412 SHORTHORN HERDS OP ENGLAND. 



thin, ribs good, and quarters lengthy without losing weight in the 

 thigh. If we may judge by the owner's last selection of a sire, we 

 would say that he has previously used good animals, as the character 

 of the male is sure to show itself in the progeny. The calves, j callings 

 and two year olds are well grown although not pampered and 

 have the appearance of good breeding, with strong constitutions. 

 The forty cows in milk are of a sufficiently good stamp riot only to 

 breed and rear the pedigree young bulls, but to allow a liberal supply 

 of milk to be sent to Liverpool each day. 



Oswestry is the next halting place, after leaving Ellesmere by 

 the Cambrian line, but the following morning, in order to reach 

 Hanley Hall, we have to take the train to a small roadside station, 

 where Mr. J. Humphreys awaits us, and driving from farm to farm, 

 we are shown a number of excellent cattle. At the first visited are 

 found five capital young bulls, including a nice yearling, purchased 

 for home use. Mr. Humphreys has been enlisted in the shorthorn 

 interest since 1870, when he bought Woodbine, Norma Maid, 

 Elegance and White Witch at Mr. Provost's sale near Ellesmere, and 

 six years later, Norinidia, of the old Strickland blood, cost 63gs. at 

 Mr. O. Viveash's sale. There are several animals descended from 

 Lord Hill's stock of a useful sort, but the best family are the 

 Duchesses, tracing to Circassia by Sir Watkin 2nd 10834, the 

 original purchase being bought from Messrs. Perry, of Acton Pigott. 

 Devonshire Duchess is a rare sort, and Daisy Duchess 3rd has bred 

 a pair of pretty twins. Numidias Fifth, Sixth and Seventh, are all 

 good representatives of their tribe. It is Mr. Humphreys' practice 

 to breed about twenty-five calves every year, and sell the bulls in 

 Oswestry market, at the annual sale, where the highest average is 

 generally attained by the Hanley Hall youngsters, there are eight 

 in course of preparation for the next spring sale and we have not 

 had the pleasure of seeing such a grand well shaped coloury lot for 

 a long time, Sealskin 52122, their sire, a deep red of great depth 

 and length and very impressive, was bred by Mr. Warriner, of 

 Bloxain Grove. All his stock are either reds or roans, and the 

 calves, yearlings and two year olds are of similar character to him- 

 self, being of immense size. 



