THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE, M.P., ON AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS. It is a pleasant thing in a lord-loving country like ours to get a nod from a great man, the more especially if the donor be not a mere dummy, but with really "something in him." The compliment becomes proportionately the more pointed when our friend, at least, affects to take an active interest in our welfare, and passes on from the conventional "how-de-do?" to some more direct reference as to how we are all going on? Moreover, he may possibly be able to assist us a little if he so chooses, and as a consequence we are very much obliged to him for his kind inquiries, and as duly impressed with what he has to tell us. Amongst other unexpected pleasures during the last few weeks the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been looking in upon Agriculture. He has even done the old lady the honour to stop and dine with her, and further favoured the party, during the course of the evening, with one of his famous addresses. And this of itself is "something," for Mr. Gladstone cannot speak indifferently upon any subject, while for point and force he is the only rival of Lord Derby for the laurel leaf as the most brilliant orator of the day. But Mr. Gladstone at Mold, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, spoke with something more weighty than even the great gift of eloquence to back him. He occupied "the place of the day" as chairman of the Flintshire Agricultural Society, and thus stood thrice-armed as the man of genius, the patron of agriculture, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ability, opportunity, and power were all at his command, and an afterdinner speech under such circumstances may be yet worth remembering hereafter. Of course we must allow something for the position the right honourable gentleman occupied, and his character of the modern farmer is certainly flattering enough. "Societies of this kind," too, 66 are of the very greatest possible interest and importance, and they more than anything else tend to show that the agricultural interest is not always what it has been sometimes supposed to be-behind the rest of the world." Such a speaker, however, as Mr. Gladstone cannot be content only with talking, but must straightway deduce and refine upon that he may start with. He is, then, intent not so much perhaps upon a picture of the farmer as he is or was, as upon all he must be: "There was a time, undoubtedly, when the farmer was looked upon as a different kind of person from a manufacturer, and when it was supposed that a very average standard of mental qualities, if not physical exertion, would suffice for the performance of the duties of those who are engaged in the cultivation of the earth. But we have now found out, on the contrary, that everything more or less connects itself with the cultivation of the soil, and that it not only involves all the knowledge which science can bring to bear upon the manufacture of implements the most suitable to be employed in cultivation, but a high chemical knowledge of all the qualities of those restoratives which in their thousand forms replenish and revive the surface of the ground; consequently, that the duties and functions which constitute the business of a farmer are such as to afford the amplest scope to the greatest efforts, whether mental or physical, of the highest order of intelligence which can be brought to bear upon the subject, and that, if it is pursued in the manner in which it ought to be pursued, in a manner worthy of itself, the man who pursues it as an occupa tion must be a man of active mental, as well as of active bodily habits, and the more he exercises those gifts of the mind and that power of thought with which Providence has endowed him, the greater and more conspicuous will be his success in his calling." This is rather a high standard; but even with such a combination of qualities agriculture must not be expected to ever pay as good a per-centage upon outlay as would be realized by many other means. When a man has made a fortune by business he takes to farming as an amusement, and an hour or two by the Express convert the Alderman of Leadenhall Street into the Squire of Tiptree. There is the best classic authority, as we are pretty sure to hear at every rural gathering, for turning the fine edge of our weapon as we fashion it into a plough-share; and "inasmuch as agriculture is by far the most healthy, by far the most agreeable, and, on the whole, by far the most satisfactory of all pursuits, it would be a very unequal distribution of the benefits of Providence if agriculture had coupled with all these advantages an overbearing share of the profits of industry." This is candid at any rate; but the inference is still scarcely compatible with the premises upon which it is drawn. No