2U NORTH-WEST OF IRELAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



was admissible to pecuniary competition in any of the branch Societies. 

 Premiums were oifered, it is important to note, for the best statistical 

 reports on any parishes within the three counties. The following extract 

 from one of the Society's reports will exemplify the extent of the premiums 

 awarded for rural manufactures : — 



" Imitation of Legfhorn Hats from Irish Grown Materials. — For the best set 

 of hats of not less than twelve, manufactured from grass or straw, First Prize, 

 £g. For the second best ditto, ;£r6. For the third best ditto, ;£^3. 



"Woollen Manufacture. — To the person residing in the North-West district, 

 who shall manufacture the best piece of woollen cloth, not less than twenty- 

 five yards, First Prize, ;^.$. Second best ditto, ;f.2. Third best ditto, £i." 



Such is a very brief note on the Society during the earlier years of its 

 existence. 



During more recent times, much has been done towards encouraging the 

 improvement of all classes of Live Stock, Farm and Dairy Produce, and to 

 educate the farmers in the use of the latest agricultural implements and 

 machinery. A Summer Show of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, butter, 

 farriery, green flax, and agricultural implements, horse jumping, riding and 

 driving, etc., is held annually at Londonderry, and the turn-out of young 

 horses and shorthorns, and cross-bred dairy cattle is always a particularly 

 good one. A Spring Show of pure-bred pedigree bulls is also held, both 

 Shows being open to all comers. Of late years the Society has extended 

 its boundaries, the Counties of Londonderry, Donegal, Tyrone, and Fer- 

 managh, now being included in its district. The Society has a most satis- 

 factory membership roll, and a substantial balance to credit on the past 

 year's work. For much of the information contained in this sketch, more 

 especially with respect to the earlier portion of the Society's history, I must 

 express my indebtedness to Mr. Robert Bailey of Fawnay, one of the 

 leading and most progressive farmers in Londonderry. 



