THE FAHMER'S MAGAZINE. 



SEPTEMBER, 1857. 



PLATE I. 



A DEVON ox, 



EXHIBITED BY MR. W. HEATH, AT THE SMITHFIELD CLUB FAT CATTLE SHOW, 



DECEMBER, 1856. 



It is long since the Devons have had such a turn as they enjoyed at the last Smithfield Club Show. 

 This ox appeared as the especial champion of his order, and in that character took the first prize of 

 25 sovs, as the best Devon steer or ox above three years old, and the gold medal as " The best steer 

 or ox in any of the classes." He was fed and shown by a gentleman well known for his successes in 

 this way — Mr. William Heath, of Ludham Hall, Norwich; but was bred by Mr. John Passmore, of 

 Bishop's Nympton, South Molton, who in due course also received a silver medal as the breeder of the 

 best ox. To complete this brief history, we may add that the ox was purchased in the show-yard by 

 Messrs. C. and G. Davies, of the Black Bull, New Cattle Market. Our own Commissioner speaks of 

 him as " a very complete, well-formed animal ; his breast-end not sufficiently prominent, his twist good, 

 but hips too near," 



PLATE II. 



FRANCESCO; A Mexican Pony. 



ENGRAVED BY E. HACKER FROM A PAINTING BY E. CORBET. 



This beautiful pony was one of the " lions" of the late great agricultural meeting at Salisbury. 

 In his way, he was generally pronounced to be one of the most perfect animals on the ground. Unfortu- 

 nately, however, there was no distinct class for ponies, and so Francesco had to enter amongst the hack 

 stallions. This was certainly as curious a lot as we ever saw brought together ; beginning with our 

 small friend, and running up through Arabians and race-horses to great heavy machiners. Although 

 not even " commended," as he well might have been, Francesco was undoubtedly the most popular of 

 his "set." Long-headed, keen judges at once pronounced him " a neat-'un;" lads from school were 

 for buying him outright, there and then ; and ladies begged for places to look at " the pretty creature." 

 Mr. Bullock Webster, too, made a capital showman, and we are quite sure we are only " embodying 

 the feeling of the meeting" in proposing a vote of thanks to him for his support on this occasion. 



Francesco is a beautiful dark brown, now some eight or nine years old. As will be gathered from 

 the title to the print, he was presented a few years since by Her Majesty to Mr. Webster. This gentle- 

 man, however, has been unable to obtain for us any particulars of Francesco's previous history. He 

 has now been for some time at Gnoll Castle, in South Wales ; where the portrait, which makes him far 

 better looking than the print, was taken by Mr. Corbet, As a cross for the Welsh pony it would 

 be almost impossible to find anything better ; and as Mr, Webster is careful to pick him good mares, 

 we expect to see some produce that may hereafter show to equal credit with their sire. His entry at 

 Salisbury, it is by no means impossible, may lead to the establishment of a class for ponies at future 

 meetings of the Society. The subject was mooted during the week, and Francesco cited, as we give him 

 here, in becoming illustration, 

 OLD SERIES.] O [[VOL. XLVIL— No. 3. 



