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,CONVIVIAL AND MAGISTERIAL.

~LLANIDLOES NOTES.

NORTH CARDIGANSHIRE AGRICULTURAL…

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Rhannu

NORTH CARDIGANSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The annual general meeting of the North Cardigan- shire Agricultural Society was held at the Town Hall, Aberystwyth, on Monday, February 3rd. Mr. Lewis Pugh Pugh, Abermaide, acting vice-president, occupied the chair, and there were also present Mr. H. C. Fryer, Lodge Park, Mr. R. Gardiner, Crosswood, Mr. Vaughan Davies, Tanybvvlch, Mr. Morris Davies, Ffos- rhydgaled, Mr. T. W. Bonsall, G-lanrhidol, Messrs. D. Jones, Rest, J. Roberts, Lion Hotel, T. Garner, Terrace-road, David James, Llanerchpentir, Thomas Morgan, Nantyrhyd, James Jones, Piercefield, Edward Jones, Elgar, Morgan Edwards, Bwlcheiaion, Joseph Evans, Fronygog, Machynlleth, W. Hughes, Morfa Mawr, R. Jenkins, Henhafod, John Pierce, Evan Richards, Nanteos Farm, Abraham James, and W. Morgan, clerk to the hon. secretaries. The CHAIRMAN said he had waited some time in hopes that Sir Pryse Pryse would have been present, but as he had not arrived it seemed desirable to proceed at once to the business of the meeting. He was also sorry that the President of the Society, Mr. G. G. Williams, was not able to be present that day for a very pleasant reason, agreeable to himself, and more agreeable to other members of his family. (Laughter). In his absence he (Mr. Pugh), as vice-chairman, had to lay before the meeting the accounts for the past year, and to show what progress had been made by the Society. Taking the previous year, the state of finances was as follows :-l'here was a balance in ha id of E135 17s. 5d., and the amount collected, together w.th the fees received for Glasgow Laddie, was E604 lis. Now the whole of tllbt amount was expended in 1877, with the exception of i:28 16s. 4d. He only referred to the pre- vious year, 1877, in order to show that the Society had at the commencement of the next year a balance in hand of jE28 only whereas in the previous year they were in a better position, having a larger balance in hand. Last year, then, the Society commenced with a balance of £ 28 1(is. 4d. The total expenses amounted to £ 499 6s. On the other hand they had payments by premiums, including extra prizes, 4:281 5s. The payments to judges amounted to £18 18s. In that respect a great reduction had been made and he could not help thinking that everyone was as well satisfied as they were during the previous year, when a larger sum was paid for judging. There was another amount, £5 9s. for dinners and then came the showyard expenses, which made up the large item of 1;107 lis. 4d., including jb70 for hurdles. The expenses for judging farms and grean crops amounted to E12 12s. 3d., making altogether a total of k425 15s. 7d. That was so far as they had gone at present. Then there were other items, such as print- in ir and .f1 Vfrti!'lÏnQ'. salarv to secretaries' clerk. &c.. which, having been deducted, enabled the Society to show a balance in hand to the good of £ 7 Os. 7d. He had another matter to draw attention to. In the previous year the hurdles were nearly all sold, and realized £ t51 lbs., but last year the amount of the sale was A;46 Is. They had, however, a number of hurdles, which appeared to some to have been placed in safety, and the value of them was estimated at £ 35 15s. He did not see any rent for the storage of those hurdles, but he supposed that that would be provided for. He would then lay the whole matter before them, in order to take up no more time than necessary. That balance-sheet had been vouched by the secretaries, Messrs. Fryer, Gardiner, and Lewis Williams, and the bank book and vouchers were on the table. He did not suppose that it was the wish of the meeting to go into the different items, because he was sure it would satisfy everybody to pass the accounts as vouched for by the secretaries. He would therefore move that the ac- counts should be received and passed. Mr. THOMAS MORGAN seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN said the next business was the appoint- ment of President and Vice-President for the ensuing year. He was aware that it had been the custom in the past to make the vice-president for the previous year, pre- sident for the coming year. He felt very strongly that it was a rule that ought to be broken through. For the good of the Society he was sure that the sooner it was broken through the better. He had from the first been very willing to do everything he could for the good of the Society, and he should be willing to do the same still, but he