198 Jriih Agriculture. [April, 



of plate, will influence him more than money to such a result, 

 then it is unquestionably better to oifer him the former. That 

 the devisers of the scheme understood well whom they had to 

 deal with, the result shows. I certainly have never read of keener 

 contests for agricultural superiority than those of the tenants 

 forming this association, nor, I will add, those that interested me 

 more. And there is another feature in this system, which appears 

 to work well, and which would be incompatible with money 

 premiums. It is this. The ownership of these clocks, etc., is 

 not secured by one victory. Three are necessary to that end. 

 The design of this, and it seems to produce that effect, is to lead 

 to sustained exertions. Premiums, as commonly paid, often go 

 to reward a more desultory effort, or " good luck." It is amusing 

 to learn in the reports of the committees (at the Market Hill 

 meeting), and in the published remarks of Mr. Blaker, the strong 

 exertions of the victors of last year to maintain their superiority 

 this. After the last whirlwind charge of the French at Water- 

 loo — an empire staked on the " issue of a die," and lost — Bona- 

 parte left not the disastrous field a more thoroughly defeated man, 

 in his own estimation, than some of the losers of these clocks 

 and cups! One brave fellow had done his utmost — but a trivial 

 error in a nice point had robbed him of victory. I can fancy his 

 look of pride humbled, of disappointment acutely felt but man- 

 fully borne! This was too much! Lord Gosford immediately 

 declared he should retain his clock — and to the victor he awarded 

 a still more expensive one! Before dismissing this part of the 

 subject, it may be well enough to remark, however, that all the 

 bounties or premiums are not paid in this way. Seeds, guano, 

 etc., for the use of the land, are from time to time distributed to 

 reward improvements.* 



I have hitherto omitted to state the particular objects for which 

 these premiums arc paid. They are paid invariably, I believe, 



• Large quantities of the seeds of such crops as it is considered important 

 to introduce and extend, are also lent out to the tenants. On the Gosford and 

 Drumbanagher estates, says Mr. Blaker, 42 bushels of turnip seed, 9 tons of 

 clover seed, 138 bushels of vetches, and 512 bushels of grass seed vpere thus 

 lent to the smaller tenants during the past season. 



