Cruwys Morchard Ploughing Matches

Extracts from Trewman's Flying Post

Transcribed by Debbie Kennett

Trewman's Flying Post - 23rd October 1861

CRUWYS MORCHARD AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual ploughing match of this association was held on the 18th instant, in a field on East Ruckham Farm, in the occupation of Mr. John Kelland. Twenty-one ploughs were entered, and the work was pronounced by the judges (Mr. R. C. Haydon, Chettiscombe Barton, Tiverton; Mr. Philip Halse, Molland, and Mr. John Troake, East Worlington), to be exceedingly well executed. Some of the Cruwys Morchard agriculturists are noted ploughmen, and one or two of them have competed successfully against individuals skilled in the art, and resident in various parts of the county. The competition in one or two of the classes was so close that the judges experienced difficulty in making their awards. The dinner, an excellent one provided by Mr. Pope, the landlord of the Cruwys Arms Inn, was laid out in a spacious marquee adjoining that hostelry. Mr. George Ayre, of Witheridge, presided and Mr. McNiel occupied the vice chair. There were also present, besides the judges, Messrs. R. Bater (Bickleigh), H. Roberts (Tiverton), Chamberlain (Cheriton Fitzpaine), Wright (Sandford), Waller (Puddington). T. Hawkes, Joseph Wood, J. Marshall, J. Rundell, and McNeil (Tiverton), J. Troake, junr. (East Worlington), T. Bodley, Britton, Griffin, sen., Griffin, jun. Daymond, Walters, Webber, Badcock, J. Tidboald, W. Tidboald, and Beedell (Cruwys). The toast list included, in addition to "The Queen and Royal Family," "The Army, Navy, Yeomanry, and Rifle Volunteers," responded to by Mr. Troake, jun., and another gentleman, "The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese," "Success to the Cruwys Morchard Agricultural Association," proposed by Mr. Bater and acknowledged by Jr. J. Tidboald, "The Chairman,", "The Judges," replied to by Messrs. Haydon, Halse and Troakes, "The Labourers of England," "The Vice-Chairman," proposed by Mr. Halse, (Mr. McNeil, in returning thanks, expressed his intention to become a contributor to the funds of the society); "The Successful Candidates," for whom Messrs, Hawkes and James Wright responded, (they both said they were willing to relinquish their share of the prizes in order that they might be contended for next year); "The Unsuccessful Candidates," for whom Messrs. James (Crediton), and Warren (Whitstone), returned thanks; "The Treasurer (Mr. J. Tidboald) and the Secretary of the Association," who both responded; and "The Ladies," proposed by Mr. McNiel, and responded to by Mr. Halse.

The following is the prize list:-

1ST CLASS. - Open to the county of Devon. - Best ploughman, £2, Solomon Marks, bind to Mrs. Anstey, Halberton. Henry Griffin, Cruwys Morchard, in the employ of Mr. James Wright, Sandford, and John Heard, Halberton, were disqualified because they did not finish their work in proper time; but the committee agreed to divide the second prize, £1 5s., between Griffin and Heard: 15s. was given to the former and 10s. to the latter.

2ND CLASS. - For farmers, or farmers' sons, resident in the district. First prize, a silver spoon, value £1 9s., Wm. Kelland, son of Mr. J Kelland, East Ruckham Farm; second ditto, a silver spoon, value £1 3s, Thomas Daymond, Furze Farm, Cruwys Morchard; third ditto, a silver spoon, value 15s., George Stevens, son of Mr. James Steven, Cruwys Morchard.

3RD CLASS. - For servants or farm labourers. First prize, £1 5s., George Bishop, ploughman to Mrs. Bowden, Poughill, second ditto, £1 John Thorne, ploughman to Mr. Bodley, Week Farm, Cruwys Morchard; third ditto, 15s., William Palmer, ploughman to Mr. Kelland, East Ruckham Farm.

