AGRICULTURE 



doubtless be kept at a profit, but the soil and climate of the county is not as 

 a rule suitable for poultry farms pure and simple. 



The Cirencester Agricultural Society was founded by the third Earl 

 Bathurst in 1828. Subsequently its scope of operations was enlarged, and 

 it became the parent of the Gloucestershire Agricultural Society. An annual 

 show of live-stock and implements is now held at the principal centres of 

 population in rotation. There are also agricultural associations at Badminton 

 and Lydney, while the Berkeley Hunt Society has instituted examinations in 

 the various technical subjects connected with the business of agriculture that 

 have been taken up by the young farmers of the district with commendable 

 enthusiasm. The Cotswold Society holds an annual show at Northleach, 

 Stow, or Chipping Norton, and the Moreton-in-Marsh and Lechlade 

 Societies have for their object the promotion of the breeding of Shire horses. 

 At Winchcombe and elsewhere one-day shows have been successful and popu- 

 lar, and excellent exhibitions of roots, grain, 'and produce are annually held 

 at Gloucester and Cheltenham. 



The Kingscote Farmers' Club was for many years a centre where addresses 

 were given on agricultural topics followed by discussion throughout the winter 

 months, and the Gloucestershire and Cirencester Chambers of Agriculture, 

 and the North Cotswold Farmers' Club are affiliated to the Central Chamber, 

 and debate matters relating to the practice of the farm and measures before 

 Parliament affecting agriculture at their meetings throughout the year. 



Several associations have recently been started in the county for the 

 purpose of co-operation among farmers to enable them to buy seeds, artificial 

 manures, and implements in larger quantities and on more advantageous 

 terms, and are making satisfactory progress. 



The markets making returns of sales of corn to the Board of Trade are 

 Gloucester, Cirencester, Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury. For live stock there 

 are markets at Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Berkeley Road, Cirencester, Andovers- 

 ford, Fairford, Lechlade, Nailsworth, Tetbury, Chipping Norton, Bourton-on- 

 the- Water, and Winchcombe. These have largely taken the place of the fairs 

 that were formerly the only centres for the disposal of stock, but Barton Fair 

 at Gloucester in September, Stow Fair in May, and at Cirencester the fairs 

 for fat and store sheep in May and September, and the ram fair in August, 

 attract large numbers of animals for disposal, and are attended by buyers 

 from all parts of England. 



No review of Gloucestershire Agriculture would be complete without a 

 reference to the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, which was 

 established in 1845, and was the first institution where opportunity wa& 

 given to learn the science and practice of agriculture. It originated in an 

 address to the Cirencester and Fairford Farmers' Clubs in 1842 on ' the advan- 

 tages of a specific education for agricultural pursuits,' by the late Mr. Robert 

 Jeffreys Brown, of Cirencester, who devoted an immense amount of time and 

 energy to explaining his objects to landowners and agriculturists through- 

 out the kingdom and interesting them in the subject. By Mr. Brown's 

 efforts a large sum of money was raised by subscription, a charter obtained, 

 and the erection of the college and farm buildings commenced on a farm 

 offered by Earl Bathurst. Owing to the cost of the college and buildings 

 having been greatly under-estimated there was some unforeseen delay, but 



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