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GARDENING FOR THIS WEEK.I

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PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL…

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PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The annual dinner took place at three o'clock in the afternoon of Wednesday la-to The company, num- bering between sixty and seventy met at the Swan Hotel, where Mrs Einment supplied a really excellent dinner. Not only the eatables, but the waiting, table decorations, and everything that could promote the comfort of the guests were unexceptional. In the absence from home of Mr Lort Phillips, the president, the chair was occupied by Mr R. Carver, of Johnston, one of the vice-presidents, who was supported on the right by Lord Kensington, M.P., Rev. W. E. Aide, I and Capt. Higgon, Scolton, and on the left by Capt Baird, llobeston Hall, Mr C. E. G. Philipps, of Picton Castle and Mr R. Waters, of Sarnau. Mr J. M. Griffiths, Penally Court, who filled the vice- ahair, was supported by Mr William Davies, M.P., and Mr S. H. Owen, Cresborough. There were also present, Mr Richard Hart Harvey, Mr J. T. Fisher, Mr Thomas, Lochturfin, Mr Phillips, Honeybarough House; Mr E. Harries, Mr Francis, Scolton; Mr Thomas, Trehale Rev. \V. E, Haigh, Mr Llewellin, Haythog Mr John James (Secretary), Rev. W. M. Lewis, Tyllwyd; Mr Davies, Alleston MrGibby, Copybush Mr Griffiths, Windy- hill Mr Evans, Rudbaxton Mr Smith, Spittal; Mr Reynolds, Tierson Mr Scale, Ctpeston; Mr Morgan, Merlin's Bridge Mr G. Thomas, St. Martins; Mr R. 1. Jones, Hill; Mr John, Bullford Mr Thomas, Coedcanlas Mr L'ewollin, Bletherstone Mr Clare, Landshipping Mr Cash, Gloucester; Mr Flutter, Mooreston; Mr Allen, Kell Mr Greenish, Gellys- wick Mr John, Granston Hall; Mr Rees, Dudvvell; Mr John Thomas, Colby Mr G. M. Phillips, Mr G. M. Phillips, jun., Mr Thomas, Trevelyn; Mr R. Lewis, Mr W. Williams, Market Street Mr H. Davies, Town Clerk Mr Reynolds, Treglemais &c. The President proposed the health of the Queen, which was heartily received. The President gave the toast of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family, obsening that a few months ago the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh had paid the county a visit, and he felt sure they had carried away with them a deep impression of the loyalty of this part of the county. He hoped the day was not far di--t(nt when on some public occasion, such as the opening of the docks at Milford, they might have the pleasure of seeing His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. [ The toast was cordially pledged.] The President The next toast I have to bring to your notice is one which on the present occasion we shall drink with acclamation. It is the toast of the Army, and Navy, and Reserve Forces. (Applause.) At the present time we have an example in Egypt that the old prestige which always attached to the character of Englishineii-b(,th soldier.-i and sailors— has not by any means deteriorated. (Loud applause.) I hope and trust that the war may be of speedy solution, and that we shall soon be able to welcome them back again to this country. I beg to give you the health of the Army, Navy, aud Reserve Forces. [The toast was drunk with great heartiness.] The President then gave the health of the Bishop of the Diocese, and the Clergy of all Denominations. Rev. W. Haigh, (Chaplain of the High Sheriff): The remark which a gentleman has made is I think, quite right if the gentlemen who represent the Army and Navy will not respond to the toast, I think it is rather hard that we poor clergy should have to get upon our legs. (Laughter.) I suppose the rea- son why they will not do so is because they have not so much talking to do as we unfortunate men have. You, my friends, often laugh at the clergy, and I dare say you often think that we make great fools of our- selves, but I am certain, speaking of the whole body, that there is just as tine a set of fellows among the clergy of all denominations as is to be found among the Army and Navy. (Hear, hear.) I hope there is one thing which will never happen to England, and that is-the people of this great country will never look upon the clergy with contempt. It is a bad thing for any country that any section of the commu- nity should be looked down upon it is the right way to make them unworthy of your love and esteem. It has been said that the human race is divided into three great eleiiieilti,i-ne-,i, women, and ministers, (Laughter.) I hope that proverb, which I believe is American, will never be true of England, and that the clergy will always be worthy of your esteem. (Hear, hear.) It is not for me to speak of any political or religious matters. I heard a story of a young lady who sat dawn and wrote a letter to her father: she said—'My dear father, I write to you because I have nothing to do I stop now because I have nothing to say.' (Loud laughter.) With your kind permission, I thant: you very much for proposing our health I can't make a more heartfelt speech, for one generally