Report on the Exhibition of Live Stock at Leicester. 445 
The first prize in the [Shearling Ram class was awarded to a large sheep 
of very good quality (but not quite the right stamp about the head for the 
improved Hampshire), belonging to Messrs. Russell, Darti'ord, Kent ; Mr. King's 
second prize being more in the form of the improved Hampshire, though not 
so large, was of good quality and very compact. Mr. Coles's third prize was 
still smaller. Mr. J. Rawlence's shearlings were not quite in the form in 
which he usually exhibits them ; one of his was selected for the reserve 
number ; but he makes up for his short comings in this class by taking first 
and second jirizcs both for old rams and shearling ewes with animals of great 
size, and of tine symmetry and quality, and which fully sustain the reputation 
of the Rawlence flock. There were not sufdcient entries in either class to 
enable the Judges to award the third prize, but they recommended a special 
"prize to Mr. R. Coles' s old sheep. All Mr. Rawlence's sheep deserved the 
honours they gained, although so few were exhibited in the classes. 
N.B. — The Judges venture to call the attention of the Council to the state 
of tlie coats of some of the sheep exhibited in this class. The coats were 
so thoroughly saturated with oil or grease, that it prevented the proper 
examination of the animals ; the hands of the Judges being made disgustingly 
filthy, and their clothes spoiled, without any corresponding good to the sheep. 
They venture to hope some steps may be taken to prevent the nuisance in 
future. 
SOUTHDOWNS. 
The aristocratic Southdowns were as well represented as usual, there being 
56 entries, viz., 28 Shearling Rams, 19 Rams of any age, and 9 pens of 
Shearling Ewes. In the Shearling Rams, Mr. Ryder exhibited two very 
superior sheep, one of which wrested the laurels from the Merton flock for the 
first time for some years ; and Mr. Ryder also took first prize for the aged 
Rams, with as perfect a specimen of a Southdown Ram as has been exhibited 
at the Royal or any other show for many years, the ram's only fault being 
that he was docked too short, or rather that his tail was too small, but this 
was not of much importance when every other point was marked " excellent." 
Lord Walsingham's sheep, although full of quality, were not so good and 
matching in form as on many former occasions. His Lordship was awarded 
second and third prizes in the Shearling class, and second in the older Ram 
class. Sir W. Throckmorton taking third in the latter class. His Grace the 
Duke of Richmond sent five very neat well-made sheep. There were .some 
very good specimens of Shearlings from Lord Radnor's and Lord Sondes's flock. 
The class of Shearling Ewes did not produce anything remarkable on this 
occasion, but there was very good competition, none of the entries being very 
inferior. Lord Walsingham took first prize with a very good pen, but they 
were not quite so even as usual. To Lord Radnor was awarded the second 
prize, and the Duke of Richmond took the third. Sir W. Throckmorton's 
pen was " highly commended ;" but for their lightness of wool and tendency 
to nakedness about the head and ears, they would probably have displaced 
his Grace for the third prize. 
Shropshikes. 
Again we have a report from the judges upon which we 
cannot improve, and have great pleasure in transcribing it. 
Pursuing this course, we place the Hampshires a little out of 
their order in the catalogue : — 
This is one of the largest and most important classes in the show, 
numbering 69 entries ; amongst them are many good serviceable sheep, and 
taken as a class generally, the character shows that although Shropshire 
