102 The Collie or Sheep Dog. 



manner. The country air is fresh and healthy on the hill- 

 sides, all the surroundings of the gathering are thoroughly 

 rural and invigorating, #nd the good humour and friendliness 

 of the owjiers ofothe ttiropetitors towards each other, appear 

 in mar^,e(J f cpn.tra^s,t .tOcthe jealousies so often present at 

 sppr\mg^eeitijngs Jot" other; J^mds. Then, too, the farmer 

 and shepherd enjoy the sociability; and the silver cup 

 or money prize, which may be offered by their landlord, is 

 always an object of attainment that takes higher rank almost 

 than the piece of plate won at the local agricultural show, 

 held in the autumn, for the best cow or horse, or the 

 most valued pen of sheep in the district. 



In these times of peculiar changes no stone should be 

 left unturned that is likely to sustain the good feeling 

 not always prevailing between landowner and tenant, 

 That which is good for the one is equally good for the 

 other, and in two or three localities with which I am 

 acquainted where such competitions as collie trials are 

 held, and in a great measure supported by the landed 

 interest, the friendliness and good understanding between 

 the two classes cannot be surpassed ; rents are paid 

 with promptitude, and agriculture flourishes amain. 

 Without going quite so far as to suggest such competitive 

 trials as a panacea for political unpleasantness and 

 agricultural depression, there is no doubt these meetings 

 and district agricultural societies bring the land occupier 

 and the land owner into touch with each other, provo- 

 cative of friendliness that can scarcely be secured by any 

 other means. 



Personally, I should delight to see almost every agricul- 

 tural county in England with its association of this kind. 

 Such would, in all likelihood, enhance the value of the 