feels more than he can express on these occasions, and I now stop because I have nothing to say. (Laughter and applause.) The Rev. W. M, Lewis, Tyllwyd, also responded in an able speech. Clergymen and ministers were supposed to know nothing of agriculture, but were believed to have some knowledge of higher things. In the years of depression through which they had passed, they had perhaps derived some benefit, and it was to be hoped they would take to heart that there was something better than agriculture. The President said that the next toast he had the pleasure of submitting to their notice, was one which ho felt sure they would all appreciate it was the I toast of the Lords Lieutena.nt of Pem- ?oamt oi-- the Lords, Li1q. u fheuounty on his right hand, and the Lord Lieutenant of Haverfordwest on his left, and he felt happy in being supported by them at that meeting. He hoped they would drink the toast with acclamation. Their friend on his right had especial claims upon their regard, for he had bought two remarkably fine specimens of their stock which he hoped in some time to come would figure in class I at Smithfield. (Hear, hear.) However that might be, he felt sure they would drink the health of the two Lords Lieutenant with all the honours. (Ap- piniise.) Lord Kensington Mr Chairman, Mr President and gentlemen,—I rise with much pleasure to return thanks for the toast which has been proposed by our President, and for the cordial manner in which it has been received by you. I use no common platitude when I say it gives me great pleasure to be here. I ain al ways very glad to be present on these occasions. Our President has referred to the purchase I have made of a couple of animals, which I hope on some future occasion will do credit to our county. So far as my experience goes, and I am borne out in my view by gentlemen who are much more able to judge than I am, I believe they will become good animals, and will do credit to Pembrokeshire. I did embark once before in the same line, and sent one animal which took a second prize. I hope this time I shall get a first. (Hear, hear.) I am glad to be able to exhibit, they have no chance of going this year, but if all goes well they will be ready to go to Smithfield next year. I can only say I shall be glad to send any Pembrokeshire animal I can which could do credit to our county. Lord Cawdor has often talked to me about it in London, and has always been at me to send up animals again. On the one or two occasions on which animals have taken the prize they were not not really Welsh animals, and I don't think they would have taken a prize at any of our fat shows at Haverfordwest or Narberth. The Welsh cattle are capable of great development, and what we have seen to-day are worthy of being exhibited at any show in the country. Now gentlemen, at the risk of being considered tedious, and at the risk of being considered a bore. I .wish to say a few words on an old sub- ject it is an old matter which has been before the club long ago, and has been picked up again on two or three occasions. It was started aarain the other Hsu (- -J, and there are a couple of gentlemen who feel a strong interest in it. We have gone into it a little, quietly, and one gentleman I see at the end of the table has gone into it a more fuily than any of us. I think it only wnnts one strong pull to carry it through. I re- fer to the old idea of having a central show for the county. To-day we have seen in our show yard most excellent specimens of animals. The quality was ex- ceedingly good, but we should all have been glad to have seen a larger quantity of them. (Applause.) There are several reasons why we could not have it In the first place, this day has been one of the very few fine days we have bad for some time, and I have no doubt that a good many people had to remain at home to gather in the harvest they could not spare time to send in their stock to the show yard. There is another reason, which is most patent to every one, an d that is that the value of the prizes is not remu- ueraLive to exnioicors wno come nere, and if it were not for their patriotism, we should have very few animals exhibited. No one can expect that the small funds at the disposal of the committee can possibly even the fair expense that many people must incur in sending their animals to our show yard. (Hear hear.) By increasing the value of the prizes, we should have a greater number of stock exhibited at this show. If there was a central show, and when I say a central show, I do not wish it in any way to cut down a district or local show: I believe they will be good feeders for a central show but if we carry out the scheme in our heads for a central show, the prizes would be of such a class for successful exhibi- tors that even the winner of a third prize would not go away a loser so far as regards the expense and trouble he has been put to in sending animals to the show. I am really very hopeful of this scheme: although the subject was ventilated about two years ago, and a committee formed, of which my friend Mr Baird was one, and a certain