felt sure that it would be for the interest of the Society that the rule should be broken through. It would entirely in accordance with his own views if the ir oe appointed some other president for that year, a" ..aetill" doing make their break at once, and enable the-ad by so appoint in future what presidents they ehose. mselves to time in the future it was their wish tu app". if at any sident he should be willing to do what he jut him pre- capacity for the good of the Society. K could in that to a strong conclusion as to what sr ..ie had also come thought the best thing for the j.ould be done. He managed, would be to get P' Society, if it could be chair for the present jir Pryse Pryse to take the approval, he begger* year. Subject to Sir Pryse's sident. to propose that he should be Pre- Mr. T. VT should BONSALL saw no reason why the meeting too,- .,tepart from the rule that day. Mr. Lewis Pugh F a great interest in agricultural pursuits, and he (the peakerj did not see why the meeting should tavour Mr. Pugh's modesty in departing from the rule. (Hear, ^Mr! FRYEB thought that Mr. Bonsall had expressed the feeling of the Society. As he had very well said, there was no one who took a greater interest in agriculture than Mr. Pugh, and it might be added that he was the largest farmer in Cardiganshire. From the commence- ment of the Society he had always accorded it his very best support. At the same time, it might be in the in- terest of the Society in the future to break through the practice-he would not call it a rule, for there was no rule to that effect-and again appoint some of the larger land- owners at the top of the list. He was sure, however, that it would be the feeling of the Society that Mr. Pugh should be appointed, and, therefore, he would propose it. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES seconded the proposal to appoint Mr. Pugh, and it was agreed to unanimously. The PRESIDENT could only say that he felt much obliged to the meeting for the honour they had done him, and the compliment they had paid him in electing him president of the Society for the present year. He felt that it was an honourable and responsible position. What he had said before he meant, that it would have been better if the Society had broken through the rule, and have chosen someone else to preside over them. As the meeting had not done so, however, all he could say was that he thanked them, and assured them that he would do his best to benefit the Society. He hoped that he and the vice-president would be well sup- ported this year. He hoped that all the members of the Society would canvass for subscriptions, because if they were well supplied with money their work as president and vice-president would be made easy. He should not be able to do much, for want of time, to get subscriptions, but he would remind the Society that the more money they got the greater would be the success of the shows. Last year, he was happy to be able to say, the Society had not wasted money. They had kept the finances as close as possible, without sacrificing efficiency. He hoped they would be able to continue in that course in the present year; and the show would be a great success. He thought that their shows were popular in the county and that, considering the nature of the locality, very good animals were exhibited. He felt sure that the establishment of the Society had led to a great improvement in the stock of the county. (Hear, hear.) Their next business would be to appoint a vice-president. Mr. T. W. BONSALL thought the Society ceuld not do better than appoint Mr. Vaughan Davies to that office. He, therefore, proposed that Mr. Vaughan Davies should be vice-president of the Society for the present year. Mr. GARDINER seconded the proposition, and remarked that he was sure no one in the county took a greater interest in agriculture or the improvement of stock than Mr. Vaughan Davies. (Hear, hear.) With Mr. Pugh as president and Mr. Vaughan Davies as vice- president, the affairs of the Society looked very well for another year. The proposition having been carried unanimously, Mr. VAUGHAN DAVIES said he was much obliged to the meeting for the honour they had done him. He could only promise one thing, and that was, that he would do his utmost to support the president of the year m oarryiug out the propositions offered for the good of the Society. As he had remarked, all they wanted was that the farmers would pay up their subscriptions; for aceording to the money so would be the success of the Show. The PRESIDENT humorously remarked that the vice- president would have to do all the work. On the proposition of the PRESIDENT, seconded by