66 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



90 to 110 stones aud larger breeds, because we must 

 bear in mind that every grazier cannot command suc- 

 cess in entering upon a system which may be new to 

 him. However, as we have remarked above, although 

 there were fewer really pure animals shown here to-ilay 

 compared with many corresponding periods, the 

 large feeders appear to have met with an amount of 

 success both gratifying and important j consequently 

 it will, no doubt, be followed by a further extension of 

 the system. 



Taking the supply of Beasts in the aggregate, we 

 ehould say that as great a weight of meat was brought 

 forward as in 1857 ; and we may further observe that 

 there was a peculiar evenness in the stock — a feature 

 of no ordinary importance to the breeders. This even- 

 ness shows that even extensive crossing has not had a 

 prfjudicial effect upon either the frame or the con- 

 dition of the Beasts, although we may admit that the 

 quantity of fat has increased. This perhaps, may, not be 

 the case with those grazed in some of the northern and 

 midland counties, owing to the universal dryness of the 

 past season, and the comparative scarcity of food. 

 Notwithstanding this scarcity, the Shorthorns came 

 to hand in prime condition, and their enormous 

 bulk certainly excited no littUi surprise. Next 

 in order wo may take the Hereford-^, the 

 owntrs of which have not, for the most part, had 

 to contend with an absolute scarcity of food. This 

 important breed, then, was, if anything, superior to last 

 season in every respect, although some of the Beasts had 

 evidently been crossed. Their age was a full average 

 one, and they shewed no signs of rapid or over-feeding. 

 We now come to the Devons. Smallness of bone and 

 medium weights were their leading features; as such, 

 they stood high in the estimation of those who cater for 

 the West-end, consequently rea'.ized high prices. The 

 show of Soots was a magnificent one, and not a few of 

 that splendid breed were as heavy as some of their more 

 stately neighbours. From Sussex, the arrivals were in 

 excess both of 185G and 1857, aud not a few of the 

 Oxen were seven and even eight years old. There were 

 very few Welsh runts on offer, aud this breed is evi Jtntly 

 falling off in number. A few of the Heifers from 

 Ireland were in good order ; but the supply in this 

 respect was not what may be termed a fiae one. As 

 might be expected, very few foreign Beasts were brought 

 forward, and their condition was very middling. A few 

 Longhorns and several mixed breeds were on sale, but 

 they afford no scope for comment. 



The following return shows the number of beasts ex- 

 hibited, and the prices obtained for them, on the great 

 days in the last eighteen years : 



Year. Beaats Showu. Prices. 



8. d. 8. d. 



1840 .... 3,528 4 4 to 5 8 



1841 .... 4.509 3 8 5 



1842 .... 4,541 3 4 4 8 



1843 .... 4,510 2 8 4 4 



1841 .... 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 .... 5,7H5 3 4 4 6 



1850 .... 6,341 SO 3 10 



1851 6,103 2 8 4 2 



1852 .... G.271 2 8 4 



1853 .... 7.037 3 2 4 10 



1854 .... C,1S1 3 6 5 4 



1855 7,000 3 8 4 2 



1856 .... 6,748 3 4 5 



1857 .... 6,856 3 4 4 8 



The total imports of foreign stock into London last 

 wesk amounted to 4,323 head. In the corresponding 



week in 1857 we received 1,773; in 1856, 1,622; in 

 1855, 4,752 ; in 1854, 3,999 ; in 1853, 6,316 ; and in 

 1852, 4,436 head. 



IMPORTS INTO LONDON LAST WEEK. 



I'KOII WHENCE. BEASTS. 



Rotterdam.... 163 



Ilambro' — 



Harliugen .... 91 

 Medemblik . . 56 

 Ostend — 



Total 



310 



SHBEP. 



1603 



63 



425 



1635 



50 



3781 



.MBS. CALVBS. PIGS 



— 208 — 



— 12 



— 3 



— 6 



2:9 



The yearlycompariaon of weekly imports is as follow a : 



STATE OF THE TRADE. 



The attendance of both town and country butchers 

 was very large, and, notwithstanding the unfavourable 

 chimge in the weather, therevrasa fa-r, but by no means 

 active, demand for all good and prime Beasts, at fu'ly 

 last Monday's currency. The general top figure for 

 Scots was 5s., but a few very superior animals realized 

 5s. 2d. per 81bs. ; inferior Beasts were a dull sale, but 

 not cheaper. 



Tlie supplies from Herefordshire, Devonshire, So- 

 mersetshire, and Warwickshire amounted to 2,3l'0 : 

 from Lineolnshire and other adjacent counties, 1,.500 ; 

 from Norfolk, 420 ; from other parts of England, 9")0; 

 from Scotland, 700 ; and from Ireland, 400 head. 



On the stand of Mr. Robert Morgan there was a re- 

 markably fine show of Beasts from various counties. 

 The stock from Scotland comprised some wonderful 

 animals, fed by Messrs. Peter Milne, Mitchell, Coo- 

 per, Tate, Kidd, and Stodart ; from Norfolk, Beasts 

 bred by Messrs. Robert Gillett, Leeds, Abbott, Feltow, 

 Freeman, and Hayne. From the midland counties the 

 supply was large, and it comprised stock forwarded by 

 Messrs. AUday, Hewson, and Bird. The Prince Con- 

 sort, also, sent some stock to Mr. Morgan's stand ; 

 likewise Mr. Joseph Ruddock, of Berwick-on-'i'weed. 



Mr. D. Maidwell o(Ter;d for sale 20 very fine Scots 

 belonging to Mr. i\Iac(!;ombie, of Tillyfour, N. B. ; some 

 prime animals, the property of Mr. J. Reed, of Aber- 

 deenshire, and of Mr, Sherriugham, of Sculthorpe, 

 Norfolk. 



Mr. Thomas Burrell showed 10 very fine Herefords 

 belonging to Lord Darnlcy, and 20 Sussex Oxen fed by 

 Mr. C. Burrell, of Walthamstow. 



Mr. Thomas Duckwood had 20 very prime Scots, the 

 property of Mr. G. Hay, of Aberdeen ; likewise, some 

 fine beasts forwarded by Mr. Heath, of Ludham Hall, 

 Norfolk. 



Mr. Giblett exhibited some very prime stock, the 

 property of Messrs. Stewart, Martin, Knowles, and 

 Mennie, of Aberdeen. 



Mr. Underwood had a fine collection of animals fed 

 by IMr. Curtis, of Landport, Northamptonshire. 



Messrs. Brooker and Son had 27 wonderful Sussex 

 Beasts, and various other prime lots from that county, 

 including some Oxen sent by General EUice. 



Mr. Lamb exhibited very prime Soots and short- 

 horns — the former being forwarded by Mr. Postell, 

 the latter by Mr. Waters, of Norfolk. Some of the 

 Cattle were of great weight. 



Jlr. Collin* exhibited prime stock belonging to Mr. 

 Whitworth and Mr. E. Groves, of Newport Pagnell; 

 W. Beardsly, Esq., of Leicestershire ; Mr. R, Thomas, 



