The Chester Meeting. 
547 
shires was highly creditable, and the breeders of the West 
Midland Sheep proved themselves well qualified to undergo the 
severe test of filling a new class for pen of five shearling rams 
of the same flock. In the Pig section the Berkshires constituted 
the leading feature. Lastly, the Produce section will long be 
remembered for the spirited competition amongst the makers of 
Cheshire cheese. But, whereas in the similar competition in 
1858, out of 17 prizes awarded, only 1 went outside the Home 
county ; this year out of 32 class prizes 5 went beyond the 
limits of the Cheshire border — another illustration, perhaps, of 
the saying that “ cheese is made in the dairy.” 
It is hardly possible to conclude this Report without a refer- 
ence to the fact that, in the interval between the two Chester 
Meetings, the farmers of Cheshire passed through a dark period 
of disaster which spread ruin far and wide. In no part of 
England were the dire ravages of the dreaded Cattle Plague 
more severely felt than in the county of Chester, where by the 
end of April, 18GG, more than one-third of the cattle population 
had been swept away. The horrors of that terrible time — 
separated from us by more than a quarter of a century — are still 
vividly remembered in many a Cheshire homestead, nor were 
there lacking amongst the visitors to this year’s Show some 
who could relate their painful personal experiences of the visita- 
tion of a scourge the recurrence of which it may fervently be 
hoped has, by a course of prudent legislation, been rendered for 
ever impossible. 
AY. Fream. 
THE TRIALS OF SHEEP SHEARING 
MACHINES AT CHESTER. 
The machines exhibited by the only two firms who accepted 
the Society's invitation to compete are identical in principle, 
and almost identical in the manner in which that principle has 
been carried out. The trials took place in the Chester Show- 
yard on Saturday, June 17, 1893. The machines which were 
tested are thus entered in the Implement Catalogue : — 
Class II. — Sheep Shearing Machines, worked by power. 
No. of No. in 
Stand. Catalogue. Names and Addresses of Exhibitors. 
369 5260 Newall-Cuningkam Sheep Shearing Machine Syndicate, 
Ltd., 73, Cheapside, London, £ C. Price 107. 
370 5253 Burgon & Ball, La Plata Works, Malin Bridge, Sheffield, 
Yorkshire. Price 107. 
