Report on the Exhibition of Live Stock at Wolverhampton. 599 
Class 73. Pairs of Cows, over 3 years and 8 months-old, in-milTc. — Six paii s 
competed out of the eisjlit which were entered. No. G37 (Ayrshire's) took first 
prize, Mo. 638 (Ayrshires) tlic second prize, No. C42 (Cross-breds) the tliird 
prize, and No. 640 (Sliorthorns) was ])laced as the reserve and highly com- 
mended ; No. 644 (Cross-breds) received a commendation. 
lu judi^iug these classes, the question arose whether tlie competition was 
intended lor the largest production of milk, or for the milk which would produce 
the largest quantity and the richest quality of butter. No instructions being 
laid down in this particular, we adopted a middle course and gave consideration 
to both these points in making the awards; at the same time, in our opinion, 
it would seem advisable on future occasions that the sjwcial merits for which 
the competition is opened should bo distinctly noted. Th(Te should also be a 
rule as to the milking of cattle. On the morning of their examination some of 
the animals exhibited came in tlie ring with full and distended udders, as 
though they had not been milked for eighteen hours, whilst others came in 
with udders comparative!}' empty. We would suggest that all the animals 
competing in these classes should be milked dry at the same time on the 
evening preceding the examination, in presence of a person appointed by the 
stewards, so that the following morning there should be uniformity in this 
respect. Again, that they should all be milked at the examination, and that 
the properties of the milk should be tested, due regard being paid to quantity 
and qualit3\ We would further suggest that the date when the animals last 
calved should be stated in the entries, as the quality and quantity of milk are 
materially influenced by the length of time the auimals have been in milk. 
No doubt other influences act upon these most essential points — food and 
management contribute their full share ; but this is the part to be imderstood 
and carried out by exhibitors. On the other hand, the Judges having certain 
data to go by, would be better able to determine on the resjiective merits of 
the animals brought under their notice. 
Sheep. 
The fine old breed of Leicesters, which has for so many years 
stood foremost in the "Royal" Catalogue, and been the basis of so 
many other breeds, was scarcely up to its usual form of general 
excellence or numbers. The old sheep certainly were noble 
specimens of their breed, but the shearling rams and ewes were 
many degrees short of former standards. The superiority of the 
old sheep over the young was observable throughout the sheep 
classes generally, which I imagine is attributable to the hot and 
dry summer of 1870, when lambs were much pinched for milk, 
and to the great scarcity of roots for feeding purposes during the 
past winter. My own experience tells me that these circum- 
stances have had a very deteriorating effect on the produce of 
wool as well as of mutton during the spring of this year. Three 
separate reports of Leicesters by the Judges have been handed to 
me, but one may suffice for publication as being the only one 
containing any detail, and in it we are told : — 
Class 74. Shearling Bams. — The first prize, exhibited by Mr. George Turner, 
jun., has a good head, well set on ; a firm neck, good back and loin, with au 
excellent fleece of wool, and altogether is a very good shearling; the only fault 
to be found with him is a little softness in his handling. The second prize, 
shown by the Eev. George Inge, of Tamworth, has a good fore quarter, great 
