to deal properly with the question of the tenure of land, leases, | who clung with affection to whatever was old would soon find and covenants, it would introduce quite a revolution in agri- themselves left behind. What had been said in the discussion culture. Let leases be generally granted, and the doors of led to the conclusion that a great many farmers were willing agricultural improvement would be thrown wide open, and to improve who had not the command of the requisite capital. there would soon be a system of agriculture in this country Notwithstanding what Mr. Sidney had said, he believed agriworthy of an advanced age, and suited to modern require- culturists would do well to enocourage the formation of comments. panies, which would do what individuals were already doing in some cases--who would acquire land which was unimproved, and bring it into a good state of cultivation. That great city wAI overflowing with capital, which found its way into a thousand companies and speculations, some of them by no means of an English character; and when million after million went to foreign countries for their improvement, perhaps to be used in opposition to ourselves, agriculturists should rejoice at anything that tended to the useful employment of such surplus The CHAIRMAN wished to remove a misapprehension of the last speaker. He spoke of the importance of the question of the tenure of land, as compared with subjects on the card for that year. All who were at all acquainted with the history of the Club must be well aware that the question of the tenure of land had engaged its attention. (Hear, hear.) In fact, they were at one time taunted with having ridden that hobby almost to death, (Hear, hear.) Mr. SANDERSON observed, that that must have been before English capital in their own land. (Hear, hear.) He was he became a member of the Club. The CHAIRMAN said, Very possibly. He could not allow that objection to the proceedings of the Club to remain unrefuted. (Hear, hear.) Alderman MECHI then replied. He said Mr. Ramsay appeared to think that everything in agriculture should be left to go on quietly. How would any great modern improvement have been effected if no one had stepped out of the ranks and taken a lead? In this country they lived by change and progress, and no good could be done without them. Mr. Sidney had spoken on that subject with some levity, mingling sneers with good-tempered remarks. What he said was, in effect, that he (Alderman Mechi) had been always changing. Why, he would ask whether the agricultural implements in the Exhibition of 1862 were the same that they saw in that of 1851? (Hear, hear.) Everything was changing, and those very much pleased at the course which the discussion had taken; there did not appear to be much difference of opinion. The difference of £1 an acre between himself and Mr. Sanderson in reference to the tenant's capital invested in land did not materially affect the question raised. Probably that dif ference arose from Mr. Sanderson's having come in contact with a very improving class of tenants. Mr. Coleman had, as it appeared to him, taken a very sensible view of the matter; and it would be a happy thing for this country if all counties resembled Bedfordshire, as regarded the work of improve ment. On the motion of Mr. ELLIS, seconded by Mr. BUTCHER, a vote of thanks was accorded to Alderman Mechi for his paper. On the motion of Mr. COLEMAN, seconded by Mr. RAMSAY, thanks were also tendered to the chairman, AGRICULTURAL MEETINGS IN THE EASTERN COUNTIES. THE ESSEX SOCIETY AT HALSTEAD. "Horsey" in their tastes as are the denizens down | of "the set" entered in illustration of the system. east, the Direction of both the Essex and Suffolk So- This is of the more weight, as the company genecieties fixed their meetings for this year in the Epsom rally evinced little of the spirit of customers. Much week. They did so when oscillating no doubt betwixt as they applauded the practical uses of the Bedford the double dangers of Scylla or Charybdis-whether it cultivator, often as they turned to the new "' means" were not better to encounter a qualified opposition, than of their neighbour from Chelmsford, it was rather with to come in yet closer proximity with another great the curiosity to see a raree-show than with any very gathering in London? There is no cause to cavil on fixed idea of applying such an agency to their own cases. the decision thus arrived at; for the show of either So- If the Essex farmers do need waking up to the value of ciety was an indisputable success. That in Essex, in- ploughing their fields by steam, the exhibition of