HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



79 



ceived from the Duke of Bedford, stating his 

 determination to withdraw from the club, and 

 to discontinue the Bedfordian prizes, and ex- 

 pressing his opinion that "the advantages which 

 on the first formation of the institution were 

 held out to the public have been amply realized 

 and that any further incentive to improve the 

 breeds of cattle, sheep, and swine is become 

 wholly useless. 



"The only object was to increase the animal 

 production of the kingdom and this object has 

 been fully attained. The markets of the me- 

 tropolis and throughout the kingdom are 

 abundantly supplied. The best and most profit- 

 able breeds of cattle and sheep have been 

 brought into notice, and have made rapid and 

 extraordinary progress in the estimation of the 

 breeder and grazier." 



It was, however, unanimously resolved by the 

 meeting of the members after considerable de- 

 liberation that "the club ought to continue and 

 receive the utmost support from its members." 



Sir John Sebright, Bart., was requested to 

 become president, but declined. 



Resolved, That in future an exhibitor be en- 

 titled to win in the same class two consecutive 

 years, provided he be both breeder and feeder. 



Lord Strathaven, a vice-president, died. 



1822. The judges declared this to be one of 

 the best shows they ever witnessed. The club 

 was without a president. 



1823. The Duchess of Rutland became a 

 member. 



Resolved, That in future the prizes.be in cash 

 or plate the same as previous to 1814. 



That in future the restrictions as to an ex- 

 hibitor not winning in the same class two con- 

 secutive years, unless he be both breeder and 

 feeder, be abolished. 



1824. Resolved, That in future there be two 

 classes of cows, viz., one for fattened dairy 

 cows, which have calved in their full time twice 

 at least, and have given fair proportion of milk. 

 The other class for cows or heifers (not spayed) 

 which may not be eligible for the above class. 



From the prize sheet for this year, it appears 

 that exhibitors sending two beasts for the same 

 class had to select which of the two should 

 compete for the prize. 



1825. Viscount Althorp (afterwards Earl 

 Spencer) was elected the president of the club. 

 There was a sweepstakes between three Here- 

 fords, belonging to the Duke of Bedford, and 

 three Durhams, belonging to the Rt. Hon. 

 Charles Arbuthnot, won by the Herefords. 



Resolved, That "no motion having for its 



DOWNTON CASTLE. 

 (Prom a photograph taken in 1902.) 



