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belonging to Mr. Stratton, were symmetrical in form and of good quality, but rather highly fed for "dairy cows." The highlycommended cow, exhibited by Mr. Bowley, was a good specimen of a well-bred dairy cow.

CLASS 11. Heifers not exceeding 3 years: 14 entries.-As before observed, the principal interest of the short-horn classes was centred in the heifers. The judges must indeed have had a task to determine their relative excellence. Mr. Stratton's and Mr. Starkey's were the prize heifers, and Mr. Logan's was well up in the race. Mr. Starkey's heifer showed symptoms of overfeeding, which probably influenced the decision of the judges, for she is true in all her points and of great substance. Mr. Stratton's is even throughout, and of good quality of flesh. Mr. Logan's was very symmetrical and girthed well, but it is understood she was thought rather too low on the legs. Mr. Shattock and Mr. Entwistle also exhibited two heifers of great size and of fair quality.

CLASS 12. Pair of Heifers not exceeding 2 years: 7 entries.The yearling heifers by no means came up to the 2-year olds. These were moderate specimens of the short-horn, with the exception of one of Mr. Stratton's pair, which was universally considered a perfect gem, and, if we mistake not, will again and again be distinguished by the "blue ribbon" of this and other Societies.

HEREFORDS. This breed of cattle is clearly assignable to the "Middle-horn" tribe: they are considered to be an aboriginal breed, and descended from the same stock as the Devons. Little is known respecting their origin, further than that for many generations they can be traced as the peculiar breed of the county from whence they take their name. Yet a few years since they were not of the same uniform appearance of colour as now, there having been some herds self-coloured like the Devon and Sussex breeds, and opinions have been published that this was their original character. Subsequently we find the grey, the mottled, and the white-faced, each with their distinct admirers and their successful breeders. This subdivision of a race of animals (it may be readily imagined) would occur from the use of a self-coloured bull with a white-faced cow, or the reverse; but that the race was originally red with a white face, is clearly indicated by the almost perfect uniformity of colour which the breed of the county now presents. The Hereford cattle have hitherto been held in high estimation for the rapidity with which they feed and the quality of their flesh, together with the working

powers of the oxen, which display the activity of the Devon combined with the strength of the Durham.

The calves usually run with their dams in a natural statea rude state of things which the breeders ought to alter, as its present effect is to depreciate the value of the whole race. In this thickly-populated kingdom it is necessary that both milk and flesh be produced. We hope to be excused for making this allusion, particularly as we are aware that not only can these cattle be greatly improved by cultivation, but that their milk is of a superior quality, and yields a return equal to that of any other breed possessing similar pretensions to flesh.

Among the earliest breeders of celebrity, of whom anything is known, the names of Tully, Yeoman, Skyrene, Williams, and Weyman, may be mentioned as some of the most successful. Subsequently those of Tomkins, Price, Hayton, Jones, Hewer, Jeffries, Knight, and Smithies. These, too, have passed away; and in our present day we see recorded in the Society's Journals an increasing number of competitors from different parts of the kingdom. This proves that the value of the breed is becoming more appreciated. A few years since they were almost exclusively in the hands of the tenant farmers of their native county; they now form the principal breed of the counties of Monmouth, Radnor, Brecon, Salop, and parts of the counties of Gloucester, Worcester, Warwick, Stafford, Wilts, Herts, Dorset, Somerset, and Cornwall. There are also some good herds in North Wales and Scotland, for which districts their hardiness of constitution, thick but mellow hides, wavy, soft, and moderately long hair, render them peculiarly adapted. Recently a considerable number have been exported to America and the Australian colonies, where they are rapidly gaining favour. It is much to be regretted that no correct pedigree of this breed was kept until T. C. Eyton, Esq., of Eyton Hall, Salop, exerted himself to collect information, and condense it in a Herd-book.' His first volume appeared in 1846; but although he urged the necessity and value of such a work, it was not appreciated, and after publishing another volume in 1853 he expressed his intention of discontinuing it. The late W. S. Powell, Esq., of Hinton Court, Hereford, then purchased the copyright, and commenced the third volume: but his sudden death stopped the progress of the work. Breeders, however, began to see its value from the question of pedigree being repeatedly raised by those who sought to purchase, and the copyright was purchased of the representatives of the late Mr. Powell by the Committee of the Herefordshire Agricultural Society, who selected Mr. Duckham, of Baysham Court, Ross, to conduct it. This he has done with great perseverance; and

although only twelve months have elapsed since he commenced his labours, he has published his first volume (the third of the work), and for the first time has added the cow pedigrees and their produce. The number of bulls in the two first volumes is 901; they now number 1477.

The Hereford race of cattle were represented by some choice specimens of the breed. They were principally from the county from whence they take their name, but there were several good animals from Brecon, Monmouth, Glamorgan, Carmarthen, and Pembroke. In all, they numbered 31 head.

CLASS 13. Old Bulls: 5 entries.-It was in this class that the lion of the show, Lord Bateman's magnificent old Hereford bull "Carlisle" made his appearance. This animal, from his immense depth and proportionate length of carcase, proved to be the largest animal in the yard. He displayed a beautiful, placid countenance, and, with great constitution, combined that superior quality of flesh for which this breed of cattle has long been distinguished. His long, deep carcase contrasted very strikingly with his peculiarly short legs. The Tredegar bull very properly received the high commendation of the Judges. Mr. Taylor's bull was also a useful animal.

