THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



169 



SALE OF MR. H. PAIN'S HAMPSHIRE DOWNS 

 AT MITCHELDEVER, HANTS.— There were several huu- 

 dreda preaeut, all apparently bent ou business, and many of 

 them having come from far distant counties. An artjoiuing 

 barn had been fitted up for luncheou ; and the wines and 

 liquora, of which there was a plentiful supply, were most ex- 

 cellent, and appeared to give great zest to the repast which 

 •was partaken of by the large company assembled. The duties 

 of chairman were filled by George Brown, Esq., of Avebury, 

 Wilts; F. Bailey, C. R. Cundell, and W. Taylor, Esqs., offi- 

 ciating as vice-chairmen. About half-past two the company 

 adjourned to the sale ground, and after a few lacid remarks 

 from the auctioneer, Mr. Frederick Ellen, of Andover, the 

 real business of the day commenced with the two-tooth ewes. 

 A very short time sufficed to show that but few present were 

 mere lookers-ou. The biddings were at once quick and 

 liberal, and the result was satisfactory. Two-tooth ewes 

 reached 70s., four-tooths 85s., six-tooths 90a., full-mouthed 

 115s., and ewe lamba 70s. per head; the whole making an 

 unusually high average. The ram lamba appeared to be in 

 great demand, one pair realizing 40 guineas. Among the 

 principal buyers were the Earl of Uxbridge, the Earl of Lei- 

 cestee, Sir J. Titchborne, Bart , Messrs. Atkins, Allen, Att- 

 water, Bland, Barrett (Norfolk), Butler (Norfolk), Baines, 

 Brown CoUis, Courtenay, Cundell, Cockerara, Foot, Framp- 

 ton, Galpiu, Hillier, Hammond, Lyne, Margetson, Moore, 

 Martin, Newton, Portal, Pern, Pain, Pile, Parker, Read, 

 Reeks, Smith, Sillence, Stubbs, Simpkius, Tice, White, and 

 Young. Many noblemen and gentlemen not present were re- 

 presented by their agents. The Earl of Uxbridge bought the 

 highest-priced ewes, Mr. John Neate, of Northington, being 

 hii competitor ; Mr. Brown, of Uffcott, the next; and Messrs. 

 Parker, Allen, Moore, Margetson, Collis, Bennet, and Bland 

 all purchased at prices not less than 60s. per head. For ewe 

 lambs the highest bidder was the Earl of Leicester, and Mr. 

 Collia bought the next highest lot. Mr. Martin, of Shap- 

 wicke, Dorset, purchased the highest-priced ram lambs : his 

 principal competitor was Mr. John Moore, of Littlecot. The 

 sale was in all respects one of the most important and suc- 

 cessful that ever took place in the county. 



IMPORTANT SHEEP SALE.— One of the largest 

 sales by auction of sheep that has ever taken place in Dorset 

 took place at Kimmeridge farm on Tuesday, when Mr. G. 

 Mayo, who is relinquishing that farm, offered to public com- 

 petition, through Mr. Rossiter, nearly 6,000 of the best 

 breeds of sheep in Dorset, descendants from the celebrated 

 flocks of Messrs. Paul, Salter, and Bridge. One and all 

 appeared unanimous as to their excellent quality. The sale 

 attracted the attention of graziers and dealers from remote 

 counties, Worcester and Lancashire sending to the auction 

 some keen judges of mutton. The sale took place in a large 

 pasture field opposite Smedmore House, the residence of 

 Colonel Mansel. Alter partaking of a substantial luncheon, 

 the auction commenced, when tne conditions of the sale 

 were read, and the disposal of the six-tooth ewes commenced, 

 436 in number, and in 22 lots, finding purchasers at prices 

 varying from 37s. to 49s. per head, and realized in the 

 aggregate nearly £1,100. The four-tooth ewes were next 

 offered in 44 lots, and 887 animals figured for upwards of 

 £2,000 — the price per head ranging from 54s. 6d. to 459. 

 688 two-tooth ewes were sold at figures from 42s. to CDs. 6d : 

 they made 35 lots, and produced in the aggregate about 

 £2,500. Chilver hogs, 951 in number, and 48 lots, met 

 with buyers at prices from 40s. 6d. to 50s. 6d. ; and the pro- 

 ceeds for this description of sheep amounted in the gross to 

 upwards of £1,600. A large number of chilver lambs, pur 

 hogs, four and six-tooth wethers, pur lambs, several rams 

 and stags, were sold at a later period of the day, and the 

 total amount of the sales could not have been less than 

 £10,000. 



