HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



75 



ox fattened with grass and hay only in the short- 

 est time from the yoke." 



A committee of management of fifteen mem- 

 bers was appointed. 



1800. The pieces of plate offered this year 

 as prizes were divided between vegetable-fed 

 and cake and corn-fed cattle, under 150 stone 

 (2,100 Ibs.), and above 80 stone (1,200 Ibs.), 

 also above 150 stone (2,100 Ibs.), and varied 

 in value from 20 guineas ($100) down to 10 

 guineas ($50). The pieces of plate offered as 

 prizes for sheep were for wethers fed the same 

 as the cattle, and were of the value of 12 

 guineas ($60), and 8 guineas ($40). The 

 judges had to select the two best animals, each 

 class to remain for public exhibition. (U 63) 



The owners of prize animals were expected 

 to agree with the butchers that the "judges 

 have full power to inspect the killing, for the 

 purpose of ascertaining the weight of each ani- 

 mal, distinguishing the fore and hind quarters, 

 the tallow, hide, pelt, or offal, including blood, 

 etc., or by some other satisfactory mode, to as- 

 certain the comparative live and dead weights," 

 and, having ascertained such points, the judges 

 were then to decide which was to be placed the 

 first, and which the second best in each class, 

 and report accordingly. 



The exhibitors were requested also to furnish 

 an account of the "breed, age, time of fatten- 

 ing, sort of food, and the time the animals had 

 eaten cake or corn," etc. Early maturity in 

 sheep was to be particularly considered. 



The butchers having objected to the condi- 

 tions respecting the weights, and having de- 

 clared that they would -not buy the animals 

 under such an engagement, it was resolved that 

 this be not insisted on, but that the proprietors 

 and purchasers be requested to furnish such in- 

 formation to the judges as may enable them 

 and the public to decide as accurately as pos- 

 sible on the respective points of the prize beasts 

 and sheep. 



The judges were appointed by a committee, 

 and were to consist of three graziers and three 

 butchers, and the instructions to the judges 

 were, "to look to the quality of the meat, pro- 

 portion of valuable meat, proportion of meat 

 to offal, and time of feeding, and not to 

 consider certificates satisfactory unless ex- 

 plicit as to the mode of feeding for some time 

 back." 



The proprietors of the yard received the 

 money of the admission of the public, and paid 

 the society 60 guineas ($300). The proprie- 

 tors had also to furnish hay, straw, etc. 



THE COURT OF NOKE, PEMBRIDGE, HEREFORDSHIRE, SEAT OF J. TURNER. 



