444 Report of the Stewards of Stock at the Newcastle Show. 
judges gave six high commendations, and five commendations. 
In the ram class of any age, Mr. John Coxon and Mr. Price 
William Bowen took the first and second prizes. In that for 
shearling ewes, the Messrs. Crane (who have won five out of six 
prizes during the last three years) were not in their usual form, 
and Mr. H. Matthews, Mr. H. Smith, and Mr. E. Holland, M.P., 
were the prize takers. It is worthy of remark that two York- 
shire breeders had high commendations in this and the ram 
class. 
Of the Hampshire and other Short Wool, (Classes XCII. and 
XCIV.) the Judges report separately : — 
" Although they were not so well represented in numbers, they were never 
surpassed in quality. The shearling ewes shown by Mr. W. 13. Canning had the 
size of the Hampshire Down and the quality of the Sussex, and his first prize 
shearling ram was quite as good as his ewes. Mr. Humfrey's shearling ewes 
were exceedingly good, and his first prize sheep in the class for rams of any 
age was never surpassed for size and quality." 
" The Hampshire Downs appeared in still fewer numbers than the Oxford 
Downs, though the different classes contained specimens of greatly improved 
form and quality. The first-prize shearling ram, exhibited by Mr. Canning, 
is one of good form with beautiful quality of flesh and wool. The first-prize 
aged ram, exhibited by Mr. Ilumfrey, is equally remarkable for fine form (par- 
ticularly about the setting on of the shoulders) and has also good quality of 
flesh and wool. The shearling ewe class contained three pens of extraordi- 
nary merit. 1 should think the pen exhibited by Mr. Canning has never 
before been equalled (certainly not surpassed) for colour, form, and quality of 
flesh and wool combined. The pen exhibited by Mr. Humfrey was very good 
indeed, as also the pen exhibited by Mr. King." 
" The show of Hampshire Downs was very meagre as to quantity, but the 
quality was very good. Mr. llawlence, who was so successful at Worcester 
last year (although he had entered both shearling rams and ewes), did not put 
in an appearance, which left the field open for Mr. W. Canning of Elston, 
who exhibited perfect specimens of rams and ewes, which took first prizes. 
Mr. Humfrey's stock did not come up to their former excellence, and Mr. 
King of Beckhampton took the second prize for shearlings with a very large 
old-fashioned Hampshire — not ' the Improved.' Mr. Humfrey's aged ram was 
a very fine specimen of what a Hampshire ought to be, and took second prize 
at Worcester last year. There were only three pens of ewes exhibited, but 
they were all good ; Mr. Canning's were A 1, Mr. Humfrey second, and Mr. 
King's specially commended. The distance from home prevented many of 
the Hampshire flockmasters from sending their stock, but it must not be 
considered, from the shortness of the entries, that the interest in the breed is 
at all lessening, as the prices lately realised at the sales prove the contrary." 
The competition in these classes was confined to six breeders, 
and one of them (Mr. J. B. Downing) entered four of his Holme 
Lacey flock of Ryelands, which were so successful in their 
special classes of last year, but they received no mention. 