4TH CLASS. - For boys under eighteen years of age. First prize, 15s., George Britton, Wood Farm, Cruwys Morchard; second ditto, John Sage, ploughboy to Mr. Raymond, Fork Farm, Cruwys Morchard; third ditto, 5s., withheld, there being three competitors only. The committee decided, however, that a special prize of £1, given by Stanhope Long, Esq., should be divided among the three. The name of the third was William Kelland, son of Mr. J. Kelland.

PREMIUMS FOR LONG SERVITUDE, &C. - To the agricultural labourer who has worked longest on the same farm. First prize, 15s., James Case, 7 1/2 years with Mr. W. Tidboald, West Ruckham, Cruwys Morchards; second ditto, 10s, John Hellier, 6 1/2 years with Mr. John Thorne, Lower Yeadbury Farm, Cruwys Morchard.

To the agricultural male servant or apprentice who has lived longest with the same master since he was twelve years of age. First prize, 15s., Henry Stevens, 2 1/2 years with Mr. Ballamy, Northcott Farm; second ditto, 10s., John Mitchell, apprentice 9 years with Mr. Thorne, Lower Yeadbury Farm.

To the female servant under similar circumstances, and with satisfactory testimonials. First prize, 15s., Mary Jane Harvey, 2 1/2 years with Mr. J. Beedle, Parsonage Farm; second ditto, 10s., Eliza Knowles, apprentice 5 years with Mr. H. Beedle, Ford Farm.

To the agricultural labourer, who supports in a creditable manner and with the smallest parochial relief the largest number of children under ten years old, and can produce good testimonials. First prize, 15s., Edward Hellier, servant to Mr. John Kelland, five children; second ditto, 10s., William Ash, servant to Mr. Thomas Strong, four children.

To the agricultural labourer's wife, who has worked the greatest number of days during the past year. First prize, 7s. 6d., Charlotte Mitchell, nearly all the year for the Rev. G. S. Cruwys; second ditto, 5s., Elizabeth Hagley, 105 days with Mr. G. Ayre, Witheridge.

SPECIAL PRIZES. - A special prize of £1, the gift of S. Long, Esq., to be competed for by ploughmen, who have already won a first prize (those in class I excepted), William Kelland, son of Mr. J. Kelland. Two prizes, value respectively £1 1s. and 10s. 6d., given by Mr. Long for competition by makers of light draught ploughs, competitors to subscribe 5s. or more to the funds of the society, were divided between Mr. Eddy, Kennford (the plough was exhibited by Mr. Hawkes); Mr. James Wright, Sandford; Mr. Frederick Wright, Sandford; and Mr. Pope, Cruwys Morchard.

The Witheridge brass band played in capital style some favourite pieces of music, before and during dinner, and several songs were sung in the course of the evening.

Trewman's Flying Post - 15th October 1862

CRUWYS MORCHARD AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

The fourth annual ploughing match of the Cruwys Morchard Ploughing and Agricultural Labourers' Association was held on Thursday in a field in the occupation of Mr. William Tidboald, of West Ruckham farm.

Eleven ploughs were entered for the competition, and the work generally, in the opinion of practical judges, was of a very superior description.

The judges were - Messrs., W. Baker, Bishopsnympton; Henry Morgan, Thelbridge; and Hugh Roberts, Tiverton. The following were the awards of these gentlemen: -

First Class. - Open to the county: Best ploughman, £2., T. Warren, Warkleigh; second, £1, Henry Griffin, Cruwys Morchard; third, 10s., J. Cleave, Cruwys Morchard.

The third prize would have been awarded to Solomon Marks, of Halberton, but that he in some respect infringed the rules of the society; a gratuity was given to him instead.

In the second class there was only one competitor, and the second prize was awarded to this competitor - George Stevens, son of Mr. Stevens, of Hill Farm, Cruwys Morchard.

