SUPPLEMENT. 783 



masters in both countries try to make as much as possible out of the popular taste for 

 early lamb and green peas. 



The prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease and the restrictions in force respecting the 

 movement of cattle contributed to make mutton dear. The trade in store-stock was 

 almost entirely stopped, as the movement orders in some districts were very stringent, 

 and in others quite the reverse. Various representations were made to the Government 

 without any appreciable effect. 



At the wool sales in the west of England there was great competition, especially in 

 the month of July. During that month nearly half a million fleeces of Southdown and 

 Dorset-horn wool were sold at the public sales in Wilts, Hants, and Dorset. 



One Irish lirm spent over 2,000 at one of the Wiltshire sales, and within a fortnight 

 it was estimated that over 30,000 had been spent on Wiltshire wool alone. The gen- 

 eral average was a little less than last year, and the competition keen. At Devizes the 

 general range was from 30s. 4d. to 33s. lOd. per tod. The figures last year were 33s. 

 lOd. the highest price fetched there this year to 36s. 2d., and ten years ago 42s. 6d. 

 to 47s. 6d. were the prices realized. The September sales were rather quiet, the best 

 Down fleeces fetching from 14d. to 15d. and medium from 12d. to 13d. The tendency 

 of these sales, however, was to favor buyers. 



The sales were very successful, if we take them all round. Several of the Down 

 breeds were fancied by German and French connoisseurs, and numerous purchases were 

 made of Oxfordshire, Hampshire, and Shropshire Downs. Time was when there was a 

 great demand from Australia for English sheep and cattle. The policy of closing the 

 ports against all importations, however, prevents Australian breeders visiting or buy- 

 ing in our markets. Our Australian cousins were never afraid of a price, and time 

 was when Messrs. Duddington, of Panton, got a check for 200 guineas for one of the 

 rams of that famous flock. Nowadays the Australians do not come to Old England for 

 their stock, but according to the report of recent sales 3,150 guineas were paid for an im- 

 proved Lincoloshire ram. These prices have not been reached in England, although it 

 is highly probable that the famous Robert Bakewell, of Dishley, fingered a few guineas, 

 both for his rams and ewes, and also for service. We must, however, take the market 

 as we find it, and therefore direct attention to the fortunes of the various breeds in the 

 sale ring during the season of 1883. Naturally BakewelPs Dishley breed takes the 

 pride of place. 



LEICESTKES. 



This famous breed owe a great deal of their excellence and popularity to the efforts of 

 Robert Bakewell, of Dishley. It also obtains the foremost place in the royal catalogue, 

 and its popularity is still maintained by breeders, such as Messrs. T. H. Hutchinson, 

 Geo. Turner, Brown, Linton, Jordan, &c. The value of the breed, however, is gener- 

 ally indicated at the autumn sales, which are confined to a few English counties and to 

 Scotland. 



At Forres, over 70 rams were offered. Mr. Mackessack, of Cloves, gave the highest 

 price of 20 for a strong well-brought sheep, belonging to Mr. Hunter, of Depple, whose 

 average was 7 higher than last year. At the Muir of Ord fair, Mr. Gorran, of Arabella, 

 sold 40 at an average of 6. 



BOEDER LEICESTER. 



This breed is a great favorite in the north of England, and also in Scotland. At the 

 Edinburgh sales the prices, owing to foot-and-mouth disease, were 25 per cent, be- 

 low those current at the Lothian sales in 1882. At Kelso, the rams, which were forward 

 in fine condition, numbered 1,867, being an increase of 365 over last year's total. Lord 

 Polwarth's famous Mertoun rams secured the highest price 125 for a grand ram. 

 From the same flock Lord Arthur Cecil purchased one at 61; the Hon. R. Bailie Ham- 

 ilton, one at 51 ; and Mr. Dodds, Cothill, one at 50. The Mertoun average was 26 

 14s. 8d. Lord Polwarth also headed the sales last year, when the highest-priced ram 

 made 78. Mr. Thompson, Baillieknowe, got 66 for a ram; the average price being 

 20 3s. Miss Stark, Mellendean, secured 61 for the best lot in her pen, the lot mak- 

 ing an average of 18 3s. 3d. 



At Edinburgh, the Craigend rams met with the best demand, and made the highest 

 average, 13 13s., although this was 3 12s. 3d. less than last year. The highest-priced 

 ram was bought by Mr. Milroy, Torrance, for 30; and Mr. Alexander, Easter Dean, 

 secured the second-prize Lauder ram at 29; Mr. Balibur, of Whittinghame, M. P., ob- 

 tained the good average of 11 5s. 4d., his first-prize Inverness ram being purchased by 

 Mr. Ainsle, Hillend, for 31. The highest price la . given fora fine 



ram from the celebrated Oklhamstocks flock. Messrs. Clark, OldUaiustocks, liave for fif- 

 teen years had the highest average for Border Leicesters, but they had only the third 

 place on this occasion. Their average was 12 5s. Id., as compared with 20 11s. 3d. 



