m 
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 
of Mr. Colman, of Massachusetts. The first prize of 
30 sovereigns, for the best Short-Horn bull, was ad¬ 
judged to W. Barnard, M. P., of Essex, and was bred 
by Earl Spencer. The prize of 15 sovereigns for the 
best cow in milk, was adjudged to Mr. Thomas Crof- 
ton of Durham, for his Short-Horn cow, bred by Mr. 
John Colling of Whitehouse. There were 98 head 
of Short-Horns exhibited. Mr. Jeffries of Pembridge, 
took the first prizes on Herefords; Mr. Turner of Ex¬ 
eter, on Devons. To Mr. Pawlett of Bedfordshire, 
Mr. Cook of Doncaster, Mr. Smith of Oxon, and Mr. 
Large of Burford, were adjudged the first prizes on 
Long-Wooled sheep. Mr. Webb of Cambridge as usual 
carried away the first of the prizes on South-Downs. 
To Mr. Howsin of Nottinghamshire, and Mr. Ingli of 
Evesham, were adjudged the first prizes on Cart Horses. 
To Mr.. Cartwright of Burton-on-Trent, and the duke 
of Devonshire, were a^udged the first prizes on Swine 
of a large breed ; and to Mr. Hall of Essex, and Shel- 
cock of Melton Mowbray, the first prizes of the smaller 
breed. 
The third day the cattle-yard was thrown open to 
public admission, at the price of 2s. 6d. in the morning, 
and at 1 o’clock P. M., at Is. The Great Pavilion 
dinner took place this day, at which 1,500 persons sat 
down. Among these were our ambassador, Mr. Everett, 
and Mr. Henry Colman. The former made an admira¬ 
ble speech, which we should like to copy in extenso, 
but we have only room for a short extract. He be¬ 
lieved that if one thousandth part of the energy, of the 
skill, and of the treasure, that had been expended by 
rival nations in the deadly struggles of what was called 
the field, had been expended in a generous emulation 
to excel in the arts of peace ( cheers )—he believed if 
this were done, the farmers would very soon drive the 
diplomatists out of the field (laughter). At any rate 
they would leave little to be done in carrying on angry 
national disputes (cheers). The Chairman had alluded 
to the growth of commercial intercourse between this 
country and his own ; he hoped that intercourse might 
become yet more extensive than it had been (cheers). 
A thought had struck him since this subject was intro¬ 
duced last evening; the commerce between the two 
countries was the largest that existed between any two 
countries on the face of the globe. The amount of 
that commerce was nearly two-fold of that between any 
other people. 
The Chairman, Earl Hardwicke, seemed particularly 
felicitous in his various short speeches; and among 
other things, to prove that Derby was once famed 
for its stock, he quoted the following lines, which 
were received with roars of laughter. We well 
recollect hearing this famous song sung hundreds of 
times, in our boyish days, in the valleys and on the 
hills of New England ; so that it will be seen we are 
genuine descendants of John Bull. 
u As I was going to Derby all on a market day, 
I saw the finest ram, sir, that ever was fed on hay ; 
This ram was fat behind, sir, this ram was fat before, 
And between the horns of the ram, sir, you could turn a 
coach and four!” 
The fourth day the show yard still continued open 
at Is., and at 10 o’clock a sale of a considerable portion 
of the stock took place. Among the animals disposed 
of, were nine Short-Horns, from the herd of Mr. 
Jacques, for 600 guineas ; and one cow of Mr. Watson 
for 150 guineas. 
The business of the meeting was concluded by the 
general meeting of the members, which took place at 
the Pavilion at twelve. The pleasures and amuse¬ 
ments, however, were not yet ended, for at twelve the j 
large dinner pavilion was thrown open to the public 
with further attractions. A very elegant horticultural 
exhibition and fete having been got up, the proceeds to 
be devoted to the building of a church at Hazlewood, 
there was a magnificent display of fruit, flowers, and 
vegetables, especially some choice and rare stove 
plants, &c., from the greenhouse and conservatories of 
his grace the duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth. 
Notwithstanding some complaints at the present 
show of this great national society, it is said to have 
been better and fuller than any ever yet held, and its 
members and funds are constantly increasing. Upward 
of 7,frOO have joined the society, with the payment of 
a sovereign each, making its annual income over 
$30,000. The next July show is to take place at 
Southampton. 
Gardener’s Magazine. — Curl in the Potato. —This 
is principally occasioned by using imperfect seed that 
has not been sufficiently ripened ; such, Tor instance, 
as late-planted potatoes : many select them because 
they are not fit to eat, and, therefore, think they will 
do to plant. Over ripeness also has the same effect. 
Potatoes then curl because they have lost part of their 
properties and substance ; while the partially ripe curl, 
though not possessing these properties and substance at 
all. It is the same with wheat and other grain, fruit, 
and indeed all seeds. 
Dry Rot in the Potato. —This is attributed to ex¬ 
haustion of the seed before planting. 
Culture of Strawberries. —These should not be plant¬ 
ed less than two feet apart each way, and never allowed 
to stand more than two years, taking care always to 
keep all runners cut closely off; by these means there 
is a greater weight to be obtained, finer fruit, and bet¬ 
ter flavored, as the sun and air can circulate more 
freely among them; and mulching them with clean 
short grass, just as they come into bloom, keeping 
them clean, and the ground moist, makes them flourish. 
If they are obliged to be watered, it must never be 
done with a rose on the watering-pot, but by pouring 
round the roots from the spout, so that they get a good 
soaking without wetting the fruit; for it spoils the 
flavor of the fruit if is over-watered. The best-tasted 
and most prolific strawberries are Myatt’s British 
queen, Myatt’s Eliza, Myatt’s pine, Downton, Keen’s 
seedling, and the old true Scarlet pine. I find that the 
plants that have been forced, by being turned out as 
soon as done with into a good bit of ground well pre¬ 
pared, always make fine stools for the next season, or 
bring a good crop the same autumn, which is found 
to be very useful. Any good holding loam will grow 
strawberries, and bring them to a good flavor, if well 
prepared and sweetened by the atmosphere first; and 
some good rotten dung worked in among it, and a little 
soot sprinkled in among them and hoed in in the month 
of April, will make an astonishing difference in the 
quality and flavor of the fruit; and, if the ground has 
become hard after heavy rains, sow some charcoal dust 
among them, and hoe it in, which will soon purify the 
earth, and improve the crop wonderfully. 
Testimonial to Dr. Neill. —The practical gardeners 
in Scotland and other parts of the world, to the num¬ 
ber of 600, presented this celebrated horticulturist and 
naturalist, a beautiful silver vase of great value, as a 
testimony of his worth and devotion to horticulture and 
the interests nf its cultivators. A meeting of a large 
number of gentlemen was held at the time, concluded 
with a dinner, speeches, and general rejoicings. 
Gardener’s Chronicle. — Onion Maggot. — This 
grub is destroyed by strewing a little nitrate of soda on 
the places which are affected; the soda also proves 
| beneficial as manure to the roots and tops. 