Third Class. - For servants or farm labourers. First prize, £1 5s., George Milford, ploughboy to Mr. J. Tidboald; second, £1, William Palmer, ploughboy to Mr. J. Kelland; third, 5s., James Hodge, ploughboy to Mr. Raymont.

In the fourth class there were only two competitors, and the prizes awarded were - first prize, £1, to Edwin Kelland, ploughboy to Mr. J Kelland; third, 10s., William Holmes, ploughboy to Mr. J. Griffin.

AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS. - First prize, John Smith, who had worked for Mr. J. Kelland seven and a quarter years; second, Thomas Goss, who had worked four days a week for ten and a half years for Mr. R. Pope.

MALE SERVANTS OR APPRENTICES. - First prize, Charles Wooder, who had lived six and a half years with Mr. W. Thorne; second, William Tarr, who had lived as an apprentice with Mr. G. Ayre nine and a half years.

FEMALE SERVANTS OR APPRENTICES. - First prize, Emma Stone, who had lived as servant with Mr. J. Theoboald for two years and two weeks.

AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS WITH LARGEST FAMILIES: - First prize, James Davey, workman to Mr. John Kelland, who had five children under ten years of age; second, George Sharland, workman to Mr. H. Beedle, who had five children under seven years of age.

AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS' WIFE. - First prize, Mary Fisher, who had worked 230 days during the past year for Mr. W. Thorne,; second, Mary Webber, who had worked 136 days during the year for Mr. J. Raymont.

In the afternoon a number of the agriculturists of the neighbourhood and gentlemen from Tiverton dined together in a tent erected on the green, opposite the Cruwys Arms Inn. A substantial dinner was well served by the host, Mr. R. Pope.

In the absence of F. S. Long, Esq., Mr. George Ayre occupied the chair; and among the company present were - Messrs. J. Tidboald, treasurer; J. Kelland., secretary; Voysey, Webber, W. Tidboald, Raymont, Norrish, Woolfardisworthy; Bodley, Wright, Sandford; Taylor, Westleigh; James, Crediton; Baker, Bishopsnympton; H. Morgan, Thelbridge; Hugh Roberts, Tiverton; McNeile, Davey, Moon, Rowcliffe, jun. Rice, Rew, Trood, and Joseph Wood in the vice-chair.

In proposing the first toast - that of the Queen - the CHAIRMAN said it was an old proverb, that the worst spoke of the wheel cracked first, and he regretted to be obliged to open the proceedings by an apology for the absence of the gentleman expected to fill the chair on that occasion. Mr. Long had written to say that he was sorry that he should be unable to attend, though he fully appreciated the kindness of the society in asking him. The letter entered into some further particulars; but that was its purport. He (the chairman) thought after a gentleman had consented to take that office, and allowed his name to be put on the paper, he ought not to disappoint the society without sufficient reason. (Hear, hear.) - Mr. Long, he believed, was a gentleman in every sense of the word; but he (the chairman) much regretted that at the last moment, when it was impossible to obtain an efficient substitute - (Hear, hear) - he should have run his engagement. (Hear, hear.) - The chairman then proposed the health of the Queen, which was drunk with cheers.

The VICE-CHAIRMAN next proposed a toast, which he was sure everyone would drink with all the honours - "Our Noble Selves and the rest of the Royal Family." - (Laughter.) - Or if anyone felt disposed to cavil with this toast they might invert its terms and drink to the toast of the Royal family and their noble selves (Laughter and cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN said the next toast all were interested in; many of them closely connected with it - the Army, Navy, and Volunteers. - (Cheers.) - Happily the people of this country were living in times of peace and plenty, while many of our neighbouring nations were either at war or suffering from the effects of war. - (Hear, hear.) - Englishmen could not be too thankful for these blessings; but in their thankfulness they must not forget those to whom they were greatly indebted for these privileges - the army, navy, and more especially the rifle volunteers. - (Cheers.)

