378 On the ExJtibition of Live Stock at Chester. 



order. The prize mare belonging to Mr. Starkey, Chippen- 

 ham, was a good-looking chesnut, about 10 years old. 



Class IV. — Mares for breeding Hackneys : 5 entries. — This was 

 a moderate class, devoid of character, and containing compounds 

 of several breeds. 



Sheep. 



Early history. — The sheep is a native of most countries, but 

 has been most cultivated in Europe, and especially in Great 

 Britain. In each country they have taken their character from 

 the wants and tastes of the people, but when left to themselves 

 they represent every form of carcase and covering, fitting them 

 for the particular climate and country in which they exist. 



The indigenous breeds, such as the Dorset, Exmoor, Norfolk, 

 Yorkshire, Wiltshire, Welsh, Scotch, &c., all had horns. These 

 ancient breeds have now chiefly disappeared before the English 

 plough, and have been replaced by breeds more in accordance 

 with our improved agriculture, namely, the Leicester, South 

 Down, and Long-woolled, the Shropshire, Exmoor, Cheviot, &c. 



Leicesters. 



The establishment of this breed of sheep dates from the suc- 

 cessful career of the late Mr. Bakewell. The Leicester, as a 

 lowland sheep, is without a rival, and has improved, if not given 

 the principal value to the other long-woolled sheep. 



Mr. Sanday, Holmpierrepont, has kindly furnished me with 

 the original documents of the " Dishley Society," which have 

 been handed down to him through Messrs. Bakewell, Stubbins, 

 and Burgess, whom Mr. Sanday succeeded in the year 1847. 

 These documents are both curious and interesting. 



It appears that at the first meeting of those who were desirous 

 of supporting Mr. Bakewell in his design of establishing a 

 new breed of sheep at Dishley, the following resolutions were 

 passed : — 



"Eesolution Xo. 1. — We, whose names are underwritten, agree to pay into 

 the hands of Mr. Honeybourn (treasurer) the sum of 10 guineas each, in such 

 sums, at such times, and for sucli purposes, as shall hereafter be agi'eed upon 

 l)y the majority of the subscribers. — Wm. Walker, T. P. Stone, J. Bennet, 

 J. Manning, J. Robinson, N. Stubbins, N. Buckley, E. Bakewell, Y. White, 

 J. Breedon, and S. Knowles. 



" No. 2.— That Mr. Paget be President of the Society." 



Three Crowns, Leicester, 5th January, 1790 : — 



" Resolution No. 4. — That secresy be kept by all members respecting the 

 business of these meetings, except to absent members ; and that any member 

 quitting the Society keep secret, upon his honour, the transactions before he 

 left it. 



