The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian Glamorgan Monmouth and Brecon Gazette

-q- r- BRIDGEND LABOURERS' FRIEND SOCIETY. [BY OUU OWN REPORTER.) On Friday last, the fifth anniversary of this very excellent society took place in the town of Bridgend. The weather during the forenoon was rather unfa- vourable, which probably kept many of those gentle- men away whom we noticed at the meeting of last year. An important railway meeting at Pyle, also assisted in lessening the number of those who are generally most ready to assist in carrying out the objects of this society, and which has hitherto, we are informed, been the means of effecting much good in the district to which its operations are confined. Viscount Adare, our highly respected and most excel- lent member for the county, was at his post, having travelled upwards of four hundred miles simply with the view of taking part in the proceedings of the day —a circumstance which redounds to bis lordship's lasting honour, showing, as it clearly does, the deep interest he takes in everything calculated to promote the prosperity and happiness of the labouring popu- lation. Mr. Talbot was unavoidably absent, as was also the right honourable member for Cardiff. It is most pleasing to witness meetings of this kind, where landlords and tenants cordially unite with the view of effecting one common object—the amelioration of the condition of the humbler classes of society. Besides, irrespective of the benefits which accrue to those who are lowest in the social scale by the es- tablishment of societies of this kind, many other collateral advantages are secured gentlemen compare their several experiences—test theory by practice— and we know that the interchange of opinion pro- duces enlightenment. The young farmer, eager for everything that is new, takes counsel of the old; while the old farmer of other days is often happily induced to lay aside hi. prejudices, and to benefit by the energy and spirit of his younger brethren. In addition to this, the class in whom is vested the solid property of the country, and upon whom depends the employment and subsistance of millions, acquire strength, and will be enabled, we hope effec- tually, to assist the insiduous approaches of its would- be-respected friends as well as the less dangerous, because more open attacks of the league. The show of agricultural produce was, upon this 1.] viwi\iuv\Ac tvj *Aic iic\g\iY>vurllOOCi. lMf. Blosse's onions, Mr. Franklen's turnips and swedes, Mr. Thomas's carrots, were very much admired. The samples sent for competition were also in many instances very fine specimens. With regard to the ploughing match—the great feature of the day, and which took place on the Clay Pits farm—we have to report that 11 teams entered as competitors for the first-class prize, and 6 teams for the second class. The result will be seen in our report of the dinner. Mr. Whapham, of Bonvilstone, and Mr. Williams, of Ely, were the judges of the ploughing and Mr. Powell, of Eglwysnynnid, was the judge of the vegetables. THE DINNER. At half-past three o'clock about sixty gentlemen, tradesmen, and farmers sat down to dinner in the Ball-room of the Wyndham Arms Inn. We observed present Viscount Adare, M.P., Dunraven Castle; the Rev. Robert Knight, Tythegstone Court; M. P. Traherne, Esq., Coytrahen; Richard Franklen, Esq., Clemenstone; William Thomas, Esq., Pwllywrach; the Rev. John Harding, the Rev. II. L. Blosse, New- castle; the Rev. Charles Knight, of Tythegstone; William Lewellyn, Esq., Court Colman; the Rev. Mr. Williams, Marcross; Robert Lindsay, Esq., Margam; Dr. Lewis, Cowbridge W. Prichard, Esq., Laleston; John Rindall, Esq., Oldcastle; Mr. Price, Mr. Simpson, Mr. William Lewellin, Mr. Daniel Lewellin. Mr. Neale, Mr. Bryant, Mr. George Verity, Mr. Brown, Tondu; Mr. Rees Jenkins, Mr. Cox, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Whapham, Bonvilstone; Mr Williams, Ely, &c., &c. a The dinner was served up in Mrs. Betterton's usual excellent style, and gave the greatest and most general satisfaction. The wines were also first-rate in every respect. Viscount Adare took the chair,—and Richard Franklen, Esq., presided at the second table. The vice-chair was ably filled by Mr. Daniel Lewellin, one of the honorary secretaries. After ample justice had been done to the dinner, the noble chairman rose and proposed The health of Her Majesty the