214 THE DAILY LIFE OF OUR FARM. 



ewe lambs, and from a Cotswold too, which is wonderful, 

 we consider. Of the four that were born of one mother, 

 only two survive. We have only lost one ewe as yet. 



It is good to see that there is an annual show and 

 sale of yearling Shorthorn bulls projected at Bingley 

 Hall. I am quite sure, however, that it w^ould be 

 much better if it were not for, what I consider, the 

 unreasonable condition that every animal must be put 

 up at 20 guineas without reserve. They call it a 

 parallel case to putting a ram up at 5 guineas. At 

 30 guineas it might be, but not 20. One of the most 

 celebrated breeders endorses my opinion in a letter 

 received this morning. He says : " I quite agree with 

 you about the Birmingham prize list, and cannot see 

 how anyone would like to risk a good animal there, 

 much as the £50 prize deserves a good one." I cannot 

 lay hands on my Dublin show regulations, but I scarcely 

 think that they can have the same rule ; they may, but 

 I doubt it. The show is at least a good move. I hope 

 heartily that it will answer, but for myself I shall prefer 

 to run my risk as a buyer rather than as a breeder 

 under existing circumstances. 



The subject of dentition again ! not in this instance 

 porcine, nor involving an indignant protest from in- 

 sulted exhibitors, and a universal condemnation of 

 professional pretention, but a matter more immediately 

 concerning the human species. I was yesterday just 

 half-way into a post-prandial nap (we had dined early 

 as it was a special half holiday, and the chicks were to 

 have a drive), when the rustling garment of a little 

 maiden disturbed me, notwithstanding that her coy 

 diffidence caused a stealthy approach. After some 

 general remarks, by which obviously like a parent 



