THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



particularly good in the hind quarters, and in her forequarters 

 was by no means deficient, but her loins were somewhat below 

 the mark. She, however, ranked in her class. Mr. Hill, of 

 Wetherby, obtained the first place in this class with a very 

 handsome beast, particularly noticeable for her thighs and good 

 back. Amongst the Scotch bred oxen the Duke of Cleveland 

 exhibited a splendid animal ; it is doubtful whether he could 

 have been beaten at any show, for all his parts were good, 

 and he was in iirst-rate condition. Sir W. C. Trevelyan and 

 Mr. Outhwaite got first and second place respectively for 

 cross-bred fat cows having produced calves. The condition of 

 both animals was well-conditioned ; the one was remarkably 

 good in her ribs and shoulders, and handled, perhaps, as well 

 as any beast in the yard ; the other was tolerably good. Be- 

 fore we close our observations we would just mention that the 

 Earl of Carlisle exhibited his "White Rose of Castle 

 Howard," an animal well-known to breeders of stock. 



The sheep, which embraced shearlings between the Leicester 

 and Cheviot, and blackfaced, as well as Southdowns, Leicesters 

 proper, aud other crossbreds, presented no particular marks of 



excellence, although many well-known breeders entered the 



lists. 



The pigs were more numerous, and better than at any 

 previous show ; indeed, we question whether they could have 

 been beaten as a whole. One, brought all the way from Hali- 

 fax, and had won laurels at York, was here beaten by a deci- 

 dedly superior animal, the property of Messrs. Booth, of 

 Killerby, near Catterick, nephews of Mr. Booth of Warlaby. 

 With this pig they wou not less than £13. It was certainly 

 a prodigious animal, being as good a specimen of obesity as 

 perhaps could be found anywhere. 



The show of poultry was little inferior to the Birmingham 

 show. Many birds which had competed there and obtained 

 honours, were here exhibited ; in some cases being successful, 

 in others the opposite. Almost every county in England was 

 represented, cages having been sent from all parts. 



Altogether the collection was such a one as any town might 

 envy, and justly places the society in the rank they claim, 

 namely, the third in the kingdom. 



BERKELEY AND THORNBURY AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 



Tlio first of a series of discussion meetings, appointed to 

 take plaee alternate months during the winter, at Berkeley 

 and Thornliury.was held at the former town on Wednesday, 

 Dec. 12, which was attended by a very numerous assemblage 

 of the members of the society. Colonel Berkeley, M,P., the 

 president for the current year, vpas in the chair; and among 

 thnse present were noticed Major Gaisford, Messrs. O Long, 

 J. Marsh, R. Barton (of Downhame), J.Nicholls, W. Jones 

 {of the Convgre), J. Savage, J. Till, J. W. Wilson, W. Till, 

 S. Young, W. Gaisford, E. Drew, J. H. Cooke, T. T. Pearce, 

 W. Mars,h, F. Burnett, J. G.fTord, H. Barber, J. Stratford, 

 G. N. Leonard, H. Leonard, W. C. Wetmore, R. Nicholls, 

 S. Harris, J. GifFord, H. Barber, (fcc, &c. Mr. Harrison, of 

 Frocester Court, had kindly consented to give an intro- 

 ductory address, suitable to the position of this newly- 

 forraed but promising association, and nothing could have 

 been more happily conceived or more appropriate to the 

 purpose. 



The Chairman introduced Mr. Harrison, who read the 

 following paper : — 



Mr. President and Gentlemen : At the request of your 

 committee T proceed to offer vou a few introductory remarks 

 on the occasion of this the first meeting for discussion of 

 your association. In undertaking the task, I feel sensibly 

 its importnnce, and my inability to do it justice ; I must 

 therefore claim your indulgence should the observations I 

 have to make appear to fall short of the occasion. It may be 

 well, first of all, to consider the objects of such associations 

 as yours, how far they trench upon those of the larger 

 societies, or whether they do not rather act as nurseries for 

 them. As far I can ascertain, our neighbours in the north 

 and across the Channel were before us in establishing asso- 

 ciations for tho improvement of agriculture. I find there 

 existed a society in Scotland (now extinct) called tho 

 " Society of Improvers in the Knowledge of Agriculture in 

 Scotland," which published its select transactions in 1743. 