Queen;" and in doing so ob- served, that he hoped the result of Her Majesty's travels in foreign parts would be to strengthen her feelings of attachment to her own country. (Drank with three times three.) Th Chairman proposed as the next toast, one that was dear to the hearts of all Welshmen—" His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales." (Cheers.) His Lordship said that he happened to be on terms of in- timacy with the highly gifted individual who had been appointed tutor to his Royal Highness, and he should ask him to endeavour to instil into his youth- ful pupil's mind feelings of attachment to his Princi- pality, which portion of Her Majesty's dominions had always been famous for its loyalty. (Drank with three times three ) The Chairman next proposed the health of Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, and the rest of the Royal Family." In reference to the Queen Dowager, his lordship had to express, what everybody must feel, sentiments of the deepest respect and admiration. (Loud cheers.) Her Majesty was the promoter of every institution which could tend to benefit or ameliorate the condition of all classes of this great country; and her name deserved to be always held in the greatest respect. (Drank with three times three.) The Chairman proposed as the next toast the Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese"—a toast which was upon this occasion peculiarly appropriate, since he observed so many clergymen present, all of whom. his lordship said, had taken the most active part in carrying out the objects of the society. (Drank with loud cheers.) The Rev. John Harding having been called for rose to return thanks and said he felt extremely flattered in having his name coupled with the toast which had just been drank. He rose under circumstances of peculiar difficulty to acknowledge the compliment, and which were considerably increased when he observed a gentleman present prepared to write down all he said. (Laughter.) However, as he had been called upon to return thanks, as it was termed, he would not attempt any show of mock-modesty by wishing it was in better hands, but would frankly state he was very glad it was in his own hands. (Cheers and laughter.) WTifh regard to the Bishop, he (Mr. Harding) was certain that his lordship was always ready to do all in his power to render the con- dition of the humbler classes of society as comfortable as possible; and with regard to his brethren, the clergy, he could say that they were much mixed up with the society. No body of men should be more ready to assist in carrying out the objects of The Labourers' Friend Society" than the clergy, and when he looked around and saw so many clergymen present he felt satisfied that they were all most willing to assist in effecting this good work—that they felt it was truly a labour of love." (Cheers.) He was sure that within this Diocese there was no body of men who felt a deeper or a warmer interest in the prospe- rity of the labourer, or the farmer, than the clergy did, and for this reason—the clergy had always been mixed up with the agricultural class. They might safely be considered as the truest and warmest friend of the labourer. Their houses—their advice in cir- cumstances of difficulty—were always at the service of their poorer neighbours. (Cheers.) For many years the clergy had been intimately connected with the farmer, but the omnipotence of Parliament had severed that connexion, and the clergy now held that relative position to the landlord which they had formerly held to the farmer. He (Mr. Harding) had been long connected with the parishes of Coychurch and Coity—two of the most considerable parishes in the neighbourhood. He had been connected with one for thirty year*, and with the other for twenty years, and had never experienced anything but kind- ness and affection at the hands of any one. During the long period of his connexion with these parishes he had never had a single dispute, and never lost a shilling. (Cheers.) That was something to say when a man's gratitude was called for. (Loud cheers.) He most sincerely acknowledged it. His warmest thanks were due to the parishes of Coity and Coy- church; and he trusted that they would long flourish. (Cheers)—individually and collectively he wished them every prosperity. (Loud cheers.) He hoped they would prosper and improve—improve their mode of cultivation largely and widely. (Hear.) The reverend gentleman after some general reference to agricultural improvements slightly glanced at the present railway mania, which had seized upon all classes. The establishment of so many new lines might have a tendency to develope the mineral resources of this county, and he trusted that in the hands of Providence they would also conduce to the moral advancement ot the people generally. He resumed his seat, after a very able speech, amidst loud cheers. 