Report on the Exhibition of Live Stock at Oxford. 539 
justly claiming socoud honours, is too light in bone, and would be better with 
more substance all over. Both the reserve number and No. 105 were good 
mares, and had a highly-commended card handed to them ; the other, No. 
104, being commended. 
Class V6 comprised the three-year-old fillies — three in number — and all 
good, Mr. Woltou taking the first and second prizes, but having very little 
to spare to beat Colonel Tomline's entry. 
The two-year-old fillies called for little notice, the four there being all use- 
ful well-bred animals. 
In reference to the Suffolk Classes there were two marked points for notice ; 
the first was the short entries ; and the next, the uniformity of character in the 
individuals exhibited. The first is in some measure to be accounted for by 
the fact that all the animals come from a district where every breeder knov^s 
each individual animal likclj' to be formidable in the showyard ; with com- 
petent judges to decide, winning is a question confined to a well-known few, 
and the Suffolk breeders know too well the uselcssness of sending an ordinary 
animal to compete for a Iloyal prize. 'I'he Suflblk has long been a recognized 
and distinct breed, and perhaps, with the exception of race-horses, none have 
been bred with more care and attention. Every distinguishing point for which 
the breed has long been valued has been preserved and cultivated, and the pre- 
vailing characteristics of colour, quality, and compactness of form, with activity 
and strength, have never been lost sight of. Distinctive feature at first sight 
gives the breed a great advantage in attracting the attention of a casual 
admirer, but has little or no weight with those accustomed to sift the merits 
and balance advantages in individual specimens of various breeds. Compe- 
tition beyond their own immediate district has brought about vast improve- 
ment in this breed. Want of action, bad feet, and bent hind-legs are no longer 
noticeable in the Suffolk entries, and no meeting has given better proof of this 
than the one just held. We hear the breeders of Clydesdales, Shirebreds, and 
Suffolks holding to their own Avith imflinching pertinacity ; as agricultural 
horses each are subject to criticism from the best of judges at these meetings ; 
and, imless the listener is bigoted to his favourite breed, he will quickly throw 
aside his iirejudice and admit that no one kind of horse is suited for every 
locality, and he will probably begin to realize the fact that, where distinct 
breeds have for ages been associated with certain duties or certain districts, 
they have not been selected for the work without a substantial reason. Of 
what use would the immense weight and slow heavy action of the shire-bred 
Idc on the soils of Suffolk ? and no one would recommend the farmer, whose 
soil is of the stiftest clay, and who breeds for the railway, the dock, or the 
brewer's dray, to hire a " Harwich Emperor " for his mares, or purchase a 
" Bury Empress " to fill a vacant stall in his plough stable; and the very 
■weight of the shire-bred would distance him with the quick action of the Suffolk 
in his own county ; while the Jlidland Counties man would talk of the tena- 
cious soil, and ask if the Suffolk horse, hardy and active as he is, could stand 
the work required for the cultivation of such a district? The Clydesdale 
breeder would point to the quays and streets of Glasgow, and call for an 
animal better suited for the work he would there find. These are questions 
safer left to those whose experience should best teach them what their own 
requirements are. As breeders our business is to eradicate uusoimdness, 
perfect the form and preserve the characteristics which should denote the 
breed we adopt ; as judges we felt our duty was to point out the individual 
specimens which give the best evidence of the breeder's success, as tested by 
such a principle. 
In concluding thisEeport we beg to acknowledge the services of Mr. Varnell, 
the Veterinary Inspector, whom we found of great assistance during the day. 
We heartily approve the practice of inspection as at present adopted by the 
VOL. vr. — s. s. 2 o 
