652 Report on t/ie Exhibition of British and Foreign Sheep, 
over strong, and hind quarters not as fully developed as we could have 
^\•ished. 
Class 168. The twenty-two aged rams were a fair class, but it contained 
nothing calling for special remark. Amongst this class we found many with 
sore breasts, and we suggest that it is not desirable for exhibitors to introduce 
animals so affected into the show yard. 
Class 169. There were nineteen pens of shearlicg ewes, containing several 
very good specimens, with few objectionable sheep amongst them. 
Class 170. There were five entries of ewe lambs, and amongst them many 
creditable exhibits. 
We were sorry to find several disqualifications in the classes under our 
notice, and regret that the course pursued at the Bristol meeting, when no 
inspectors of shearing were appointed, could not have been again adopted by 
the Council ; but the infringements of the rule upon that occasion were too 
apparent. We trust that the unpleasant position in which many were placed, 
may prevent others from offending in like manner on future occasions. 
E. H. iMASFZN-. 
johx evass. 
Thomas Willl4.ms. 
" Hampshire and other Short-woolled sheep " may be con- 
sidered as the " Hampshire " classes without the " other," for 
with the exception of Mr. Sturgeon s few Merino sheep, which 
looked liked grains of barlev accidentally spilled into a sample 
of wheat, the Hampshire or West countrv Downs had undisputed 
possession of the pens. The Merino sheep were there for the 
benefit of the public, as English specimens of their breed, but 
could scarcely be regarded as competing for the prizes, among 
sheep of so totally different a type. Prize-winning, however, is 
not the only legitimate object of exhibition. 
In noticing the Hampshire sheep, it may be perhaps inte- 
resting to observe one point of contrast between them and the 
Southdowns, agreeing as they do, in the aggregate, in the 
possession of extraordinary merit. The improvement of the 
Southdown, up to the recognised ideal standard, is an accom- 
plished fact, and in the classes of that breed a striking example 
has been seen of the possibility of multiplying animals of the 
highest character. Under the system of careful and judicious 
selection, icith one distinct type in vieic, not only improvement 
but uniformity has been effected. In the process of improve- 
ment, we meet with, at intervals of increasing frequency, animals 
of uncommon worth — here and there one immensely in advance 
of his fello%vs. By making use of these splendid exceptions to 
the rule, our breeders have succeeded in making the rule a higher 
one than it was before, until at length they have obtained not an 
occasional " wonder," but uniform excellence ; and all the care 
and power of the breeder is needed to keep his flock up to the 
point previously reached. Now the Hampshire sheep is perhaps 
not yet on the level top of the hill, but it is notably ascending, 