 Again, the Royal Dublin Society, for improving husbandry 

 and other useful arts, was incorporated in 1749, but pub- 

 lished weekly observations as early as 1739. Your own 

 neiglibourhood appears to have taken the initiative in im- 

 provement in England, for the " Bath Society for the 

 Encouragement of Agriculture " was founded in 1777. This 

 society we now see in the Bath and West of England, pur- 

 suing its steady and improving course as one of the most 

 valuable institutions of the country. Next comes the 

 Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, founded in 

 1784, the Transactions of which are most important. Then 

 follow, in the present century, the Royal Agricultural 

 Society of England, established in 1838, and the Agricul- 

 tural Society of Ireland, in 1840. From these dates, you 

 will perceive that our greatest society is comparatively of 

 recent origin, whilst large associations, and some similar to 

 yours, existed and were doing good service previous to its 

 formation. No ou© cfta for a Buom^at questiou the pro- 



digious strides which have been taken in agricultural im- 

 provement since the formation of the Royal Agricultural 

 Society, or the very prominent part which it has played in 

 that improvement. By the large premiums it has offered 

 for the best stock, it has decidedly stimulated the breeders 

 of shorthorns and other cattle to improve their herds. By 

 encouraging the implement makers, those gentlemen have 

 so studied the requirements of the agriculturist, and supplied 

 us with such an array of implements for facilitating the 

 cultivation of the land, and the preparation of its produce 

 for market or for consumption by stock, tlia* really of late 

 jears pretty much of the profits of the farmer have been 

 expended upon them. By holding its meetings annually in 

 different parts of the country, it enables everyone, without 

 much expense, to see the very best animals and the best 

 implements of the day, and affords an opportunity for new 

 men, like our friend Mr. Bailey, at the Gloucester show, to 

 step in and carry off its prizes, demonstrate that at any 

 rate we are not behind in everything. By the publicadon of 

 its Journal also, which is admirably calculated to aid in the 

 practical and scientific advancement of agriculture, it does 

 good service to the cause. The greatest care, however, is 

 requisite in the selection of its papers, as they should all be 

 of the highest standard, and thoroughly trustworthy for 

 references. Now it may be argued — and some I know do 

 consider — that the establishment of purely local societies is a 

 retrograde movement ; or that if local societies are formed, 

 and obtain a large amount to dispose of in prizes, they 

 should invite the whole country to compete for them. Upon 

 this subject I would offer a few remarks. Your object is 

 local improvement, as the country show aims at more gene- 

 ral, and the Royal Agricultural Society at national advance. 

 Each may, I think, work well into the other's hands, and, 

 all combined, prove of decided benefit. The object of your 

 general prizes differs essentially from that of the Royal and 

 other large societies. You wish to excite to emulation and 

 to encourage all in your neighbourhood to improve their 

 herds ; but throwing open your prizes to general competition 

 would counteract this object, as, from a feeling that the 

 prizes would be taken away by the professed show-cattle 

 breeders, many would be deterred from entering into com- 

 petition. Their aim, no doubt, is the general good; but 

 the result of their labours is to encourage a few persons to 

 make a business of improving their stock and getting them 

 up for show, whose profit results from the name they thereby 

 acquire, which enables them to sell their animals at high 

 prices. This object is undoubtedly a good one, and it has 

 tended materially to improve the stock of the country — at 

 any rate as regards symmetry and aptitude to fatten ; but, 

 without in the least undervaluing their points, you will, I 

 take it, endeavour to combine them with milk-producing 

 qualities, and will decide this latter by actual tests for seve- 

 ral meals at the pail. I am iucliued to tliiuk there is some 

 ri.$k of oar gcoftt soQi@ti€s aliuost doing m isjary instead cf 



