518 Report on the Exhibition of Live Stock at Hull. 
strongest tests of uniformity of character ; but there was perhaps 
hardly any class in the show which, excepting one pen, bore the 
test better than this one. The Judges, who were the same as 
for the Leicesters, reported : — 
We think this class an extremely good one. The first and second prizes 
are even, with good quality, size, and wool, and a very i)rofitable class of 
sheep. The third-prize sheep are of great size, with good fleeces, but of 
quality not equal to the first and second pens. 
The Southdown shearling rams were a tolerably large entry,. 
21, and of fair merit. Mr. W. Rigden's sheep was easily first, 
Mr. Foljambe's being second, and Mr. Colman's third. The older 
rams were 13 in number, and a very fine class. Mr. Rigden 
was again first, and took, besides, the second prize and a com- 
mendation. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales secured 
the Reserve Number and a high commendation in both these 
classes. Colonel Kingscote obtained only a high commendation 
for aged rams, while the New Merton flock improved upon its 
strength of last year, and took a high commendation, and a com- 
mendation in the shearling ram class, and two commendations 
in the aged class. Lord Walsingham was also first with his 
pen of ewes ; the Duke of Richmond, whose pen was missed 
from last year's show, being second with a very good pen ol 
four, the fifth ewe being long in the neck, and perhaps making 
the difference between first and second honours. The Duke 
was also third in this class. Mr. Colman's fine-bodied sheep 
(pen 82G) are specially referred to in the report of the Judges, 
Messrs. H. Fookes, of Whitchurch, Elandford ; H. P. Hart, of 
Beddingham, Lewes ; and T. G. Saunders, of Watercombe, Dor- 
chester, who say :■ — • 
hi the class for shearlings there was a large entrj', but there was a wide 
difference between the first-jirize animal and any of the others. 
The class for older rams, although only half so well filled as to numbers,, 
contained more good sheep, and made altogether a creditable display. 
The shearling ewes also formed a good class. We think it well to state 
that the reason the jien, No. 826, consisting of large and well-developed 
sheep, did not obtain any favourable notice from us was the remarkable bare- 
ness of their ears and even of their faces. This may be, in .some measure at 
least, attributable to high feeding ; but, if so, it indicates a degree of forcing 
which we consider injuriou.s to animals intended for the purpose of breeding, 
and which, from the printed instructions furnished to us, it is evident that 
the Society does not, to say the least, wisli to encourage. 
We take this opjiortunity of impressing upon exhibitors and breeders 
generally the importance of paying increased attention to the characteristics 
of the pure Southdown. 
Shropshires were, as usual, very strongly represented, there 
being 66 rams, and 10 pens of shearling ewes, on the ground. 
And, looking to the general character of these three classes. 