Mr. VAUGHAN DAVIES, Mr. David Jones, National Provincial BaRk, was re-appointed treasurer of the Society. The PRESIDENT said that the next thing would be to appoint the secretaries. He had remarked, just now, that the vice-president would have to do all the work, but he knew that the secretaries would have to do more than the vice-president. In fact, the real work of the Society was done by the honorary secretaries, to whom was due what- ever success had been attained. (Hear, hear.) The hon. secretaries for the past year were Mr. Fryer, Mr. Pell, Mr. Gardiner, and Mr. Lewis Williams. He had re- ceived a letter from Mr. Pell, stating that it was his wish not to be re-appointed. He was sure that Mr. Pell had done a great deal in the past for the Society. The Society would regret the loss of his services, and thank him for the interest he had taken in the institution. He (the presi- dent) took it forgranted that they could again rely upon Mr. Fryer, Mr. Gardiner, and Mr. Lewis Williams, and pro- posed Mr. Sylvanus Lewis, agent of the Nanteos estate, a good man to have, and one who would undoubtedly be able to do a great deal for the good of the Society. If it met the wishes of the meeting, he would propose Messrs. H. C. Fryer, R. Gardiner, Lewis Williams, and Sylvanus Lewis, if they would be good enough to accept the thankless office and the duties which involved very hard work. Mr. VAUGHAN DAVIES seconded the proposition. There was not the least doubt, he added, that the show had lasted and had maintained its reputation not only in the neighbourhood of Aberystwyth, but in the county, more on account of the work of the secretaries than anything else. The presidents of the past had done much but if it had not been for the secretaries, the society, like many others before it, would have fallen to the ground. The proposition was carried without dissent. Mr. FRYER said he was greatly obliged to the meeting for the compliment they had paid him in re-electing him, but to tell the truth, it was an office he had hoped to have been able to decline that year. There were many reasons why he desired to retire from the office. He believed that it would have been very much better to combine the duties of the office in one person, for when there were three or four secretaries each one was apt to leave the work to others. He knew it was so with himself. When they had several secretaries there was no one absolutely responsible. He, therefore, believed it would be for the good of the Society if they could get one person to do the work. There was, however, a great difficulty in getting that good-natured person; and consequently he had great pleasure in accepting the office for another year. He would do his best to keep the Society in the high position which he believed it held at the present time. He might be allowed to add that every judge who came to their shows was astonished at the superior stock exhibited. They came down expecting to see nothing but wild and rough stock. Last year the Society engaged an eminent judge, Mr. Lee, who was accustomed to judge in some of the best showyards in England. He was an excellent judge, and he (Mr. Fryer) believed there was no one his superior. One of the first things he said on entering the showyard was that he was never prepared to see such a show of stock. When he came to Shropshire sheep he was astonished. They were shown not only in Classes A and B, but also in Class C. When, then, they got a judge like Mr. Lee to come down to their show, and to excite his astonishment in that manner, it showed that the stock of the county had been improved. He had mentioned Shropshire sheep because he believed that ten years ago there were no Shropshire sheep brought into Aberyst- wyth, except they were with their skin off-to be eaten. He believed the first Shropshire sheep were brought to Nanteos, and now there were many good ones in the dis- trict. It was a fact that since the establishment of the Society, agriculture and stock had improved, and, he hoped, would go on improving. When they met in that room next year he hoped that the members of the Society, would be able to congratulate themselves upon a better show, and also upon a more propitious day than that of last year. Mr. GARDINER also acknowledged the honour date him, and added that as long as he was serviceable he should be glad to do what he could to promote the interests of the Society. He was of the same opinion as Mr. Fryer res- pecting the desirableness of appointing one secretary. Even if they were out of harness they could assist the secretary. As to what the judges had said, he would not advise the Society to fancy that they had arrived at