Mr. BAKER of the North Devon Mounted Rifles, responded, and concurring in the remarks of the chairman on the comparative blessings of peace enjoyed by England attributed this gratifying position to the spirit shewn by the volunteers, who had come forward to show that the blood and spirit of the Englishmen of old were still as fresh as of yore. - (Cheers.)

Colour-Sergeant DAVEY also acknowledged the toast, expressing it as his opinion that if the volunteers should be required to-morrow morning they would come forward and do their duty to their Queen and country. - (Hear, hear.)

Mr. McNEIL acknowledged the toast on behalf of the navy - a branch of the service which he thought not only more generally efficient than that of any other nation but more perfect in a scientific point of view. - (Cheers.)

The VICE-CHAIRMAN proposed "The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese." A State Church, he thought, a very desirable part of the Constitution; and as its representatives, the bishops and clergy were entitled to respect. They had a good specimen of a clergyman in the person of Mr. Cruwys - a gentleman who was respected and esteemed by all his parishioners; who was ever ready to afford his advice to everyone that wished to consult him. - (Cheers.) - When they saw dissension abroad they ought to support everything which upheld law and order as the church did. - (Hear, hear.)

Mr. J. TIDBOALD returned thanks on behalf of the clergy, and said though very good reasons, no doubt, kept those gentlemen away, both Mr. Cruwys and Mr. Poole, of Templeton, supported the society by their subscriptions. - (Cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN next proposed "Success to the Cruwys Morchard Agricultural Association. - (Cheers.) - These societies he had no doubt did great good and were beneficial to all classes. (Hear, hear.) - If they did not plough well they could not expect good crops. It was useless to expect the fruits of the earth if they did not properly cultivate the soil. All those present were more or less directly connected with it and depended upon its cultivation for their bread. He hoped and believed that these ploughing matches did great good, not only in the cultivation of the soil, but in encouraging their labourers and servants to do their best in their positions in life. - (Hear, hear.) - He should like to ask the objectors to these prizes whether a labourer or servant, coming to this or a similar association, to receive a mark of the appreciation of those who had the opportunities of seeing the manner in which they performed the duties of their positions, whether they were not much better pleased to receive it from the public represented by these societies, than simply from their master or mistress. He believed they would think more highly of them when presented by an association of this kind; and believing that he proposed to drink to the success of the Cruwys Morchard Agricultural and Labourers' Association. (Cheers.)

The toast was drunk with honours; and acknowledged by Mr. J TIDBOALD, who echoed the chairman's remarks on the practical usefulness of these societies; thanked the gentlemen from Tiverton and other parts of the county for their countenance and support of this association, and hoped that in the work they had that day witnessed in the field they had seen that they were supporting a society which, as far as it was able, promoted the true interests of agriculture and of the agricultural labourer. (Hear, hear.) - These societies excited, both among the farmers and the labourers, a spirit of emulation which it was most desirable to foster. - (Hear, hear.) - The prizes they offered were intended to bring every man in the district into competition with his neighbour - the servant and the labouring man especially. One part of them came forward to compete for the prizes for good conduct; another for long servitude; another for bringing up a long family most creditably. He was sorry not to see the young farmers coming forward, as he thought they ought to compete for the ploughing prizes. They appeared many of them to be too proud to follow the plough tail - (laughter) - they only wanted to attend these meetings as gentlemen. - (Renewed laughter.) - He should be very pleased to see a different spirit than this among the farmers' sons, but he supposed it was the spirit of the age. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)

The CHAIRMAN then proposed "The Judges" - gentlemen who had been carefully selected to decide on the work of the competitors: men of judgment, men of practice, men of experience; and he believed that the decisions they had given were beyond all question. - (Hear, hear.)

The toast was drunk with three cheers; and acknowledged by Mr. BAKER, Mr. MORGAN, and Mr. ROBERTS, who all concurred in representing the work they had that day seen in the field as first-rate in all respects.