amount of cold water was thrown over it from the different district, yet I think the feeling is altered very much with regard to it. We must recognise tlif-, feelill- of the people of Castlemartin they must be considered; tlioy have good snows ot tboir own, and they hnvo a. farmer's club, and their things are better organised and mnrc fully carried out than ours. But I hope they will join us in this scheme. There are several who enter- tain the same views, and if they will only ventilate the matter among their friends and neighbours, I f-el convinced that the thing on be carried out. Tho suggestion of Mr Phillips was a very good idea: he mentioned in conversation that the thing requires to be started; aud let us walk before we attempt to run let us make it biennial which would be a start to begin with; we have to look at tho question as a matter of expense, and the whole thing resolves itself into a matter of pounds, shillings and pence. If we get up the funds, we should be ready to make a start. I think if our energetic secretary, Mr James will only communicate with the secretaries of the other shows—Pembroke, Narberth, and Fishguard, we could find out what amount of money might be expected to be obtained from the different districts. Thou we should bo able to see whether we could ? embark upon it. I do not see why it should be a j failure the great question is this we can show we I have a net egg, and there are plenty of people who would be willing to give-some a large and some a small sum, everyone according to his means-for the support of a good show. I have no wish to become tedious, but people may say-" it is no use harping upon this it has been tried you can't do it." But I think you can do it, if yoa really try, aud I don't see that you can know how the thing is to be sup- ported until it has been talked about and fully dis- cussed. If Mr James will only allow me to say so, I shall be glad if he will give us his experience if he will spare us an hour or so he can give us valuable information. 1 think without any chance of a refusal, I can make a request to my friend, Mr Philipps, to come and talk the matter over, and see what we can do. (Hear, hear.) I will say no more I said at the beginning I should bring this matter before you at the risk of being considered a bore. I am obliged to you for your kind attention, and I assure you I don't mean to rest until I have doue my very best to start the matter (Loud applause.) Mr C. E. G. Philipps I have very great pleasure in adding a few words to those which Lord Kensington has spoken on this very important subject of a central show; but before doing so, I wish to thank you, and I do so from the bottom of my heart, for the cordial manner in which the toast of my health, as Lord Lieutenant of this ancient borough, has been received. I feel very highly honoured in being Lord Lieutenant of Haverfordwest, which is the only town which possesses that honour, and I think Haverfordwest can hold up its head high in con- sideration of the very exceptional privileges it has had. My friend, Lord Kensington, hasrefered with great ex- plioitness and clearness to one of the most important matters to this county, which I think is now an agri- cultural county, pure and simple. We hope to see commerce greatly extended from the works now going on but we must keep our agriculture on its legs and while we look forward to the great advantages to be derived from the Milford Docks and the developement of other parts of the county, we must see that agri- culture shall always hold that pre-eminence which it de- servesin the county of Pembroke (applause). There is one reason which I would add to the very lucid reasons which Lord Kensington has mentioned on behalf of the show. It has struck me more than once that if we had a large show, the large exhibitors would send their best stock from all parts of the county, and perhaps even from the confines outside the county. A great number of persons would come to see the show, and many of the great makers of agricultural imple- ments would be glad to send their implements for us to see. In these days very few arts have progressed with greater speed than that of the implementmaker. \Ve have heard a good deal of the machines for saving hay and corn, and a number of men, large farmers such as we have around us, and small farmers like myself, are most anxious to see these machines in actual working order. If we had a large exhibition, there is no doubt the great implement makers would send down their best machines with experienced men to show and explain their working. So far am I convineed of the advantage of trying this sort of machines in this county, that although a very small farmer, I have invested in the purchase of one of the exhaust machines for hay and corn. If it succeeds, I shall be most happy to show it, if any one likes to come to Picton to see it and to take hints from it (hear. hear). If we have a larce show. it would be very important to this county it would be of impor- tance in bringing together cattle from all parts of the county, and we should see