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The Armagh Guardian
March 18, 1845
Armagh, County Armagh
The following are the adjudications:--
SUBSOIL-PLOUGHING.--The Earl of Caledon (large silver medal); ploughman, George Mercer.
COMMON PLOUGHING--GENTLEMEN'S CLASS.--First prize, Sir George K. Molyneux, Bart.; ploughman, William Girvin; second, H. L. Prentice, Esq., Caledon; ploughman, Robert Mitchell; third, Robert Thornton, Esq.; ploughman, John M'Clusky.
FARMERS' CLASS.--First, Mr. William Marshall, Clady, plough held by himself; second, Mr. James Johnston, plough held by self; third, Mr. William Anderson, Brackenagh; ploughman, Thomas Anderson; fourth, Mr. John Wilson; ploughman, Mr. Joseph Atkinson.
FARMERS' SONS' CLASS.--First, Mr. Henry Harcourt, plough held by self; second, Mr. John Irwin; ploughman, Thos. Irwin.
JUDGES--Mr. Allen, steward to his Grace the Lord Primate; Mr. Alexander Kinmouth, Deerpark, Drumbanagher; and Mr. David Mitchell, Scotch Agriculturist to Earl Gosford.
THE DINNER. At half-past five o'clock about fifty gentlemen and farmers sat down in the Tontine-rooms, to an excellent dinner, provided by Mr. Matchett, in his usual good style, Sir George K. Molyneux occupied the chair, and Counsellor Robinson, Secretary to the Society, acted as Vice-chairman; besides, whom we observed, the Earl of Caledon; James M. Stronge, Esq., Tynan Abbey; C. Strong, Esq.; J. Spiller, Esq., Elm Park; A. St. George, jun., Esq.; William Paton, Esq.; William Blacker, Esq., Armagh; Thomas R. Evans, Esq.; Thomas Dobbin, Esq.; Andrew Lyle, Esq.; Lee M'Kinstry, Esq.; John M'Kinstry, Esq.; William Barker, Esq.; M. R. Bell, Esq.; George Henry, Esq., Tassagh; James Hanna, Esq., Blackwatertown; Andrew Craig, Thomas Robinson, jun., Edward M'Kean, Wm. H. Leathem, R. M'Endow, sen., R. M'Endow, Jun., J. Wiltshire, R. Gilmore, R. Riggs, John M'Connell, Esqrs. Messrs. Armstrong, M'Clure, Hartcourt, Sturgeon, Irwin, Anderson, Mitchell, Gamble, Dean, Johnston and several others whose names we did not learn.
[The usual toasts were given...]
Sir George Molyneux...proposed
"Prosperity to the Armagh Agricultural Society," with whom might be joined the name of the secretary, Counsellor Robinson, to whose praiseworthy exertions and untiring zeal much of its prosperity was owing. (Drank with all the honors.)
Mr. ROBINSON responded to the toast. He said, --Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, it is with great satisfaction that I rise to acknowledge the honour you have done me, and thank you for the kind notice you have taken of my humble efforts to promote the interests of the society. ... Our progress hitherto, though by no means as rapid as should have been expected, has not been discouraging; and as we advance in our course and become better known, I should hope that we may meet with that measure of support to which the usefulness of our objects so justly entitle us. ... As we have not completed the first year of our operations, and the time has not arrived for bringing forward a detailed report of our proceedings, it may be advisable that I should submit to you a brief sketch of the actual state of our society, of its future prospects, and intended operations; in fact a sort of budget upon the subject; and as it is the fashion of the time to enter upon the financial department at an early period, I shall commence with that branch of the subject; and I regret to say that I have no very flattering picture to present to you upon this point--our operations are cramped and our usefulness restricted by the narrowness of our means; and it is alone by extreme economy that we are enabled to meet our engagements. In this particular we stand in the same humiliating contrast with our neighbour society in the barony of Dungannon, to which I adverted on a former occasion. The secretary of that society informs me that their subscription list amounts to £260, nearly double the amount which we derive from the whole of our wealthy county; ... With our resources however, limited as they are, what have we accomplished? First, we have had our Cattle Show, and for a first exhibition I think I am warranted in stating that it was more than creditable; secondly, we have had our ploughing match, and upon this point I cannot avoid expressing some disappointment. Many causes have operated to our disadvantage, but the principal one has been the want of support from the landlords of the county. We have been reluctantly obliged to reject many applications from tenants whose landlords are not subscribers... There is one gratifying circumstance, however, in our ploughing match to which I must advert, namely, our sub-soil ploughing. I believe we are the first society in this country which has given premiums for this operation, and I rejoice that we have done so, as it has afforded an opportunity for the display of the splendid team of Clidesdale horses, that spirited nobleman, Lord Caledon, has recently imported into this country ... As I have mentioned the name of this nobleman, I shall accompany it with a recommendation to all who take an interest in the improvement of the country to visit his seat. There is no place that I am aware of in this province abounding so much with objects of interest and utility; whether we regard its mills, its model farm, its hydraulic Ram, its Dredge's bridge, the only one in this country: or even its bears and its bysons, and the go-a-head machines of brother Jonathan. ... By these operations we have completed the usual routine of farming societies; but we aim at something beyond this, and if supported will attain to something more worthy of the advanced period at which we commence our progress.