Report on the Live Stock exhibited at Bedford. 619 



nice wool. Only one sheep — also belonging to Mr. Forster — came forward 

 in the Aged Class, but seldom or never has a better specimen of the breed been 

 seen, though he is perhaps a little deficient in neck. The females were a iwor 

 show, and, with the exception of Mr. Purves'sgood and nice- woolled prize pen, 

 call for little notice. The Third Prize would have occupied a better position, 

 had they not been seriously faulty in one of the chief characteristics of the 

 breed — their heads, which were bare, and the skin quite pink, almost red. 



We would strongly recommend that bare and pink heads, which in our 

 opinion indicate delicacy, should be avoided, and that sheep with lively, some- 

 what bold, " cleanly " cut white heads, and with the skin about the noses and 

 eyes, be adhered to as much as possible. 



Oxfordshire Downs, South Downs, Hampshiees, and 

 Short Wools. — Class 90. Oxford Down : Shearling Rams. — 

 41 entries. The First and Third Prizes awarded to the Duke 

 of Marlborough ; the Second to Mr. A. F. M. Druce. The 

 Reserve Number, belonging to Mr. G. Wallis, was highly com- 

 mended. 



Class 91. Aged Rams. — 11 entries. The First and Second 

 Prizes were awarded to Mr. G. Treadwell ; the Third to Mr. 

 A. F. M. Druce. The Reserve Number, belonging to Mr. C. 

 Howard, was highly commended. 



Class 92. Pen of 5 Shearling Ewes of same Flock. — 11 entries, 

 1 absent. The First Prize was awarded to INIr. A. F. M. Druce ; 

 the Second to the Duke of Marlborough ; the Third to Mr. G. 

 Wallis. The Reserve Number, belonging to Mr. C. Howard, 

 was highly commended. 



Class 93. South Down Sltearling Rams. — 35 entries, 11 

 absent. The First Prize was awarded to Mr. William Rigden ; 

 the Second and Third to Lord Walsingham. The Reserve 

 Number, belonging to Messrs. J. & A. Heasman, was highly 

 commended. 



Class 94. Aged Rams. — 11 entries, 2 absent. First Prize 

 awarded to Lord Walsingham ; Second to Mr. William Rigden ; 

 Third to Sir W. Throckmorton, The Reserve Number, belong- 

 ing to H.R.H, the Prince of Wales, was highly commended. 



Class 95. Pen of 5 Shearling Ewes of same Flock. — 7 entries, 

 1 absent. The First Prize was awarded to Lord Walsingham ; 

 the Second to Sir William Throckmorton ; the Third to Mr. 

 J. J. Colman. The Reserve Number, belonging to Lord Wal- 

 singham, was highly commended. 



Subjoined is the Report of the Judges of the above Classes, 

 also of the Short Wool Classes, Nos. 99, 100, 101, 106, 107, 

 108, 109. 



The show of Oxford Downs were, as regards numbers and quality, of very 

 superior character. In the Shearling Class, the prize animals were well 

 supported by many others. The old class constituted a very tine lot of sheep. 

 The first and second prizes were of immense size, but may be considered to 

 he too fat for service. The third prize was a nice, firm-fleshed, good animal ; 