3 The Chairman then rose to propose the health of a noble individual, whose name was never mentioned without exciting feelings of the highest respect and esteem; for there was not in the whole county a per- son who more actively discharged the duties of his situation, or who took a warmer interest in the pros- perity of everything appertaining to this county, than did the noble lord whose health he (Lord Adare) was about to propose (hear)—namely, that of the Marquis of Bute, lord lieutenant of this county. (Drank with three times three and protracted cheering.) The Rev. Robert Knight then rose, and was re- ceived with much applause, He said that the toast he was about to propose, should, in the usual course of events, have proceeded from the chair; but he was quite sure they all would agree with him, that it would be quite unfair to impose upon the chairman the trouble of proposing his own health, and also that of returning thanks. (Laughter.) The toast he was about to propose was a public one-the healths of the members for the county of Glamorgan. (Cheers.) With reference to his noble friend at the head of the table, he (Mr. Knight) did not think he could say much for him as a practical farmer (hear and laugh- ter) but as a labourer's friend he stood pre-eminent, and his lordship had evinced his friendship for the society by travelling upwards of 400 miles, in order to be present at its annual meeting. (Great cheering.) He would not make his lordship blush by referring to his parliamentary conduct. (Loud cheers.) He was quite sure that they were all duly sensible of the great attention invariably paid by his lordship to his public duties, and, therefore, it was unnecessary to say any- thing further. (Protracted cheering.) With regard to their other member, Mr. Talbot, he would also say a few words. First, he regretted that he (Mr. Talbot) was not present to-day. He did the society the honour last year of presiding at their annual dinner, and came out as a young farmer with a great deal of eclat. (Laughter.) He certainly spoke very largely on the subject of turnips. (Renewed laughter.) The c jmpany had some fine ones presented to their notice turnips which were tolerably good, but Mr. Talbot turned up his nose at them—said they were very fair certainly-but told them he had succeeded in growing much larger ones by means of guano and other arti- ficial manure. (Cheers and laughter.) It was quite clear that Mr. Talbot had been lately doing a great deal in the lower parts of this county. At Penrice he had a large farm in his own hands, and which was very splendidly cultivated. (Cheers.) At Margam he had another large farm in his own hands, and which he had also very much improved. He had likewise brought a gentleman from Scotland, to set the farmers of this county an example of an improved mode of cultivation. (Cheers.) For his efforts in endeavouring to improve the cultivation of land gene- rally, he (Mr. Talbot) certainly deserved the society's warmest thanks. (Cheers.) Family circumstances ur d paiuful xiatwrc presented liis aiieiiilauue at their annual meeting; but he was ever anxious to do all in his power to promote their interests, and had left two good bailiffs as his representatives. He (Mr. Knight) had the greatest pleasure in proposing the healths of the members for the county; and he hoped the meet- ing would drink the toast with three times three. (Drank with great applause.) The Chairman rose amidst loud and most general cheering to return thanks for the warm manner in which the gentlemen present had drank the healths of the members for the county. It was certainly quite true that he (Lord Adare) could not propose his own health; but Mr. Knight had done it so well that lie (Lord Adare) wished he would return thanks for him also. (Laughter.) Mr. Knight had stated to them that he could not say much for him (Lord Adare) as a farmer. He was sorry for it; but lie hoped time