--Our first step in this higher department is the establishment of an Agriculturist in connection with our society. It is right that I should state that we have adopted this great improvement at the suggestion of its inventor, Mr. Blacker. ... Our next proposed improvement is the establishment of an agricultural library in Armagh. It fortunately happens that a deceased ancestor of ours departed this life some year since, not after the fashion of our country, but leaving a substantial inheritance to his descendants--I allude to the Armagh branch of the north-east Farming Society. The residuary funds of that society are vested in trustees, who have kindly consented to advance a portion of them for the purchase of books, of which I have prepared a catalogue. The library will be a lending one ... The third object we have in view is the establishment of a lectureship, at Armagh, upon agriculture and its kindred sciences. You are, perhaps, aware that a fund has been placed by Parliament at the disposal of the Royal Dublin Society for the purpose of establishing lectureships throughout the country. ... These arrangements will, I hope, tend materially to diffuse amongst our people much sound and practical information, applicable to the circumstances of the country. Our deficiency in this respect is one of the greatest evils under which we labour. Knowledge is the root of all advancement. Give the people information, and it cannot lie dormant... Now, upon this statement of our operations and intentions, let me ask the landlords of the county--Is a society endeavouring to carry out these objects worthy of support or not? ... When I last addressed you I made a strong appeal to the landowners to come forward liberally in support of this effort towards improving the social condition of the county, I beg leave respectfully to repeat that appeal. ... Our great object is to improve the condition of the working farmer--all our rules are framed with that view, and all our future arrangements shall be sedulously directed to that object. ... I would therefore call upon the working class to come forward, and co-operate with us in our efforts to improve their condition... Let us all then join with hearty good will--put our hands to the plough, and not withdraw them till we bring to the surface the riches which at present lie dormant in the soil ; from which each in his appointed station may reap the fruits of his honest industry, and enjoy them in peace and good fellowship with his neighbours. ...
"The judges."
Mr. MITCHELL returned thanks, passing a high encomium on the ploughmen, for the manner in which they had executed their work.
"The successful candidates in the farmers' class."
Mr. MARSHALL returned thanks.
"The unsuccessful candidates."
Mr. M'CLURE returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN here rose and stated that much had been said of English and Scotch ploughs; but he felt great pleasure in stating that his which had won first prize that day, was made by Mr. M'Connell, of Armagh; it being his wish to employ those at home, when the work could be as well done.
The Chairman, considering the great benefit of the flax crop to the persons of Ireland, would take the liberty of proposing, that society in connexion with the flax crop, coupling with it the health of Mr. George Henry.
"The Flax Improvement Society."
CHALLENGES.
The following challenges were then given, and accepted on the spot by several gentlemen:--
Mr. M'Kean challenged the society to a sweepstakes of £1, for the best five acres of wheat--open to 1st June.
Mr. M'Kinstry, a similar sweepstakes, for the best two acres of Swedish turnips--open to 1st Sept.
Mr. M'Kean, a similar sweepstakes, for the best two acres of clover and grass--open to 1st May.
Mr. W. Bond, a similar sweepstakes, for the best four acres of drill potatoes--open to 1st July--accepted by Mr. M'Kean.
Mr. Blacker, a similar sweepstakes, for members holding not more than ten acres of ground, for the best acre of turnips-- open to 1st July.
Sir James M. Strong, Bart., a similar sweepstakes, for the best three acres of flax, to be decided on the foot--open to 1st July.
Mr. Thomas Wynne Boggs, a similar sweepstakes, to members not holding more than ten acres, for the best built and finished yard for grain, and best stock yard--open to 1st Sept.
Same person, a similar sweepstakes, for farmers holding not more than twenty acres, who have levelled most fences and ditches, and brought same into good cultivation, within the last three years--open to 1st November.
The CHAIRMAN then said--the next toast, gentlemen, is one we should all practice, and teach to our children's children--
"Live and let live." (Loud cheers.)
CHAIRMAN.--This united kingdom, England, Ireland, and Scotland--long may that union exist--is supported by three pillars, agriculture, manufacture, and commerce. I will give you, therefore, the "Union of Agriculture, Manufacture, and Commerce." (Great enthusiasm.)
The Chairman said all the discussion resolved itself into one sentiment which he would give--"Draining and sub-soiling in
the County of Armagh."
"Our next merry meeting" was then given, and the company separated, after spending an evening of great conviviality.
