THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



69 



breeds of the country have not deteriorated, and that 

 we have, consequently, good and pure blood 

 to fall back upon for future supplies. And 

 here we may remark that we have seldom 

 witnessed so even a mixture of each kind of 

 stock as on the present occasion ; in point of fact, it 

 was one of the best shows ever witnessed, not only for 

 the butcher, but the consumers. We may, perhaps, 

 take the Scots as a leading breed, viewed as regards 

 their peculiar merits. In them, we found points of the 

 highest value, and not a few of them were of enormous 

 weight, without indicating other than good symmetry. 

 This particular breed arrived in full average number, not 

 only from Scotland, and even its most northern parts, 

 but, likewise, from Norfolk and some other counties. 

 The crosses may, we think, be next alluded to as stock 

 of a first-class character. These animals were, so to 

 speak, " all roast beef" : they were of enormous weight, 

 and of undoubtedly good symmetry. In reference to 

 the Shorthorns, it may be observed that there were 

 fewer out-of-size animals amongst them than has been 

 noticed in some former years ; and, in our judgment, 

 they were far more suitable for general consumption. 

 We do not assume for a moment that this most valuable 

 breed has deteriorated ; on the contrary, our impression 

 is that moderately-fat animals pay the grazier much 

 better than those thirty or forty stones over what may 

 be termed a moderate weight. We now come to the 

 Devons. The changes in this breed are important 

 ones, since not an inferior bullock was on show : there 

 was very little difference in their respective weights, 

 and, consequently, they produced high quotations. The 

 Herefords may be classed next. Amongst them were 

 animals of great merit, with noble frames, and of first- 

 class quality. It may be stated, however, that the ac- 

 tual number shown was not equal either to 1858 or 

 1857. The Sussex breeds next command attention. 

 For the most part they were extremely good, but their 

 ages — some of them being 7 years old — were against an 

 active trade ; nevertheless, the number increased in a 

 comparative sense, and the quotations realized were fully 

 up to 4s. 8d. to 4s. lOd. per 81bs. There were some 

 remarkably prime Welsh runts on offer, and there were 

 large numbers of Steers, Heifers, and Oxen from va- 

 rious localities — and mostly mixed — which added greatly 

 to the interest of the show. From Ireland some re- 

 markably good beasts came to hand, and produced high 

 quotations. If the Irish graziers can readily produce 

 stock of the description exhibited here to-day, surely 

 they might make an effort to improve their position in 

 the Smithfield Club. This year the show of Irish beasts 

 in the yard was a poor affair indeed. 



The following return shows the number of Beasts 

 exhibited, and the prices obtained for them, on the 

 great days in the last eighteen years : — 



YEAR. BEASTS SHOWN. PRICES. 



1841 4,509 3s. 8d.to5s.0d. 



1842 4,541 3 4 ,,4 8 



1843 4,510 2 8 ,,4 4 



1844 5,713 4 „4 6 



1845 5,326 3 6 „4 8 



1846 5,470 4 „ 5 8 



1847 4,282 3 4 „4 8 



1848 5,942 3 4 „ 4 8 



1849 5,765 3 4 „4 6 



1850 6,341 3 „ 3 10 



1851 6,103 2 8 „ 4 2 



1852 6,271 2 8 „4 



1853 7,037 3 2 „ 4 10 



1854 6,181 3 6 „5 4 



1855 7,000 3 8 ,,4 2 



1856 6,748 3 4 „5 



1857 6,856 3 4 ,, 4 8 



1858 ...... 6,424 



3 4 



5 



The total imports of foreign stock into London last 

 week amounted to 4,311 head. In the corresponding 

 week in 1858, we received 4,322 ; in 1857, 1,773 ; in 

 1856, 1,622; in 1855,4,752; in 1854,3,999; and in 

 1853, 6,316 head. 



IMPORTS INTO LONDON LAST WEEK. 