Mr. J THEOBALD proposed "The Successful Competitors," which was drunk with cheers, and acknowledged by Mr. WARREN, who said the prize he had that day won was his ninety-ninth. - (Cheers)

The health of Mr. Cruwys, and that of one or two other gentlemen, was afterwards drunk; and the company separated at an early hour.

Trewman's Flying Post - 14th October 1863

CRUWYS MORCHARD PLOUGHING MATCH.

The annual ploughing match in connection with the Cruwys Morchard Agricultural Association took place on Thursday upon Lithyland Farm, in the occupation of Mr. Tidboald. The weather was most unfavourable, but nevertheless the competition was good, for fourteen ploughs were engaged in the matches, and the ploughing was considered to be excellent. The bells rang cheerily throughout the day which was observed by all as a holiday. In a field adjoining the ploughing ground two cultivators were exhibited by Messrs. Dinner and Baker, of Witheridge, and amongst the following local manufacturers of implements the greater number had ploughs in the field - Messrs. James Wright (Sandford), J. Baker, W. Dinner, R. Pope, Pennymore, T. Pope, Windmill, Knowle (Puddington), Eddy, (Kennford), W. Cligg (Cadeleigh), E. Bulled (Witheridge, agent for Hornsby's ploughs), Page (Burrow and Page). The following were the committee:- Messrs. G. Ayre (chairman), J. Kelland (secretary), J. Tidboald (treasurer), H. Beedell, J. Raymont, W. Smale, W. Tidboald, and Thomas Bodley. The Judges were:- Messrs. G. Radmore (Thorverton), W. Packer (Bishopsnympton), and T. Norris (Loxbear). The following is the

LIST OF PRIZES:-

PLOUGHING. - Open to the county of Devon - first prize, £2 Francis Courtenay (Knowstone); second, £1, William Veysey, ploughman to Middleton, Roseash; third, 10s. Henry Griffin, son of Mr. Griffin, Cruwys Morchard. For farmers or farmers' sons, first prize, a silver spoon, value £1 10s. (This prize was not awarded in consequence of insufficient competition.) Second, Edwin Kelland, son of Mr. J. Kelland, East Ruckham, Cruwys Morchard; third, William Britton, Wood Place Farm, Cruwys Morchard. For servants or farm labourers, first prize, £1 5s., William Tarr, ploughman to Mr. Geo. Ayre, of Whitheridge [sic]; second, £1, William Palmer, ploughman to Mr. J. Kelland; third, 15s. (not awarded - insufficient competition). A special prize, 10s., James Hodge, ploughman to Mr. J. Raymont, Fork Farm, Cruwys Morchard. For boys under eighteen years of age, first prize, a silver spoon, Abraham Greenslade, in the employ of Mr. Smale, Chapple Farm, Cruwys Morchard; second, William Beedell, son of Mr. J. Beedell, Park Farm, Cruwys Morchard.

PREMIUMS. - The agricultural labourer who has worked longest on the same farm, first prize, 15s., John Hellier, eight years with the Rev. G. S. Cruwys; second, 10s., Thomas Goss, partially eleven years and a half with Mr. Richard Pope, of Penny Moor. The agricultural male servant or apprentice who has lived longest with the same master, first prize, 15s., William Tarr, who has lived eleven and a half years with Mr. Geo. Ayre, Queen Dart, Witheridge; second, 10s., John Mitchell, nine years with Mr. Thorne, Lower Yeadbury. The female servant, ditto, first prize, 15s., Emma Stevens, three years with Mr. Smale; second, 10s., Mary Hodge, four years with Mr. James Radford, Middle Way Farm. The agricultural labourer supporting the largest family under ten without parochial relief, first prize, 15s., George Sharland, workman to Mr. H. Beedell, Ford Farm, five children; second, 10s, George Milford, workman to Mr. John Tidboald, five children. The agricultural labourer's wife, who has worked the greatest number of days during the past year, two prizes together 12s. 6d., divided equally between Elizabeth Hagley and Ann Dascombe - the former 196 days with Mr. George Ayre, Witheridge, and the latter 195 days with Mr. John Bucknell, Moor Farm.

