The  Gloucester  Show,  1909. 
179 
Oxford  Downs. — On  the  whole,  these  classes  were  above 
the  average.  The  shearling  ram  class  contained  13  exhibits 
of  good  sheep,  headed  by  a strong,  good  coloured  one  of  mas- 
culine character.  His  wool  was  not  quite  perfect,  but  otherwise 
he  was  an  outstanding  winner.  This  sheep  also  gained  the 
champion  prize  of  the  breed.  The  second  prize  winner  was  a 
sheep  of  excellent  quality  both  of  wool  arid  mutton,  and  the 
third  was  a big  useful  sheep.  The  ram  lambs  showed  well, 
but  those  in  the  single  lamb  class  were  not  equal  in  merit  to 
those  in  the  pens  of  three,  of  which  there  was  an  excellent  entry, 
with  the  whole  class  commended.  The  shearling  ewe  class  had 
seven  exhibits,  four  of  which  in  the  order  placed  were  of 
outstanding  merit.  The  class  for  three  ewe  lambs  was  excep- 
tionally strong,  and  contained  some  typically  good  animals, 
particularly  those  of  the  prize  pens. 
Shropshires. — Flocks  were  represented  from  many  counties 
in  England,  and  from  Scotland,  Ireland  and  Wales.  Classes 
199  and  200  contained  many  animals  of  great  merit,  but  to 
Class  201  (shearling  rams)  the  judges  gave  the  pride  of  place. 
Class  205  contained  some  lambs  which  should  render  a good 
account  of  themselves  next  year.  The  prize-winners  in  Class 
206  were  of  very  high  order.  The  judges  were  pleased  to  be 
able  to  report  favourably  on  the  novice  classes  generally. 
Class  208  (ten  shearling  field  ewes)  contained  three  pens  which 
for  general  excellence  would  be  hard  to  beat. 
Southdowns. — Class  209  (old  rams),  brought  out  16  exhibits, 
a sheep  from  the  Babraham  flock  carrying  off  the  first  prize 
and  the  Champion  Gold  Medal  for  the  best  ram  in  Classes  209 
and  210.  This  was  a grand  sheep,  full  of  quality,  and  the  real 
type  of  a Southdown.  The  second  prize  also  went  to  a sheep 
from  the  same  flock.  There  were  other  useful  sheep,  and  in 
all,  it  was  a good  class.  Class  210  (shearling  rams),  contained 
several  good  sheep,  the  first  prize  going  to  the  Crockfords 
Hall  flock,  for  a very  good  sheep  with  good  flesh  and  quality. 
He  was  also  Reserve  Champion.  The  second  prize  went  to 
a sheep  from  the  Cockfield  Hall  flock,  a good  type  of 
Southdown.  The  third  prize  winner,  from  the  Babraham  flock, 
was  also  a good  sheep.  Class  211  (three  shearling  rams), 
though  not  so  well  filled  (8  entries)  contained  some  good 
sheep,  the  first  and  second  prizes  going  to  the  Babraham 
flock.  They  were  first  class  type  of  Southdowns.  The 
Crockfords  Hall  flock  supplied  the  third  pen,  containing  useful 
sheep.  Class  212  (ram  lambs),  contained  some  very  good 
sheep,  the  first  prize  going  to  a pen  from  the  Cockfield  Hall 
flock,  a good  pen  of  lambs  with  good  heads,  good  fleeces,  and 
good  character.  These  were  followed  by  a pen  from  the 
Carlton  Grange  flock,  not  quite  so  good  in  the  heads  as  the 