any- thing like perfection as to their stock. The farmers had better increase their subscriptions, and in that way con- tribute to the success of the shows and the ultimate im- provement of the stock. In his opinion stock could be much more improved than it was at the present time. Mr. FRYER remarked that there was one question re- specting the appointment of the committee. He thought it would be a great improvement if they had, instead of one large committee, three or four District Committees, each of whom would be responsible for its district. Those committees would be serviceable, first of all in collecting subscriptions (the chief duty), and, in the second place, in giving information to intending exhibitors. In the Merionethshire Society, where the matter was very well managed, the area over which the Society worked had been divided into four districts, the Bala and the Harlech, the Dolgellcy, and the Towyn districts. Each had a chairman and vice-chairman, and eight or nine members. Those committees, amalgamated, formed the Committee of Management. If the North Cardiganshire district could be divided into three or four sub-districts he thought much more interest would be manifested in the show. There would, no doubt, be other questions to come before the meeting that day, and therefore he thought it would be advisable to adjourn the consideration of that subject to a subsquent occasion. The PRESIDENT remarked that it was quite clear that something should be done, for although they had had hitherto good men on their committees, yet very few did the work. If there were district committees, each to 100,. after and bring forward subscriptions, or give reasons why none were forthcoming, he thought that it would be an improvement upon the present plan of appointing a general committee. Mr. FRYER, in order to test the feeling of the meeting upon the general question, proposed the lormation of dis- trict committees, which, when amalgamated, would form the General Committee of Management. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES seconded the motion, and remarked that hitherto the well being of the Society had fallen upon the shoulders of the Secretaries, the President, and the Vice President. if district committees were appointed, one would be able ;o work the district between Ffosrhyd- galed and -Liianrnj styd. There was Llanddemol one ot the best parishes for the breed of cart horses, and yet not one had been sent to the show from that parish. He believed if the farmers of that district were induced to compete, the money would be transferred from Clarach to the trousers pockets of the farmers of Llanddeinol. (Laughter.) Mr. FRYER said perhaps the farmers of the Upper Dis- trict had, then, better vote against the proposition. (Laughter.) The proposal was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. The meeting then proceeded to the consideration of the rules of the Society. On the reading of the 9th rule, Mr. FRYER said he should like to take the feeling of the meeting as to the time of holding the Show. The meeting would remember that the show day last year very unpropitious. Only 259 was taken for admisslr as yard, and £ 51 the year before; while at the .i to the shire show at Towyn, in the preceding yea, 'Merioneth- the gates, £193, and at the Montgoi" -i was taken at Machynlleth, was taken at the gatc -ieryshii-e show at tion, then, to be considered was s, CI88. The ques- could not be made in that ref whether an improvement the Show. The Montgom pect by altering the time of were attended by the ir -,ry and Merionethshire Shows in their districts, b-esidents of several populous places similarly support at the Cardiganshire Society was not year the nor wed. If the Show was held late on in the came sh -residents or visitors were gone, the days be- posu- iurt, and good animals might suffer from ex- 1 ve; and if, on the other hand, th& Show was cud earlier in the summer, it was a question whether the farmers of the district would have sufficient time after harvest to get their animals into good and presentable condition. The question, then, was, which would do the Society most good to hold the Show earlier, and so increase the takings, and, in that way, the prizes; or, hold the Show later and have more presentable animals. Was it a fact, though, that animals were in better condition at the beginning of September than at the end? Mr. GARDINER thought that they were not. Mr. FRYER added that the Royal and Bath and West of England Shows were both held in July, and an im- mense number of shows besides. So far as general ex- perience went, shows were held as early in the summer as possible. He should