CLASS 14. Bulls under 3 years: 4 entries.

CLASS 15. Bulls under 2 years: 8 entries.-The above two classes were represented by fair average specimens of the Hereford family. These (owing to the unusual display of Lord Bateman's old bull) were not sufficiently noticed by the public.

CLASS 16. In-calf Cows: 5 entries.—In this important class the cows were somewhat weak in number. If we except Mr. Morgan's neat cow, this class was also deficient in the characteristics of modern breeding.

CLASS 17. Heifers under 3 years: 5 entries.-The two prize heifers, Nos. 104 and 105, were splendid specimens of the Hereford breed. They at once impressed the spectator with the idea that the veteran exhibitor, Mr. Wm. Perry, had more of the same family at home.

CLASS 18. Heifers under 2 years: 4 entries.-Here, again, we are encouraged to breed on, and believe in the adage that "like begets like." Lord Bateman's prize heifers are perfect models, and immediately descended from his Lordship's prize bull 'Carlisle," already spoken of.

With a view to public information, I give a tabular statement of the girth of the principal prize animals.

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LEICESTER, OR LONG-WOOLLED BREEDS (not qualified to compete as Cotswolds). The Leicester, as a lowland sheep, is without a rival, and has improved the other long-woolled sheep, if it has not given them their principal value. It is curious to trace the origin of this class of animals. This race of sheep was created by the late Mr. Bakewell,* at whose suggestion a Society was formed at Dishley, Leicestershire, whereby certain rules were laid down for the guidance of his supporters.

The first meeting of the Society was held at Dishley in 1789,

*M. Lavergne in his interesting work, "The Rural Economy of England," &c. (Blackwoods, 1855), describes Bakewell as "a man of genius in his way, who has done as much towards enriching his country as his contemporaries Arkwright and Watt." Before his time English sheep were not fit for the butcher till four or five years old, but after great perseverance and expense he succeeded in qualifying them for the food-market at two years old, thus doubling the produce of his flock. As every one desired to have the Dishley blood, it occurred to Bakewell to let out his rams instead of selling them. At first (A.D. 1768) this only brought him in about a pound per head, but "in proportion as he continued to make progress, and the reputation of his flock increased, his prices rose rapidly; and in 1789, a society having been formed for the propagation of his breed, he let his rams to it for one season, at the enormous price of 6000 guineas. It has been estimated that in the following years the farmers of the Midland Counties spent as much as 100,000l. a year in the hire of rams.”—Lavergne, p. 19.—[ED.]

and it may be both useful and interesting to notice a few of the resolutions adopted by the members.

"Resolution No. 1.-We, whose names are underwritten, agree to pay into the hands of Mr. Honeybourn (treasurer) the sum of 10 guineas each, in such sums, at such times, and for such purposes, as shall hereafter be agreed upon by the majority of the subscribers.-Wm. Walker, T. P. Stone, J. Bennet, J. Manning, J. Robinson, N. Stubbins, N. Buckley, R. Bakewell, F. White, J. Breedon, and S. Knowles.

"No. 2.-That Mr. Paget be President of the Society."

Three Crowns, Leicester, 5th January, 1790 :—

"Resolution No. 4.-That secrecy be kept by all members respecting the business of these meetings, except to absent members; and that any member quitting the Society keep secret, upon his honour, the transactions before he left it.

"No. 5.-Resolved, That no ram, the property of Mr. Bakewell, shall be let to, or in part used by, any ram-breeder but such as will engage not to let any rams at fairs or markets.

"No. 8.-That no member shall give his rams, at any season of the year, any other kind of food than green vegetables, hay, or straw.

"No. 13.-That no member shall let a ram, share or part of a ram, to any ram-breeder residing within 30 miles of Leicester, not being a member, who hired a ram of Mr. Bakewell last season, 1789.

"No. 27 (passed May 12th, 1794).-Resolved, That no ram shall be let to any ram-breeder at less than 40 guineas, supposing him to let 6 ́rams, or, if only 3 rams, 20 guineas."

Dishley, June 4th, 1794:

"No. 30.-The members shall not show more than 24 rams to any person or company at one time."

Loughborough, June 4th, 1795:

"No. 37.-Resolved, That no ram shall be let to members of the Lincolnshire Society in classes at less than 200 guineas.

"No. 41.-That no member shall sell any ewes in future, except to kill, at less than 10 guineas each."

Leicester, May 11th, 1796:

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'Resolved, That whoever deals with Mr. shall pay to the Society 50 guineas. That not less than 100 guineas be taken from any of the persons whose names are hereafter written for their first contract for one ram, or, if two people join, not less than 200 guineas, after which the price to be 30 guineas for wether-getters."

Here follow the names of 57 breeders: amongst them are dukes, marquises, lords, and baronets.

By the reading of the 37th Rule it would appear that some jealousy was at hand with the Lincolnshire breeds. This is subsequently proved by a meeting held at Lincoln, July 13th, 1796, when it was unanimously agreed "that a society of breeders of the Dishley breed is necessary for the improvement of the breed, and for the benefit of the public."

"Resolved, That no one shall show any ram at a market, and that no one shall let more than 100 rams in one season.

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