man must count upon making a fortune by farming. If anything, it is simply an agreeable way of passing the time, rather more playing at business than anything else. From no man, however, is more expected. Much that has to be done. been done tends only to show how much more there is "You have indeed achieved great pro of cultivating the ground. Great, however, as that gress both in the application of manure and the mode progress has been, I believe that still more remains to of the land had reached its limits, and no more could be achieved. It was once thought that the cultivation be obtained from it. It is perfectly true that to some extent this will always be a corn-producing country; but at the same time you will recollect, that while we grow a great quantity of corn, the people are now so increased in numbers that there is an enormous demand for all kinds of esculents which the farmers find it profitable to grow, and, conesquently, to some extent we do throw ourselves on foreign nations for a supply of corn, and no doubt more or less we shall always do So. At the same time this is fraught with good; because, while other nations supply us with corn, our there is an immense saving of labour here, we commerce is extended; and while on the one hand strengthen those bonds of amity and cordiality which should exist among all the nations of the world. I believe you will, however, find that the present products of the soil in this land have by no means reached their maximum." Entering into occasional detail, the Chancellor of the Exchequer dwells, as Lord Derby did at Preston, on the utilization of town sewage; and upon this topic we may deduce a little further from the right honourable gentleman's speech. There have been foolish people now for years past, who have been talking and writing, and repeating themselves about the use and value of sewage, as if it was simply the farmer's fault that it had not been put into use, and that he did not know its value. Mr. Gladstone by no means goes so far as this; but still he speaks as if the sewage should be at once employed upon the land, and he makes a point of saying this to a meeting of agriculturists. He might much more ap. EE propriately address himself upon the question to his brother-members of the Government, or the mayor and councilmen of our several cities. This, indeed, gives the very moral to the Mold address; and the eloquent orator might have been very readily answered. It is not enough for one of his power and position to pat us on the back with the satisfactory comment, that " you have done very well, and now see if you cannot do a little more." We want a helping hand at times, good Mr. Chancellor. Will you think of us when you get home again, and give us a lift when you can? It is not often we ask; but really there is nobody now that we can trust to say a good word for us. We are willing to go on if you are ready to back us; but there are many other things like this same town sewage, the due use of which does not in the first instance depend upon the farmer. Clear the way for us. Bring it within practical reach of the farmer. You do your duty, and we will do ours. With our recent experiences of Lords and Commons, there is not much to look for from high places; but when the President of an Agricultural Association is also a Chancellor of the Exchequer, he should be able to shake Hope from the bottom of the box. MOLD, FLINTSHIRE, Sept. 24. The annual meeting of the Denbigh and Flint Agricul tural Society took place in this town to-day, when it being known that Mr. Gladstone would preside, a very much larger number of the gentry and farmers of this part of North Wales were attracted to the show than had ever before been known to attend. Notwithstanding torrents of rain which commenced to fall in the early part of the morn. ing and continued all day, the show-yard was crowded, the cattle exhibited being remarkably fine. At five o'clock a party of about 300 of the principal gentry and farmers sat down to dinner at the Black Lion, under the preidency of Mr. Gladstone, who was supported by Mr. Mainwaring, M.P., and Sir W. W. Wynn. The right hon. gentleman on entering the room was loudly cheered. After the removal of the cloth, Mr. GLADSTONE proceded to give the usual loyal toasts, which were drunk with enthusiasm. In giving "The Health of the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family" he alluded in the following terms to the approaching marriage of the Heir Apparent: Gentlemen, we have all heard with no common interest of the event which is about to take place. Tho Prince of Wales is about to be married to an amiable and virtuous Princess, who has shown herself worthy both of her future husband and of the exalted station which she will one day be called upon to fulfil in this country. Among the brightest and most happy characteristics of the present