account, and partly because many farmers reckon more by the price they get per head than by the aggregate amount of mutton and wool in sheep of smaller size, I was induced to follow the public taste and to cultivate a large-sized sheep, but without sacrificing purity of blood. This taste prevailed, I think, pretty generally on the Borders, and has wrought, together with the effects of climate, in changing considerably the look and character of the Leicester sheep in those parts from that of the original Leicester of that county and Warwickshire, &c. I have seen most marked changes produced by local circumstances on Leicester sheep. I once bought some shearling rams in this county for a friend in Ireland, I saw the sheep in Queen's County three years after, and could hardly believe them to be the same, so coarse were they in wool, and so changed in character.

*

*

You are quite right as to the origin of the name Barm, or Barnshire sheep. I remember old Green, a large buyer from Yorkshire in the beginning of this century, who always used that term in speaking of the draft ewes he bought in Bamboroughshire and Glendale. Your account of old Luke Scott's little

flock is very curious and strictly true. I knew him at Easington, and used to meet him at the shows at Chillingham Barns,

The last of his diminished flock was at a poor place by the road south of Wooler, called Plea Place, where his son once asked ine to stop and look at a sheep which he thought combined in perfection what I had described at some meeting as the true qualities of a pure Leicester. The flocks at Ladykirk

and Bogend were purely Leicester to the end, if Leicestershire rams hired at good prices were pure. I had the privilege of being well acquainted with both Mr. Robertson and Mr. Thomson, who for many years used to have their horses rested with me in passing Millfield Hill, so that I might have a view of the rams. But even in these there was as great a difference between those from Stone, Stubbing, Burgess, and Buckley, as now exists between those of Nottinghamshire and Northumberland."

Mr. Scott says:

"Your remarks are in perfect accordance with my recollection of the conversations which I have heard upon the subject by my seniors. There is nothing I could add of my knowledge to the very full history you have given of the breed in this district." Journal of Agriculture.

The society held its show this year at Lincoln, two large | and commodious closes, comprising several acres in extent, and conveniently situate on the Monk's-road, being the site. This society, after more than a quarter of a century of experience and usefulness, is more flourishing than ever. Its last show, which was held at Brigg, was the most successful the society had ever had. The show commenced on Wednesday, and was continued over Thursday. The show of implements was the best the society has brought together.

The show-yard was opened at twelve o'clock on the Wednesday, when the weather was delightfully fine.

On Thursday the weather was very unfavourable, a steady rain having set in at early morning, and continued till the day had far advanced. The bull classes were remarkably well represented. The show of sheep was not so large as in some former years, but the specimens, especially the rams, maintained the celebrity of the society in this department. The show of horses was very large and superior. The pig pens were occupied with excellent animals. The show of poultry was also good, although there was nothing remarkable amongst the birds. The rain, which came on heavily in the afternoon, kept away many visitos.

JUDGES.

LEICESTER SHEEP AND PIGS.-Hy. Robinson, Carnaby House, Lowthorp, Hull; Luke Borman, Irby, Grimsby. LONG-WOOL SHEEP.-William Ashton, Hadsack Lodge, Worksop; Howard Mackinder, Langton Grange, Spilsby; W. Chatterton, of Tathwell, Louth

CATTLE.-R. J. Wiley, Winkerfield, Catterick, Yorkshire; William Sanday, Holme Pierrepont, Notts; R. Searson, Cranmore Lodge, Marke Deeping.

For the best Cow, more than four years old, first prize £8, Mr. Henry Ambler, Second £4, Mr. William Smith, West Rasen. For the best Heifer, three years old, first prize £7, Lady Pigot. Second £3, John Lynn, Stroxton. For the best Two-year-old Heifer, first prize £6, Lady Pigot. Second £4, Mr. Stewart Marjoribanks.

For the best One year old Heifer, first prize £6, Lady Pigot. Second £4, Mr. S. Marjoribanks.

For the best Heifer Calf, under one year old, first prize, £4, Lady Pigot. Second £2, Mr. Wm. Torr.

COTTAGERS' PREMIUMS.

For the best Milch Cow, having produced a Calf within nine months, first prize £4, George Foster, Stainfield. Second £2, Edward Richardson, Hainton.

For the best Heifer, under two years old, first prize £2, George Foster, Stainfield. Second £1, Thomas Brackenbury, Great Sturton. LEICESTER SHEEP.

For the best Shearling Ram, first prize £10 and the second £5, Mr. John Borton, Barton House, Malton. For the best Ram of any age, first prize £10 and the second £5, Mr. Johu Borton.