Tuesdeed, was altogether the most evenly good, the associa- day last should have gone far to arouse them to a proper tion, of only a few seasons in work, has yet been enabled sense of their position, for the ground in famous tilth to offer. Everything was in its favour. Held in one worked capitally, with every concomitant opportunity of the most convenient and delightful of show grounds, for ascertaining the relative worth of the rival powers. the day was as propitious to the occasion, a passing But the Essex Society, as yet, ventures on no premium shower merely serving to remind one of the dreary day in this way; and so every man was left to judge for at Walden and its weeping rival at Romford. Then, himself-an Englishman's right, the exercise of which with really admirable arrangement, the trial field ad- has not led to so much business as some people joined the park in which the cattle stood; and so when seem to have expected. A fair premium, say of some the visitor tired of studying Shorthorn or South- twenty or thirty pounds, by next year, for the best down, when he had been duly "through" the chesnut practical plan for cultivation by steam-power, would do horses and black pigs, he had but to pass in at a gate much to develop the system in Essex, as it should dewhere a return check was handed him, to find himself velop-under the auspices of the County Society. face to face with Fowler, Howard, Coleman, and Ed- Prizes, however, are given here for collections of impledington, all alike busily engaged in solving the problem ments, which, backed by individual stands, offered samof steam cultivation. Mr. Fowler was in the trust-ples of nearly all the approved machinery that the agriworthy keeping of the Ransomes, who did very telling work with his implement, an opinion backed by the yet more substantial compliment of the sale during the day culturist has to select from. The stock section of the show was quite as well represented, for though at present in a great degree con fined to the county, the home entries include a number of all-England exhibitors. Mr. Crisp has just qualified" as an occupier, and, had his horse but done so, May Duke would have won the County as well as the Open premium. Mr. Jonas Webb has a farm within the limits; and though the Southdowns are "going," the Suffolks and shorthorns still uphold the credit of Babraham. Mr. Fisher Hobbs' improved Essex pigs are as well known out of the county as in it; Mr. Badham has more recently come to count himself as an Essex breeder; while Sir Thomas Lennard with cattle of all kinds, and Lord Braybroke, Mr. Bramston, Mr. Clayden, Mr. M'Intosh, Mr. Christy, Mr. Sturgeon, Mr. Sworder, Mr. Piggott, and Mr. Chaplain more especially for their shorthorns, are all becoming deservedly distinguished. Under such circumstances, surely the Essex Society can afford to follow the example of its near neighbours in Suffolk and Norfolk, and throw their entries open to all comers. This course was recommended at the dinner by Mr. Papillon, one of the cluster of M.P.s present, who said, "There is one way by which it may be possible that the successful exhibitors of to-day may be made unsuccessful exhibitors another year, without having cause to be ashamed of it, and that is by adopting the suggestion I heard wafted about the field, that this Society should be thrown more open. Instead of its being necessary for gentlemen to qualify either as small owners or small occupiers in order to compete with us here, why should not we qualify to have improved our breeds of stock by getting better blood into our stock to compete with all England? Surely there are gentlemen, breeders in Essex who can hold a candle to any breeder in England, and therefore I think it is important to this Society, and as worthy their consideration, whether we should not extend wider our arms, and throw wider open the prizes this Society has to offer. I think it would do us good ourselves, and that very great success would attend our efforts in consequence." The same view was supported by both the judges called upon to respond for themselves and their fellows. Mr. Barthropp, in answering for the judges of stock, said, "Having had the pleasure of being present at two or three previous meetings of this Society. I congratulate you heartily upon the improved condition of the quality of the animals exhibited to-day; they would do credit to any local society. If they had been subjected to more general competition I think it would have given much more satisfaction, as, by throwing open the field, there is a much greater chance of improving the breed of cattle, and every description