SUPPLEMENT. 785 



and the ewes are very prolific, and excellent milkers. The general charact-er of this 

 breed is hardy, with a tendency to accumulate llesh rapidly. The word " Maehain " ia 

 given to these sheep because a large lair is held 



At the annual lamb fair more than 60,000 sheep and lambs were penned; buyers were 

 it in large numbers. Trade was rather slow, but a good business was done. Good- 

 bred rams were in great demand, and found a ready sale at prices varying from 9 to 

 16; good-bred ram lambs, 3 10s. to 4. 



DEVON LOXGWOOLS. 



These are chiefly confined to Devon, and few sales were recorded. One thing is cer- 

 tain that Sir J. H. Heathcote-Amory still continues to exhibit afc the Royal, and that 

 successfully. At the Royal York meeting Sir John entered in the Any Other class and 

 was placed second with an uncommonly neat and good Devon Longwool; he had also 

 the Ac and r for another excellent sheep of the same breed; and he carried off the first 

 prize with the only entry in the Shearling Ewe class. Mr. C. Norris, of Motion, Broad- 

 clyst, sold 20 rams for 217 7s. Many of the sheep had taken prices at the agricultural 

 shows, and were sold in fine condition with heavy fleeces. One ram was let at 18 

 guineas and another at 15 guineas. The highest price was given by Mr. Bowden for 

 lot 10, and for it he paid 21 guineas. Mr. J. N. Franklin, of Huxham, disposed of 23 

 rams for 103 9s. The highest figure offered was 15} guineas by Mr. Gould for the 2- 

 year-old ram which won third at Launceston, and had been he at Cardiff, Torquay, and 

 Reading. The ewes fetched fair prices. The average of Mr. Norris's was 10 guineas, 

 and Mr. Franklin's 9 guineas. 



DOESET HOKNS. 



The Dorset Horn is pre-eminently the sheep which produces the early lamb in spring. 

 This breed had wonderful luck during the past season, no doubt owing to the outcry 

 about early lamb. But the breed is evidently adapted for early maturity, and at the 

 spring market at Croxton Farm, near Dorchester, unprecedently high prices were real- 

 ized for Dorset Horns. Two-tooth ewes ranged from 75s. to 95s. apiece, whilst the four- 

 tooths made from 69s. to 88s.; six- tooths brought from 70s. to 83s., and the off-going 

 ewes 66s. to 69s.; couples, 98s.; rams, 4 to 5 guineas; and ram lambs, 5} to 10 guineas 

 per pair. This lot was brought to a high state of perfection by Mr. Cox, this being 

 amply proved by the extraordinary prices obtained, which are still more so, considering 

 the sheep had been previously shorn. That this variety is becoming popular there is 

 no denying, and at the annual sale Mr. T. Ensor, of Dorchester, disposed of 20,000 in 

 one day. This was considerably in excess of last year by several thousands. The re- 

 suit was due mainly to the efforts put forth by Mr. Ensor, who offered prizes of the value 

 of 30 guineas for the best drafts of horn ewes entered for sale at the fair; and this evoked 

 a spirited competition. The prize ewes of Mr. Mayo's fetched the top price 80s. ; other 

 good lots made 68s. to 74s. 



SOUTHDOWNS. 



This is the principal breed of the Downs variety, and is favored by the Prince of Wales 

 and Lord Walsingharn, who have flocks of unrivalled excellence. The Southdowns are 

 beautiful sheep, and, though short in wool, make capital mutton. Very few sales took 

 place last seasou. The rams belonging to the executors of the late Mr. Thomas Jack- 

 son, Deepdale, near Scarborough, were sold. The 36 rams offered were in high condi- 

 tion, and realized 6 10 s. average. Two grand sheep were purchased by Lord Londes- 

 borough for 9 and 7 each; four others sold for over 9 per head, and another for 8 

 5s. Mr. W. Rigden, of Hove, sold 26 shearling rams at an average of 21 16s. Qd. 

 each. This was a capital price for sheep, and Mr. Rigden was well re warded for his la- 

 bor in breeding such an excellent flock: In addition to the numerous honors Mr. Rigden's 

 flock has gained at the Royal Show since 1850, it has also taken 24 prizes at the Bath 

 and West of England, 4 prizes at the Southern counties, and various prizes at other 

 shows. The secret of the success of the Hove flock doubtless lies in the fact that the 

 nt shepherd has been with Mr. Rigden for twenty-one years, and during that time 

 28 first, 26 second, and 6 third prizes have been won. 



EOMNEY MABSH. 



This breed, which is confined chiefly to this district, has been wonderfully fortunate 

 of late years, and Mr. George Slater, of Canterbury, does all he can to keep it in front. 

 In the south Kentish sheep are extremely popular. At a sale of 57 rams belonging to 

 Mr. Powell prices ranged from 7 7s. to 43, and 4 fetched between 29 and 35. 

 These are good figures to pay for the much-despised Kentish breed. 

 H. Ex. 51 50 



