232 WESTMORLAND AGRICULTURE. 1800— 1900 



body, holding its exhibitions at Ambleside, Hawkshead, Bowness, 

 Birthwaite, and Staveley. In the show at Ambleside the cattle 

 classes included Shorthorns, Galloways, and Highland Scots, and there 

 were also six poultry classes. In 1857 the Society started a ploughing 

 competition at Staveley, which very quickly assumed large proportions, 

 and on March 6th, i860, so popular had this meeting become that over 

 2000 persons were present to witness the work, when six silver cups, 

 value ;^20, and money prizes were awarded. The teams competing 

 for the prizes included a team of oxen belonging to J. H. Wilson ; 

 both iron and wood ploughs were employed on this occasion. 



The show was held at Bowness in 1862, the sheep classes being 

 for Leicesters, Shropshires or Southdowns, Herdwicks, and Black- 

 faced ; in the following year there were five classes and a challenge 

 cup for Herdwicks. In 1864, at Hawkshead, there were seven classes 

 for Herdwicks, also classes for Leicester Herd wick and Shropshire 

 Herdwick cross, but there were no entries in the latter. 



After the show held at Bowness in 1865, there was a small balance 

 in hand, after paying all expenses, which was placed in the bank. There 

 was no show the following year owing to cattle disease, which appears 

 also to have killed the energy of the committee. In 1902 the funds 

 had accumulated to about £60, and the society was resuscitated. The 

 show was held in a field near Bowness Bay on the Parsonage Farm, where 

 it has been held annually since. Financially, the show has not been a 

 success, and just manages to exist. In 1909 the number of entries were : 

 Farm stock, 9 ; cattle (shorthorns), 70 ; sheep, 61 ; horses, 134 ; 

 butter, etc., 63 ; total, 337. The sheep classes included improved 

 White or Blue-faced, half-breds, Herdwicks, Scotch or Black-faced, 

 and Rough Fell. In 1911, £181 4s. was offered by the society in cash 

 prizes together with seven silver cups and three silver medals, given by 

 the Shire, Clydesdale and Hackney Societies ; a lady's bicycle and other 

 special prizes for competition in 74 classes. 



The Crosthwaite and Underharrow Agricultural Society held 

 its first show in 1859 — it was a strong competitor to its small neigh- 

 bour Crook, but being in a better agricultural district has managed to 

 pay its way for 50 years. 



At first the sheep classes were confined to sheep of the Improved 

 breed — a significant fact which indicates the better nature of the 