The second prize in the second class, a piece of plate, was supplied by Mr. George Eames, Tiverton, who presented a piece of plate as the second prize in the fourth class. A portion of the plate was also supplied by Mr. Sharland, Tiverton. An excellent luncheon was provided by Mr. J. Tidboald, at his residence, which was attended by a large number of friends. In the afternoon a sumptuous dinner took place at Mr. Pope's Cruwy's [sic] Arms Inn, the chair being taken by the Rev. W. B. Hole, of Woolfardisworthy, and the vice chair by Mr. Joseph Wood, auctioneer, of Tiverton. Amongst the company present were: R. J. Poole (Templeton Rectory); G. S. Cruwys, Esq.; Messrs. G. Ayre (Queen Dart, Witheridge); J. Tidboald (Lithyland, Cruwys Morchard); F. Parkin (Bonhay Foundry, Exeter); R. Bater (Bickleigh); W. Cligg (Cadeleigh); Norrish (Barton, Woolfardisworthy); Page (of the firm of Burrow and Page, Morchard Bishop); E. Bulled, W. Dinner, J. Baker, - Luxton (Witheridge); J. Wood (auctioneer, Tiverton); H. Beedell (Cruwys Morchard); James, jun. (Crediton); Sharland, Eames (Tiverton); T. Frost (Kentisbeare); Bodley (Cruwys Morchard); E. Milton (Cadeleigh); Baker (Stoodleigh); W. Tidboald (Cruwys Morchard); Smale, Brutton (Cruwys Morchard); H. P. Roberts (Hensleigh, Tiverton); R. Squire (Cadeleigh); Griffin sen. and jun. (Cruwys Morchard); Melhuish (Cheriton Fitzpaine); P. Chamberlain, H. Chamberlain, jun. (Cheriton Fitzpaine); Sharland) Cadbury); Beedell (Ford, Cruwys Morchard); Radford, jun. (Willand, Cullompton); May (Poughill); Morgan (Witheridge); &c.

The CHAIRMAN, in giving the toast of the evening - "Success to the Cruwys Morchard and Agricultural Labourers' Association," spoke forcibly of the many advantages arising from such meetings as that at which they had assembled. Now that steam had been brought directly to bear on agriculture and had brought all the markets in England more closely together, it was absolutely necessary that the farmer should exert himself to gain profit and improvement to the extent which the advancing age enabled him to do it, and he could best render himself able to keep pace with the times by meeting his neighbours, discarding unprofitable systems, and discussing in what manner they could work so as to gain larger products from their labours and investments, and thereby benefit themselves and the whole nation. - (Hear, hear.) - The Chairman, speaking of the steam engine as applied to farming purposes, said that it was manifestly becoming a very important power with the agriculturist; it was now being extensively used in thrashing out the corn, and that was a very important thing in the present day, when they had to thank God for a most bounteous harvest - the most bounteous harvest England had had. - (Hear, hear.) - They were aware that corn was now selling at a very low price; and the use of the steam engine would tend to make up the difference between the low and the heavy price. - (Hear, hear.) - They had had a bad harvest for the past three years, and now they had a good one; but the price at which corn was sold would hardly enable them to make up the loss in the past two or three years. They must remember that they had gone further than steam thrashing, for they had come to the steam plough in some parts of the country. With the hills in their own parish, and the country generally, he did not suppose it would be an easy matter to bring it into operation, but the time would surely come when it would be introduced. (Cheers.) - And they must bear this in mind - they had to compete, in open market, with all the large corn growing counties in England, and the steam engine in these places was the recognised implement for thrashing the corn; and the land in the midland counties - which were corn producing countries - was ploughed by steam, so that he believed that with the aid of steam they would be able to sell corn at 5s. per bushel and get a remunerative profit. He concluded by expressing a desire that the introduction of steam power would be extensive in this county. - (Cheers.)

