CHAPTER XXII 



Some Show Yard Incidents The Lord and the Muck Cart Horse 

 Shoeing Liveried Splendour A Watchful Goose A Missing 

 Picture. 



A GOOD deal of criticism has from time to 

 time been devoted to the subject of 

 show expenditure, but it must be borne 

 in mind that the standard of living has everywhere 

 gone up, and the fact that few of us are content 

 to live as our fathers did before us is as applicable 

 to societies as to individuals. Then, again, there 

 has been in recent times a considerable rise in 

 the cost of many indispensable things, including 

 labour, so that you cannot build your show yard 

 as cheaply as you used to do, whilst, at the same 

 time, we have become more exacting and precise 

 in matters of detail. For instance, when I was 

 first connected with shows, a show yard was 

 regarded as a naturally untidy spot, and any 

 attempt to clear up its ordinary litter was con- 

 sidered an unnecessary piece of work. Now it 

 is a matter of pride with every steward that each 

 day, before the entry of the public, his depart- 

 ment shall be as clear of straw, paper, and general 

 rubbish as a croquet lawn. This means a daily 

 expenditure for horses, carts, and men far beyond 

 that formerly incurred. The show buildings, 



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