204 ECHOES OF OLD COUNTY LIFE. 



at the Farmers' Club on the " Influence of the Male 

 Animal in externals in breeding." A Mr. Isaac Watts, 

 who resided near Devizes, had a desire to produce a breed 

 of sheep with four horns ; the Dorsets having only two 

 large curling horns on the head. Whilst he was in South 

 America he had seen some four-horned mountain sheep, 

 and succeeded in bringing to England a four-horned 

 ram. His first cross with his Dorset flock produced all 

 four-horned sheep, and he succeeded in establishing the 

 type. These sheep were fins specimens, and the head 

 of the original imported four-horned ram was stuffed and 

 preserved, and exhibited in the pen over the progeny. 



Nearly every day his Royal Highness the Prince of 

 Wales came to look at the live-stock department, and 

 took the keenest interest in its arrangements. He 

 thoroughly identified himself with the well-being of the 

 undertaking, and to his advice not a little of its success 

 was due. The final decision of the premier prize given 

 for the best group or collection of cattle exhibited was 

 anxiously awaited. After a keen competition the prize 

 was finally adjudicated to Mr. M'Combie's beautiful 

 Polled Angus, her Majesty and the Marquis of Exeter 

 with their shorthorns coming next. 1 was content with 

 only an "honourable mention" for my heifer " Graffin 

 Foggathorpe," but I was compensated by winning the 

 gold medal for the best collection of poultry. 



I recollect a curious incident which took place at the 

 close of the show. Sir Philip Owen came to me one 

 day and said some people had been to ask if he could 

 arrange for the letting of Mr. James Duncan's fine 

 Highland bull for six months. I was much surprised 



