Earts Spencers Durham Re

CLASS II N956, SMITHFIELD CLUB SHOW, 1840. 5 yrs old.-Prize of 30 Sovs. Silver Medal & Gold Medal.

47

THE SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHOW.

ONE of the most interesting exhibitions at this season of the year, and one which engrosses much of the attention and conversation of all classes, and more particularly of our agricultural readers, is the Smithfield Club Cattle Show. We, therefore, consider that it would be unpardonable in us, at the commencement of a New Series, to neglect this opportunity of giving a condensed sketch of the objects and results of this Association.

The breeding and fattening of cattle, is a pursuit so nearly allied to that of sporting, as to be a perfectly legitimate feature of a periodical dedicated to reporting the exploits, and advancing the objects of rural interest, and of those exhilarating pursuits which constitute so much of the alluring happiness of a country life.

The anticipations of both the sportsman and the cattle breeder, are alike productive of pleasurable excitement in the pursuit of their several objects, whether it be seizing the brush, or winning the prize The improvement of our domestic breeds of animals, is a most useful and profitable employment, and one in which the breeders of the horse, ox, sheep, and pig, have, within these last fifty years, been eminently successfu!. For the turf, the chace, the troop, road, and for draught, our British breeds of horses are generally matchless; and the results of the like study and efforts to accomplish improvement of our other descriptions of cattle, have been alike successful.

The Durhams, or Short-horns, the Herefords, and the Devons, are admirable for bulk, weight, and aptitude to fatten. The Welsh and Scotch breeds, although of smaller size, are capable, under a skilful and liberal feeder, of being made very complete things in the butcher's estimation, as well for fatness as for the prime quality of their beef.

There is a laudable rivalry between the Hereford and Durham breeders, as to the comparative excellence of their favourite breeds. The admirers of each are, however, pretty equally divided; many feeders prefer the Herefords, as being most profitable for stall-feeding, whilst others consider the Durhams the most profitable, by reason of the great milking property of the cows, and of the ready propensity of the Durhams to fatten at any age. The North Devon and Sussex breeds have each their admirers for the yoke, as well as for milking and fattening.

Of our different breeds of sheep, the new Leicesters and the South Downs attract most attention. They are both excellent varieties, as

well for their fleeces as for mutton. But the South Down, from their moderate size, and suitableness for pastures of but middling quality, are working their way all over the three kingdoms.

It is at such shows of live stock as that under consideration, that the popular character of each description, is seen and proved, as well by the awards of competent judges, as by the public voice. And here the breeder and feeder are enabled to determine for themselves what kinds of stock will best and most profitably answer their several purposes. For, from the specimens and descriptions exhibited, a very safe judgment may be formed how far any style of feeding-various kinds of food-and the time required, may fall within the means and convenience of the inquirer needing information.

There are, comparatively, but few who can compete for prizes; and to them the thanks of those who do not, are justly due. Because, under the restrictions and conditions of the Club, the results of their management must be shown and published, if successful; thereby testing and certifying the capabilities of every breed brought forward. This, indeed, is one of the grand objects attained by the Smithfield Club. The following are the classes of animals; the names of the competitors, and of those who were successful.

PARTICULARS OF THE SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHOW, 1840. JUDGES.

Mess:s. Charles Stakes, of Kington; William Trinder, Wantage; Richard Parkinson, Babworth; William Tanner, Patcham; William Stace, Barnack; and William Saxby, of Rottendean.

CLASS I.

Oxen, or Steers, of any breed, under 5 years of age, without restrictions as to feeding-Eleven competitors—namely, Mr. Chatfield, of Greatham, Sussex; Mr. Calvert, of Hunsdon; Mr. Jellicoe, of Brighterton; Rt. Hon. Charles Arbuthnot, of Woodford; Mr. Christopher Smith, Burley on-the-Hill; His Grace the Duke of Bedford, Oakley; Mr. W. F. Wratislaw, of Rugby; the Rt. Hon. the Earl Spencer, of Althorpe; Mr. Hay, of Shethin, Aberdeenshire; Mr. Senior, of Broughton; and Mr. Cheetham, of Hambleton. Two prizes awarded, viz. :-One of 151. to Mr. Christopher Smith, for his year and 1 month old, Hereford ox; and one Prize of 201. to Earl Spencer, for a 4 years and 5 months old Durham ox, to which was added a Silver Medal to his lordship, as breeder.

4

Mr. Cheetham's 4 years and 7 months old short horn ox, was commended by the judges.

CLASS II.

Oxen, or Steers, of any breed, under 6 years of age, weight 90

stone and upwards, that shall not have had cake, corn meal, seeds, grains, or distiller's wash, during 12 months previous to the 1st of August, 1840. Twelve competitors—namely,―The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Warwick, of Warwick Castle; Mr. Barclay, of Shenleyhouse: the Rt. Hon. Charles Arbuthnot, of Woodford; Mr. Loft, of Thrusthorpe; His Grace the Duke of Bedford, Oakley; Mr. Wratislaw, of Rugby; the Rt. Hon. Earl Spencer, Althorpe; Mr. W. Cooper, of Thorpe, Manseville; Mr. Senior, of Broughton; Mr. Buckly, of Normanton-hill; the Rt. Hon. the Marquis of Exeter, of Burghley Park; and Mr. W. L. Sutton, of Dunchurch.

Of this class, two prizes were awarded, viz.-One of 301. to Earl Spencer for a 5 years and 1 week old Durham ox, bred and fed by his lordship; and also the silver medal as breeder. The second prize of 201. to the Marquis of Exeter for 3 years and 9 months old Durham steer, bred by his lordship. The oxen of the Earl of Warwick, Mr. Loft, and the Duke of Bedford, were commended; and those of Mr. Bailey, and of Mr. Cooper, were highly commended by the judges.

CLASS III.

Oxen or steers, of any breed, under 5 years of age, under 90 stone, and above 70 stone weight, that shall not have had cake, corn, meal, seeds, grains, or distiller's wash, during 12 months previous to the 1st. of August, 1840. Six competitors, namely Mr. J. Kidd, Turnershall, Aberdeenshire; Mr. Bailey of Shenley House; Mr. Smith of Burley; Mr. Chamberlain of Desford; Mr. Lowndes of Chesham; and Mr. Sutton, of Dunchurch. Of this class, one prize only was awarded; viz., to Mr. Chamberlain for his 3 years and 8 months old Hereford ox, bred and fed by himself, 151., and silver medal as the breeder.

Class IV had no competitors.

CLASS V.

Oxen or steers, of any breed, not exceeding 4 years of age, under 70 stone weight, that shall not have had, cake, corn, nieal, seeds, grains, nor distiller's wash during 12 months previous to the 1st. of August, 1840. Three competitors, namely, Mr. C. Smith, of Burley: Mr. B. E. Bennett of Marston; and Mr. Hay, of Stethin, Aberdeenshire. In this class, two prizes were awarded, viz., one of 51. to Mr. Bennett, for a 3 years and 8 months old Durham and Hereford ox; and to Mr. Hay, 101. for a 3 years and 10 months old Hereford and short-horned ox.

CLASS VI.

Oxen or steers, of Scotch or Welsh breed of any age, above 70 stone weight, that shall not have had cake, corn, meal, seeds, grains, nor distiller's wash, during 12 months previous to the 1st. of August,