On the Exhibition of Live Stock at Chester. 383 



the reserved number, next best. This class was less important 

 than in some former years. 



Class III. — Sliearlin/j Ewes : 14 entries. — Singular to relate, 

 here again the names of Mr. Rigden and the Duke of Richmond 

 were placed as in the two former classes. The Duke of Marl- 

 borough's pen. No. 504, was highly commended. There were 

 some beautiful shearling ewes in this class, which have rarely if 

 ever been surpassed. 



The general exhibition of Southdowns at Chester was meagre 

 in comparison with some former shows. The entriiis were 402 

 at Salisbury and 302 at Chester. 



LOXG-WOOLLED ShEEP. 



This class embraces the Lincolns and Cotswolds, together with 

 other breeds of similar cast and character. The long-wools 

 of the eastern and marshy districts of England were among the 

 earliest strong-natured sheep of our island : their coarse bone and 

 flesh and strong staple of wool, collectively made them a hardy 

 and valuable race for the endurance of a wet and wintry life 

 upon their native plains. 



The old Teeswater and Romney Marsh sheep were much of 

 the same family, separated only by distance and management. 

 These respective breeds have been since remodelled — and with 

 this the Leicester sheep has had much to do. 



Amongst the earliest attempts to remodel the old long-woolled 

 Lincoln breed was the formation of a Society at Lincoln in 

 July, 1796. 



At this Meeting, presided over by Mr. Marfleet, 10 leading 

 breeders agreed *' That such a society was necessary for the im- 

 provement of the breed and for the benefit of the public." There 

 were still some members of the " old school " left to perpetuate 

 the "old sort" of real long-wools, among whom the late Mr. 

 Israel Brice of Riseby and the late Mr. Paul Walesbury were 

 conspicuous. 



The introduction of the " Dishley breed " among these ex- 

 tremely coarse animals quickly told upon the old flocks, and in 

 fact created a new middle-class animal. It is to this admixture 

 that Lincolnshire is so much indebted for the splendid " lamb- 

 liogs," of which full 60,000 are not unfrequently seen at Lincoln 

 April fair. The principal hog-breeders are Messrs. Battersby, 

 Howard, Slaters, Dudding, Pell, Reyworth, Mawer, Clarkes, kc. 

 I have known 14 months-old lamb-hogs slaughtered at Lincoln 

 fair, 30 together, averaging 35 lbs, per quarter ; and I have known 

 100 together clip 14 lbs. each of washed avooI. 



The leading ram-breeders of the present day are the Messrs. 



