General  Meeting,  June  24,  1909. 
XXV 
either  upon  the  loyalty  of  those  who  were  present  or  upon  the  interest  which 
they  took  in  what  was  being  shown.  He  hoped  that  in  the  succeeding  days  the 
weather  would  be  fine  and  that  there  would  be  an  increased  attendance. 
Those  present  would  readily  understand  that  though  there  were  financial 
reasons  which  made  the  officials  of  the  Society  anxious  that  there  should  be 
a good  attendance,  there  was  also  another  reason  quite  as  forcible,  namely,  that 
they  were  anxious  that  as  many  people  as  possible  should  see  what  could  be 
done  by  the  leading  people  in  the  agricultural  world.  (Hear,  hear.)  The 
Society  wanted  to  leave  Gloucester  with  the  feeling  that  at  any  rate  they  would 
have  left  behind  in  this  part  of  the  world  some  lessons  which  would  be  aptly 
followed  up  by  the  public  ; and  for  that  reason  they  were  desirous  that  there 
should  be  as  many  people  present  as  possible.  It  was  undeniable  that  the  Show 
was  one  of  the  very  best  that  had  ever  been  held,  both  as  regards  numbers  and 
the  quality  of  the  exhibits.  That  might  be  taken  as  a proof,  also,  that  agriculture 
was  still  very  flourishing  in  this  country,  and  that  if  people  would  only  try  to 
produce  the  best  of  animals  they  would  have  a very  good  chance  of  being 
successful  in  that  which  was  very  important,  namely,  in  making  both  ends 
meet.  (Laughter  and  “ Hear,  hear.”)  It  should  be  borne  in  mind,  however, 
that  the  work  of  the  Koyal  Agricultural  Society  was  not  limited  solely  to  the 
show  of  animals  ; there  were  many  other  points  which  were  brought  before  the 
public.  There  were,  for  example,  the  dairying  classes,  which  certainly  ought 
to  be  of  very  great  interest  in  Gloucestershire.  Then  there  was  the  Forestry 
section,  and  he  thought  any  one  who  had  seen  that  Exhibition  would  agree  with 
him  in  saying  that  it  was  a very  clear  indication  of  what  could  be  grown  in 
Great  Britain,  and  that  under,  perhaps,  the  fostering  asgis  of  Mr.  Elwes,  there 
was  a greater  future  before  forestry  in  this  country  than  there  had  been  in  the 
past.  He  must  also  refer  to  the  Horticultural  Exhibition,  which  he  thought 
was  unequalled  by  any  which  had  ever  been  held  in  this  country.  (Hear, 
hear.)  The  Society  owed  a great  deal  to  all  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  and 
nurserymen  who  had  sent  exhibits,  and  especially  to  Colonel  Holford  for  his 
splendid  collection.  Then,  again,  they  would  hear  presently  the  names  of  those 
who  were  successful  in  the  Farm  Competition.  He  did  not  propose  to  antici- 
pate that,  however,  although  a good  many  of  those  present  might  wish  that 
he  would.  Prizes  had  also  been  given  this  year  for  Plantations.  The  Council 
had  decided  to  give  members  an  opportunity  of  visiting  the  Society’s  Experi- 
mental Farm  at  Woburn,  the  date  fixed  being  Friday,  July  30.  His  Lordship, 
in  conclusion,  expressed  the  hearty  thanks  of  the  Society  to  the  whole  of  the 
district  round  Gloucester,  and  especially  to  the  city  itself  for  the  very  hearty 
and  cordial  welcome  which  had  been  extended  to  the  Society. 
Farm  Prize  Oompetitions. 
The  Secrbtaby  then  announced  the  awards  made  by  the  Judges  in  the 
Farm  Prize  Competitions,  which  will  be  found  on  pages  271  and  cxiii. 
Thanks  to  Mayor  and  Corporation. 
Sir  Gilbert  Greenall  (Honorary  Director)  said  it  gave  him  much 
pleasure  to  move  : “ That  the  best  thanks  of  the  Society  are  due,  and  are 
hereby  tendered,  to  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  Gloucester  for  their  cordial 
reception  of  the  Society.”  As  one  who  had,  perhaps,  been  brought  more  into 
contact  with  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  than  any  other  member  of  the  Society, 
he  could  bear  personal  testimony  to  the  fact  that  on  all  occasions  they  had 
shown  the  greatest  kindness  and  the  greatest  desire  to  do  all  they  could  to 
make  the  visit  to  Gloucester  a successful  one.  (Hear,  hear.)  He  wished  to 
pay  a special  tribute  to  the  Town  Clerk  and  the  officials,  who  had  done  a great 
deal  of  work  in  a very  pleasant  manner.  Wherever  the  Society  might  go,  he 
thought  they  would  never  be  better  treated  than  they  had  been  by  the  Mayor, 
Corporation,  and  officials  of  Gloucester. 
The  Earl  of  Northbrook,  in  seconding  the  resolution,,  wished  to  associate 
himself  with  the  sentiments  so  well  expressed  by  Sir  Gilbert  Greenall.  The 
success  of  their  Shows  must,  to  a very  great  extent,  depend  upon  the  assistance 
GS  2 
