308 



JVewcastle County Agricultural Society. 



Vol. X. 



neatness and comfort of his abode. As pre- 

 miums are given to farmers who produce 

 great crops or raise good stock, and which 

 do not come within the reach of those who 

 may have the situation of manager upon the 

 farm, and by whose skill and industry the 

 result may have been in great measure pro- 

 duced, they have offered a premium to the 

 best farm manager. They have given an- 

 other premium to the best farm labourer, 

 having reference to his skill in ploughing, 

 sowing, mowing, &c., and his general indus- 

 trious and good habits. As the relation of 

 tenant is one occupied by many of our best 

 practical farmers, and as many young men 

 coming forward are likely to enter — before 

 becoming freeholders themselves — under this 

 description of tenure, and as good examples 

 should be pointed out as well as rewarded, 

 the Committee have proposed a premium to 

 be given to the best farm tenant. 



Small as are the sums the Society has 

 been able to offer, can it be doubted tliey 

 will be desired and sought for? that a gene- 

 rous emulation will be created to bear off 

 the Society's diplomas, designating the sue 

 cessful candidate as excelling all others for 

 the particular merit for which he receives 

 the diploma] Can any doubt that a young 

 man, for instance, receiving such a mark of 

 distinction, as the best farm labourer, might 

 not with such evidence in his possession as 

 furnished by the Agricultural Society of 

 Newcastle County, obtain the best situation 

 and the highest wages to be had, or perhaps 

 the situation of a manager of a farm, or pos- 

 sibly be enabled to command assistance to 

 start him at once as a tenant. 



If the owner of the best cultivated farm 

 should have cause to be proud of the compli- 

 ment of a premium, even though assisted in 

 gaining his end by ample means and re- 

 sources, would not he who gained it in his 

 little garden patch and the comforts that 

 with daily toil he had made to surround his 

 humble dwelling, unaided by any means 

 save his own strong arm and faithful heart, 

 have equal and indeed much greater cause 

 to be proud of his triumph ] 



Your Committee has also proposed, having 

 the same objects in view, important changes 

 in the manner of the Exhibition. That is, 

 they propose the Exhibition and Ploughing 

 Match shall both occupy but one day, in- 

 stead of two — that all the exercises, includ- 

 ing the reports, the address, the dinner, &c., 

 shall take place on the Exhibition ground, 

 in the open air, in the presence of all who 

 may be congregated there — that the day 

 may be passed by all those having a com- 

 mon pursuit in social intercourse in giving 

 and receiving information, in examining farm 



stock and farm implements, in witnessing the 

 Ploughing Match, and in listening to reports 

 and addresses, not forgetting the free colla- 

 tion, which, however plain, yet in abun- 

 dance, must be sufficient for all. Nor must 

 the expense of the humble repast come out 

 of the funds of the Society — these must all 

 be given to the last cent in the way of pre- 

 miums ; a small voluntary contribution on 

 the part of members — a draft on the larders 

 and orchards w-ill furnish all that will be re- 

 quired in this way. 



It is proposed that immediately after the 

 stock, &c. is assembled, the Committees 

 shall at once examine p.nd begin to make 

 their reports, which shall be read from the 

 stand, that a short address occupying a few 

 minutes, shall be made afler each report, 

 calling attention to the object reported on, 

 and the merit of excelling; thus while the 

 eye is delighted with the rural beauty and 

 animation of the scene, the mind may re- 

 ceive instruction, and the heart be made to 

 sympathise yet more warmly with virtuous 

 actions. It is proposed, with the above view, 

 that several gentlemen of the clergy, mem- 

 bers of our judiciary and bar, distinguished 

 strangers, connected with agricultural pur- 

 suits, and others, be invited to be present. 



The Committee cannot doubt that the ex- 

 ercises of the day will be such as to make it 

 one of great and general interest, and that 

 all in the end will redound to the honour, 

 happiness, and dignity of our calling; and 

 as " men cannot work always," it is a fit oc- 

 casion for a holiday, an agricultural anniver- 

 sary, in which looking back upon the past, 

 the sons of toil, who have so well borne the 

 heat and burthen of the day, may find cause 

 to encourage their hopes and stimulate their 

 energies to further efforts. 



It is sincerely to be hoped that our bro- 

 ther farmers in every part of the county, 

 will bring forward their stock, the products 

 of their orchards, dairy and garden — that 

 tliey will feel themselves called on to do so 

 — for there are few among the farmers of 

 Newcastle county who urge at this time the 

 poor and selfish reason, that " they have no 

 time for such things," or that "they have 

 ploughing enough to do at home." On the 

 contrary, the feeling with the intelligent 

 agriculturists of our county is decidedly 

 favourable and friendly to the objects of the 

 Society, even among those of them who 

 have so far refrained from taking an active 

 part. But let them give more support by 

 their ads, by their deeds, and let not such 

 worthy citizens be content with looking on 

 — they are men for action, prompt, energetic 

 and efficient action, in their own private af- 

 fairs — let them not be content by merely en- 



