Report on the Exhibition of Live-Stock at Preston, 1885. 645 
CATTLE. 
Entries of cattle showed a diminution of 40 head from last 
year, and the number, 539, was less than at Reading, though 
in excess of York, Derby, and Carlisle. Animals of great and 
unquestionable merit appeared, and the show altogether, al- 
though by no means large, evinced in many breeds a distinct 
advance in quality, a general improvement in outline, and a 
more correct appreciation of the principles which should 
influence cattle-breeders. Longhorns were omitted from the 
Catalogue, the Council being doubtless influenced in arriving 
at this decision by the very poor display in number and quality 
of that breed at Shrewsbury last year. It was also a matter of 
regret to many that the useful and beautiful Guernsey variety, 
which formed so pleasing a feature in the Shows of 1881 and 
1882, should have no classes. 
Shorthorns. . 
These " Universal Intruders," to quote ]Mr. Thornton, appeared 
in considerable numbers : and this is not surprising, when it is 
considered that Holker, Lathom, Townley, and other stately 
homes of the breed, are within the county limits : 130 entries 
were catalogued against 107 last year, and 132 at York. It 
cannot be stated that the general quality of the exhibits showed 
marked improvement on previous years ; in so large a number 
of the picked Shorthorns of the kingdom there were, of course, 
many animals of conspicuous excellence, but the general im- 
pression was one of uniform mediocrity, with here and there 
an exceptionally good specimen. In the Classes for Bulls, the 
age was again curtailed, none being now admissible over 5 years 
old. Since 1881 the Council have been gradually reducing the 
age. In that year it was unlimited ; in 1882, six years formed 
the barrier ; and now five years has been adopted. This is 
manifestly an improvement on the old system, which enabled 
bulls, when past profitable use, to go from show to show, and, by 
dint of mere rotundity, carry off prizes from more serviceable 
animals. In the Class for Bulls calved in 1880 or 1881, eight 
appeared, and, after much deliberation, the prize went to 
a large-sized and handsome white from Cornwall, " Earl of 
Oxford," of mixed Oxford blood, which was placed before 
Mr. Rowley's well-known " Self Esteem 2nd," Royal Champion 
for 1883, and first in his class in 1884. The victor on this 
occasion is of splendid carriage, especially when meeting the 
spectator. His form is by no means faultless, his sides being 