a great r number of good animals which would win honour for the county at laige (applause). I thank you again for the warm manner in which you have received the toast, and I congratulate you upon having had a magniticient day, and I trust that there will be a continuance of title weather to enable you to gather in the harvest (loud applause). The President proposed the health of the members for the county and the boroughs of the county. The mem bers for the county and for the Haverfordwest boroughs were present, and ho regretted that the member for Pembroke was not amongst them. He feltpretiyconfident that thememberfor Pembroke was not in the county, or that he had some important matters which prevented his coming, for he had always been a staunch supporter of the Society (hear, hear). He felt sure they would receive. the toast with great cordiality for very wisely they never introduced politics on these occasions. Mr W. Davies, M.P.: I hope my Lord Kensington will take precedence in returning thanks for this toast. Lord Kensington Go on: you are on your legs. Mr Davies I am very thankful to you, Mr Presi- dent, for having proposed the toast, and I am obliged to you, gentlemen, for the kind way in which you have received it. It would ill become me to make any lengthened observations at this moment, for I know you are all waiting to hear the opinion of the judges on the beautiful stock we have seen to-day. I intended merely to thank you for the honour done me, but I will make one observation. I have been accustomed to attend these shows, but I do not be- lieve I have ever seen such a line show of Black cattle as we have had to-day (Hear, hear). I believe that statement will be confirmed by many gentlemen who are more capable of judging than I am. That is very gratifying, because we depend mainly on black cattle in this county, as they are more suitable to the climate of the county. Looking at the bulls, I was ?H?Ltf? t-r. ?r).<-? -? -D? \w A.?<??a.;tj? Mr Harries. Mr tfarri?a produced a magnificent bull, but Mr Davies's was the better one. We are deeply indebted to Lord Cawdor for the interest he has taken in this matter. He has shown black cattle of a superior character I understood he had at one time held different views, and that he had been converted, and has become a breeder of black cattle. He has exhibited fine black cattle, and that I think is very gratifying. With regard to the cows, they were well worthy attention and the heifers were splen- did. All this zoes to confirm thA VIAWR Pnf.ArtAinnl 1.n .J -.8-01 "J,l U] you, Mr President, and a number of other gentlemen on this matter, but I should like to see a larger show. Looking at the prizes given at present and the prizes which have been give for years past, I think they are not sufficient inducement to persons to show at the meetings. I believe every exhibitor is a loser. I do not think that should be so. I think the gentlemen of this county onght to come out, will come out, and are prepared to come out with heavy amounts: we have a large number of wealthy farmers, who will give, and I think we should be able to make up a a fund of £.500 for prizes to start a central sho.v (Applause). We have a scheme that will be submitted to this meeting by my friend, the Vice-president. I have looked at it with great pleasure, and the only fault I have to find with it is that the prizes for particular classes are not quite high euoHgh. I would suggest that the first prizes in the principal classes should be higher, and the second and third not quite so high. I hope and trust that this matter which has been broached by Lord Kensington and a number of other gentlemen, will be considered. I hope the scheme for having this large show will not end in mere talk, and we shall have a practical proof of it when it is brought before us presently, and I believe it will enlist the sympathies of all present. I mysolf will contribute, and two or three other gentlemen, Lord Kensington, and Mr Phillips, of Pieton Castle, have promised large sums there are other gentlemen who are quite prepared to contribute large suras as well. If we could make up a sum of X500 which would be necessary, wu could start this next year and have a grand show. I don't wish it to be supposed that we should forsake the district shows we should have a show at Narberth, Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Pembroke, and St David's, if possible, but we should have one good show heli in turn in thA ,lifT"t '4'&11. v".I. places. I don't wish to be considered selfish in naming my own town, but We should commence at Haverfordwest as the county town, hold it another ynar at Pembroke, and another year at Narberth. We should not be able to reach Fishguard, for want of a railway, but we can have the show at the places named. We have very few exhibitors from Fishguard and very few from St. David's. We are indebted to Mr Thomas, of Trebover, Lord Kensington's tenant, for sending stock-[A Voice He has nothing here.] —I thought he was an exhibitor; at any rate, we have very few from Fishguard-[A Voice None at alI.J-I should