Mr. TIDBOALD, in responding, praised the day's ploughing very highly, and commended the idea of having implements exhibited at such meetings, and referred to the traction engine as being of immense value in conveying lime to farmers.

The health of "The Judges" was then proposed and responded to by Mr. RADMORE, Mr. NORRISH, and Mr. PACKER, after which the health of the Chairman was drunk and the company shortly afterwards separated.

Trewman's Flying Post - 19th October 1864

CRUWYS MORCHARD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Cruwys Morchard Agricultural Association held its sixth anniversary on Wednesday, and the proceedings were very satisfactory. Mr. J. Kelland, of East Ruckham Farm, provided ploughing ground; and there were eleven competitors, namely, three in the first class, two in the second, three in the third, and three in the fourth. The condition of the soil was against the ploughmen, and of course the work was not so well done. Mr. Richard Cruwys, of the Cruwys Arms Inn, provided the dinner, which was very good. F. Dunsford, Esq., of Tiverton, presided; and J. Wood, of the White Ball Inn, Tiverton, acted as vice-president. There was a numerous attendance. The committee were - Mr. George Ayre, of Witheridge; Mr. John Tidboald, Mr. John Kelland, Mr. Samuel Britten, and Mr. William Smale, of Cruwys Morchard. The judges were - Mr. John Mortimer, of Warkleigh; Mr. J Gillham, of Burlescombe; and Mr. J. Norrish, of Woolfardisworthy; and these gentlemen thus awarded the

PRIZES.

PLOUGHING. - First class (open to the county of Devon): Best ploughman, £2, Henry Griffin, Cruwys Morchard; second, £1, Francis Courtenay, of Knowstone; third, 10s, not awarded. Second class (for farmers or farmers' sons): First prize, a silver spoon, value £1 10s., William Britton, Cruwys Morchard; second, £1, Wm. Beedell, ditto; third, 15s., no competition. Third class (for servants or farm labourers): First prize, £1 5s., Wm. Palmer, ploughman to Mr. Kelland; second, £1, George Milford; third, 15s., to John Howard. Fourth class (for boys under eighteen years of age): First prize, 15s., Rich. Kelland, East Ruckham; second, 10s., the gift of Mr. Eames, of Tiverton, Samuel Needs, ploughboy to Mr. G. Ayre, Queen Dart Farm; special award of 5s., to William Jones.

SERVITUDE. - To the agricultural labourer who has worked longest on the same farm, and can bring from his master the best testimonial for general good conduct: First prize, 15s., John Mitchell, ten-and-half years with Mr. S. Britton, Wood Farm; second, 10s., divided between W. Hagley and W. Radford, each with Mr. G. Ayre, Queen Dart Farm, and Mrs. Kelland, Stockeridge, six-and-half years. To the agricultural male servant or apprentice who has lived longest with the same master: First prize, 15s., John Mitchell, who had lived as servant and apprentice twelve years with Mr. John Thorne, Yeadbury Farm; second, 10s., Samuel Maunder, five-and-half years with Mr. Jas. Radford, Middleway. To the female servant under similar circumstances: First prize, 15s., Elizabeth Kelland, four-and-half years with Mr. George Voysey, Cotton Farm; second, 10s., Mary Kerslake, three-and-half years with Mr. James Radford, Middleway. To the agricultural labourer now supporting in the most creditable way, with the least parochial relief, the largest number of children under ten years of age: First prize, 15s., George Milford, five children under ten years of age, workman to Mr. John Tidboald, Lithyland; second, 10s., James Davey, four children under ten, workman to Mr. John Kelland. To the agricultural labourer's wife who has worked the greatest number of days during the past year: First prize, 7s. 6d., Charlotte Mitchell, nearly all the year with the Rev. G. S. Cruwys; second, 5s., Ann Duscombe, 215 days for Mr. John Buckerell, Moor Farm.