of animals." And he was followed by Mr. Corbet, for "the horsemen," to the same effect: "You must raise your Society to a higher position, by throwing it open; for, if you encourage the best new breeds into the county, surely there must be a concomitant benefit in doing so. It is all very well to meet and drink each other's healths and thank so-and-so, and say how well we are getting on, but if you can get a few foreigners together it will be better." By the general strength of the show, Essex should have no great fear of "the foreigners ;" while really it sounds only reciprocal that the Society should give and take, as they do in the other Eastern Counties. Still, there was one foreigner in great force at Halstead, and this in the finest of all the classes. For the best bull of any age or breed, the open premium was contested by a very strong entry of Shorthorns. Mr. Clayden showed two; Mr. Webb sent the Count de Gourcy, Mr. M'Intosh The Grand Duke of Essex, Mr. Bramston Comedian, and Lord Braybroke his Lord Clyde; while Mr. Upson entered four, Mr. Charles Sturgeon two, and Mr. Aitcheson Alexander two. Although now dating from Airdrie, N.B., Mr. Alexander's bulls were bred at Woodburn, in Kentucky, whence they were removed towards the end of last summer, from the breaking out of the American war. The preference was given to the roan by El Hakim, but all Bates' blood on the dam's side-a grandly-framed animal, with a good bull's head and neck, only qualified by a certain thickness of horn. He is not only very true in his proportions, but was pronounced to be still superior in quality, his touch being something like melted butter carefully covered with silk velvet. For our own part, we should have liked it a little firmer, particularly in a male animal; but the Duke of Airdrie has never found one Europa to smile on him since he landed in England in last September, and there is no knowing for how long previous he had been out of use. Hence, perhaps, the over-refinement of his Grace's quality. Jonas Webb's bull, another good nobbed one, and in most of his points quite equal to the American, still drooped a trifle in his quarters, and so finished second with a deservedly high commendation. The Babraham cow, Marchioness of Worcester, in a class all to herself, fairly deserved her reward, for she was as good as anything on the ground. In every way a very sweet cow, she still had never been previously exhibited, being better employed at home in rearing five single living calves; but she goes to Battersea with two other Graces, from the same herd, and both, it is whispered, her superiors in excellence. If so, Mr. Webb is pretty sure of "a place" there. Through some mistake his bull was not brought before the judges in the county class, where he was also entered; and, in his absence, the first premium went to Mr. Sworder, and the second to Mr. Crisp. And here the row fairly began. Never have we heard awards more discussed, although Mr. Barnett and Mr. Barthropp stood to their colours, and answered and explained as people one after another rose up in judgment against them. Putting Mr. Webb's bull, as he literally was put, out of the question, Mr. Bramstone's Comedian" was better than the best ;" and then, again, Lord Braybrooke's Lord Clyde was better than either." Certainly, Duplicate's coarse, staring, faulty shoulders were very fatal, but his back was capital, and though Comedian was grand enough for anything, he finished off and stood as badly behind as the other did before; while Lord Clyde, with a fine coat, famous quality, and true symmetry, was, alas! not made up for show company; and thus, though a prize bull of previous years, his being palpably passed over. There was some more pro and con. over the yearling bulls, where Mr. McIntosh's entry was often fancied, as we suspect as much for his pedigree as anything else-a point that the judges have not yet to take into their consideration. The high commendation of Mr. Clayden was also strongly supported, occasionally at the expense of the prize animals, as his young one was of nice quality and well covered; and Mr. Bramston had, again, his party with a son of Comedian; but, after all, there was not much to quarrel with over the first, as Mr. Piggott's bull is not only as good a one, as he is, but, with luck, will develope into something still better. There was not one of his class with more "promise" about him. Mr. Christy's prize heifers were all in good evidence of a rising herd of some extent, and Mr. Clayden's yearling of noticeable quality. Then, against these high-bred ones, there was a class of Shorthorns without traceable