752 Be^orl of ihe Steward of Farm Produce at Windsor. 
Class 33. A711/ other Breeds. — The finest lot io the Show was undoubtedly 
No. 298, which was pure merino. If we had confined ourselves to fine- 
ness alone, Tso. 299 must have come in second. But in a wide class like 
this we felt bound to consider other excellent points. Unsuccessful ex- 
hibitors must make allowance for the impossibility of comparison in a wide 
Class like this. Some of the wools ought to have been shown in other 
Classes. 
It might be as well if in future competitions it were stipulated that of 
the three fleeces shown one should be hog and two wether or ewe (i.e., one 
first shearing and two second or later shearing), excepting in the case of 
wools of those Southern counties where it is customary to shear the lambs, 
in whicb cases all the three fleeces should be two or more shear fleeces. 
It would also assist comparison if all the wools were shown " fleece 
washed" — i.e., washed on the sheep's back — again with exceptions — to wit, 
the wools of Devon and Cornwall, which are usually clipped unwashed. 
It cannot be too strongly insisted on that washing with warm water and 
soap or any alkali spoils the wool, and prevents it from being properly 
appraised. ■ John W. Turner. 
Edwin Breach. 
Cheese akd Butter, 
In the section for Farm Produce, prizes amounting in all 
to 252?. were offered for Cheese (Classes Si to 43) and 39Z. for 
Butter (Classes 44 to 47). As the exhibits in these classes 
came under the control of my colleague, the Steward of Dairying ; 
his report should be consulted for particulars concerning them. 
Cider and Perry. 
This exhibition was in two divisions : — 
I. For fruit-growers and associations of fruit-growers only. 
II. For cider and perry manufacturers who are not growers 
of fruit. 
It was deemed desirable to make these divisions in order 
that the producers of apples and pears who make cider and perry 
of their produce, and many of whom are small farmers, should 
not be placed in competition with manufacturers provided with 
the most modern appliances. It is most essential to encourage 
tlie local manufacture of cider and perry in the Devonshire, 
Herefordshire, and Somersetshire villages, to afford profit to the 
farmers and work to the labourers. 
In the first division 100^. was offered in prizes, besides a 
Champion Prize of 101. The entries amounted to 64, made by 
26 individuals. In the second division there were 28 entries 
from 11 individuals, for the 40^. offered, in four classes. 
AVithout doubt the unfavourable summer of 1888 prevented 
the fruit from attaining jDerfection, and thereby injured the 
quality of the juice ; but it is seen by the Judges' report that 
more pc?,re is required in selecting the fruit and in the manage- 
