3-017-053 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

General view of the agricultural show at Battersea, [London], 1862. '...the society has seldom pitched its tent in a nicer spot than the fields of Battersea. A few years ago the place which is now whitened with miles of canvas tents was a mere marsh; whereas the visitor of '62 who takes boat at any of the piers, and faces that somewhat weary journey on Father Thames, is surprised to find himself landed in a bona fide park...with banks and borders planted with shrubs all round them. The whole space occupied by the society includes about 36 acres; and although the cattle men cast a very jealous eye at the fine vista which is left near the entrance, and wished they had had it for public judging rings, still they were fain to admit that it added wondrously to the effect, and that the implement and cattle departments were laid out with a masterly hand. Our Sketch shows the principal cross avenue, extending behind the foreign cattle right away past the clock, which is the centre of the line of demarcation between the cattle and the implements, to the entrance of the horse ring, which, with its highbred, massive, and active-legged promenaders, has been a great hit at ten and three each day'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.