Report on the Exhibition of Live-Stock at Neiccastle. 529 
perhaps, has the great wealth which the British Isles possess in 
their numerous highly-improved breeds of cattle been more 
strikingly illustrated than at Newcastle this year. Often, let 
it be said candidly, there has been in the Royal Show a grander 
muster of Shorthorns, and perhaps, also occasionally, a stronger 
representation of some of the other breeds of cattle ; but at no 
former period in the history of British agriculture has such 
a high standard of excellence been reached by the general cattle 
stock of the country as was manifested by the twelve distinct 
races of cattle exhibited at Newcastle. 
Shorthorns, be it remembered, had attained a highly-improved 
condition before most of the other breeds had received any 
special attention from the scientific breeder. It is impossible 
that they could go on continually improving. An occasionally 
retrograde wave mav indeed be inevitable. 
It is undeniable, however, that while the Shorthorns may 
likewise still receive a certain amount of benefit from the Show 
system, the improvement of the other breeds has been greatly 
stimulated, encouraged, and guided by the Royal Show, and 
lesser meetings of a similar kind. 
In comparatively recent times, substantial improvement has 
been effected in the rank and file of all the other leading British 
breeds of cattle, with the result that the cosmopolitan Shorthorn 
does not now " stand out " from the others as it did in former 
times. This levelling-up process has gone on steadily for 
many years, and it cannot be doubted that it has conferred much 
benefit upon British agriculture. After all, with live-stock, as 
with people, it is the greatest good of the greatest number — a 
high standard of excellence all round in the whole live-stock of 
the country, rather than the special excellence of certain strains 
or races — that we should strive to ensure. In the pursuance of 
this desirable end gratifying progress has been made in recent 
years. The upward movement directed and stimulated by the 
Royal and other similar Agricultural Societies is losing- little of 
its force or influence. It is a work of great national importance 
which is being thus carried on, worthy of the best efforts of the 
best men in the country. Its success, as well as its importance, 
was amply demonstrated in the Royal Showyard this year. 
Shorthorn Cattle. 
Shorthorns have sometimes been better, occasionally not so 
good. As compared with Norwich last year, there was a grati- 
fying improvement. In contrast with the Carlisle Show in 1880, 
this year's display would not stand well. In regard to numbers, 
- all the classes, excepting that of Cows, were fairly well filled. 
