Report on the Exhibition of Live-Stock at Newcastle. 561 
Class 121 — Dairy Cows or Heifers, in-Milk, of any Breed or Cross, 
calved in 1884. — With the youager class of dairy cattle the Judges were 
disappointed, and as only four animals were shown, the third prize was not 
awarded, the conditions being that no third prize be given unless there are 
at least six exhibits. 
W, P. J. Allsebbook. 
Thomas Bowstead. 
SHEEP. 
The statement that it was the most complete and best average 
display of sheep ever seen in any show yard is not likely to be 
disputed. At any rate it is absolutely true. Several of the 
individual breeds have made a stronger appearance at former 
Royal Shows than on this occasion, but never before in one 
show yard have we seen so many breeds, so well and creditably 
represented. INo fewer than eighteen varieties were comprised 
in the collection, and at least thirteen or fourteen of these made 
quite a good appearance. The casual observer may ask the 
" why and the wherefore " of all this variety in breed and type. 
Without going the length of saying that all are essential or 
beneficial, we would affirm that any considerable curtailment of 
the ranks of the breeds, would certainly result in loss to the 
sheep farmer. Every one of the dozen or fourteen important 
breeds possesses some peculiar feature or characteristic, which 
makes it specially fitted and serviceable for certain localities 
and customs of farming. Within the narrow limits of the 
British Isles, there is infinite variety of soil and climate. It is 
thus desirable and advantageous that in our breeds of live stock 
there should be considerable variety. 
The Royal Agricultural Society has wisely encouraged every 
variety of farm live stock in any way worthy of encouragement ; 
and it is well known that several important varieties owe their 
separate existence mainly to the fostering care and stimulus 
held out in the Royal Show. In sheep as well as in other kinds 
of live stock, the Society has had ample evidence of the good 
influence of its work. The best testimony to the benefit it has 
conferred upon sheep farmers is provided by the fact, that never 
before in any showyard has such a high standard of excellence 
been exhibited by so many distinct breeds of sheep as at 
Newcastle this year. 
Upon the whole this year the shearing of sheep would seem 
to have been well executed. As will be seen from the follow- 
ing, only two pens were disqualified. 
Report of the Inspectors of Shearing. 
■ As Inspectors of Shearing we have examined the sheep in the yard, as 
placed under our inspection, and as a whole we find them well and fairly 