would remove that cause for regret. When he started for the county in 1837, some persons said he was much too young; but another gentleman observed that time would mend that (laughter); but whether he (Lord Adare) was now wiser or better than he was then he knew not: this he knew, he was growing r, quite grey-headed in the service of the county. (Great cheering and laughter.) As long as he lived he should feel the greatest delight in doing everything in his power to promote the general prosperity of the county. (Protracted cheering.) The Chairman, in the course of a few minutes, again rose and proposed the healths of the members for the boroughs. His lordship then apologised for the absence of the right honourable member for Cardiff (Mr. Nicholl), and read a letter from that gen- tleman, in which it was stated business of the greatest importance required his attendance in London, and so prevented his attendance at the dinner., (Drank with three times three.) Richard Franklen, Esq. then rose and said he had the chairman's permission to propose a toast; and the one he intended to name was-" The health of the noble president of the day." (Immense cheering.) His lordship had upon all occasions evinced the utmost readiness to be of service to this society, and to promote the prosperity of the labouring classes generally. His lordship had travelled many hundred miles, at the sacrifice of considerable domestic com- fort, to come to this country in order to be present at this annual meeting. (Great cheering.) He was sure all present would duly appreciate his lordship's kind- ness and drink his health with three times three. (Drank with every demonstration of respectful attach- ment.) After a brief pause Lord Adare rose to return thanks. He felt deeply grateful to the company for having honoured him by drinking his health-for hav- ing twice exercised their throats and lungs in his ser- vice. (Cheers and laughter.) He did not wish to take any credit to himself for having travelled some dis- tance to attend their meeting. He had been to Ire- land to see his mother (the Countess of Dunraven) who had been most dangerously ill; but, having seen her, he took the opportunity of returning to this country in order to be present at the society's annual festival (cheers), conceiving that if he were to remain away, his absence would be interpreted as a mark of lukewarmness in the cause of the society. (Hear.) He was afraid that the want of his being a practical farmer would appear more conspicuous when return- ing thanks on his own behalf than it did whenacknow- ledging the compliment on behalf of the members of the county. He was not able to go into the mysteries of agricultural science; but he would yield to none in the room in anxiety to see this society flourish (cheers); and not this society alone, but every other having for its object the amelioration of the condition of the labour- ing classes. (Loud cheers.) His lordship then pro- ceeded to advert to the intimacy which had for so many ages subsisted between the labourer and the proprietor of the soil, warmly eulogised the allotment system, which was, his lordship observed, calculated to be productive of the greatest benefit to the indus- trious classes, both physically and morally. (Cheers.) Ever since his lordship had resided in this neighbour- hood he had met with the most general demonstra- tions of attachment, for which he was deeply grate- ful, and should bear the circumstance in mind to the latest moment of his life. (Cheers.) He should always warmly endeavour to do all in his power to promote the welfare of his poorer neighbours—to ameliorate their condition and to add to their hap- piness. (The noble lord resumed his seat amidst loud cheers.) The Chairman then read the following list of prizes, together with the awards of the judges CLASS I.-Plotigling. f. s. 1. Evan Roderick, servant of Evan Jones, Margam 3 0 2. Thomas Howell, servant of John Simpson, Pyle 2 0 3, William Williams, servant of David Edward, Porka 1 0 4. David Thomas, servant of W. Powell, Tydraw 0 10 5. John Thomas, servant of E. Perkins, Monk- nash 0 5 CLASS 2.-Ploughing. 1. Edward Powell, son of E. Powell, Margam 2 0 2. William David, servant of W. Powell, Merthyr- mawr 1 0 3. Thomas D«vid, servant of W. Powell, Merthyr- mawr 0 10 CLASS 3.-Pigs. I. George Davies, Bridgend 1 0 2. David Morgan, Bridgend 010 3. Robert Delahay, Newcastle 0 5 CLASS 4.