like to see the Fishguard farmers come down here, and beat Mr Davies, although I am de- lighted he has won to-day. I should like to see our friends from Fishguard coming down here. They have magnificent stock at St. David's, which I should ilso like to see here. With regard to the show at Smithfield, I saw that, and I am sure if PembrnVo- shire cattle had been sent up from one or two places I know, they would have taken a prize against those that were exhibited. Next year, gentlemen, I hope we shall havo a county show-a show that will attract people from other counties, and if we have a good central show, I am sure we hll not be beaten by Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire, or Brecoushire. (Loud Applause.) Lord Kensington said he had just trespassed upon their attention at great length, and he should not trouble them with any observations. So long as he was the representative of the Boroughs, he should endeavour to do his duty. It was a most excellent rule which excluded politics from their meetings. When the political battle was fought, they fought like men, but when that time was past, whatever their views might be, there was one stand point upon which they all cordially agreed, and that was that every man should do his best for his county. (Applause.) The President proposed the health of the judges, observiug that they all felt deeply indebted to those gentlemen for unde) taking the trouble and the duty which he might say was of an invidious nature. He teit great pleasure in proposing their healths. Mr R. Waters said he felt flattered by the -way in which tho toast had been proposed and drunk, and he assured them he felt it a pleasure to be among- them that day. He had been there on many occasions be- fore that day, and he always felt it pleasant to attend their show. Ho thought "it was the duty of all of them who wished well to agriculture to do what they could on these occasions, whether as judge or in any other capacity, to promote the success of these shows (applause). There could be nothing more indispen- sable to the success of a show than the proper fulfil- ment of the duties of a judge, aud these duties were not at all times agreeable. He saw around him so many who had at one time or another acted in that otipacity that he was sare they would understand the difficnlty of deciding between the merits of a large lot of animals in a short time and in a public yard where every one had an opinion of his own (hear, I hear, and applause). He had made a few remarks on the horses which he would give them, and in doing so he would bear in mind that the judges were sup- ¡ posed to speak what they thought and felt. He took it that they were asked to come there not for the purpose of flattering them and shutting their eyes to the defects they might observe, but to tell the truth and suggest where improvement was necessary (hear, hear). Taking that view he must at the outset can- didly confess that he was somewhat disappointed with the show of horses. He did not mean that the show was one which would not be creditable in some other places, but to be very candid he must say it did not all come up to his expectations of what ought to be seen in the heart of a district so celebrated for the production of horses and horsemen of all kinds. In short, he did not think the horses were as good as could be produced in Pembrokeshire. There were eome old friends of theirs among them that he bad made remarks on a few years ago. In the judging of the mares, he and his friend had some discussion, and after some difficulty they decided to give the prize to a cart mare which did not, in his opinion, come up to the reauirements of a great countv show. She was a big one, and though not quite satisfied with the mare, they agreed that she was worthy of the prize. The foals were good, but hardly such as they ought to be able to bring into the yard at a show of that society. The cart colts were good, and the prize animals exceptionally so, but there was nothing very remarkable, he thought, in the others. There were a few very nice yearling colts, but there should have been more of them. He must confess that he was also disappointed in the hunter classes. In the three- year-old class for animals best calculated to make a hunter there were two pretty good onos,"a mare"and a colt. The mare was fairly good, but the colt was not remarkable, and by no means such as the judges thought Pembrokeshire could produce. They weie told he had got into the wires, but he never knew of a case where an animal that was broken kneed had not fallen or had some accident (laughter). When they came to the two-year-olds there they had some animals of note. They had, among others, the two- year-old colt that won the prize at Carmarthen in the same class. He was a grand specimen of a horse, and there could be little doubt that in the future he would do justice to the prizes that had been awarded to him. There was nothing *very remarkable, as compared with him, in the remainder of the class. He stood forth well ahead of all competitors. There were two first class yearlings