length, in which the Chinese war and 

 the question of peace or war with France was fully discussed. 

 In reference to agriculture, the hon, member said he was not 

 much of a farmer; he did not know much about agriculture,' 

 but it was said that "he who runs may read," and as he 

 passed through this county year by year he was astonished at 

 the great improvements continually going on in the cultivation 

 of the soil. Science had been brought to bear upon agricul- 

 ture ; labour and capital had been espeuded upon it ; and all, 

 he hopel, with profit to those engaged ia it. He would ask, 

 had not this society something to do with this improvement? 

 He maiDtained that it had; and for that reason he gave it his 

 support. 



The Hon. G. Heathcote followed. He was afraid that 

 he could not congratulate his bearers upon a very abundant 

 crop of corn, or very high prices ; but if he could not con- 

 gratulate them upon these matters, he could, at any rate, con- 

 gratulate them upon one of the best shows ever held in the 

 Riding School in that town. He believed there had never 

 been a better show seen in connection with that society. 

 The sheep were especially good. The attendance also was 

 larger, he believed, than last year, when they were considered 

 to have had a particularly large show. But whilst they had 

 such able officers connected with this Society, he did not 

 wonder at it flourishing ; and when they saw the prizes for 

 sheep won by residents, he must say that it did great credit to 

 the county. He knew that politics, perhaps very properly, 

 were forbidden on these occasions. But, as his hon. colleague 

 had set the example, he (Mr. H.) ventured to say a few words 

 upon political matters. The hon. gentleman here went largely 

 into the Reform Bill question and the disputes of this country 

 with China, America, &c., &c. 



Mr. Baker then gave the health of the Chairman. 



Sir John Tkollope returned thanks. They had been 

 told that he had always been an active supporter of this 

 society : that was partly true, and he hoped to continue so to 

 the end of his life, for though he was not altogether a Rut- 

 land man, yet, living in the next parish, he dwelt on its 

 borders, and was proud to rank amongst its inhabitants some 

 of its oldest, beat, and most valued friends. Mr. Baker had 

 carried back his recollection for a period of thirty years, during 

 which both that gentleman and himself had been members of 

 this society. But Mr. Baker had forgotten to tell them that 

 the society was mainly originated by himself, and that but for 

 his untiring exertions and support during that long period of 

 years it might not have prospered so well, but might have 

 shared the fate of many others. Amongst those present on 

 that occasion, he (Sir John) observed an old friend from Lang- 

 ham (xMr. Sharrad), who had never missed an anniversary that 

 he could remember. 



Mr. Shabrad : Only one, 



The Chairman continued: He was also glad to see that 

 Mr. Robt. Smith, an early supporter of the society, once more 

 appeared amongst them, Above all, he rejoiced in the great 



success achieved by Mr. Bradshaw, whose father was likewise 

 present to witness the good fortune of his sons, who were fol- 

 lowing in his steps in regard to good husbandry and the pro- 

 duction of the best class of animals. And he (Sir John) was 

 not less proud that his own county of Lincoln came in for a 

 small share of the prizes with animals that did no disgrace to 

 their neighbours. In the few classes which Lincolnshire men 

 had contended that day they had done themselves no small 

 credit and honour. He alluded more particularly to Sir Thos. 

 Whichcote and Mr. Lynn, of Stroxton. He (Sir John) as- 

 sured the meeting that it gave him the greatest possible 

 pleasure to accept the honour they had been kind enough to. 

 offer him on that occasion ; for though, as he had said, he was 

 not altogether a Rutland man, he h»d been a vice-president of 

 the society a good many years, and he considered it the duty 

 of the vice-presidents, in turn, to take the chair. They had 

 firot a young Vice-president amongst them that day (Mr. 

 Finch). They had entered a very good colt in the race : he 

 knew that gentleman was uncommon batd to beat across the 

 country, and he thought he would tPke an equally prominent 

 part under the green cloth of their festive board. It was to 

 be hoped that he would turn out an excellent supporter of 

 agriculture in all its branches, as his honoured and respected 

 father had been before him. He (Sir John) should not wish 

 to say one word in reference to those matters which had been 

 touched upon by their excellent representatives in speeches of 

 considerable ability. As he was out of his own constituency, 

 he should not say a word upon politics or public matters ; but 

 simply observe that he and they should soon meet in a certain 

 place, where he hoped all would work together for the good of 

 the country at large. 



The Chairman then gave "Success to the Rutland Agri- 

 cultural Society," and in the course of an address of some 

 length adverted to the application of science and skill to the 

 cultivation of the soil. They could not control the elements 

 or the seasons, but they could drain their land, keep it clean, 

 and adopt those improvements to which their attention was 

 directed by societies like this. The tenure of land was a sub- 

 ject which had often attracted his attention. Leases were 

 almost unknown in that locality, and he did not think that 

 even an agreement should be too strictly insisted upon. It 

 was questionable whether it was wise to tie a man down too 

 strictly to the four-course system. He would tell them why 

 he thought there might be some change for Ihe better in that 

 respect. Looking at the roots exhibited that day, there was 

 not much to be desired in the way of improvement. But 

 throughout the country there had been a great failure in the 

 crops of turnips, especially in the North of England and Scot- 

 land ; and this had also been a good deal felt in the county of 

 Lincoln. Now when land was scientifically farmed, why 

 should a man he tied down to grow turnips every four years, 

 when they might prove a failure ? No doubt turnips were the 

 most profitable crop for their sheep, but if they would not 

 grow, why should not the man who farmed his land clean and 

 well be allowed to adopt the six-course system ? If a man liked 

 to grow twitch instead of wheat, and docks instead of red- 

 clover, he (Sir John Trollope) should say his calling was not 

 to be a farmer ; and that it would be better for him to try 

 something else, in those trades and professions where mix- 

 tures were very much advised. This, he thought, was a mat- 

 ter worthy of consideration in farmers' clubs and agricultural 

 associations. For hisown part, he was of opinion that there 

 should be great liberality in construing leases and agreements 

 between landlords and tenants ; and that trustworthy men 

 ought not to be tied down too strictly by these parchments or 

 papers. 



