590 
Report of the Live-Stock 
Sheopshiees. 
The Shropshire competition was really overwhelming. There 
were seventy-two entries in the Class lor Shearling Tups ; and 
Mr. T. J. Mansell, entering four pens, obtained first prize, two 
highly commendeds, and a commended. This, too, argues taking 
a lead for this season ; although Mr. Matthew Williams (who 
got second prize and reserve number with two out of three 
entries) can hardly be put far behind. His sheep seemed bigger 
than Mr. Mansell's, of which the chief feature was their very 
neat heads and general Southdown character. By the lamented 
death of Lord Chesham seven fine rams were kept away. As 
an indication of the amount of money which is now dependent 
on the success of one of these ram-breeding flocks, it may be 
stated that the earnings for service by Mr. T. S. Minton's first- 
prize two-shear ram (which was the first-prize shearling at 
Derby) amounted to above 200/. in one season. This may not 
equal the prices of the old Bakewell days, but it is within 
" measurable distance " of it. Mr. J. L. Naper, who was twice 
highly commended for Shropshire sheep sent from county 
Meath, was one of the few Irish members of the Society who 
contributed to the Reading Meeting. The entries from the 
sister island were sadly missed ; for these have rarely failed, of 
late years, to include two or three prize-winning Shorthorns. 
And one of these good bulls — like "Anchor" at Kilburn — 
would have given quite a fillip to the Show. Is it because the 
Shropshire ewes do not milk well that no lamb-classes are set apart 
for the breed ? They have been repeatedly introduced into 
Norfolk for breeding half-bred lambs ; but, so far, they have 
failed to hold their ground as against the Hampshire and the 
deep-milking, long-legged, Suffolks. 
Beport of the Judges of ShropsMrcs. 
Class lOG — Shearling Sams — contained 72 entries, but owing to the 
lamented death of Lord Chesham and other causes, several pens were empty. 
The first prize was awarded to No. 1074, a sheep of wonderful quality, not 
perhaps of so large a scale as others in the class, but nevertheless a capital 
specimen of the breed. The second prize was awarded to No. 1092, a ram 
more massive and of excellent quality. No. 105G took third prize, a grand 
sheep, with excellent wool and mutton. 
The numerous commendations testify to the superiority of this Class. 
Class 106. Tim-Shcar Bams. — The recent decision of the Council con- 
fining the competition to two-year-old sheep (a step which the Judges fully 
endorse) no doubt had a tendency to decrease the number of entries. The 
first prize went to No. 1108, the same animal which won first in a very 
large class at Derby last year, and wliich has developed into a very grand 
sheep. No. Ill took second prize, a ram with a wonderful head and neck, 
