SHOWS AT EDINBURGH. 167 



purpose of breeding.' This prize constitutes the first offer 

 by the Highland Society, at their general shows, for cows 

 as Breeding Stock. Besides the prizes for the oxen showing 

 most s}'mmetry, fat, and weight, there was a special prize 

 for the ox of the Shorthorn breed showing the most sym- 

 metr}', fat, and weight. With these exceptions, the premium 

 list of 1824 was similar to that of the preceding season. 



The show of 1824 took place on the 8th of December, 

 and was held, as formerly, in the large square of Queens- 

 berry House. The attendance does not seem to have been 

 so large as in 1823, for the sum drawn at the gate was 

 only £^^ IIS. Amongst those present were the Marquis of 

 Tweeddale, the Earl of Fife, and the venerable Earl of Mar, 

 ' who attended in his carriage, and presented to the con- 

 sideration of the company a model of improved stalls for 

 the feeding of cattle.' Mr Rennie of Phantassie had his 

 usual good fortune. There was no competitor against him 

 in the class of oxen of the Shorthorn breed. The pair he 

 showed were both bred by himself, and were computed to 

 weigh 105 stones of 14 lbs. per stone, sinking offal, and they 

 were sold for eight}- guineas. Of the West Highland breed, 

 there were two pairs of oxen. Mr Boguc, Snawdon, won 

 the first prize with a pair supposed to be nearly 60 stones 

 each, sinking offal ; while the second went to Sir Alexander 

 Keith of Ravelstone, for a pair in prime condition, for 

 which sixty guineas were refused. In the class of Short- 

 horn oxen single, showing most s)-mmetry, fat, and weight, 

 there were three entries. Mr Rennie was again first for an 

 animal two }'ears and six months, fed solely on grass, 

 turnips, and a little hay with corn. This animal was esti- 

 mated to weigh 1 10 stones of 14 lbs. per stone. The second 

 was shown by Mr Somner, Redside ; and a third by Mr 

 Walker, Rutherford. This last was an animal of enormous 

 size, its weight being estimated at 160 stones. It was 

 brought to the show in a four-horse machine, and was sold to 

 a Glasgow butcher for fifty guineas. For the prize for the 

 best ox of any breed, there was exhibited an Aberdeenshire 

 ox, belonging to Mr Bogue, Snawdon, aged five years, 

 and a West Highlander, belonging to Mr Fletcher of 