Marris, Ulceby Chase,
For the best Peu of ten Ewes, prize of £7, Mr. Thomas

Thomas Marris.
For the best Peu of ten Shearling Gimmers, prize £7, Mr;

LONG WOOL SHEEP (not being Leicesters).
For the best Ram of any age, prize £15, Mr. Thomas B.
Marshall, Branston.

For the best Shearling Ram, first prize £10 and the second £6, Mr. Charles Clarke, Scopwicke. Third £3, Mr. T. Cart

For the best Two-Shear Ram, first prize £8, Mr. R. W. Holmes, Nettleham, Second £3, Mr. George T. Havercroft, Wootton Dale.

For the best Three-Shear Ram, first prize £6, Mr. Charles Clarke, Scopwicke. Second £3, Mr. George T. Havercroft, Wootton Dale.

For the best Pen of 10 Ewes, first prize of £8 to Mr. Robert Wright, of Nocton Heath. Second of £3, Mr. Henry Grantham of Sturton.

For the best Pen of 10 Shearling Gimmers, first prize £7, Captain Hy. V. Grantham, of Scawby. Second of £3, Mr. Wm. Abraham, of Barnetby-le-Wold." Robt. G. F. Howard, of Temple Bruer. For the best Pen of 10 She Lambs, first prize £5, Mr. Second £2, Mr. Robert Wright, of Nocton Heath. HORSES.

For the best Stallion for Draught Horses, first prize &B, Mr. Daniel Howsin, jun., of Bathley, Newark, Second, Mr. T. Johnson, of Hatfield Doncaster.

For the best Mare for Breeding Draught Horses, first

nearly £200 over the sum subscribed by the Belfast committee last year. Of the prize money thus specified, £134 were allocated to shorthorns, horses £400, sheep £195, swine £60, with equally inviting prizes in the departments of poultry, farm and dairy produce. There are also prizes offered by the South-West Agricultural Society-the dairy cows prizes, the first being 25 sovs., and the second 10 sovs., for the best lot of five dairy cows of any age or breed which have been bona fide milked in a regular dairy establishment in the season of 1862. The same society offer the Fitzwilliam Walsh Challenge Cup, value £50, to be competed for by its own members for the best animal in the neat cattle classes, which, in the opinion of the judges, possesses most merit. There is also the Fitzgerald Challenge Cup, the Croker Challenge Cup, value £50, for the best weight-carrying thoroughbred stallion, the Cork Challenge Cup, of equal value, for the best shearling rams in classes F and G, and the Farmers' Gazette Challenge Cup, value £50, for the most useful and varied collection of agricultural implements.

As usual, the shorthorns formed the chief feature in the live stock department. The perfection to which this valuable class of farm animals has been brought was more than illustrated to those who gave a retrospective glance at the type of animals of the same class exhibited at Limerick in the year 1846, on which occasion the Royal Agricultural Society held the fifth show of its formation in that city. Amongst the magnificent animals exhibited on the present occasion are Soubadar, Lord John Russell, Sir Colin, and Little Wonder, Soubadar takes all the honours open for competition in his class. He is well known as the champion of the Irish shows, inasmuch as he has never been beaten wherever exhibited. He is an animal of spotless lineage and symmetry, and deserving of all the trophies which on this and on other occasions have been awarded him. He was calved in February, 1859, and is by the Prince of Warlaby, dam Lily by Baron Warlaby.

Lord John Russell, the winner at Belfast last year, and commended at Leeds, was here passed over unnoticed; as was Sir Colin, though at the show in Cork in 1860, as well as at one of the shows of the Royal Dublin Society, he occupied the proud position which has this year been occupied by Soubadar. The second prize in this section was, after considerable and careful deliberations on the part of the judges, awarded to Little Wonder, the property of Mr. F. W. Low, Co. Tipperary. The first prize in the yearling shorthorn bulls fell also to a descendant of Soubadar, -Jemindar, calved in April, 1861, bred by and in the possession of Mr. William Coppinger, Carrigtowkel, Cork.

The judges, in awarding the gold medal for the best of all the prize bulls in the yard, experienced considerable hesitation ere deciding between the individual points of merit in sire and son as to which the palm ought to be adjudged, and we understand the decision in Soubadar's favour was ultimately agreed upon, on the ground that the sire of so promising and majestic a progeny, had established the best proof of his own excellence, and that this circumstance, which is a very reasonable one, influenced the award made.

the 2nd. His colour is much in his favour, his shape uniformly good, he handles mellow, and on the whole is a promising and useful bull.

Lord of Athelstane, the property of Lord Clarina, to whom the Fitzgerald Challenge Cup was adjudged, as being the best bull entered for that prize, is a very stylish animal, descended from the Lamp of Lothian, and bred by Mr. Crosbie, of the County Kerry.