period and the present reign none has been more distinctly marked than this, that the marriages of the Royal family have been without exception marriages which, while in every respect conformable to the public interest, have been also founded upon the warmth and sincerity of per sonal attachments, as much as in the case of the humblest of the Queen's subjects. That was the case in the first instance with Her Majesty herself. It was the case with her daughters, and we have it upon the most undoubted authority that it will be the case with the marriage which is about to take place of the Prince of Wales and the Princess of the house of Denmark. You will all agree with me in saying God bless them both, and may that marriage be a fountain of joy both to themselves and to the people over whom at a distant date they may be called upon to reign. (Cheers.) The next toast, "The Bishops and Clergy," was acknowledged by the Vicar of MOLD, which was followed by "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," in giving which Mr. Gladstone observed that we alone of all nations had solved the problem of vesting vast strength in a separate portion of the community without destroying their citizenship, or endangering the liberties of the people. Calonel ROWLEY responded. The Right Hon. PRESIDENT said-I have now to propose "Success to the Denbighshire and Flintshire Agricultural Society," a toast which I need not say forms in the main the principal interest of our meeting to-night (cheers). We have not altogether been favoured to-day with that circumstance which they say is always uppermost in the hearts of Englishmen-the weather, and there was in the show-yard a very free exhibition of umbrellas; but with that exception, I trust, the show has been of a character fully worthy of the ancient repu tation of this society. I don't myself profess to have such information, judgment, and skill, as to authorize me for a moment to attempt to pronounce upon the merits of either cattle, venture to think that if this exhibition is less satisfactory than sheep, hoge, or whatever else we have seen to-day; but I do former ones have been, they must have been very satisfactory indeed. It is impossible not to see that societies of this kind are of the very greatest possible interest and importance, and they more than anything else tend to show that the agricul tural interest is not always what it has been sometimes supposed to be-behind the rest of the world (cheers.) By means of these societies you bring together the best of every description both of live stock and all other kinds of agricultural produce, besides the tools and implements by which you till the earth. The meaning of that is that you all give blessings to one another. Those who are able to give them, give them; those who have occasion to receive them, receive them. There are few who can't teach something, and fewer still who have not something to learn; but it is within our own recollection with the rest of the world. It was thought a very great that you have been beforehand in these matters as compared achievement, and it was a very great achievement, when, in 1851, all those engaged in industrial pursuits were invited to send to one spot their productions for mutual comparison and mutual instruction in what was called the Great International Exhibition (Cheers.) The happy idea which was then so successfully carried out for the first time was imitated in various foreign countries, and the second application of it has been witnessed among ourselves during the present year. Long before the manufacturers, and those interested in the general production of articles of utility, were called upon to compare their productions, you had exhibited to them that system in actual operation as an established thing, both in Scotland and iu England. There were, indeed, societies of this description all over the country, some of them great and others small, but all flourishing, and all tending to the same great objectmutual benefit, which I hope will always attend their operations (cheers). Whatever may be the character of the exhibition to-day, upon which better judges than myself will pronounce, I think I may congratulate you as an association intimately connected with agriculture on the present condition and prospects of those engaged in that noble pursuit (Hear, hear). All that old English framework that binds us together, all the three principal classes, landlords, tenant-farmers, and the peasantry of old English and old Welsh society, have been subjected under the circumstances of our lifetime to considerable pressure and considerable strain during the transi tion from one system to another, but we have all seen with the deepest satisfaction and the most cordial delight that the result of putting the Briton upon his mettle has in this case been what it has undoubtedly been in other cases-namely, that he has proved himself to be more than equal to every call that could be made upon him, and that out of circumstances of danger and of difficulty he has emerged not a loser but a gainer, and a conqueror over all the obstacles that have beset his course. