182 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



improvement in progress, others suggesting schemes of Agricultural im- 

 provements and development. Among the correspondents were Mr. Blacker, 

 Market Hill, County Armagh, Mr. Justin Brenan, and Dr. Edward Bewley, 

 Secretary to the Moate Agricultural Society. 



The rules and regulations for the government of the Society were then 

 read, and the primary objects of the corporation were discussed and decided. 

 The following were among the chief provisions : — 



1. The establishment of at least one Annual Agricultural Show, to 

 be held each year, and as far as possible, in each of the four provinces 

 alternately. 



2. The founding of Local or District Agricultural Societies, to 

 act in co-operation with the parent Society for the improvement of 

 husbandry, farming, and the breeding of cattle. 



3. The establishment of an Agricultural Museum in Dublin for the 

 exhibition of the newest and most improved implements of husbandry 

 " similar to that in Stirling." 



4. The encouragement and circulation of practical and useful know- 

 ledge connected with husbandry and Agriculture in all branches 

 through the medium of cheap periodical publications and the formation 

 of an Agricultural Library in Dublin. 



Information as to the transactions and enterprises of the Highland 

 Society of Scotland was received and discussed, and it was decided to work 

 as far as possible on the lines of that Society. 



It was further resolved that the first great Agricultural Meeting and 

 Cattle Show should be held by the Society in some large and central town, 

 in one of the four provinces, in 1 842 ; that the prize list and regulations 

 should be published at least six months before the Show. 



Whilst assisting Local Societies with aid and advice it was determined to 

 avoid exercising anything like dictation, control, or any direct interference 

 in the rules or regulations of such Societies beyond what the Society might 

 deem absolutely necessary. As an illustration of the method to be followed 

 in aiding Local Societies it was suggested that if a County Association 

 should enter into communication with the Central Society for Ireland in 

 Dubhn and prove to its satisfaction that their Annual Exhibition or Cattle 

 Show was to take place on a certain day, and under certain regulations, and 

 that a fixed sum had been collected or subscribed for the purpose, that the 

 head Society should offer to give certain premiums or prizes of a specific 

 kind to be competed for under certain rules and conditions. An arrange- 

 ment was also suggested for the classification of the prizes of Local Societies 

 that were to be aided from the funds of the general Society, with a view to 

 meeting the peculiar circumstances of each locality. For instance, in low 

 or marshy counties prizes for land drainage were to be given, and water 

 meadows and irrigation, where suitable, were to be encouraged. The use 

 of bulls and rams of breeds suitable for the various districts ; and in the 

 North of Ireland flat cultivation, on improved principles, were to receive 

 assistance, and improvement in the methods of green crop cultivation was to 

 form one of the chief objects of the Society, as this was considered to be an 