— Vegetables. 1. Onions-Thomas David, Colwinstone 0 10 2. Ditto-David Thomas, Newcastle 0 5 1. Carrots-David Thomas, Newcastle. 0 10 2. Ditto—Thomas David, Colwinstone 0 5 1. Leeks David Thomas, Newcastle 0 10 2. Ditto-Thomas David 0 5 1. Mangles-Da.vid Llewellin 0 10 2. Ditto-No competition 0 5 CLASS A.—Poultry.. Ducks-Mary Jenkins, 8t. Brides. 0 5 Fowls-Ditto ditto ditto 0 5 CLASS 6.-CottageS. 1. Robert Truman, Coity 3 0 2. Mary Williams, Merthyrmawr 2 0 -S CLASS 7.—Spinning- 1. No competition 1 0 2. Ditto ditto. 0 10 3. Ditto ditto. 0 5 CLASS S.-Stockings. J. Phoebe Thomas, Newcastle 1 0 2. No competition 3. Ditto ditto CLASS 9.—Married Men with Families. 1. Edward Hugh, Margam, having brought up ten children without parochial relief 3 0 John Howe, St. Brides, Major, having brought up nine children without relief 2 0 N.B.-Robert Lewis and John Howe having equal testimonials, lots were drawn, and John Howe was successful. CLASS 10.— Widows with Families. I. Elizabeth Thomas, Coity, having been a widow thirty-one years, and brought up three children without relief 2 0 2. Cecil Evan, St, Brides, Major, having been a widow twenty-four years, and brought up three children without relief. 1 0 CLASS 11 Men longest in agricultural employment. 1. Thomas Thomas, having worked at Court Isha, with Mr. Jno. Richards and late father 42 2. Dd. Benjamin! Lower Tremains, having worked with Mr. Leyshon Morgan and late father 40^ years • • ° CLASS 12—Women in Agricultural or In-door service. I. Anne Phillip, Pyle, her certificate not being correct, her clai, was wsallQwed, 2 0 2. Anne Roderick, Laleston, having lived with Mrs. Mary Lewis 19 years and 11 months 1 10 3 Eleanor Bowen, Newton, having lived with Mr. Wm. Lewis 10 years 1 0 CLASS 13. — Unmarried Farm Servants. 1. William Jonpp, hiving lived 18 years with Mr. John Richards, Court Isha 2 0 ? William Richards, having lived 11 years with Mr. Llewellyn Jones, Pantygynt 1 0 CLASS 14.—Labourers in Trade. 1. Dd. Harris, St. Brides Minor, having worked 24 years with the Earl of Dunraven 2 0 2, George Bevan, St. Brides Major, having worked 16 years with the Earl of Dunra ven 1 0 CLASS 15.—Men under 21 years of age. 1. James Davies, having lived with Mr. Randall, 8 years and II months. 2 0 '2. Jenkin Thomas, having lived with Mr. Richard Lewis, Merthyrmawr, 8 years and 7 months 1 0 CLASS Women und?.r 21 years of age. 1. Margaret Arnott, having lived with Mr. Thos. Arnott 10 years 2 0 2. Mary Watkin, having lived with Catherine Watkin, Coity, 7 years and 5 months. 1 0 CLASS 17.—Agricultural Labourers, Aged. 1. Thos. Williams, Bettws, 87 years of age 3 0 2. John llos.?er, Kenfig, 81 do. do 2 0 3. Thos. John, Bettws, 78 do. do 1 0 CLASS 18. — Hoeing Turnips. 1. Evan John, having hoed acres for Mr. Powell, Eglwysnynud 2 0 2. No competitor The first prize of £3, offered by M. P. Smith and Morgan Thomas, Esquires, fur the best cultivated farm under the rental of £50, was awarded to Richard Griffith, of Pant, in the parish of Newcastle. At the request of the chairman, Mr. Bryant sung a comic song with very good effect. The Rev. H. L. Blosse rose to propose the next toast, and in doing so urged upon all present the necessity which existed for giving the greatest publicity to the proceedings of the society from which, he said, the best effects would certainly proceed, as many would be powerfully influenced by the examples set them by those who had secured prizes. A successful competitor at their annual meetings was a marked man—had attained a certain social position, which it would be a disgrace to lose, and, therefore, he had the strongest inducement to lead a life of honesty and order. The funds of the society were iu a flourishing state; but he regretted to observe that competitors for the various prizes were not so numerous as he thought they should be, but which circumstance he attributed, in a great measure, to the want of publicity. The objects for which the society had been established were not sufficiently known, especially by that class for whose benefit it had been called into existence. Gentlemen present should make the matter known in their respective neighbourhoods, so as to bring for- ward at the next annual meeting a greater number of competitors than were observed this day. As an in- stance that the objects of the society were not familiar to the humbler classes, Mr. Blosse said that the parish clerk of