78G CATTLE AND - DAIRY * FARMING. 



OXFOBDSHIEE DOWNS. 



These have taken quite a firm hold of the affections of many breeders in Bedfordshire, 

 Bucks, Hunts, &c. The Oxford Down is an attractive sheep, and the specimens exhib- 

 ited at the Royal York Show were worthy of the national gathering. Quality was ob- 

 servable all along the line, and where so much excellence was discernible they were most 

 difficult classes to judge. . The ram sales were fully successful, and attracted numerous 

 buyers from the continent. At Mr. John Treadwell's sale at Upper Winchendou, a 

 number of shearling and ram lambs were disposed of at an average of a trifle over 23 

 12s. A number of the rams were bought for Germany, although a few were picked up 

 by our Gallic neighbors. The Fyfield flock of Mr. A. F. Nulton-Druce averaged 17 

 10*., and the Biddeuham lot realized the handsome average of 15 11s. Mr. Albert 

 Brassey, who was so successful at the Royal Show at York, was equally fortunate in 

 the sale ring. The Heythorp flock averaged 14, being an increase of nearly 1 com- 

 pared with last year's average. Mr. George Street, of Maulden, obtained an average 

 of 10 Is. 3d. Mr. Fred. Street, of Somersham Park, also disposed of 40 fine sheep at 

 an average of 14 9s 8d. Mr. John Worley's flock averaged 14 3s. 2d., and Mr. 

 Ed. Gillett's Bampton flock obtained an average of 15 3s. Drafts were sold from va- 

 rious flocks, the averages ranging from 4 to 10 guineas. Equally favorable prices were 

 obtained for ewes and ewe lambs; and on the whole the Oxford Downs went off very 

 well. They are great favorites on the continent, and before long will be found in the 

 United States. 



HAMPSHIEE DOWNS. 



These are a comparatively new variety,* and are said to have been produced by South- 

 down crosses on the old Wiltshire sheep. The breed possesses in a high degree the qual- 

 ities of fecundity and early maturity. Indeed, we have known 100 wether lambs, just a 

 little over six months old, fetch 72s. per heard; and as for weight, three lambs under 

 ten months weighed at the last Smithfield Club Show (1882) 224 pounds eachjlive weight, 

 or upwards of 35 pounds per quarter butchers' meat. These sheep are massive, broad, 

 even, deep, and close-wooled, and do well on dry chalk soils. The Ilampshires fared 

 particularly well both in the show-yard and in the sale ring. Mr. Alfred Morrison, after 

 his Hamburg success, won well at York with large, long, and lusty animals. Mr. 

 "William Parsons (Micheldever) also had a fair time of it, and secured -first and second 

 in the shearling ewe class with well-rounded, neat sheep. In the sale ring his flock 

 averaged 15 13s. for rams, and 97s. 3d. for ewes. The Hackwpod flock of Mr. John 

 Barton averaged 12 1 Os. The Wrptham Hill Park lot were quickly disposed of at an 

 average of 6; two of the rams being bought for exportation to Jamaica. The supply 

 at Welton fair exceeded 100,000, and were chiefly bought by flockmasters in the west- 

 ern counties. Mr. TwiddelPs flock fetched from 4 14s. 6d. to 12 12s. ; and Mr. John 

 Parris's averaged about 7 } guineas, and Mr. H. Dudding sold 16 rams at an average of 12; 

 and Professor Wrightson disposed of 40 at from 6 to 7 10s. each. Mr. Oakley had 

 150 from his Underwood Hall flock, which fetched from 7 to 10 each. Six rams were 

 bought at Peterborough at 5 10s. each for shipment for Buenos Ayres. Mr. F. Boyce 

 (Manor Farm) disposed of 1,400 ewes and lambs at high prices, the total sum realized 

 being 4,484 17s. The Broadfield lot, belonging to Mr. William Lane, averaged 17 7s. 

 8d., the average last year being 17 15s., and in 1881 12 8s. 9d. The Homington flock 

 was weeded to the extent of 131 lots. The rams were let as high as 67 guineas. Mr. 

 Dibben hired at 42 guineas ; Mr. Parsons, of Micheldever, at 61 guineas. Ram lambs were 

 sold at 41 guineas, which was given by Professor Wrightson. At the sale of Mr. Pal- 

 mer (Berry Court, Wallop, Hampshire) ram lambs were let at from 7 to 22 guineas 

 each, the average of 70 being 11 19s. 6d. A number of rams of the well-known Font- 

 hill flock, which took the champion prize at the Hamburg Show, were let and sold at 

 high prices. The ram lambs were let for the season at 64 guineas. The average at 

 which 13 lots were hired was 34 6s. 6d. The selections from the flock of Mr. W. Chey ney 

 Street made satisfactory prices, and the draft ewes, which were remarkably well matched, 

 sold for upwards of 5 guineas each. 



SHEOPSHIEKS. 



This breed is making great headway, and seems to be a great favorite everywhere. 

 They are fancied not only in Shropshire, but are found in Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and 

 in several continental countries, while numbers have been exported to Canada. That 

 the breed is decidedly popular cannot be denied. 



*Next oldest to Southdown. 



