SUPPLEMENT. 731 



I am hopeful of getting similar returns to the above of the cattle, sheep, and pigs at 

 the present year's show, especially those referring to the two beasts exhibited by the 

 Vicomte de Chezelles; which were fed on cusii 



To give any adequate idea of the Paris Exhibition, it is necessary to run through the 

 several classes, of which the first prizes were published in last week's Field, which rep- 

 resented the [live stock of France, from its great plains, river valleys, and mountain- 

 sides and table lands. 



In Class 1 of young bullocks, born since January 1, 1880, were twenty-six entries com- 

 peting for eight prizes, all of which were awarded, and a supplementary prize was added, 

 whilst two animals were honorably mentioned. Many famous breeders competed in 

 this class, of which nearly every entry had Shorthorn blood, the exceptions, being a Ni- 

 vernais, Basquais, Bazadais, Limousin, and Charolais-Nivernais animal, live in all out of 

 twentj'-six. Of the eight prizes, six were Shorthorn crosses, the sixth prize fall ing to a white 

 Nivernais, and the eighth prize to a Charolais. The first prize was to a Durham-Cha- 

 rolias, the second to a red and white pure Shorthorn. The weights of all were good, but 

 I should not consider any beast satisfactorily ripened. 



Class I, section 2, was for bullocks born since January 1, 1879, and the extra year 

 brought together thirty-six animals. Four to six years of age would appear most in 

 favor in France at present for exhibition, as two to four years are in England. On 

 this point, one should remember that the greatest proportion of oxen have two or more 

 years at the yoke as draught animals. 



Again, in this fine class Shorthorn crosses formed two- thirds of the total; but the 

 heaviest beast was a white Charolais, which weighed 1 ton and 44 Ibs. at forty-seven 

 months old. The first prize of the class was a Durham-Charolais, red and white, weigh- 

 ing 19 cwt. and 14 Ibs. , age forty- two months. It was M. Nadaud's prime exhibit, and 

 fought for the championship of the show against the Durham-Charolais of M. Signoret, 

 which, a year younger, weighed within 60 Ibs. of the older animal, and was judged by 

 points a neck ahead, and so carried off the prize of honor. Generally, the animals in 

 Class I woul dhave been a fine display in any country. 



Class II had the interest of being one of breed, and without distinction of age. There 

 were nineteen entries, all of the Charolaise and Nivernaise breeds. The ages ranged 

 from three years nine months to seven years, the majority being four or five years old. 

 In this class a white Nivernais turned the scale at 22 cwt. 3 qrs. 91 bs., the age being four 

 years six months and twenty days. It gained a supplementary prize. These breeds 

 are the chief working oxen of France, and until lately were not fattened until eight or nine 

 years of age. The meat of these animals after four years is mature, savory, and highly 

 nutritive. The first prize was taken by a white Nivernais, the youngest but one in the 

 class. 



Of these famous French breeds, the leading points are: They are handsome, good work- 

 ing oxen, and make first-rate butchers' meat; the coat is usually creamy white, with 

 abundant hair; they have white middle-sized horns, turned up towards the points; the 

 head is short and broad, the muzzle rose-colored, the eye is large, and the aspect gentle; 

 a regular cylindrical body is set on short strong legs, the neck carries but little dew- 

 lap, the back is straight, ending in a well-hung tail, and the rump is prominent and 

 deep. The race came originally from Saone*et-Loire, and is now the chief breed of the 

 central departments. The cross with Nivernaise an offshoot of the Charolaise forms 

 the best French beast for butchers. The cows are but poor milkers. 



Class II, section 2, comprised twenty entries of Limousine cattle, aged from three 

 years ten months to six years, most of them being four and a half years old. The color 

 was always yellow, from a fawn white to a red wheaten-dun. The weights were gener- 

 ally close to M. Parry's first-prize beast weighing 19 cwt. 16 Ibs. at three years ten 

 months. The whole class was a good one, and carried one supplementary prize and one 

 honorable mention. Docility, aptitude for work, and facility for fattening, make this 

 breed a favorite. The Department of Haute- Vienne is its chief home, and at this show 

 the best animal came from Limoges. The other prize animals were from the Gironde 

 and Charente departments. For yield and quality of meat the Limousine ranks high; 

 the features of a good animal being a light head, with white open horns, pink eyelids 

 and muzzle, well-set back, rounded sides, short fleshy limbs, with white points that give 

 a look of breed and fashion. A Limousine is usually less bulky than a Charolaise. The 

 cows are fair milkers. 



Class II, section 3, included the Garonuaise breed, and thirteen animals represented it. 

 The race is improving, and was reckoned in advance of the Limousine cattle, supplying 

 one of the heaviest beasts in the show, No. 113 weighing 22 cwt. 3 qrs. 6 Ibs., and gaining 

 third prize. Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne furnished the best specimens. The first prize 

 weighed 1 ton 28 Ibs. Garonnaise cattle are said to be the bulkiest in the sub-Pyre- 

 uean basin, and form two groups of the great bovine Gallic family that of the valley 

 and that of the hills. The latter are smaller, but more capable of work, than those of 

 the valley. They have a very long body, flat sides, and confined chest, short buttock 