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I venture to hope and to believe that the farming class of this country, to whom we must look as the centre of this great system of agricultural improvement in respect to the cultivation of the land, will now feel themselves to be embarked on a career which is likely to be one of advantage and success to themselves, as undoubtedly it must always be one of progress and improvement. There was a time, undoubtedly, when the farmer was looked upon as a different kind of person from a manufacturer, and when it was supposed that a very average standard of mental qualities, if not physical exertion, would suffice for the performance of the duties of those who are engaged in the cultivation of the earth, But we have now found out, on the contrary, that everything more or less connects itself with the cultivation of the soil, The health of the County Members having been drunk, and that it not only involves all the knowledge which science and acknowledged by Mr, MAINWARING, M.P., can bring to bear upon the manufacture of implements the soil is increasing. (Cheers). But, gentlemen, although that ever entered the nostrils of mankind, that we set about a work of legislation which involved the expenditure of millions of money, but the consequence of which will be that in all future time no part of that immense mass of sewage will find its way into the river, but the Thames will become again what it was originally-a pure and beautiful river. That great work is now almost completed; and very shortly the mass of sewage to which I have alluded will be available to be experimented upon, in order to see at what cost the deleterious particles can be separated, and the Without prefertilizing properties applied to the soil. most suitable to be employed in cultivation, but a high chemical knowledge of all the qualities of those restoratives which in their thousand forms replenish and revive the surface of the ground; consequently, that the duties and functions which constitute the business of a farmer are such as to afford the amplest scope to the greatest efforts, whether mental or physical, of the highest order of intelligence which can be brought to bear upon the subject; and that, if it is pursued in the manner in which it ought to be pursued, in a manner worthy of itself, the man who pursues it as an occupation must be a man of active mental as well as of active bodily habits; and the more he exercises those gifts of the mind and that power of thought with which Providence has endowed him, the greater and more conspicuous will be his success in his calling. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, my hon, relative, Sir W. Glynne, has congratulated you upon the favourable change which the last few weeks have made upon the prospects of the harvest. We have had indeed very serious indications of the reappearance of the potato disease, but, so far as information has reached me, I am happy to say these apprehensions are local and partial, and, upon the whole, I think we may consider that up to the present moment the potato crop is in a sounder and more healthy condition than it has usually appeared to be of late years. I am afraid it would be a little premature to pronounce definitely as yet upon the result of the general harvest, yet it is within my knowledge, and within the knowledge of some of my friends who are most competent to judge, from an extensive agricultural experience, that the yield of all descriptions of esculents for the present year will be far more considerable than it has been for several years past. We must all feel very great thankfulness for the measure of favourable weather with which the country has been blessed, and the prespects which farmers now enjoy. Indeed, the state of the corn market proves pretty conclusively that we enjoy a fair prospect of a sufficient supply of food for the country at reasonable prices during the coming winter. (Cheers.) If we look at agriculture as a trade, I must say that I think it impossible not to be struck with its favourable circumstances. I don't mean to say that agriculture as a trade will ever be distinguished by the enormous gains which other pursuits may occasionally produce; but then, inasmuch as agriculture is by far the most healthy, by far the most agreeable, and, on the whole, by far the most satisfactory of all pursuits, it would be a very unequal distribution of the benefits of Providence if agriculture had coupled with all these advantages an overbearing share of the profits of industry (Hear, hear). Apart from the condition of agri-suming to