Department at Bury St. EdmxincVs. 589 



where no refreshments can be had, and yet tired men must at 

 night make and compare notes, for thoughts, like water spilt, 

 may not be gathered up again. The judges absolutely require a 

 quiet and convenient rendezvous. Then instead of giving the 

 judges table money, and allowing them to consult their own con- 

 venience, quite regardless of distance and conditions of toil and 

 dirt, we insist on handing them over for perhaps eight days (jr 

 more together, to the tender mercies of a virtually uncontrolled 

 showyard refreshment contractor, with his " bak'd meats coldly 

 furnished forth." Surely the better plan would be to have a 

 refreshment-room, good plain refreshments, with a duly posted 

 tariff, somewhat as in the members' coffee-room of the Lords and 

 Commons. Give table-money, say, stewards 5s. a day, judges 

 IZ. Is., and let all pay. The judge, tired and toil-stained, it may 

 be miles away from the show-yard, naturally says, " Why shall [ 

 not take mine ease at mine inn." In short, these are weighty 

 matters. I should like to see a committee of three appointed to 

 consider the whole subject ; I have a high opinion of the im- 

 portance of the offices referred to. 1 wish to see judges sup- 

 plied with all appliances and means to boot ; and 1 believe the 

 best test of good and efficient regulations of stewards and judges 

 is a host of cheerful and well-satisfied exhibitors. 



Exhibitors are tried in the fiery furnace of competition ; they 

 are entitled to sympathetic consideration. It would be difficult 

 to over-estimate the effects of free competition ; the implement 

 trade is now of world-wide interest ; it is highly sensitive, as 

 proved by the fact as stated, that the Society's admirable Report 

 on Steam Cultivation has already advantageously affected the 

 manufacturers of steam-cultivating tackle. There would appear 

 to be phases of progress, periods of special growth, in the various 

 departments of agricultural implements ; for example, draining 

 and tile-making, clod-crushing, reaping, steam cultivation, the 

 gradual economy in the agricultural use of coal in the production 

 of steam : the history of this last result, and the history of the 

 reaper since the introduction of M'Cormack's reaper in 1851, 

 might be suggestive. I cannot avoid touching on, but 1 will 

 touch lightly, the vexed question of the prize system. Objectors 

 to that system object chiefly for two reasons: they say trials are 

 often unseasonable, often hurried. From their own stand-point 

 these objectors have much reason. But looking all round the 

 subject, there appears a consideration which, to my mind, is 

 conclusive in favour of the prize system. Criticism depends 

 on comparison. The prize system does not create competition ; 

 it brings it to a practical issue : there is no such thing as absolute 

 perfection ; but relatively, implements may be excellent. Contests 



