Report on the Exiiihition of Lice Stock at Binningliam. 585 
woolled Sheep," which rendered "Dorset Horns " eligible. This 
particular pen seemed out of place only because all the other sheep 
were virtually of one breed, although Mr. Saunders's were termed 
"West Country Downs,'" Mr. Homer's "Dorsetshire Downs,"' 
and Mr. Morrison's and Mr. Walter's " Hampshire Downs." 
Shropshire sheep were destined, as predicted, to form a leading 
feature in the grand display. Birmingham has always been 
regarded by the flockmasters of that breed as a central market 
for the disposal of their specialities, and it was only natural that 
the Birmingham Local Committee should regard this department 
with more favour than any other belonging to tlie woolly tribes, 
and lavish on it their prizes ; but Classes 103, 104, and 105 were 
numerously filled, because the Showyard was near and convenient 
for the principal breeders. The former, for shearling rams, 
seemed enormous in proportions, no less than seventy-two entries 
appearing in the catalogue. The Judges had, of course, a diffi- 
cult task on their hands, rendered all the more so by the even 
merit of several of the animals exhibited. The shearling they 
eventually selected for pride of place is a neat, rather small, but 
thick son of Lord Chesham's w ell-known " Duke of Bedford.'" 
He has a sweet mellow touch over the back, a good loin, with 
wide hips, but is rather weak at neck and behind shoulders. 
^Ir. Minton, the owner, may well be congratulated, for he is new 
to the Showyard, and yet has beaten Lord Chesham's crack 
shearling, although, it must be admitted, by employing some of 
his Lordship's best blood. The shearling placed second did, 
however, great credit to the Latimer flock, as did also three other 
noble sheep at his side of Lord Chesham's breeding. Prime as 
its outcomes always are, it may be questioned if they have ever 
been excelled : the only difference to be detected being that the 
Latimer shearlings of the present year seem to be larger in size 
than thev have hitherto been, by which, however, they approxi- 
mate more closely to the standard said to be required. The 
second-prize one possessed a grand frame, with capital rump-end 
and legs of mutton. Of larger size than the first-prize ram, he 
came very near him in symmetry and good quality ; and with 
two so evenly matched, the task must be invidious in preferring 
either. ^Ir. Sheldon's third-prize sheep displays well-nigh the 
neatness and nice character of a Southdown. The Reserve was 
given to a lengthy, fine sheep, of quite another stamp, belonging 
to ^Ir. T. Fenn : while ^Irs. Beach and Mr. T. ^lansell were 
highly commended for two grand-looking ones ; commendations 
were also awarded to the latter breeder, to Mr. J. L. Naper for 
two brought from Ireland, to Mr. J. Pulley, and to ^Ir. J. 
Coxon. 
The class iox older rams was likewise large, numbering thirty- 
