PLOUGHING MATCH
On Tuesday, the 17th instant, the third annual ploughing match of the Aughentaine Estate, the property of John H. Browne, Esq., of Comber-House, Londonderry, was held on the farm of Mr. John Woods, of Donaghmoyne. At 12 o’clock, thirteen well-appointed iron ploughs started by signal. The day was uncommonly fine, and made the scene quite a treat to those interested in the improvement of the country.
The judges, Messrs. John Bryan, steward to the Lord Bishop of Clogher, John Smart, steward to Thomas R. Browne, Esq., Aughentaine, and James Scott, steward to Andrew Miller, Esq., of Daisy-Hill, awarded the prizes as follow: -
First: Mr. James Smith, Cavanakile
Second: George Stewart, son of Mr. John Stewart, Prolisk
Third: Mr. James Ramsay, Donamoyne
Fourth: Allan Orr, son of Mr. Allan Orr, Prolisk
As the plough, horses and harness, must belong to the competitors, and it having appeared that Mr. James Smith had that day tried a plough, not his own, on a new principle, the prizes were consequently given as under: -
First: George Stewart, £1.10s.
Second: James Ramsay £1;
Third: Allan Orr 10s.
The judges strongly recommended the ploughing of Patrick McDermott, son of Mr. Thomas McDermott, of Shantona, stating, that had there been a fourth prize, he should have been entitled to it.
Mr. Bryan also stated that had he been a judge at the first ploughing match, three years ago, and he had not the most distant idea that such improvement could have taken place in so short a time.
The ploughmen and judges dined at the cottage of Thomas R. Browne, Esq., the agent of the estate in the chair. The party spent a most agreeable evening, enlivened by agricultural conversation, music and singing, and the happy party broke up about eleven o’clock