 FaOM WHENCE. BEASTS. SHEEP. LAMBS. CALVES. PIGB 



Rotterdam 460 1398 — 293 — 



Harlingen .... 90 1221 — — — . 



Hambro' 49 522 _ _ _ 



Dort 25 45 — — — 



Tonning 59 121 _ _ _ 



Bremen 2 — — — — 



Antwerp — — — 26 — 



Total.... 685 3307 — 319 — 



The yearly comparison o f weekly i mports is aa follows : 



BEASTS. SUEEP. LAMBS. CALVES. PIGS. 



1858.... 310 3781 — 229 3 



1857.... 259 1361 — 156 — 



1856.... 499 919 — 204 — 



1855.... 859 3555 — 238 — 



1854.... 1139 2593 — 269 7 



1853..,. 1130 4698 — 462 20 



Mr. Robert Morgan had on sale a large number of 

 remarkably fine Beasts from Aberdeenshire, fed by 

 Messrs. Kidd, Cooper, Stodart, and Mitchell ; also 

 some first-rate animals belonging to Mr. Ploughright, 

 Mr. John AUday, Solehill, and Mr. J. Towers, of Lud- 

 low. There was on Mr. Morgan's stand a very fine 

 collection sent by Mr. Robert Leeds, of Lexham, Nor- 

 folk, Mr. Freeman, near Lynn, Mr. Gilliot, and Mr. 

 Kendal. 



Mr. Maidwell had 32 Scots of very fine quality, for- 

 warded by Mr. M'Combie, of Tillefour. Mr. Lamb 

 exhibited 44 wonderful Scots from Norfolk, and Mr. 

 Senior, of Broughton House, near Aylesbury, had, as 

 usual, some remarkably fine animals. Mr. George 

 Dickson had a large collection of prime animals for- 

 warded from Scotland, the property of Messrs. Knowles, 

 Martin, Thompson, Kidd, Bruce, Stodart, Longmore, 

 Tait, Wishart, Frost, and other graziers of Aberdeen 

 and Banffshire. Mr. Collins showed some prime Beasts, 

 belonging to Mr. Overman and Mr. J. B. Ellis, and Mr. 

 Hall, of Norfolk, likewise some good Devons and runts 

 from Buckinghamshire. Mr. Giblett had a fine show 

 of beasts sent by Mr. A. Mennie, Mr. Stewart, and Mr. 

 Martin, of Aberdeen. 



Amongst the Sheep we noticed some prime flocks : the 

 65 Gloucesters sent to Messrs. Weall by R. Rowland, 

 Esq., of Creslow; Mr, Ball, Mr. White, &c., of Oxon 

 and Berks. Messrs. Giblets and Gurrier had a good 

 collection. Mr. Mawer showed some fine Sheep fed by 

 M. Hanley, Esq., of Croft. Mr. Eland had a fine 

 show of heavy Sheep from Lincolnshire and other quar- 

 ters. The bulk of these were sent by M. Heanly, Esq., 

 of Croft, C. Smith, of Frampton, and others. Mr. 

 Thomas Dodds had a prime collection of animals from . 

 the flocks of Mr. Streatley, of Berks, Mr, King, of 

 North Stock, Mr, J, Franklin, of Oxon, &c, Mr. 

 Russell sold some fine foreign Sheep at over 70s. each. 

 State of the Trade. 



The total supply of Beasts was a very large one, and 

 its general quality was unusually prime. Owing to the 

 small number of country butchers in attendance, the 

 trade was far from active. However, the best Scots, 

 &c., sold.at 5s. 4d. per 81bs. ; but other breeds moved 

 off slowly at late rates. 



We were seasonably well supplied with Sheep. 

 Prime Downs and half-breds were firm, and rather 

 dearer, the extreme price being 5s. 6d. per 8lbs. Most 

 other breeds were a moderate inquiry, at late rates. 



Prime small Calves moved off steadily ; other kinds 

 of Veal slowly, at previous currencies. 



Pigs were a dull inquiry, but not cheaper. 



