Report on the Exhibition at Birmingham. 547 
that (luring the previous night only one lamb had died, and 
the flock generally looked better. Some of the affected animals 
were also, he said, recovering. 
During my inquiries regarding this case, I have received 
information that the previous occupier of the land, referred to 
in this Report, totally disregarded all ordinary sanitary arrange- 
ments with regard to the disposal of his dead animals. The 
carcase of a cow, in 1874, was buried so close to a drain, that 
recently, Avhen it was opened, the remains of the cow were partly 
dug up. This drain empties itself, I understand, into an open 
stream, which may be perhaps a water-supply for animals. In 
1875 the sheep that died, and also the carcase of a mare, were 
not buried at all, but were left on the surface to be eaten and 
dragged about by dogs, birds, &c. Surely such conduct deserves 
punishment. Such negligence might, in the case or animals 
dying of contagious diseases, prove a source of incalculable mis- 
chief to neighbouring farmers. 
XXI. — Report on the Exhibition at Birmingham. By W. H. 
Wakefield, Esq., of Sedgwick House, Kendal, Senior 
Steward of Live Stock. 
The Royal Agricultural Society's Country Show for the year 
1876 is over: not so, however, the pleasant memories which it 
has left behind. Judged by the standard which is embodied 
in that very self-evident truism, " Nothing succeeds like 
success," the Meeting has been everything which could be 
desired. 
In fixing upon the place where the Show is to be held, the 
Council know full well beforehand whetner they will be in or 
out of pocket ; but they are, and must be, guided to some extent 
by the consideration — Where can the Show be held with the 
greatest advantage to those interests which are chiefly affected 
by it? To this consideration, however, there is a limit, and the 
questions of ground, accommodation within easy reach for 
visitors, and gate-money have to be debated ; the two first on 
all occasions, the last from time to time. The funded property 
of the Society has enabled it to meet so far the financial 
question ; but the size of the Show and the number of visitors 
must necessarily limit the number of towns where it is either 
possible or convenient to hold it, and, in point of fact, the 
Council will shortly be called on to take this matter into 
their serious consideration, with a view to deciding whether, 
under the actual circumstances of space and numbers, the 
