THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



109 



GENERAL CENTRAL UNION SHOW AT STIRLING. 



On Fridaj% July 2nd, the first show of this recently- 

 formed as3oci;itiou came off at Stirling. The North British 

 Agriculturist gives the following notice of the Show : — 



Shorthorns. — The exhibition of this valuable breed, 

 consisting of about 40 animals, did not come up to expecta- 

 tion. The absence of animals from the herds at Keir and 

 Buchanan House, rendered this interesting feature of a 

 general agricultural exhibition less prominent and less in- 

 structive to the numerous body of agriculturists of the sur- 

 rounding districts, almost the whole of whom regard the 

 Ayrshire as entitled to be classed as the premier breed. The 

 Keir herd, we learn, has most unfortunately been labouring 

 under pleura, and although many of the animals were quite 

 free from the disease, it was deemed proper not to exhibit. 

 The smaller herd at Buchanan, which we lately inspected, 

 and which is free from disease, could have furnished some 

 competitors for the prizes. Why they were not shown at 

 an exhibition of a Society under the direct patronage of the 

 Duke of Montrose, we did not learn. In the class of aged 

 bulls, the first prize animal, bred by Mr. Stirling of Keir, 

 is very handsome and of great depth and substance. This 

 bull may be expected to take a prominent position at one 

 or more of the national shows. The third prize bull of the 

 same class is also a fair specimen of the shorthorn. Why 

 the second prize bull was placed, it is difficult to explain — 

 perhaps the fact of being the prize bull at the recent show in 

 Glasgow may partly account for it. In the class for cows, 

 it is questionable if the best was placed first. The first 

 prize year'ing was not in our opioion a very superior animal 

 — with a high rump the figure will become less square as 

 she advances in years. 



Ayrshire Stock:— The Ayrshire bulls were not gene- 

 rally good, with the exception of the first prize bull in the 

 aged class. In the classes for cows several superior animals 

 were shown and competed successfully. In the classes for 

 heifei'3 the competition was less spirited, but some good 

 animals were exhibited. 



The Highland cattle presented anything but favourable 

 specimens of the breed. It may be presumed that the 

 prizes were awarded on the ground that as it was the first 

 exhibition it might appear invidious to withhold premiums 

 from a breed. 



The show of fat cattle was extensive for the season of 

 the year, several fine specimens competing. The first prize 

 crosses, shorthorn-Angus, bred by Hugh Watson, Esq., 

 Keillor, and fed by J. Haig, Cameron House,. reflected cre- 

 dit on breeder and feeder. Several other good specimens 

 were shown, and in a state of obesity certainly not suitable 

 for the shambles during the dog days. 



The show of horses formed the principal feature of the 

 exhibition. The brood mares were generally of large sizes, 

 well spread, and indicating great power for harness. More 

 than one mare showed injuries, to which, however, the 

 judges appeared not to attach much importance. The entire 

 colts were a fair collection. The first prize colt was a most 

 perfect specimen of the Clydesdale. The fillies and gelding 

 colts were also good. The premium offered for the best pair 

 of horses brought forward several of the best animals in 

 Glasgow. The size and general condition of these animals 

 appeared to astoni^ most of the visitors. Such horses 



with the superb harness are a sight only to be seen in Glas- 

 gow. 



The Leicester sheep were not well represented in the 

 classes for tups, particularly the class for shearlings. The 

 classes for ewes and gimmers were fair specimens of this va« 

 luable breed. The competition in the gimmer class was 

 close, the whole shown being good sheep. 



The blackfaced sheep sustained the rapidly improving 

 character of this mountain breed. The competition in the 

 class for tups was not very spirited ; that for ewes was 

 closer. 



The competition in the premium for pigs was not close, 

 but those obtaining prizes were superior. One boar and 

 sow, with pigs of the Neapolitan breeJ, were shown, but 

 were not favourable specimens. It is certainly questionable 

 practice that in a district where the dairy forms a prominent 

 part of the husbandry, that more attention is not bestowed 

 on the breeding and feeding of pigs. In the dairy districts 

 in England the proceeds of the piggery form a very impor- 

 tant item. 



LIST OF PRIZES. 

 JUDGES. 



For Shorthorns, Crosses, and Fat or Feeding Stock, Lei- 

 cester Sheep and Swine — Anthony Cruickshanks, Aber- 

 deen ; Robert Hardie, Harrietfield, Kelso ; Geor.ie Hope, 

 Fenton Barns •, assisted by Mr. Stevenson, of the Nort/l 

 British Agriculturist ; William Henderson, Craigarnhall, 

 director. 



For Ayrshire Cattle and Horses — William Forrest, of 

 Treesbank, AUanton, by Hamilton; Hugh Kirkwood, Kil- 

 lermont: Mr. Murdoch, Hilton, Bishopbnggs ; John S. 

 Jack, Carrat, Ochtertyre ; James Gow, Bankend ; and 

 William Macadam, Kepculloch, directors. 



For West Highland Cattle and Blackfaced Sheep— John 

 Macfarlane, Faslane ; Peter Cowan, Townhead, Fintry ; 

 Donald M'lntyre, Tynablair Comrie; William Kaj', Little 

 Kerse, director. 



For Implements — David Ballingall, Blairdrummond ; 

 William Forrester, Stewarthall ; Ebenezer Alexander, lay- 

 lorton ; Michael Carmichael, Raplech ; James Turnbull, 

 director. 



The following is the result of the competition :— 



CATTLE. 



SHORTHORNS. 



Two-year-old Bulls and upwards — First, John Stirling, 

 of Kippeodavie, " Militiaman," calved March, 1856; se- 

 cond, William Walker, yr. of Wholeflats, "Sir Colin 

 Campbell," calved January 6, 1856. 



One-year-old Bulls— First, C. .1. Tenant, Ballikinrain, 

 "General Havelock ;" second, William Thomson, Bow- 

 house, Alloa. 



Cow calved or in calf— First, William Thomson, Bow- 

 house, Alloa; second, Stev/art Turnbull, Bonhill. 



Two-year old Queys — First and second, Stewart Turn- 

 bull, Bonhill. 



One-yeai--old Quey — First, Stewart Turnbull, Bonhill, 

 "Orphan," calved January 6, 1857; second, A. and A. 

 Mitchell, Alloa, "Melrose," calved February 25, 1857. 



AYRSHIRE BREED. 



Bulls, three years old and upwards— First, William 

 M'Adam, Kepculloch ; second, James Forrester, Kepdar- 

 roch; third, Duncan Keir, Buchlyvie. 



Two-year-old Bulls— First, James Frew, Ballmalloch ; 

 second and third, Thos. Stark, Keir Hill, Campsie. 



One-year-old Bulls— First, Jas. Forrester, Kepdarroch; 



