384 On the Exhibition of Live Stock at Chester. 



Clarkes, Kirkham, Casswell, Richardson, Chaplin, Gilliott, Torr, 

 Abraham, Lynn, &c. At the North and South Lincolnshire 

 Meeting at Grantham, 20th July, 1858, Mr. Charles Clarke, of 

 Scopwick, Lincoln, was an unrivalled winner of the Lincolnshire 

 sheep ram prizes. Mr. Clarke preferred exhibiting his rams for 

 local honours amongst his home customers to taking them to 

 the Chester Meeting ; but we had thus the benefit of his judg- 

 ment as one of the Judges of the long-woolled breeds. It is to 

 be regretted that the Lincolns do not enter into competition with 

 the Cotswolds. 



The Cotswolds are of ancient date, their original office having 

 been that of enduring the climate of the wild and then uncul- 

 tivated Cotswold hills. The}' have since been remodelled by 

 successive breeders, until they have now attained a very high 

 position amongst the " established breeds." They are chiefly 

 bred in the county of Gloucester and surrounding districts, and 

 are not unfrequently called " Gloucesters," but this name has 

 now become merged into the one title of Cotswolds. 



They are raised of enormous size and weight, proving their 

 possession of a good constitution and aptitude to fatten. As a 

 remodelled breed they are much indebted to the Leicester blood, 

 retaining, however, their original " Cotswold " characteristics of 

 size, fleece, and lean meat. The other original long-woolled 

 breeds, such as the Teeswater, Kent sheep, &c., have now 

 become nearly extinct by the repeated use of Leicester rams. 



The exhibition of long-woolled sheep at the Lincoln Meeting 

 was by far the largest we have yet had. This, in the land of the 

 long-woolled Lincolns, produced 1 92 animals, while at the Chester 

 Meeting the classes were confined to 136 Cotswolds. 



Class I. — Shearling Bams ; 44 entries ! which, numerous as 

 they may appear, were all from 12 breeders in the county of 

 Gloucester. — Collectively this was an imposing class. The 

 first and second prizes were awarded to Mr. William Lane, 

 Broadfield, Northleach. There were five other sheep noticed by 

 the Judges — 2 highly commended and 3 commended. 



Class II. — Ayed Rains : 17 entries ; shown by Gloucestershire 

 breeders. This was considered a good class, but by no means so 

 good as the young sheep. The first prize was awarded to Mr. 

 William Hewer, Northleach, for his 2 years-old sheep ; the 

 second to Mr. Game, near Northleach, for his 3 years-old sheep. 

 Tliree others were commended by the Judges. 



Class III. — Shearling Ewes: 15 entries. This was a remark- 

 able class, and said by the Cotswold and other breeders to 

 excel that of any former show, which augurs well for the 



