466 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



even in the fat stock show in Chicago, which has but recently occurred, the 

 animal that won the first and sweepstakes prizes, was a grade Short-horn steer, 

 bred and owned by Mr. Gillett, of Elkliart, Ind. In order to show you that 

 these honors fall some wliat promiscuously, I quote an extract from the " Country 

 Gentleman," giving the report of results at the Birmingham fatstock show, held 

 November 30, 1878: A Short-horn four-year-old heifer won the president's 

 lirize, "for the best animal of any breed or age, bred and fed by the exhibi- 

 tor," in competition with one of Mr. McCombie's Scots. The most successful 

 beast of the occasion, however, was a cross by a Short-horn bull on a polled 

 Scot cow, to which was awarded the challenge cup, together with £15, as best 

 in his class, £50 as best in a series of classes, and 100 guineas as best in all the 

 cattle classes — say $850 cash. He was 4 years and 10 months old, and weighed. 

 2,844 lbs. The first jirize steer in the younger class of cross-breds was got by 

 a Short-horn bull out of a Jersey cow, and was as well grown an animal as any 

 in the hall, and without a superior for a firm and mellow touch. "A big 

 rambling American bullock" is mentioned as having a good chine an d carrying 

 some meat on him, " but bare on the shoulder and flat-ribbed." 



This gives us some idea of the show at Birmingham and its results for this 

 year. While on this part of the subject I wish to refer to the Smithfield club 

 show, that is to England the acme of all livestock matters in beef-production, 

 and is quoted as the great show, its decisions carrying corresponding weight 

 with them. In the Agricultural Gazette (published in London) in a Decem- 

 ber number, 1875, is given a complete summary of prizes won from 1807 to 

 1875 inclusive. I present a condensed statement of the same. In 1807-8 

 the first prize was won by a Hereford ox. The show was abandoned until 

 1830, when the nature of the first prize was changed; it was then given "to 

 the best beast in any of the classes." For the next fifteen years, including 

 1844, the prize was avou twelve times by Short-horns (Durham's), twice by 

 Herefords and once by North Devons. For the thirty-one years following, 

 viz. : 1845 to 1875 inclusive, two first prizes were offered — one for the best 

 steer or ox in any class and one for the best heifer or cow. Sixty-two prizes 

 were thus distributed in the following proportion : thirty-eight to Short-horns; 

 one to Herefords ; seven Devons and three Scotch Polled cattle. Crosses : 

 one each of Sliort-horn crossed with Devon, Scotch, and Hereford blood ; 

 also one Hereford and Long-horn cross. The last seven years there was a 

 champion plate given to the best beast in the yard irrespective of age or sex. 

 This was won six times by Short-horns, and once by a Polled Aberdeenshire. 

 This makes a total of eighty-six prizes given, of which fifty-nine were won by 

 Short-horns and Short-horn crosses, sixteen by Herefords and Hereford 

 crosses, eleven by Devons and others. 



This report carries with it considerable significance when we know that the 

 object of tliis show is "to supply the cattle markets of London and other 

 places with the best and cheapest meat." To aid in this and to give decisions 

 that are valuable, the judges are instructed in forming their judgment "to 

 have particular regard to the quality of the flesh, lightness of offal, age, etc." 

 This show is held in the second week in December, and in time for the butchers 

 to purchase their supplies of animals for the Christmas market. The impor- 

 tance of the show to the whole people can be somewhat estimated from the 

 number of people who visit it. In 1873 over one hundred thousand (103,043) 

 were admitted to the exhibit and a greater number in 1878. In order to pro- 

 hibit animals from being exhibited again and again, rules are adopted restrict- 

 ing them. The following is a short recapitulation of the rules as publislied 