pronounce any opinion upon the subject, I cannot culture as a trade, it is impossible not to consider its social condition, and those relations of class to class which are so intimately bound up with the whole of its functions and operations-an overpowering evidence that whatever, changes take place in the country, the older she grows she does not grow weaker (cheers)-that those ties which unite one class to another do not with the lapse of years become feebler than they were before, but, on the contrary, it is our belief that the confidence of class in class, each one class in every other, is growing stronger and stronger from year to year, and that the whole social fabric, which depends on the union of all classes, is gradually acquiring a broader, deeper, and firmer foundation (cheers). If it be true that the pursuit of the farmer is not a pursuit which has been attended with the realization of sudden and enormous profits-if it be true that the wages of agricultural labourers are as a general rule somewhat below those of the gains of the mechanics and operatives of this country-the farmers are not exposed to the reverses which we see at this moment, with the deepest feeling of regret, spreading over the very heart of the manufacturing district, and which have totally paralyzed the hand of manufacturing industry, and the peasant is not exposed to the total loss of his employment from causes not only beyond his own control, but which it was perfectly impossible for any man to foresee or to prevent (Hear). Gentlemen, it is a happy social conditiou in which you live, and besides being a happy social condition it is a sound economical condition. If it be true that great and brilliant prospects do not commonly attend your business, it is equally true that the dangerous element of gambling which enters of necessity into some descriptions of human enterprise is almost entirely absent from yours; and it is also true that, moderately and gradually, but steadily, and with every prospect of permanence, the wealth as well as the intelligence of the classes connected with the cultivation of the help feeling sanguine as to the results of those experiments, Several other toasts were given, and the meeting separated, AN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR HEREFORDSHIRE AND SOUTH WALES. Ever since the refusal of the Council of the Royal Society to fix the 1863 meeting at Hereford, efforts have been made to get up a second West of England for the counties of Hereford, Monmouth, Brecon, Glamorgan, &c.; but until Wednesday, Sept. 24, the question has only been mooted privately. On that day, however, at the Abergavenny Agricultural Society's dinner, it was publicly broached by R. Duck ham, Esq., Lord Llanover, and others. His lordship presided upon the occasion, and in the course of the evening gave the Health of the Judges of Stock. Mr. T. DUCKHAM, editor of the Herd Book, rose to return thanks, and was received with very flattering marks of applause. He said he rose to acknowledge the very kind compliment passed upon him by his lordship as one of the judges of stock, and in doing so he certainly could with truth say, in the words of Captain Hill, that he was quite taken aback by his lordship's kindly expressions; indeed, he felt that his lordship had eulogised him more than he really deserved. But, having been asked to visit them as a judge in conjunction with other gentlemen, he at once availed himself of coming to that part of the country, willing and ready to render any assistance it was in his power to give (cheers). He had long felt how much im. provement was to be effected in the breed of stock, and he had been for some years a strenuous advocate of agricultural societies (cheers). Now, with regard to the stock shown to-day, he could only say it was, as Mr. Edwards had observed, a select lot," and, unfortunately, some of the classes for competition did not fill, whilst in others there was no competition; but those animals which showed a single appearance were of such a character that the judges felt justified in awarding to them a prize (cheers). They had certainly seen animals in higher condition, but the class of animals produced before them that day was of a superior kind (cheers). There were very good specimens of different classes, which reflected great credit upon the gentlemen to whom they belonged (cheers). Now, with regard to agricultural societies, there were many persons who that if local societies were done away with, and the whole amalgamated into one monster society, the cause of agriculture would be much more benefited (Hear, hear). Well,, he thought that such gatherings as the present stimulated men to greater exertions, and in their immediate districts did a great deal of good (cheers); at the same time, however, he thought they were not of that character which was required in the present day to