Beport of the Steioards of Stock at the Worcester Show. 477 
estimation, will not diminish their power of bearing hardship, but increase 
their marketable value. Without particularising the winners, we may point 
to the prize sheet as indicating the animals which, among a very good lot, 
were specially distinguished." 
Hampshire axd other Short Wools. — Quality was needed 
to make up for numbers in this class, in which the previous 
winners found a very formidable rival in Mr. James Raw- 
lence, who never showed in these classes except at Salisbury. 
Mr. Humfrev took a first and second for shearling rams, and the 
second ram prize ; Mr. Rawlence getting the first in that class, 
and the first, second, and highly commended (special) for his 
pen of shearling ewes. The latter was a very remarkable class, 
as there were only eight entries, and the four other high com- 
mendations fell to those eminent prize-winning breeders, Messrs. 
Sliittler, S. King, W. B. Canning, and VV. Humfrey. The last- 
named gentleman and Mr. Rawlence were the first who set to 
work in good earnest to improve the old Hampshire breed, 
which originally was celebrated only for its big head, long ears, 
and thin-fleshed back. The success attending their efforts has 
been shown in the high prices which rams of this breed have 
realised at auctions in their district for ten or twelve years back. 
The judges report thus : — 
" Classes LXSE.-III. numerically were not strongly represented, but La 
point of quaUty they may safely be said to be the best lot ever seen together. 
The shearling rams were good, but eclipsed by the older sheep, an I the 
shearling ewes were most extraordinary. In neither class were those enormous 
heads and upright shoulders to be found, which formerly prevailed so much 
among the Hampshire sheep. All were level in their character, form, and 
wool, and in fact with such general uniformity, that they might have all come 
from the same flock. Each of the non-winners in the class of shearling ewes 
received, as they deserved, a high commendation." 
They then add, speaking generally of the classes which came 
under their inspection : — 
" We are strongly of opinion that all these classes of sheep are in their 
' right places.' The Oxfordshire Dmvns, bred upon land of the same character 
as the Cotswold Hills, are, like the sheep from that district, of great size, and 
having been thickened both in flesh and wool, and strengthened in constitution 
by the mixture of Hampshire bloo.l (which originally founded the Oxfordshire 
•Down), will produce as much wool and mutton jjer acre as such land can be 
made to grow. The Shropshires upon the rich and heavy land of the Vales 
have this peculiar merit : they will stock thickly, and bear the somewhat 
severe treatment which the occupiers of the strong arable lands must subject 
them to, in order to produce the greatest quantity of wheat. For be it 
remembered, that wheat equally with mutton and wool is kept in view in the 
treatment of animals, and no breed of sheep will bear pinching for the purpose 
of preparing the land for wheat, or recover more quickly from it than the 
Shropshires. They are very proli6c, good mothers, and soon fit for the market. 
The Hampshires are also at home on their native downs, and wliether their 
produce are slaughtered as lambs, or sold to be wintered on better land 
elsewhere, there are none in greater favour both with the butcher and con- 
sumer." 