THE MINSTER LOVELL RAM SALE,— The an- 

 nual sale of shearling rams from the flock of Mr. John 

 Gillett, of Minster Lovell, took place on Saturday week. 

 Having done justice to Mr. Gillett's hospitality, the com- 

 pany withdrew to the barn. The sheep were penned in an 

 adjoininjj close, and it was admitted on all hands that they 

 were quite equal, if not superior, to those of former years. 



They were big in size, perfect in symmetry, with fine heavy- 

 fleeces, and most of them could boast of the much desired 

 recommendations of grej' Icgg and faces. Mr. Cother com- 

 menced business by letting four rams for the season, two 

 two-shear and two three-shear sheep ; the former made 7 

 guineas and 7i guineas, and the latter 6^ guineas and 18 

 guineas. Mr. Stratton of Fulbroke, Mr. Smith of Shilton, 

 Mr. J. Taylor of Fulbroke, and Mr. J. Mace of Sherborne 

 were the hirers. The sale of the shearling rams (GO in 

 number) followed, and for many of these there was consi- 

 derable competition, some of them making as high as 50 

 guineas each, and others 28 guineas, 26 guineas, and 24 

 guineas. 



SALISBURY PRIZE SHEEP FAIR.-About 10,000 

 sheep were penned. There was a good attendance of buy- 

 ers, and the whole clianged hands at about the same prices 

 as were obtained at Stockbiidge on Tuesday. There was a 

 fair show of horses, which sold at late rates. The prizes 

 were awarded as under : 



A piece of plate of the value of £5, given by Lieut.-Gen. 

 Buckley, M.P., for the best 10 Hampshire Down Ram 

 Lambs— Mr. E. Oldin, of Ratfin Farm, Amesbury. 



A piece of plate of the value of £5, given by M. H. Marsh, 

 Esq., M.P., for the best 100 wether sheep— Mr. S. Strange, 

 of Hazelbury Brian. 



A piece of plate of the value of £5, given by Lord Harry 

 Thynne, M.P., for the best 100 breeding ewes, good on 

 tooth — Mr. Pile, of Woodford. 



A piece of plate of the value of £5, given by the Members 

 of the Town Council of Salisbury, for the best 100 wether 

 lambs — Mr. Shiftier, of Bishopstone. 



A piece of plate of the value of £3, given by the Members 

 of the Salisbury Town Council, for the second best 100 

 wether lambs — Mr. Brake, of Komsey. 



A piece of plate of the value of £5 (late Alderman Smith's 

 prize) to the largest penner — Mr. S. Strange. 



A piece of plate of the value of £5, given by the Right 

 Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P., Giles Loder, Esq., and other 

 subscribers, to the largest buyer — Mr. Stubbs, of West 

 Tisted. 



NORTHLEACH.— On Wednesday Mr. Hewer's annual 

 sale of 52 Cotswold rams took place as usual in a field adjoin- 

 ing the churchyard, under the able presidency of Mr. Wm. 

 Cother, auctioneer, and attracted a large company of sheep 

 breeders and the public generally. The sale was very spirited, 

 the rams realizing prices ranging from six-and-a-half guineas 

 to 62 guineas, the average price being £16 5s. lid. 



HOW CARROTS AFFECT HORSES.— The carrot is the 

 most esteemed of all roots for its feeding qualities. When 

 analyzed, it gives but little more solid matter than any other 

 root, 85 per cent, being water; but its influence in the 

 stomach upon the other articles of food is most favourable, 

 conducing to the moat perfect digestion and assimilation. 

 This result, long known to practical men, is explained by 

 chemists as resulting from the presence of a substance called 

 pectine, which operates to coagulate or gelatine vegetable solu- 

 tions, and favours this digestion in all cattle. Horses are 

 especially benefitted by the use of carrots. They should be 

 fed to them frequently with their other food. 



DRYING RHUBARB.— Rhubarb dries very well, and 

 when well prepared will keep good for an indefinite period. 

 The stalks should be broken off while they are crisp and 

 tender, and cut into pieces about an inch in length. These 

 pieces should then be strung on a thin twine and hung up to 

 dry. Rhubarb shrinks very much in drying, more so than any 

 plant I am acquainted with, and strongly resembles pieces of 

 soft wood. When wanted for use, it should be soaked in water 

 over night, and the next day simmered over a slow fire. None 

 of its properties appear to be lost in drying, and it is equally 

 as good in winter as any other dried fruit. Very few varieties 

 of rhubarb are suitable for drying, as most of them contain 

 too much woody fibre. The best variety of rhubarb, for any 

 purpose, is the Victoria, when grown in a suitable situation. 

 The Mammoth is worthless, owing to its fibrous nature, as 

 are ftlso some other kinds. 



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