Bettws, who was 87 years of age, and who had been under him (Mr. Blosse) and bis pre- decessors, clerk for 76 years, was actually not aware of the existence of the society. The poor old man was nearly deaf, and no one had mentioned it to him, till Mr. Blosse accidentally did lately, and thereby in- duced him to become a candidate for a prize of f3, which he had obtained. Mr. Blosse concluded an excellent speech by proposing Prosperity to the Bridgend Labourers' Friend Society, with three times three." (Drank with loud cheers.) The Rev. John Williams, of Marcross, proposed The healths of the. Judges," and thanked them for the trouble they had taken in behalf of the society. (Drank with loud cheers.) Mr. Whapham, of Bonvilstone, returned thanks. He had been to many ploughing matches but had never seen better ploughing than upon this occasion. (Cheers.) David Thomas, Esq., of Pwllywrach, in a very neat speech, proposed The hea!ths of the successful can- didates." (Drank with loud cheers.) Richard Franklen, Esq., of Clemenstone, said he had the honour of proposing the next toast, which was that of The Agricultural interest")-cheers)-hut closely connected as he and those around were with that interest, it would appear as if he proposed Our noble selves"—(laughter)—and, therefore, he would add to it an interest which was so intimately blended with agriculture, that it would not be well to separate them. He referred to the manufacturing and com- mercial interest of this county. (Cheers.) He had, therefore, great pleasure in proposing The Agricul- tural, Manufacturing, and Commercial interests," at a time when all three were in a state of unbounded prosperity. (Cheers.) The prosperity of agriculture, as regarded prices, was of a very evanescent charac- ter; and they must all prepare for much lower prices than they at present enjoyed. (Hear, hear.) He felt very confidently that they might perfectly well do so. He believed that scarcely a day passed without some new discovery being made which was applicable to agriculture—calculated to promote its prosperity. (Cheers.) He hoped and trusted, that agriculturists would be enabled to meet the demands of the com- munity at large by supplying abundance of food at much lower prices, but also at a good profit to them- selves. (Hear.) He also rejoiced in the prosperity of the labourer, and was most happy to observe that there were prospects of a long season of prosperity for that class. The toast which Mr. Franklen named was then drank with loud cheers. The Rev. John Harding proposed as the next toast "the healths of the Honorary Secretaries"—Mr, Randall and Mr. D. Lewellin—who were, he said, the life and soul of the society, and without whom it could not exist. (Drank with great cheering.) The Chairman then rose, and said he had to pro- pose the health of a most important class in this county—a class which had to struggle through many difficulties, and which deserved the greatest encou- ragement. The individuals who composed the class to which his lordship alluded were generally well known, and, therefore, the toast required no words of praise from him. He begged, then, to give the healths of the little farmers of Glamorgan." (Great cheering.) The Rev. Robert Knight said he had looked round the tables in vain to search for a smaller farmer than he himself was, and, therefore, it gave him great pleasure upon this occasion to rise and return thanks for the small farmers. (Cheers.) There was a time when he should have sat down when the health of the great farmers was drank, but now, as he was only the occupier of eight acres of land, he thought he was entitled to return thanks on behalf of the little farmers. (Hear.) In doing so, he would take the liberty of giving the company the history of a very small farm, in the hope that something might be gathered from it, to induce great farmers to follow the example of the little one who was now addressing them. It was not necessary that he should state to many of his friends present that it was impossible to get a return from land, whether a farm was large or small, without properly and judiciously feeding that land (hear); and, if that were done, he was quite sure that most little farmers might make a much better show at the end of the year than, he feared, a great many now did. (Hear.) During the last year he had been, as he before stated, the occupier of eight acres of land. He took