Report on the Exhibition of Live-Stock at Derhj. 585 
second, with a Westmoreland Longwool in the Shearling Ram 
Class ; and Mr. Norris in the Ewe Class with a pen of Devon 
Longwools. The other breeds shown in these classes were the 
Wenslejdale Longwools, evidently well adapted for the grass- 
land of the valleys and hillsides of the mountain limestone of 
that picturesque district. 
Annexed is the Report of the Judges of — 
CoTswoLus, Kentish, Romney Marsh, Devon, and other Loxgwoolled 
Breeds. 
Class 9fi. — Well represented, and a very good class. 
Class 97. — Small, but very good. 
Class 103. — No. 164 we consider a very good sheep. 
Class 105. — No. 781 we consider an exceedingly good pen of yearling 
ewes. William H. Fletcher. 
Thos. Porter. 
OXFOEDSHIRE DoWNS. 
This fine breed is the result of a cross between Cotswold 
rams and Hampshire Down ewes, in the formation of which an 
ancestor of the present Mr. Druce, of Eynsham, was especially 
prominent. Mr. Clare Sewell Read wrote in 1854: "A more 
intelligible name for this class of sheep would be the Down 
Cotswold. This cross having been bred for nearly twenty 
years without the infusion of any fresh blood, has become a 
distinct breed of sheep." * It appears to be a breed deserving 
great encouragement, as in it are united the size and quantity of 
wool and the early formation of meat of the Cotswold with the 
quality of the Southdown. That it is highly appreciated by home 
and foreign breeders is shown by the great prices made at recent 
sales ; for at Mr. A. Brassey's sale in July last, fifty-five Shear- 
ling rams averaged 13/. 10s. %d., the highest figure reached 
being 24 guineas for an excellent ram bought for an American 
breeder. Mr. Hobbs sold forty-five rams at IIZ. lis. each, one 
of which was bought by Mr. Treadwell for 50 guineas. Mr. M. 
Druce realised 12/. 125. 6(/. each for fifty-six rams, Mr. Brassey 
giving 66 guineas for one ; and at Mr. Charles Howard's late 
sale the average of fifty-five rams was 12/. 19s. 6c?. It is curious, 
seeing this, that there were only thirty entries at Derby, as there 
were sixty-seven entries at Kilburn, and Derby is not a great way 
from Bedford and Oxford — the headquarters of this breed. 
Mr. Brassey had some very good specimens of Shearling rams, 
with one of which (No. 788) he took first honours. Mr. Tread- 
well's " Baron Newton " was second, and his " Baron Derby " 
third. His level old sheep " Prince of Wales," by the well- 
* ' Ou the Farming of Oxfordshire.' By Clare Sewell Kead. Eoy. Agii. See. 
Journal, vol. xv. 
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