370 Report on the Exhibition of Live Stock at Phjmonth. 



Of the Oxfordshire Downs, the Judges, Messrs. Horley and 

 Gough, say : — 



" The numbers arc comparatively small, but there are some very good speci- 

 mens of the breed, which possess qualit}' and aptitude to fatten, rendering them 

 most desirable for those flockmasters who make size and early maturity their 

 leading principle ; but, while they ]iossess great size and mutton-giving pro- 

 perties, they lack the imiformity which should be apparent in each distinctive 

 breed." 



Of Shropshlrcs the same Judges say : — 



" This is one of the largest and most imiwrtant classes in the Yard, the 

 number of entries being 



" Shearling rams 43 



" Aged ditto 19 



" Yearling ewes 10 



" This, upon reference, will be found to exceed the number of entries in 

 1864 by 7 ])ens. The breed is well represented by many of the sjiecimens 

 shown, which exhibit the best characteristics that have brought this breed into 

 notoriety. The character and type on the whole is good, but there are a few 

 exceptions, and breeders will best servo the interests of this class of slicep by 

 paying all the attention jxissiblc to uniformity, which is the attriliute most 

 calculated to assist their natural good qualities, and render them still more 

 attractive to flockmasters generally. The Class of Aged liams was particu- 

 larly good." 



There can be no doubt that in the last-named classes of sheep 

 there is some want of agreement as to type among different 

 breeders, and this want of uniformity appears to Ije the weak point 

 in Ijrceds, which, to an unprejudiced eye, apjicar most vakiable 

 as producers of both mutton and wool. 



When we go to the Southdown pens we are struck with their 

 uniformity, although there is some difference and improvement 

 as to size. Lord Walsingham, who, with the shepherd, seems 

 also to have inherited tlie mantle of Mr. Jonas Webb, is again 

 very successful amongst the rams in both classes. His sheep are 

 very handsome and big, and are shown in the perfection of con- 

 dition. Mr. Waters, ^Ir. Rigden, and Sir Thomas Lennard 

 exhibited good sheep, and the Judges, Messrs. Fookes and Turner, 

 considered all the classes to be well represented. The ewes 

 shown by the Duke of Richmond were perhaps the most beautiful 

 pen of sheep in the Show-yard. There was an air of refinement 

 and of purity of breed about them unsurpassed by any other ani- 

 mals, unless, perhaps, by some of the females in the Devon 

 Classes. 



The same Judges took the Hampshire Down Classes, and 

 report on them : — 



" A very decided improvement, ]\Ir. Eawlence taking the first and third 

 prizes, with sheep of wonderful size and quality, and good wool ; IMr. Arnold 

 taking the second prize. Amongst the Aged I'ams, Mr. Eawlence again takes 

 the fust prize with a very good sheep of the true character of the Hampshire 

 breed ; while the Shearling Ewes were well lepresentcd by some pens of extra- 