it into his own occupation on the 2nd of February, and for this reason-he could get nobody else to take it. He had offered those 8 acres to any one who would please to take them at the large rent of £ 8 per annum (laughter), but could not get a tenant. (Hear.) This farm of eight acres consisted of two 4-acre fields, both adjoining the burrows, and being sandy land. He had the land ploughed, and put in one field some of the best seed barley he could get. As soon as the barley began to appear, he dressed half the field with six hundred weight of urate, and the other half with two hundred weight of guano. The result of that dressing had been most satisfactory and gratifying to him, as the crop was certainly extraordinary, the ellects of the dressing being almost instantaneous. (Hear.) That crop of barley was reaped early, and housed in good time. It was threshed and he had since sold it. He thought it amounted to about 150 bushels (hear, hear); and it was sold to a most respectable maltster at 4s. 6d. per bushel. In the other four acres he had set vetches and carrots, having previously drilled it at about 25 inches apart with a small quantity of guano and sifted wood ashes. They came up well, and a sample of the carrots had been exhibited this day. The quantity in the field could not be less than from 12 to 14 tons per acre, which, if sold at the fair price of 50 shillings per ton, would yield a good return for his outlay. (Hear.) The crop of vetches had been equally heavy. Mr. Knight then, after a few further remarks, read the following "statement of EXPENSES and RETURN unnn 8 i acres of land I £ s. d. EXPENSES. t..S.d. To rent, tithe, and taxes for all the land—8| acres 12 0 0 Ploughing acres twice for barley, at 7 s. 6d. per acre 3 7 6 Dragging and harrowing do..••• •••• Seed barley—14 bushels, at 5s •••• Drilling do., at 3s. 6d., per acre 1 ir n Six cwt. of urate, at 6s. • • Three cwt. of guano, at 12s.» •••• o 0 0 Cutting and harvesting .••• Ploughing the four acres for vetches and carrots, twice, at 7s. 6d. per acre o 0 0 Dragging, scuffling, harrowing, &c • • • • Jr Two cwt. of guano for carrots .• ~.r> « Sifting ceal ashes and mixing •••• n o n Six lb. of seed, at Is. 6d. per lb. q n Hoeing the carrots, three times, at 12s. per acre •> •* Forty cart loads of dung for the two acres of vetches, and haulage 4 ? !? Seven bushels of seed vetches, at 7s. 6d. per bushel.. 256 H I 9 TUP. RETURN. £ S. d. By produce of the 4) acres of barley, 150 bushMs, 'soil at 4s. Oil. p-r bushel ,"»3 15 0 X.B.—The cost of grass & clover seed is not clvirgo-l, as the present appearance of the clovpr on the 1awl is fully equal to it, and the value of the straw will more than pay for the threshing. The carrots are a very good crop and at a. very low computation may be put at 10 tons per acre, which, at 50 shillings per ton, will amount to '>0 0 0 The vetches have maintained six horses for three months, which, at 4s. per week for each horse, will r. amount to 1 1 « O Remainder on the field sold for 2 10 0 Total return 100 13 0 From which deduct expenses 7 I Loaves a clear profit of £ 57 5 3 Mr. Knight then proceeded, and said he cultivated the piece of land in question merely to show wha' could be done. It was quite clear that if farmers went on cropping and cropping year after year without putting any manure upon the land, their return inste td of averaging 28 bushels of wheat per acre, which it ought to average, would fall to 18 or 19 bushels, (Hear.) Every well managed farm ought to maintain itself in manure; but until the land which was now impoverished could be reclaimed, the farmer should use artificial manures. It was impos- sible for rates and taxes to be paid from the present system of fanning. (Hear.) As he ha 1 before stated, a good farm could maintain itself if the pro- duce were not sold off the land. It should be con- sumed on the land by stock, and proper care should be taken of manure of every kind, because everything was manure from their stockings to their horses' shoe parings. (Hear.) Instead of wasting their manure, letting it run out, it should be taken care of. Artifi- cial manures must be used until farmers could get a sufficient quantity of manure from the farm. L:ttle farmers now saw what could be done by judicious exertion on a small quantity of ground. He was quite sure thaf farms in general were too large, and that it was much better to have 20 