THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



97 



been limited to oae, but the corauiittee entertain a decided 

 opinion tbat it might be beneficially extended ; and as Pro- 

 fessor John Wilson has expressed his concurrence and 

 readiness to co-operate, no difficulty is anticipated in effect- 

 ing this. As a strict adherence at the outset to these or 

 any other regulations which may be enacted would proba- 

 bly have the effect of excluding candidates for two years 

 from their promulgation, power should be given to the 

 council during that period to grant the diploma to parties 

 who should be found possessed of qualifications and acquire- 

 ments of a high order, and whose education has been 

 undoubtedly worthy of the honour sought for. The 



Council have further in the discharge of their duty, to re- 

 port the nomiuation of the following Board of "Examiners : 

 science and practice of agriculture, mechanics, and archi- 

 tecture of the farm, Professor John Wilson, John Finnie 

 (Swanston), Robert Russell (Kilwhiss), John Wilson 

 (Edington Mains) ; botany. Professor Balfour; chemistry. 

 Professor Thomas Anderson ; natural history, Professor 

 Allman; technology, Professor George Wibon ; veterinary 

 surgery, Professor Dick ; field engineering and surveying- 

 John Miller, of Leithen, C. E. ; bookkeeping and accounts, 

 Kenneth Mackenzie, accountant, and Peter M'Lagan, yr., 

 of Pumpherston." 



THE BABRAHAM RAM LETTING, 



The name of Mr. Jouas Webb in connection with the Ba- 

 brahara lains baa attained of late years, not only an English, 

 but also an European and Transatlantic reputation. The annual 

 letting of his rams by public competition is, therefore, an event 

 of considerable interest in the agricultural world ; for although 

 the example Mr. Webb has set has been followed by other 

 eminent and painstaking breeders, be still maintains an honour- 

 able pre-eminence. AVith the constantly increasing recognition 

 of the principle tbat the best stock must be obtained at almost 

 any cost, by those who wish to occupy a prominent position as 

 breeders, thera has also come an increased amount of competi- 

 tion among the proprietors of rams ; and aeveral gentlemen 

 who formerly hired animals from Mr. Webb, are now rivals 

 with him ia the market he may be said to have created. It is 

 honourable to be foiled with one's own weapons ; but it is more 

 ple,asant to retain one's superiority ; and acting on this prin- 

 ciple, Mr. Webb has not contented himself with his first 

 triumphs, but has constantly endeavoured to advance in the 

 path of improvement, and to maintain a respectable distance 

 between himself and all competitors. That he has succeeded 

 in doing so may be seen in the numerous and influential visi- 

 tors to the smiling plains of Cambridgeshire, the higher prices 

 he has obtaiued as compared with those realized several years 

 back, and the favourable verdict of public opinion and repute 

 which is generally accorded to him. 



But Mr. Webb's merits are too well known to need further 

 comment. Thursday, July 16, witnessed his thirty-first annual 

 gathering ; and the railway trains brought visitors from all the 

 adjoining counties, and also from more remote parts of the 

 country. Whittlesford is the nearest station to Babraham, 

 but is between two and three miles distant from it ; and the 

 conveyances which plied on the hot and dusty road were 

 eagtiiy besieged and rapidly filled. Mr. Webb's neighbours 

 also visited him ia considerable numbers ; and everyone was 

 received by him with the urbanity and hospitality which have 

 contributed cansiderably to the success of his meetings. 

 Luncheon over, the visitors strolled over the farm, and in- 

 spected some splendid shorthorns, one of which ia understood 

 to have been sold during the day for 150 guineas, Mr. Webb 

 having of hte devoted considerable attention to cattle as well 

 as sheep. The rams, the great attraction of Babraham, were 

 in the usual fields near the house. There were in the list ex- 

 posed on the ground, one fivejear-old, ten four-year-olds, six- 

 teen three-year-olds, fifty-three two-year-olds, and sixty year- 

 lings, or 140 in all. The following table supplies some 

 interesting particulars of each animal. It should be pre- 



mised that the numbers are those with which the sheep are 

 marked : 



Five-year olds. 



No. 2. Put up at 18 guineas; weight of wool, Slbs. 

 Four-year-olds. 