showing breed and quality in a marked degree. The first was an excellent colt, and one that was likely to do exceedingly well in the future. The second one was handsome and full of quality, but the judges observed one little defect in this animal. He did not pass such things over with- out notice, as he knew the judges were there to pass an honest opinion and not to flatter them. The second prize one, though full of quality, was defec- tive in his feet. He had no hesitation in saying that. He could not praise the roadsters. He had been con- fined to judging the horses, sheep, and pigs, but he had an opportunity of looking over the black cattle as well, and he need not say that he, like everyone else in the yard, was delighted with the quality of the black cattle. Such animals he had never seen collected together (applause). The sheep also were really a credit to the county. The short-wool sheep were in nearly all cases excellent, and of the long- wools, which were fairly good, he need not say much, as there was only one flock. He thought, at least, that those which carried off all the first prizes be- longed to one exhibitor. In pigs they gave the prize to an animal which was large in size, good in quality, and accompanied by a very prolific litter. There was a pig brought there in a sort of caravan, and the turn-out looked very imposing, but the judges in their plain matter-of-fact way, decided that the other pig was better, and the fact of a pig being brought a long way in a caravan failed to make an impression on them (laughter and applause). The exhibitor or the man in charge appeared to think they must be great fools, and he did not fail to express his strong sense of their fatuity before they were out of hearing. That was just one specimen of what men must make up their minds to undergo whenever they consented to act as judges. For himself and his brother judges he did not claim entire immunity from mistakes he only said that they did their best, and possibly they were in some cases wrong. They had a good example of this lately at a well-known hunters' show not far off, where great mistakes were made. He thought the public generally were agreed that some of the deci- sions were unquestionably great mistakes. But these mistakes were made by judges of acknowledged re- pute, and if they erred it was not suprising that he and Mr Flutter should sometimes fall into a mistake Mr Harries, Llandilo-Abercowin, said he had been in hopes that the gentleman who was associated with him as judge and was his senior would have spoken for both. For himself he always felt rather nervous about standing on his legs, (laughter), and they would excuse him if he did not speak so eloquently as the others. However, lie might say a few words with regard to the black stock. Taking all classes together, the blacks, as Mr Waters had said, were the best lot he had ever seen, (loud applause). He did not take any notes, but he might say a few words on the different classes from memory. The class for the best bull in the yard was a good one, and as they knew he and Mr Harries (of Penwch) decided that the yearling was the best. He was a young bull that was almost perfect in his points with few exceptions. He might be a little bit better in the touch, and per- haps a trifle better in the coat, but otherwise he was wonderfully good. He did not think he ever saw a I bo.tt^ V vkind.^ha one, but they thought him rather low in the back. The two remaining bulls were very good indeed, but not equal to the two he had mentioned. In the yearling class they had an easy task to pick out the best, but some of the others were also very good and well-bred, such as he would himself be glad to be the owner of. Next came the ,steers, and he was very proud to hear that Lord Kensington had purchased the best steers that were there, and intended to do his best with them and show them at Smithfield, (hear, hear). They were certainly a great credit to the show there that day. Tn the next class they had perhaps the tightest competiti on they ever had there. He thought that in two or three stalls there they saw animals that were one about as good as the others Mr Harries and he decided in favour of the two that were most even, and those they selected were rather smaller than the second prize animals, but if it had been allowable they would have taken one from the second and one from the third. However, they bad judge them in pairs as they stood, and they had done their best to do justice by select- ing those which they believed would be the best in the long run. Then they came to the cows, which were really a good class also. The first prize one, the Posty cow, was a grand old animal, and had been taking prizes all over this part of the country for many years. However, she was on this occasion very close run by one or two, or perhaps three, other cows, and perhaps the judges might not have been right in placing her first, but they believed they were, and they had not decided before being sure that they had pleased themselves (applause). For the first prize in two-year-old heifers they