acres well cultivated than 30 acres only half cultivated. He had farmed largely, but he had never made so much money in his lite as he had by his farm of this year. (Loud Cheers.) William Llewellyn, Esq., of Court Colman, pro- posed as the next toast, The Ladies," which toast was drank in sohmn silence; or. to put the best appearance upon the man, we may say—"drank with the most respectful silence. Much to the credit of Mr. Richards ef Court Aberavon, be it known that he emphatically protested against this want of gallantry to a few friends who sat near him, but his voice was lost in the din of the meeting. The Rev. John Harding said that as he held a farm of two acres he claimed to be related to that gentle- man who farmed eight acres (laughter.) and in the name of all farmers of from two to eight acres to re- turn thanks to Mr. Knight for that elucidation which he had just given, and which, if it proved true, would be the greatest blessing to this country. (Laughter.) He (Mr. Harding) really thought that if they only took half of what Mr. Knight told them -suppose they took only £ 30 upon such a farm they ought to congratulate themselves warmly. (Laughter.) He held two acres, but he was ashamed to confess that he had not got even f5 by them he was now determined not to give them up-to take two more—to make another attempt in the hope of realizing something like the profit which Mr. Knight had pocketed. (Laughter.) They were all deeply indebted to that gentleman for his statement, and especially for his exposition of what was and what was not manure (laughter); but he recoltected.-every tlung- was manure, from their shoes and stockings to the parings of theirhorses' shoes. (Loud laughter.) He had enlarged upon the excellencies of manure; and as it produced such astonishing results the far- mers of this neighbourhood ought to avail themselves freely of it. There was nothing like the dung of old cattle (much laughter:) it was the best manure in the world and he hoped farmers would take it away at once (renewed laughter) as it would prove of much more service to them than it did to the unfortunate inhabitants. (Great laughter.) Manure abounded from Heol-y-Cawl [Broth-street,] to Heol-y-Domen [Dunghill-street, which was however most appro- priately designated. (Immense laughter.) After hearing the statements made by Mr. Knight which were in every respect so perfectly satisfactory, he thought the company should not hesitate a moment, but proceed after drinking his (Mr. Knight's) health, together with that of all farmers of from two to eight acres, to act upon his suggestions which he had so clearly put forth. (Drank amidst shouts of laughter, in which Mr. Knight heartily joined.) The Rev. Robert Knight rose amidst great laughter and cheering to return thanks to Mr. Harding, for his very able and amusing speech and to the co:n- pany for the very friendly manner in which they had drank his health. He was very fond of farming— [Mr. Harding: You may well be; (laughter)—and it gave him (Mr. Knight) great pleasure to be able to pick up information upon the subject, whether by reading or by practice. Sometimes he picked up a little that pleased his fancy. 1 Mr. Harding: You have just picked up £ 60. (Immense laughter.) Mr. Knight, after a brief pause, proceeded to point out that the old system of farming would do no longer—that farmers must put manure upon their land instead of liming, liming, liming continually. Lime was like calomel-an admirable medicine in some cases, if well and judiciously administered, but 'let', ion- most dangerous in the hands of unskilful practition- ers. In that neighbourhood lime was the worst thing they could put upon the land, and he hoped farmers would abandon a system which only tended to im- poverish them The rev. gentleman then proposed the health of Mr. Jarratt," who, although he had left the county, still continued his subscription to the society, of which he was also the originator. (Drank with loud cheers.) The Chairman rose, and, after a few good-natured remarks upon Mr. Knight s speech, gave as the last toast—"our next merry meeting;" after which the company separated, highly pleased with the proceed- ings of the evening, which were throughout, under the admirable presidency of the noble lord, of the most spirited and instructive description. When his lordship left the room, every one present rose and gave three hearty cheers