ANNUAL MEETING. 
467 
breeds, possessing muscular frames, and carrying little hair on 
their legs ; but in general they were of no extraordinary value, 
with the exception of a cart-stallion belonging to Mr. Hutchin- 
son, of Gedney. His head was small, but he had a remarkably 
fine powerful neck and shoulders, little hair on his legs, but full 
of bone, and as near perfection for this class of animals as pos- 
sible. The first prize for thorough-bred stallions was awarded to 
Mr. Arthur Chester, of Nottingham. 
The Duke of Richmond had hoped that some one who had 
carried off more premiums than himself would have responded 
to the toast. He was proud that he could take one pre- 
mium, at least, into Sussex, and he doubted not that those 
farmers who presented themselves from widely different parts of 
the country would feel, like himself, pride and satisfaction in 
carrying home those honorary rewards which would tend to the 
credit and advantage of their respective counties. He made it a 
point to meet the farmers of England as often as he could ; 
for, being himself one of them, he felt drawn to them by 
fellow feeling and common interest. He had some share, in 
connexion with his noble friend Lord Spencer, in setting this 
great association on foot, and he felt that, as long as it was sup- 
ported by the practical farmers of England, it must continue to 
extend its influence and its usefulness. 
The Chairman then proposed the health of Lord Northamp- 
ton, the President of the Royal Society, — an institution that had 
been established for different scientific purposes, but whose objects 
had been carried out for the general weal, and whose labours 
had redounded to the honour and advantage of the country. 
The Marquis of Northampton was gratified by the compli- 
ment they had been pleased to pay to him as President of the 
Royal Society. He shared with them fully in appreciating the 
importance of the exertions they were making to improve the sci- 
ence of agriculture, which was, as it were, the mother and hand- 
maid of all the arts. They were identified with every science 
and with every art; for what was the improvement of the soil 
but a branch of geology ? What was the culture and growth of 
corn and roots and grass, but a branch of botany? What was 
the breeding and rearing of cattle, but a branch of zoology ? 