fully bring out the improvements effected in agricultural machinery and implements. In touching upon this topic he would allude to the Welsh and border counties, which, whilst possessing an agricultural character, were completely shut out from witnessing the vast improvements that had been and were being made (cheers). Now, the Royal Agricultural Society was of that monstrous size, that they never could hope to get it to come into any town in Wales; in fact, the reason assigned why Hereford had not been selected for the Royal Society's Show in 1863, was because there was not sufficient room to accommodate them. ("Oh, oh.") Seeing this state of things, it was thought that if the Welsh and border counties with Hereford, could form one good agricultural Society, they would be able to get up a most excellent meeting, large enough to warrant the large implement manufacturers of the kingdom to come down and penetrate those parts of the country the Royal Agricultural Society could not come to in consequence of its increased size (cheers). If they got such a society they would find it to be a great benefit. In the Welsh and border counties there were many men who would not or could not go into the midland and distant counties to see the Royal Society; but if a similar society was brought, as it were, within a few miles of their own doors, they would go to its meetings; and then what they saw would soon cause them to think; and having once begun to think, they would go on inquiring and improving, for they all knew that thinking was the foundation of progress (cheers). He threw out those hints to his lordship as a man of practical experience, and he did think that the idea was worthy of being entertained (cheers). In conclusion he again begged to thank them for the kind compliment they had paid him (cheers). The CHAIRMAN said there was only one toast left to propose, but before proposing it he begged to offer a few observations on the remarks that had fallen from his friend Mr. Duckham. He thought those observations were not only deserving of consideration, but that they ought to be taken up seriously, with a view to their being carried out (cheers). Mr. Duckham held a position of importance in the county of Hereford, and in the city of Hereford very shortly a meeting would be held, at which a great number of persons connected with agriculture would be present. Possibly he might be at that meeting, and he would suggest to Mr. Duckham that he should call the attention of the great agriculturists who would assemble there to the object that he had propounded that evening, when, no doubt, it would be taken up warmly by them; and he could only say that, as an individual, he would give it all the assistance in his power, and do what he could to launch it with Mr. Duckham's aid, and the aid of the gentlemen of the county (cheers). Mr. Duckham knew as well as he did the cause of the Royal Society not going to Hereford. When they went to the Royal Agricultural Society for the purpose of submitting the claims of Hereford for the show for 1863, they were unfortunate in obtaining the proposition laid before the Council, who decided that Worcester should have the show next year; and in all human probability they would never see it at Hereford, because people in other parts would say, 46 Why should Hereford or Monmouth come forward ?" They would say, "We can't give you the show in Hereford or Cardiff, as you had one so recently at Worcester, which was of great advantage to you." Now Mr. Duckham and himself thought at the meeting that Hereford was fairly entitled to the show, and Cardiff, from its locality, was also entitled to it; but if they waited till they got it from the Royal Society, they would have to wait till doomsday (Hear, hear). Mr. Duckbam had said that those meetings not only promoted good feelings among men, but they also promoted the progress of agriculture. He (Lord Llanover) agreed with him in that, and thought that, useful as this society was, it would be much better if carried out on a larger scale, so as to take in all parts; thus doing good in their own immediate locality, and throughout the entire districts by which they were surrounded (cheers). It was with this view he coincided with what had fallen from Mr. Duckham, and again he would repeat that he should be happy to lend him all the assistance in his power to carry out the object he had in view, and which would be a greal benefit to Herefordshire and to the whole of South Wales (cheers). Now if South Wales was considered too large for the Society, then let the Society, as suggested by Mr. Duckham, be confined to Herefordshire, Glamorganshire, Monmouthshire, and Breconshire. That would be a large sphere for action, and, if it be found to answer, then its operations could be extended to other counties, which could come in and derive the advantages the institution