pedigrees, in accordance with a recent resolution of the Society; some fat stock, in which Mr. Christy was turning a pure-bred one into the best of beef, and some "other breeds," chiefly commendable for Mr. Fisher Hobbs' beautiful Alderney heifers. They looked all cream and butter, and only proved" more and more the closer you came to study the recognized points of their order. Mr. Hobbs signalized his return to the ranks of exhibitors by some further success with his pigs, beating, to his great delight, his old school-fellow, Mr. Crisp, for the best boar. The latter's all-aged pigs, however, were very coarse, with bad thick skins, and the Butley breed showed far better in the other classes, where with finer quality they got back to their now accustomed places of first and second. Mr. Hobbs' pen of half-a-dozen fat hogs, all much of a muchness, and Mr. Hallum's famous old weight-carrying hunting mare, though only to be commended as EXTRA STOCK, were two of the sights of the show. There was nothing, indeed, like the chesnut from Wormingford in the ridinghorse division, if we except only Mentmore, and Mr. Taylor's bald-faced hack. The judges refused to make any award in one or two classes; and it was only after much hesitation that they elected Mainstone to be the best thorough-bred horse in the county, Mentmore being led out alone, after the other three had been condemned in the local entry. A fine showy horse upwards, Mainstone, who had the honour of being bred by Lord Palmerston, has terribly weak ankles, rendered all the worse for some fancy Sir Thomas Lennard has for not permitting his horses to be properly shod. He might consult with advantage the noble President of the Suffolk Society on this point. With the character of a good race-horse to recommend him, Mentmore rather lacks the substance of his predecessor Middlesex, but he has famous action for getting hunting stock, and having worn so clean and well should be another "bargain" for the foreign market. There was not a pony could move," and the judges tried, back and forward, fairly puzzled, ere they found a couple of soundish "hackney mares." But The cart horses, now nearly all Suffolks, were better; although with many still on circuit the show of stallions was not a great one. The open class, as already mentioned, Mr. Crisp won with May Duke, a second prize horse in Norfolk and Suffolk last year; his chief opponent now being Felstead Hero, who again finished a close second. Had the Duke served mares enough in the district he would have, of course, stood equally high against the roughish lot that represented the county; while the same fifteen acre occupier-surely it is time to open the lists-was first again with a clever, stylish two-year-old by the Marquis, Mr. Webb seconding him with a very middling one, with a white face and heels, that did no great credit to the Leeds winner. the choice of the chesnuts was with the mares and fillies, Mr. Thompson showing a fine clean-made mare with a foal at her foot, Mr. W. Parsons a wonderfully good four-year, of great style and substance, though picked up "promiscuously" in a fair; and Mr. Ward three such fillies as might challenge all Suffolk to equal. There is unfortunately no class for the three-year-old at Battersea, but the two-year-old will go on with great hopes, and Mr. Badham may plume himself in beating the yearling with a daughter of The Emperor. But he was not in much general force, and the Bulmer threeyear-old gelding in work must have been exhibited only on the principle of "What to eat, and drink, and avoid." Sir Thomas Lennard entered, but did not send the Hero, content to rest his renown on the Southdown flock, which after Poissy had it, of course, all their own way. His first prize shearling ram had the three essentials of breed, shape, and size all in his favour. The other sheep shown were not of a high character, and the best Long-woolled ram had no place in his class when competing again on Friday at Bury St. Edmunds. The Essex and Suffolk Gazette, a great authority on this branch of the business, says "the show of poultry was larger than in the preceding year, and included some first-class birds, the Dorkings being especially fine." In fact, a most successful day, well supported alike by exhibitors and visitors, and equally well conducted by the office-bearers of the Society, was only damped by a dinner that was just the reverse of everything that preceded it. Let the lucky people who stayed away picture some half-a-dozen M.P.s elevated so much above their constituents that they could scarcely see some of those they were addressing. Let each of these