The bull calves, though few in number, maintain their position for excellence and purity, and form a very interesting adjunct in connection with the show.

Passing from the male to the female class we come to some animals of established fame, and of the choicest pedigree. First in this lot Recherché becomes conspicuous, not because of the many prizes awarded her, but of her matchless beauty in every particular. She was calved in June 1859, and produced a live calf in January last. Her laurels on this occasion consist of ten sovereigns, as being the best female animal in her class; the gold medal, as being the best of all the prize Cows; and the Fitzwilliam Walsh Challange Cup (value £50), as being the best cow suited for dairy purposes within the district. Last year she occupied a similar position in Belfast, as well as at the Royal Dublin Society's show in April last. Captain Ball, the owner and breeder of this valuable animal, has been equally successful in obtaining several first prizes in the various Shorthorn departments of the exhibition, viz.: 1st, in the section of bull calves; 2nd, in the heifer calves; and three first prizes for his aged heifers in calf or giving milk.

Mr. Welsted, of Ballywater, Co. Cork, exhibits three pure shorthorn heifers, calved in 1861, which do credit to his skill and judgment as a breeder, as well as proving remunerative to his enterprise as an exhibitor. British Queen and Aunt Anne, shown by this gentleman, though awarded only 2nd and 3rd places of merit, would be often entitled to higher and more substantial recognitions. In this section the first prize is awarded to Pride of Munster, an animal defective in some points, which are better and more evenly developed than in the 2nd prize beast, and in this opinion we are justified by the testimony of some acknowledged judges of shorthorns. In this adjudication, as well as in the Ayrshire class, section 17, there are many established breeders, who would be differently guided by the characteristic points from which the judges differed in making their awards in these two instances.

Of the remainder of the horned-stock classes no particular comment need be offered further than that the entries were few, in some cases confined to the same exhibitor.

dual suitability of the many classes of the fleecy flocks now introduced to their notice, and from which they purpose selecting costly animals for the purpose of improving those already in their possession. Though the show of horses was not so numerically strong as at Belfast last year, yet the principal prize animals of the Belfast show stand here in precisely the same order of merit and success as that occupied by them at the National Show in Belfast last year. Mr. Forshaw, of Loftus Hall, Lancashire, sent over his Welsh bred agricultural stallion, Brown Stout, who wins the 1st prize of 25 SOVS. and the Society's cup value 50 sovereigns, the second prize falling to the cob Lord Clyde, the property of Mr. John Mills, co. Dublin. The Croker challenge cup, value 50 sovereigns, for the best weight-carrying thorough-bred stallion, was adjudged to a four-year-old, Young Captain, belonging to Mr. Lane, co. Cork.

The exhibition of pigs was, as regards numbers, considerably under the average; but of the general excellence of the Windsors, Yorkshires, and coloured breeds, with which the styes were tenanted, there can be no question.

The implement show was quite adjacent to the cattle yards-communicating passages leading from one to the other. There was no public trial of implements held, nor were the grounds on which they were displayed very largely frequented, owing to its surface being so much torn up from the combined effects of heavy rains and traffic. There were 50 exhibitors in this class, and altogether the items, in extent, quality, and workmanship, were of the highest order of merit. Every conceivable appliance purporting to expedite and economise farm labour was shown, and farmers requiring to purchase implements suited to their wants and requirements could experience little difficulty in making a selection. These were mowers, reapers, steam and horse power thrashing machines, rakes, tedders, steam engines, ploughs, grubbers, harrows, rollers, hay, straw, and chaff cutters, furze, bone, cake, and grain mills, with innumerable other descriptions of modern inventions too numerous to specify and too tedious to detail.

The fifty-guinea challenge cup offered by the Messrs. Purdon, proprietors of the Irish Farmers' Gazette, for the "largest and most useful collection of farm implements," whether shown by maker or agent, was awarded to Messrs. M'Kenzie, of Cork, for a collection consisting of 98 distinct items. Competition for this cup is open to all comers, whether inventors or agents, provided the simple conditions under which it is now offered are complied with.

The Society also offer six silver medals, to be awarded by the judges, for any new or highly improved implements that may be brought under their notice, and which may be considered by them as deserving of some special marks of commendation.

PRIZE LIST.

SHORTHORNS.

JUDGES.-T. Parkinson, Hexgreave, Southwell. W. Sanday, Holmepierrepont, Notts. Bulls above Two Years Old-First prize £10, to Wm. Coppinger, Co. Cork (Soubadar). Second £5, to Francis Low (Little Wonder).

Bulls not exceeding Two Years Old.-First prize £10, to Lord Talbot (Victor Emmanuel). Second £5, to Marquis of Waterford (King of Hearts).