offered (cheers). He thought it advisable in the first instance to limit themselves to those four counties, all combining agricultural districts, with one of them the largest manufacturing and commercial district in the world. If they did that, they would no doubt succeed in the proposi tion propounded (cheers). The noble chairman concluded by giving the healths of the Secretaries (loud cheers). Mr. P. MORGAN returned thanks in a brief but appropriate speech. Col. CLIFFORD proposed the health of the noble Chairman. The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, alluded to the kindness himself and lady and his family had always received at the hands of the inhabitants of Abergavenny, and assured the meeting that Lady Llanover and himself would always consider it a pleasing duty to do all that lay in their power to promote the interests of the town and district. The noble Lord then nominated the Hon. Col. Butler as president for the ensuing year. STAFFORDSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. This meeting, which was held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Sept. 23, 24, 25, was a great success. The following is a list of the prizes: CATTLE. JUDGES.-Mr. B. Swaffield, Pilsbury, Ashbourne. Mr. John Woods, Clepston Park, Mansfield. Bulls.-First prize, £10, and the Society's Silver Medal, Mr. Joseph Bickford, Oxley, Wolverhampton. Second, £5, Mr. John Darling, Beaudesert Farm, Rugeley. Yearling bulls.-First prize, £10, and the Society's Silver Medal, Mr. Edward H. Martin, jun., Bar Hill House, Madeley. Second, £5, Mr. John Lathbury, Wetmoor, Burton. Highly commended: Mr. J. W. Philips, Heybridge. Commended: Mr. Sneyd, Keele Hall; and Mr. Francis Hopwood, Rowney, Market Drayton. Bull calves.-First prize, £5, the Duke of Sutherland. Second, £2 10s., Mr. John Ironmonger, Measham, Atherstone. Highly commended: Mr. W. Bradburn, Hilton, Wolverhampton. Cows.--First prize, £6, Mr. John W. Philips, Heybridge. Second, £4, the Duke of Sutherland. Commended: Mr. Sneyd, Keele Hall; and Messrs. T. C. and S. Smith, Ad JUDGES.-Mr. John Booth, Macclesfield. Mr. F. Smith, Tissington. Mr. Joseph Woolf, Haslingden, Crewe. Cows in pairs.-First prize, offered by Mr. A. J. B. Beres- Yearling heifers in pairs.-First prize, £4, Mr. T. Carring ton, Eaton Doveridge. Second, £2, Mr. Abraham Barlow, Chatcull, Eccleshall, AYRSHIRE. JUDGES.-Mr. John Booth, Macclesfield. Mr. F. Smith, Tissington. Mr. Joseph Woolf, Haslingden, Crewe. Cows in pairs.-Prizes offered by Mr. C. M. Campbell.First prize, £3 3s., Mr. W. H. Ralston, Keele. Second, £2 2s., the Duke of Sutherland. FAT CATTLE. JUDGES.-Mr. W. Cheatle, Wigginton Fields, Tamworth. Mr. Geo. Cureton, the Beam House, Shrewsbury. Mr. John Faulkner, Bretby Farm, Burton-on-Trent. Commended: Mr. John Faulkner. Ox or steer.-First prize, £6, and second, £4, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot. Highly commended: Mr. Sneyd, Keele Hall. Alkmonton. Ram lambs.-First prize, £3, Mr. William Dester. Second, £2, Mr. Henry Harper, Hatherton Hall. Highly commended: Mr. William Dester. Breeding ewes.-First prize, £3, Mr. H. Chandos Pole. Second, £2, Mr. Edward Foster. Commended: Mr. Isaac Aston, Meaford Farm. Shearling ewes.-First prize, £3, Mr. H. Chandos Pole. Second, £2, Mr. James Young, Keele. Ewe lambs.-First prize, £3, Mr. H. Chandos Pole. Second, Mr. Isaac Aston. SHROPSHIRE AND BLACK OR GREY FACED. JUDGES.-Mr. W. Cheatle, Wigginton Fields, Tamworth. Mr. Geo. Cureton, the Beam House, Shrewsbury. Rams.-First prize, £5, and the Society's Silver Medal, Mr. W. O. Foster, M.P., Kinver Hill, Stourbridge. Second, £3, Mr. J. H. Bradburne, Pipe Place. Commended: Mr. R. H. Masfen, Pendeford. Shearling rams.-First prize, £5, Mr. W. O. Foster, M.P. Second, £3, Mr. John H. Bradburne. Ram lambs.-First prize, £3, the Earl of Dartmouth. Second, £2, Mr. John Stubbs, Weston Hall. Commended: Mr. Wm. Collins, Aston; and Mr. W. O. Foster, M.P. Breeding ewes.-First prize, £3, Mr. W. O. Foster, M.P. Second, £2, Mr. John H. Bradburne. Highly commended: Mr. John Coxon, Freeford. Commended: Mr. Chas. Reynolds Keeling, Yew Tree Farm. Shearling ewes.-First prize, £3, Mr. W. O. Foster, M.P. Second, £2, Colonel Dyott, Freeford. Highly commended and commended: Mr. Wm. Grindley, Weeping Cross. Ewe lambs.-First prize, £3, Mr. W. O. Foster, M.P. Second, £2, Mr. G. A. May, Elford Park. Highly commended: Mr. Thomas Marsh, The Heamies. PIGS. JUDGES.-Mr. John Booth, Macclesfield. Mr. Joseph Woolf, Haslingden, Crewe. Sows of a large breed.-First prize, £4, Mr. Peter Wright, Church Minshull. Second, £2, Mr. James M'Masters, Silverdale. Highly commended: Mrs. Ethel Bourne, Hilderstone Hall, Stone; and Mr. Peter Wright. Boars of a small breed.-First prize, £4, Mr. R. T. Adderley, Barlaston Hall. Second, £2, Mr. John Darling, Beaudesert Farm. Sows of a small breed.-First prize, £4, Viscount Hill. |