honourable gentlemen be armed with the longest of speeches and commonest of common-places; let the agricultural element be kept off so long that the wonder is that anybody ever stopped for the smart something Mr. Mechi was sure to be armed with. Let there be "another" appropriate speech from the Chairman and "another" appropriate song from Mr. Genge, until human nature can stand it no longer, and finds relief only in looking at an irate old gentleman, who is eloquent on his own dignity, and who, having once withdrawn from the Society in dudgeon, explains that-unfortunately for everybody-he has been induced to come back again. Let us not dwell over the tedium of that miserable evening, but let us endeavour to impress upon the Committee that it may be as well to have somebody to say something about agriculture, and that even if a member of parliament comes to dine with you, it by no means follows that he should be always called upon to make a speech. We have quoted Mr. Papillon once, and we will quote him again. Recollect, it is the member for Colchester who is addressing us :"I must protest against its being thought necessary that upon every occasion, in whatever part of the country, and upon whatever subject and matter we may be called together, if there is an unfortunate member of parliament present he should be called upon to make a speech. On this occasion there are five members of parliament present; you have listened to speeches from three of them, you are about to have a speech from a fourth, and you will very soon have an excellent speech from a fifth. But I cannot help thinking that there are many men, whose place and province it is to handle toasts, who could do it better than any member of parliament, and whose platform,' to use an American expression, is strictly an agricultural meeting." This was far away the most sensible and "appropriate" thing we heard in that five hours' heavy penance; and if the Committee of the Essex Agricultural Society do not entertain Mr. Papillon's protest, let their sin be on their own heads. Let them listen to all the fine speeches themselves, for nobody else will. Our readers may not find a report of the dinner subjoined. HORSES FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES. W. R. Scott, Lavenham Hall, Suffolk. First prize of £15 to W. G. Roofe, Colchester (Young Duke). First prize of £10 to T. Crisp, Butley Abbey, Wickham Market. Second of £5 to Jonas Webb, Babraham (The Comet). Commended.-Henry Quihampton, Little Totham (Royal Oak); Edgar Disney, The Hyde, Ingatestone (Telegram). Cart Mares. First prize of £6 to W. Parsons, Boxted. First prize of £5 to Sir T. Barrett-Lennard, Bart. First prize of £5 to G. D. Badham, Bulmer. Pairs of Plough Horses or Mares. Prize of £5 to Walter Mills, Little Bardfield. Highly commended.-John Way, Spaynes Hall, Great Yeldham. Commended.-Thomas Taylor, Earl's Colne. Entire Horses, for Agricultural Purposes-Open to All England. Prize of £25 to Thomas Crisp, Butley Abbey, Wickham Market (May Duke). Highly commended, and recommended for a premium.James Brown, Felstead (Hero). Pure bred Shorthorn Cows. to Jonas Webb, Babraham (Marchioness of Cows of any other pure breed. Prize of £4 to Samuel Courtauld, Gosfield Hall (Alderney). Pure bred Shorthorn two years old Heifers. First prize of £6 to James Christy, jun., Boynton Hall (Primula). Second prize of £4 to J. Christy, jun. (Fraulein). Highly commended.-Richard Chaplin, Ridgewell, Halstead (Jessie). Two years old Heifers, any other pure breed. Yearling Heifers of any other breed. Prize of £5 to Joseph F. Hutley, Little Braxted Hall. Second prize of £5 to Thomas Taylor, Earls Colne (Polled Yorkshire). Heifers of pure breed, not exceeding 12 and not under 6 months. First prize of £5 to David McIntosh, Havering Park, Romford (Lady Bates 3rd). Second prize of £3 to James Christy, jun. (Genevieve 6th). Highly commended.-James Christy, jun. (Ringdove). Bulls of pure breed, not exceeding 12 and not under 6 months. First prize of £5 to Lord Braybrooke, Heydon House, Royston (Sir Colin). Second prize of £3 to Jonas Webb (English Gentleman). Shorthorn Cows not competent to compete in previous class. Prize of £10 to Lieut.-Col. Ruggles Brise (Rosebud). Second prize of £5 to Samuel Courtauld (Fanny). Two years old Shorthorn Heifers. Prize of £6 to R. Brand, Wright's, Wethersfield. First prize of £5 to J. T. Waldock, Duxford, Cambridgehire (Sprightley). Second prize of £3 to Joseph F. Hutley. Shorthorn Heifers, not exceeding 12 months. Prize of £4 to Joseph F. Hutley. Bulls of any age, pure breed-Open to all England. Prize of £15 to R. Aitcheson Alexander, Airdrie House, First prize of £15 to William Sworder, Stapleford, Tawney N.B. (Second Duke of Airdrie). Hall (Duplicate). Highly commended.