soon came to a decision, but the competition for the second prize was very close. The second prize heifer was a grand one, and would make a fine big cow. One that was very highly com- mended was rather low in the back, but he believed she would make a very handsome cow. Two or three of the others were highly commended, and in fact there was not a bad one in the class (hear, hear). The yearlings again were a credit to the show. He did not believe he ever saw better yearling heifers, and it was a toss-up between a couple of them which was best. He could not tell, aud left it to his friend. They at last agreed to give first prize to the biggest, but he believed the other was still better in one or two respects, especially in the fore ouarters. hnt. it was not so good -behind. There were other heifers in the class which he considered very good. The bull calves were also extremely good. He and his friend split there, and they were obliged to call in Mr Waters, who gave his voice in favour of the long- coated ono. Again, for tho best beast in the yard they could not decide, but having called in Mr W aters aud Mr Flutter, the majority went in favour of the cow. Mr Cash also returned thanks, and said he felt with Mr Waters that, while they were iu an invidious position, still it was their duty as judges to be very truthful and explicit about the defects as well as the merits of what came under their observation. They came down there at the request of the society to say what they thought, and he was sure no good man would think the worse of them for being candid (applause). As far as ho was a judge, he quite agreed with all that had been said of the black cattle, but hd was sorry to say that, unlike them, the butter hao not been a good show this year. That the exhibition of butter should be so small was, he might almost say, a reproach to the great agricultural county of Pembroke. It was not worthy of the farmers of the large and im- portant district that was represented there. It was not worth while to travel 160 odd miles to judge some fourteen or fifteen samples of butter, and the work might have been equally well done, he thought, by some one living thirty or forty miles away. ("No, no'') ?, I I No, ) iN or couia ne noneswy congratulate them on the qual- ity of the butter. There was no condition enabling him to withhold prizes when the exhibits did not show sufficient merit, and so he gave prizes in some cases where they were hardly deserved. The wet season they had gone through accounted in some degree, he supposed, for the deterioration in the butter, but cer. tainly it was not such as would reflect credit on the farming interest on that district as regarded this one article. Two or three exhibits, he must say, were unexceptionable, and almost as good as any he had seen there in former years, If they were all spared for another year, and if they increased the size of the association in the way he had heard suggested that day by Lord 1 Kensington, he supposed they would iiave a mticn iarger numoer ot exhibits, and by all analogy some of better quality (applause). Mr tohu James, the very energetic and efficient secretary, rose, at the req uest of the chairman, and read the list of prizes, which, with the following ex- ceptions, appeared in last week's Teleyraph:— Pen of five short-wooled two-year-old or aged ewes --1st (given by Charles Mathias, Esq., Rhysgwyllt), Mr R. Davies, Newton. Highly commended, Earl Cawdor, Stackpole Court. Pen of fivo short-wooled ewe lambs-1st" Mr R. Davies, Newton 2nd, ditto. Pen of five long- wooled ewe lambs-Ist, Mr George Ormond, Williamston. Long- woollcd ram la.b-lst (given by R. II. Har- vey, Esq.), Mr R. Davies, Newton 2nd (given by ditto), ditto. Highly commanded, Mr R. Davies. The Vice-President proposed the lioiltli of the President, who had conducted the business of the meeting in an admirable manner. The President had not made his speeches too long, but had carried out j the work of the evening in a business-like manner, which deserved their best thauks. Referring to the proposal for a central show, he had submitted merely a list, to give an idea of what was required. He sug- gested that a committee of three members from each district should be formed to advise upon the best means of getting up the money required for the pur- pose. He would also advise them on the drawing up of the prize list and the amount to be offered in prizes for the various classes. As the only train by which he could return home that night would start in ten minutes, he would not keep them any longer, but ask them to drink the Chairman's health heartily. The President (who was received with hearty cheering) said I am very much obliged to you for drinking my health on this occasion. I assure you that when I came here I had no idea that I should have been called upon to take so prominent a position in this meeting, and I regret extremely that we have not had Mr Lort Philipps here, for I am sure he would have carried out the duties in a better manner than I possibly could. With regard to the show, I have no doubt myself, looking