like to hear the opinion of farmers present on that subject. Mr. R. JENKINS remarked that the Machynlleth and Towyn shows were held later than the North Cardigan- shire Show. Mr. FRYER admitted that it was so, but added that both Societies had larger towns to draw spectators from. He should be sorry to make any alteration if it was the opinion of farmers that they could not get their animals in good condition early in the autumn. Mr. PRICE believed that farmers had not so much time to look after their stock at the beginning of September as at the end. Mr. THOMAS MORGAN proposed, and Mr. JAMES JONES seconded, that the Show should be held on the tirst Wed- nesday in September. The PRESIDENT said the Committee had power to fix the Show for any Wednesday in September, so there was no occasion to fix it at that meeting. If the Society wished to hold their Show in August or earlier they should de- cide that daY. The meeting was in favour of holding the Show in Sep- tember, and then the subject was adjourned. Referring to rule 11, the PRESIDENT said there were five classes with prizes in each class, and the question was whether they could not amalgamate some of the classes without doing harm. Mr. PRICE thought that every man who lived on his own farm should exhibit in class A. Mr. FRYER replied by asking Mr. Price if he thought a man who occupied a farm, the rent of which did not exceed £200, was better than a tenant. In the past shows the tenants had taken by far a larger number of prizes than landlords. To take one instance, he would undertake to say that Mr. Walter Jenkins, of Glanwern, had taken a greater number of prizes than any landlord. It was certainly not in Class B. that the owners had taken the larger number of prizes. As to the question of giving honorary prizes, which had been referred to, if the Society cut off the prizes in the class in which landlords exhibited, a great part of the interest in the shows would cease. He was not a land- owner, and, therefore, he did noc hesitate to speak on that subject. If they struck off the animals shown by the landlords, they would strike off the plums of the show. Excepting in Welsh cattle and Welsh sheep, they would then take off the best part of the show. Although the landlord was able to compete and take the prizes for pure bred, it would be found that they had taken no prizes in Welsh stock, the prizes for which had been monopolized by the tenants. Considering the immense amount af interest taken in the Society by the landlords, and the sum of their subscriptions, he thought they should not be shut out. What he wanted to do was to do everything for the benefit of the Society. If the meeting had seen the Towyn Show last year, they would see that the landlords did not care for the honorary prizes. They wanted some- thing more substantial. There was a question, however, whether they could not simplify the matter a little by amalgamating some of the classes. There were at present five classes; and it almost took an expert to decide in which class an animal should compete. The classes were nearly as difficult to understand as the circulars from the Education Department. (Laughter.) He thought it ad- visable to amalgamate classes B Land C, and make one very large class for tenant farmers, with an increased number of prizes. They could then do away with class C, which was open to classes B and C. The subject was worthy of calm consideration. It it were adjourned, very likely they would get more expression of opinion than n the subject were decided that day. Mr. T. MORGAN thought it would kill the Society to amalgamate the classes. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES also spoke against the alteration. Mr. JAMES JONES remarked that the man who paid a rent of £86 could breed as good sheep, cow, or horse as a landlord, but not so many. The PRESIDENT said a suggestion had been made to in- crease the subscriptions in class B to 15s., and in class C to 103. or 10s. 6d. That, however, did not touch the sub- ject under consideration. Mr. VAUGHAN DAVIES remarked that the Society had great difficulty in getting 5s. Mr. FRYER said the best plan would be to adjourn the discussion of that subject, Class B. did not appear to like to let Class C. compete with it; but Class C. did not dislike it. (Laughter.) Mr. GARDINER supported Mr. Fryer's suggestion, both as to the amalgamation and the adjournment. It was worthy the attention of the Society. When the Society was instituted, it was necessary to divide the subscrip- tions so as to induce everyone to come forward, in order to encourage the small men. Now it had been seen that the smaller men need not be afraid of the