Report on the Exhibition of Live- Stock at Preston, 1885. 629 
ceeded Preston, whilst last year some fewer horses competed. 
It has been alleged that the duration of the Show has something 
to do with the paucity of entries ; and certainly a week seems 
a long time for sensitive and valuable animals in a somewhat 
unnatural state of bodily health to remain under canvas in the 
weather which usually distinguishes the week of the Royal 
Show. No cart-horse stallion was shown this year more than 
three years of age, — an alteration of great importance, as it 
prevents the appearance of aged and probably effete animals, 
whilst giving every opportunity for the exhibition of promising 
young horses in the full beauty and vigour of youth. 
The Catalogue of Live-stock commences with the First Class 
for " Shire or Agricultural Stallions " (not qualified to compete 
as Clydesdale or Suffolk) "foaled in the year 1882." This 
heading has been the cause of great searchings of heart amongst 
the members of the Shire Horse Society. In 1882 the schedule 
was headed " Agricultural Stallions," and then included the 
newly enrolled horses of the Shire Horse Stud Book. In 1883 
the first class stood as " Shire Stallions " up to seven years old, 
and separate classes were accorded to " Agricultural Stallions." 
This arrangement was continued in 1884, when the classes for 
non-pedigreed animals were badly filled, and only seventeen 
horses were entered to compete for 85/. of prize money ; the 
quality of these also was by no means remarkable, and it was 
thought better to discontinue the classes. This year, in order not 
entirely to shut out exhibitors of horses of this description, the 
owners of which for some reason or other have not qualified for 
the Shire Horse Stud Book, the Council have reverted to the 
original style of entry, thus producing a sort of "olla podrida," 
very unacceptable to owners of Shire horses ; and grievous mur- 
murs of discontent have arisen, especially as the heading con- 
cludes in the old form of " not qualified to compete as Clydesdale 
or Suffolk," which seems to convey an additional stigma. An ex- 
amination of the Catalogue will, however, lead to the belief that 
the grievance is more imaginary or sentimental than real, as the 
entries show that only three out of the fifty-six stallions in the 
three first classes are not pedigree sires. In no case was a prize 
given to these unpedigreed ones, and all the foals in Class 4 
have handles to their names in the shape of the numbers apper- 
taining to their respective progenitors. 
Shire or Agricultural. 
Stallions not qualified to compete as Clydesdale or Suffolk, foaled 
in the year 1883. — In this, the first Class in the Catalogue, 13 
appeared, 1 being absent. The Judges were some time engaged 