at many features of it, that it is the best we have seen in Haverfordwest. (Ap- plauso.) We hear remarks about the judging on these occasions but I can say that I did what I have very often done on such occasions :—I have tested the quality of the prize animals, and invariably when I have done so, they certainly so far as quality is con- cerned stood in a very high category. (Hear, hear.) I shall say nothing more on that subject, but I may be allowed to express the hope that we are inaugurat- ing a better series of years than we have lately gone through. It is all very well to meet on these occa- sions, and to drink healths and to congratulate the successful and encourage the unsuccessful competitors, but it must be patent to all in this room that we have been going through a very critical era in farming (hear, hear.) I think I may say that probably, as far as my recollection goes, we have never had such diffi- cult times to contend with as we have had during the last six or seven years (hear, hear.) I believe they are entirely attributable to the adverse seasons which we have had for the last four or five years. We have I • J_I. J I J .3: I I -=-_¿.1 ueeu iiiuimaLeu uy rain, aiiu uisstsast? Lias aecuuittcu out sheep flocks, and I have no doubt there are num- bers of small farmers who have not got over the losses of those years. But we must look to the future and I hope and trust we have seen the worst of it. So far as the harvest has gone we have not had much to congratulate ourselves upon to-day promises better things, and I hope a great deal of mischief has not been done up to the present time. There is, I think, one thing which is a subject of extreme congratula- tion. You know that a few years ago there was an American scare, and we all fancied that English agri- culture was going to the dogs, and we could not com- pete with the foreigner. I am very happy to say that has not happened, and we have a pretty strong proof this year that so far as meat is concerned that it is not the case. I did not believe it would be the case, and did not think that it would ultimately injure the English beef producer. So far as breeding animals is concerned, I think we can hold our own (hear, hear.) I beg once more to thank you for the honour yon have done me in drinking my health (appladse). The President again rose, and proposed the health of the Successful Competitors, coupling with the toast the name of Mr Davies of Alleston. The President at the same time presented to Mr Davies the silver cup (given by Mr Philipps of Picton Castle) which he had I won as the exhibitor of the best Black Bull of any age. Mr Davies I never had the honour of having a cup like this in my hand before. I have won it to-day and have done so honourably. I did not hear any one in the yard say there was any doubt about it, and I am very thankful for having won so many prizes in the best show of Black stock I have ever seen in my life (hear hear). I am certain if this large county show be carried out, and we have prizes worth com- peting for, we shall be able to go to an expense which will produce greater improvement. There is no doubt that the Black cattle will be brought to such perfec- tion than no other breed will be able to compete against them. I can say this that they are the only rent-paying cattle in the world (loud applause). We hear of farmers in England breaking one after the other, but it is not very often a Welsh farmer breaks and we do not see any vacant farms in Wales as you see in England. It is beeause we have a cattle which pays tho rent, and I hope to see this county show established, x%-h-n greater improvements will be effec- ted. Such a show will be worth seeing there will be good stock (there, and I hope to jhave some among the many which will be there- (applause). President There is one toast which it is usual to drink on these occasions, and that is, Prosperity to the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society." In con- nection with this toast, I beg to couple a very old friend and a very sincere assistant to the club-Mr John James (applause). I shall not waste your time with many words, but simply ask you to drink the toast—" Prosperity to the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society," and I couple with it the name of our secro- tsry, Mr John James (applause). Secretary I thank you most, sincerely for the kind manner in which you have received the toast. I can only say that it will afford me great pleasure to give my best services in aid of agriculture in general. I can assure his Lordship that if be will kindly give me a few hours' notice, I shall be ready to afford any help I can in the furtherance of the scheme for the county central show (hear, hear). I have always been willing to do what I could to promote the success Wi IL ]toRociety, and I assure you that my w ish ia t h o fu b th III nnt. ho less stroncr than it has I been in the past (hear, hear.) J. ttaallk you very aln. cerely for the honour you have done me (applause). The meeting then broke up.

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