On the Exhibition of Live Stock at Chester. 399 



shire Downs that I quote his words : — "Classes III., IV., V., 

 Shropshire Downs. — This valuable breed of sheep, most credit- 

 able to the exhibitors, is destined at no distant period to take 

 possession of a large portion of the middling pastures of this 

 kingdom. With good shape, a fair quantity of wool, and suffi- 

 cient size of carcase, much inclined to fatten, and lay it on 

 the best points, they cannot fail to attract the notice of rent- 

 paying farmers over the kingdom ; and if not forced too far, so as 

 to weaken the constitution, it is predicted that they may become 

 a valuable substitute for the delicate Leicesters, which are fast 

 degenerating from over-forcing and close-breeding." 



Pigs. 



Class I. — Sows of a large breed with a litter of not less than 

 six Pigs : 18 entries ; 7 shown in this class, and 11 in the 

 Society's Class III. — The prize was awarded to a 2 years and 

 9 months-old blue and white sow, the property of Mr. Wright 

 of Minshull, Cheshire. 



Class II. — Sows of a small breed with six Pigs : 17 entries ; 5 

 shown in this class, and 12 in the Society's Class IV. — The 

 prize was awarded to Colonel Towneley's first prize sow, in 

 Society's Class IV, Mr. Hindston's second prize sow was 

 highly commended, and No. 1024 commended. 



There is a remarkable fact apparent in the preceding notes 

 upon our National Meeting, viz. : — 



That the country is much indebted to the talent of our early 

 breeders, who, in those days of slow enterprise and small en- 

 couragement, propagated from animals that appeared to possess 

 peculiar qualities worthy of cultivation. 



Thus, the short-horn tribes have come from the Messrs. Collings' 

 herd ; the best North Devons from the late Mr. Francis Quartly ; 

 the Leicesters from the late Mr. Bakewell's flock ; the South- 

 downs from the late Mr. Ellman. 



While it is interesting to notice these incidents, it is no less a 

 matter of encouragement to reflect upon the continued success of 

 the present breeders who possess the direct lines of blood from 

 these early families ; as an illustration, Mr. Booth's are the 

 nearest representatives of the Collings tribe of short-horns ; the 

 Messrs. Quartly, of their uncle Mr. F. Quartly's stock ; Mr. 

 Sanday, of the Dishley flock ; Mr. Webb, of the Glynde flock ; 

 and so on : all indicating the importance of the one grand 

 desideratum, purity of blood. 



By these continued national results it is clearly shown that 