larger men, and he therefore thought it was worth while to consider whether the time had not come to reduce the number of the prizes and to increase their amount. The sooner the smaller man made up his mind to compete with the larger man, the better would it be for him, and the more rapid would be the improvement of his stock. If the tenant farmers went on as they had been going on, they need not be afraid of their landlords; and the landlords, looking at their own interests, would be very glad when tenants beat them in the showyard and elsewhere. If they took Classes B. and C. they would find that the stock hitherto shown in Class C. was equal to if not superior to that shown in Class B. The PRESIDENT remarked that it was not intended to decrease the amount of prizes, but to increase that amount. Mr. FRYER added that the number of prizes would also be increased. It was then agreed to adjourn the consideration of the subject; and the PRESIDENT remarked that he hoped that Mr. T. Morgan's proposal to increase the qualifying sub- scriptions would be carried. No tenants of subscribers of 25 having ever been nomin- ated, it was agreed, on the motion of the PRESIDENT, seconded by Mr. FRYER, to strike out rule 12. The PRESIDENT remarked that formerly rule 13 had been much overlooked but this year the rule would be strictly adhered to, and persons who wanted to compete must pay their subscriptions before September 1. Jf, however, by any chance their names were received and they got a prize, it would not be awarded. The rule was then altered and made to read as follows :— That all subscriptions be due and payable on the 1st of July in each year. That no member whose subscriptions be unpaid at the close of the entries, be entitled to com- pete for any premium. Rules 14, 15, 16, and 17 were allowed to stand, but rule 18 was omitted. Mr. FRYER remarked that if an adjourned meeting were held several subjects could be considered, such as the introduction of leaping and sheep dog trials. The PRESIDENT thought that there could be sheep dog trials, but he did not think prizes offered for sheep dogs did much good. Mr. FRYER added that there were also the questions of engaging an entire horse to travel the district this year, the dates of the horse fairs, and how subscriptions were to be raised for the payment of advertising those fairs, &c. Mr. VAUGHAN DAVIES remarked that the question of the entire horse was one that ought to be discussed as soon as possible. He had received a letter from Mr. Riddle, stating that he had thirty horses, from which the Society could choose, or they could have their old horse, Glasgow Laddie, again. Last year he (Mr. Davies) under- stood the Society gave a premium of B30 to the best entire horse shown. So far as he could gather it had not given satisfaction either to the Society or to the subscribers in the neighbourhood. He believed that the horse would have been shown without the 230. With the aid of a certain amount, which the Society might be able to give, he thought those gentlemen interested in the matter would be able to obtain a horse which would give satisfaction to the subscribers. He understood that better colts than those got by Glasgow Laddie had seldom been seen. A horse should not be judged by the number of colts it obtained, but by their quality. If the horse engaged last year did better than Glasgow Laddie it must be a remark- able horse, for he believed it had travelled all the way from Cemmaes to Tregaron and had covered from 100 to 150 mares. What was wanted was a strange horse. He thought that the large landowners would support the proposition, but it was necessary also that the farmers should come forward liberally and guarantee mares. Mr. FRYER said it was advisable to keep the horse business separate from the Agricultural Society. One or two of the larger subscribers objected to the accounts being mixed up. If it were the wish of the farmers to get a horse, the best thing that could be done would be to see what number of mares could be guaranteed. If they got 100 mares it would be unnecessary to ask the Society for any money. Mr. GARDINER also thought the two things should be kept separately. He added that he wished the Society had the k30 given last year in the bank. The PRESIDENT said the engagement of a horse should be done independently of the Society, or that the horse show should be revived. The meeting was then adjourned to the 17th February.

LLANRHYSTYD.

JJJLIAJN UF FYTT Y ±'UJM •

MACHYNLLETH.

BOW STREET.¡

PENEGOES.

.PONTERWYD.

LLANFIHANGEL-AR-ARTH.

CARDIGAN.

FFESTINIOG.

CARNARVON.

DOLYDDELEN AND VICINITY.

STRATA FLORIDA.

I BALA.

DOLGELLEY.

LLANARMON.

TOWYN.