March 24, 1838
STRABANE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
On Monday, the 5th, the Annual Ploughing Match of this branch took place in a field belonging to Thomas Brown, Esq., Milltown, Ballymagorry [Leckpatrick parish, Co Tyrone]. Twenty well appointed ploughs stated for the premiums, and, from the close competition., it was with difficulty that the judges could decide. In the evening about fifty gentlemen and farmers sat down to an excellent dinner at Sims’ Hotel, served up in his usual good style – the wines excellent – John Humphreys, Esq., Provost, presided, and James R. Auchinleck, Esq., Thomas Browne, Esq and Robert McCrea, Esq., acted as croupiers. After the removal of the cloth, the Queen, Lord Lieutenant, the Marquis of Abercorn, and several appropriate toasts were drunk. The names of the successful candidates were then read by the Secretary as follows:
| Plough Owners | Residence | To the Owner of the Plough | To the Ploughman |
| 1. Mr. William Hamilton | Coolaghymore [Co. Donegal] | £2.0.0 | £1.5.0 |
| 2. Mr. Samuel McCrea | Farmhill [Co. Tyrone] | £1.10.0 | £1.2.6 |
| 3. Mr. Robert Leitch | Magherycolton [Co. Tyrone] | £1.5.0 | 0.17.6 |
| 4. Mr. Daniel Boyle | Argury [Co. Donegal] | £1.0.0 | 0.15.0 |
| 5. Mr. Thomas Blair | Magherashanvally [Co. Donegal] | 0.17.6 | 0.12.6 |
| 6. Mr. William McLaughlin | Argury [Co. Donegal] | 0.15.0 | 0.10.0 |
| 7. Mr. John Woods | Sion [Co. Tyrone] | 0.12.6 | 0.7.6 |
| 8. Mr. William McCrea | Farmhill [Co. Tyrone] | 0.10.0 | 0.5.0 |
| 9. Mr. Galbraith Lowther | Cavanalee [Co. Tyrone] | 0.7.6 | 0.2.6 |
| 10. Mr. David Blair | Broadlee [Co. Donegal] | 0.5.0 | 0.2.6 |