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XXXI. — Report of the Senior Steioard of Live Stock at Reading. 
By Chaeles Howard, of Biddenham, Bedford. 
The Royal Agricultural Meeting has once more come and gone,, 
and I, like many of my predecessors, have to give " an account 
of my stewardship " in the form of a summary of its proceedings, 
leaving a more detailed account of the exhibition of Live 
Stock to the official reporter. On this occasion these duties- 
have been carried out by the Rev. G. Gilbert, a well-known 
contributor to our agricultural literature. 
When the district was first announced in which the Show was- 
to be held, public opinion pointed to the Royal County, and to- 
ils chief town, Reading, as the most suitable place. The 
Council ultimately and wisely confirmed this choice. At no 
previous meeting has the Society had a more cordial and enthu^ 
siastic reception than was given to it by the good people of 
Reading. The town and suburbs, although pleasing and pic- 
turesque in themselves, were decorated to an extent hitherto un- 
known, at a cost, it was said, approaching to lOOOZ. 
The visit of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales caused 
the greatest enthusiasm, and a right cordial reception was 
accorded him by the inhabitants of this loyal borough and 
neighbourhood. 
The Local Committee did all in its power to make the Show a 
success, while the !Mayor and Corporation were profuse in their 
hospitalities to the President, Council, and Officers of the Society 
in the magnificent hall which the town has lately erected. 
The enterprising firms, of world-wide fame, Messrs. Huntly 
& Palmer, and Messrs. Sutton <Sc Sons, contributed very greatly 
to the gratification of numbers of visitors, by throwing open their 
establishments to their inspection. 
The Show-ground contained some 70 acres, and was one of 
the best the Society has ever had placed at its disposal. The- 
subsoil being of a gravelly porous character, was, under the 
circumstances as to weather, highly suitable. It was situated 
outside the borough boundary and within ten minutes' drive 
of the railway stations at Reading. It was easy of access, 
having good roads, a tramway running within a short distance ;. 
and, thanks to the efficiency of the police arrangements with 
regard to the traffic, no inconvenience was experienced. 
The planning of the Yard, together with the erection of the 
shedding and requisite offices, was in the hands of the Society's 
Superintendent of Works (Mr. Bennison), and every one 
was struck with the admirable manner in which all the 
arrangements were carried out ; nothing appeared to be left 