-Jonas Webb (Conat de Gourcy). SHEEP. JUDGES: Charles Howard, Biddenham, Bedford. First prize of £8 to Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard, Bart. Second prize of £4 to J. Oxley Parker, Woodham Mortimer Place. Rams of any other Short-woolled breed. First prize of £5 to Peter Portway, Great Sampford (Suffolk Down). Second prize of £3 to P. Portway. Long-woolled Rams of any age. First prize of £5 to Joseph Giblett, Little Bardfield (Cotswold). Second prize of £3 to Joseph Giblett. Oxfordshire or Shropshire Down Rams. Prize of £5 to Joseph Giblin (Oxford). Shearling Southdown Rams. First prize of £8 to Sir T. Barrett-Lennard, Bart. Shearling Short-woolled Rams of any other Breed. Shearling Oxfordshire or Shropshire Down Rams. Prize of £5 to Joseph Giblin (Oxford). Shearling Long-woolled Rams. First prize of £5 to Joseph Giblin (Cotswold). Second of £3 to Joseph Giblin. Five Shearling Pure Down Ewes. First prize of £20 to E. R. and F. Turner, St. Peter's Iron Works, Ipswich. Second of £10 to T. R. and R. Hunt, Earl's Colne. Prize of £10 to Turner, Ipswich, patent digging, pulverizing, and weed-extirpating machine (by the Rev. Geo. Alger, LL.D., Aylsham, Norfolk). Best Improvement in any known Implement. Prize of £5 to R. Boby, Bury St. Edmunds, improved patent hay-making machine, double-action, THE SUFFOLK ASSOCIATION, AT BURY ST. EDMUNDS. Another very good even show, with another good site First prize of £6 to Sir T. Barrett-Lennard, Bart. (South- to hold it on, followed in Suffolk on the Friday, when down). Second of £4 to Sir Barrett-Lennard, Bart. Five Shearling Short-woolled Ewes. First prize of £5 to Mrs. Rebecca Carter, Helions Bumstead Hall. Second of £3 to Peter Portway. Five Shearling Long-woolled Ewes. Prize of £5 to Joseph Giblin (Cotswold). Five Shearling Short-woolled wethers: First prize of £5 to Sir T. Barrett-Lennard, Bart. Second of £3 to Lord Braybrooke. Five Fat Shearling Cross-bred or Long-woolled Wethers. First prize of £5 to Henry Hobbs, Great Bradfords, Bocking. Second of £3 to Henry Evershed, Park Hall, Gosfield. Rams of any age of Pure Breed-Open to all England. Prize of £10 to Joseph Giblin (Oxford Down). Lord Stradbroke fairly turned his back on the Oaks, as in duty bound, from his office as Life President of the Agricultural Society. Saving only in the well-named RIDINGS of Yorkshire, we know no similar institution that depends so much on its horse entries as does this same Suffolk Association. People will of course have a look at Stearn's and Sexton's wonderful pigs; they must see the useful polled dairy cows, and they will wander away occasionally amongst the implements, where a continual cry of "What will you buy?" has gradually usurped the more stirring challenge of direct competition. Then, her Ladyship's fat cows are very marvels in the way of breeding and feeding, while rather far a-field there is steam ploughing to attract those who can get away from the red chesnuts or the showy thorough-bred ones. But it will be a hard day, too, when Allen Ransome has to proclaim that we need no longer the blood of Catlin's Duke, or Newcastle Captain -that the handsome Emperor may be put in a glass case, and Cretingham Hero become but a by-word at last. Certainly there was not much sign of any such a change on Friday, for though Aveling's steam horse, followed by another of Roby's, was on parade amongst the machinery, they "drew" very few after them. The public were rather circling the rings where the judges still at work were trying to sift out that famous class of two-year-old cart colts; or where the other trio were testifying to all that old Robinson, Revenge, and Middlesex had done for the county. Without being above an average, the entry of cart horses was pretty generally excellent, the class of aged stallions including such well-known horses as Raglan, Chester, Emperor, Biddell's Colonel, and Crisp's Marquis and Champion. With a fresh bench of judges, the new trial, as is now commonly the case, ruled another way; and the Emperor, looking wonderfully well and vigorous, came once more to the head of his division, with all the horses showing against him in very good form. The excellence of the three-year-olds may be estimated from the fact that Mr. Crisp's Halstead, All-England colt could get no nearer than second in a small field; whilst after dwelling over them for a long time, the authorities came to commend all the two-year-olds brought before them, further supporting their pick of them in a very |