27 



EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES, 



FROM 1798 TO 1900. 



AT a meeting of agriculturalists, held December iyth, 1798 (being 

 Smithfield great market day), " The Smithfield Cattle and Sheep 

 Society " was founded by mutual consent. Present, Francis, Duke of 

 Bedford, in the chair, Mr. J. Wilkes, of Measham, the original proposer, 

 and 27 others, including Lord Somerville, John Bennet, the Earl of 

 Winchelsea, John Westcar, Richard Astley, John Ellman, Arthur 

 Young, etc. Subscription, IDS. 6d. each. 



Eight other names were added later in the day, including Sir 

 Joseph Banks. 



A Committee was appointed, who decided to offer premiums for the 

 best beast above a stated weight, and fed on grass, hay, turnips, or 

 cabbages ; also for the best beast fed on corn or oil cake ; for the best 

 sheep fed on hay, grass, turnips, or cabbages ; and for the best 

 sheep fed on corn or cake. 



Arthur Young, Esq., was requested to receive subscriptions. 



The first Committee, formed on December lyth, consisted of the 

 Duke of Bedford, Earl Winchelsea, Lord Somerville, and nine others. 



And at their first meeting Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., and ten others 

 were nominated in addition. 



1798 



The first show was held at Wootton's Livery Stables (the Dolphin 

 Yard), Smithfield. The three days' admission money to this show 

 amounted to 40 33. 



The first dinner of the subscribers took place at the Crown and 

 Anchor Tavern, on the Friday previous to the Christmas market. 



The following account is given of some of the animals : 



" The largest sheep were of the true old Gloucester breed, bred by 

 Mr. Haines and grazed by Mr. Poulton 6 feet 5^ inches girth, 27 

 inches across the back, 22 inches over the shoulders, and only 26 

 inches high," considered to be the first sheep that ever stood on 

 Smithfield stones. 



A Hereford bullock, fed by Mr. Grace, of Buckinghamshire, 7 feet 

 high, weighed upwards of 260 stone, and measured in girth 12 feet 

 4 inches. 



Mr. Westcar's first prize bullock, which sold for 100 guineas, was 

 8 feet ii inches long, 6 feet 7 inches high, and 10 feet 4 inches girth ; 

 weighed nearly 300 stone. 



1799 



