162 NOTES ON FIELDS AND CATTLE. 



mysteries of "handling:" that is, to judge by the 

 touch an aptitude to fatten, or otherwise. Get aware 

 of the changes which skilful trimming can ring in the 

 appearance of a sheep. It will amuse you to watch 

 the matutinal scientific oiling of the negro pig, and 

 the grateful shower-bath they give his smoking skin 

 through the common-place medium of a garden water- 

 ing-can. It is requisite you should learn what value 

 attaches even to a crease in the hide, when competition 

 runs high between a porcine pair ; and to the solitary 

 extra inch of girth that decides between the claims 

 of the rival Devon heifers. 



Be stirring early ; you will have the show-yard 

 pretty much to yourself then. The active exhibitors 

 you may probably find there. Many a hint you may 

 get on feeding, by watching the servants in atten- 

 dance on the stock. It is a grand sight, moreover, 

 to see the procession of horses enter — of every shape 

 and size and colour — from the magnificent, immense, 

 dray Champion to the clever Welsh pony, with its 

 hunter points, its square action, and its indomitable 

 spirit. It will be worth your while, further, to take 

 home the slightest lock from the coat of the different 

 prize sheep in the various classes, to be examined at 

 leisure with a microscope, and preserved, as they 

 will occupy no room, and may serve to keep up the 

 measure of your acquirements on the important sub- 

 ject of wool. 



At this early hour of the day you will see the 

 animals themselves in their freshness, while you are 

 spared during the cool morning the unpleasant 

 odours that repel at the crowded noon, more espe- 