Bulls not exceeding One-Year-Old.-First prize £10, to William Coppinger (Jemindar). Second £5, to the Marquis of Waterford (Field Marshal 2nd).

Bulls under One-year-old-First prize £5, to Thomas Ball, Malahide (Royal Ranger). Second £2, to Richard Welsted (Ethelred).

Cows in-Calf or in-Milk.-First prize £10, to J. Christy (Queen of Beauty). Second £5, to J. Christy (Jenny Jenkins). Heifer In-Calf or In-Milk, not exceeding Three Years Old.-First prize £10, to Thomas Ball (Récherché). Second £5, to Sir Robert Paul, Bart. (Evening).

Heifers not exceeding Two Years Old.-First prize £10, to Thomas Ball (Pride of Adare). Second £5, to James Anderson (Avenel).

Heifers under Two Years Old.-First prize £15, to Thomas Ball (Queen of Beauty 3rd). Second £10, to Richard Welsted (British Queen). Third £5, to Richard Welsted (Aunt Anne).

Heifers under One-year-old.-First prize £5, to Thomas Ball (Wood Flower). Second £2, to Thomas Ball (Pink of Fashion).

Hereford Bulls under Five Years Old.-No entry. Polled Angus or Galloway Bulls, under Five Years Old.No merit.

Devon Bulls, under Five Years Old.-First prize £10, to Wm. Coppinger (Master Bodley). Commended, the Earl of Charlemont.

Ayrshire Bulls, under Five Years Old.-First prize £5, to John Borthwick (Robin). Commended, Commissioners of National Education.

West Highland Bulls, under Five Years Old.-No entry.

Kerry Bulls, under Five Years Old.-First prize £5, to R. S. Cusack. Second £3, to the Earl of Charlemont. Hereford Cows, In-Calf or In-Milk.- Prize £5, no entry.

Hereford Heifer, under Three Years Old.-No entry. Hereford Heifer, under Two Years Old.-No entry. M. O'Reilly Dease. Galloway Cow, In-Milk or In-Calf.-First prize £5, to

Galloway Heifer, In-Milk or In-Calf.-First prize £4, to M. O'Reilly Dease.

Devon Cows In-Milk or In-Calf.-First prize £4,'to Wm, Coppinger.

Devon Heifers, In-Milk or In-Calf.-First prize £3, to the Earl of Charlemont.

Devon Heifers, under Two Years Old.-First prize £3, to the Earl of Charlemont.

John Borthwick (Beauty).
Ayrshire Cows, In-Calf or In-Milk.-First prize £4, to

Ayrshire Heifers, In-Calf or In-Milk.-First prize £3, to
John Borthwick (Sleeping Maggie). Commended, the
Commissioners of National Education.
Ayrshire Heifers, under Two Years Old.-First prize £3,
to J. Borthwick (Bessy Bell).

West Highland Cow, In-Calf or In-Milk.-First prize £4, to Allan Pollok.

West Highland Heifers, In-Calf or In-Milk.-First prize £3, to Allan Pollok.

Kerry Cows, In-Calf or In-Milk.-First prize £5, to Adam W. Meade (Carberry Lass). Second £3, withheld. Kerry Heifers, In-Calf or In-Milk.-First prize £4, to M. O'Reilly Dease. Second £3, to M. O'Reilly Dease. Kerry Heifers, under Two Years Old.-First prize £3, to R. S. Cusack. Second £2, to Edward Res.

Stallions under seven, and above two years of age, first prize £25, to Thomas Forshaw (Brown Stout). Second £15, to John Mill (Lord Clyde).

Stallions foaled in 1859-No merit.

Mares and foal, or in foal.-First prize £15, to John Mill. Second £5 to Robert Shaw.

Colts foaled in 1859-First prize £10, to Allan Pollok. Second £5, to Robert Shaw.

Colts foaled in 1860.-First prize £5, to Lord Clarina. CHALLENGE CUPS.

Cup value £50, for the best Stallion, Mare, or Colt in any of the foregoing classes, to Thomas Forshaw, Lancashire (Brown Stout).

Cup £50, for the best weight-carrying Hunter, to Daniel Lane, Kanlark (Young Captain).

Prizes offered by the South West Agricultural Society for general competition.-The best blood mare for htinting purposes-First prize £10, J. Bouchier (Rosella); second £5, J. Bouchier (Roseabella).

SHEEP (LEICESTERS).
JUDGES.-James Clarke,

Five Shearling Ewes.-First prize £5, and second £ 3 to Charles W. Hamilton. These sheep were Shropshire Downs. PIGS (LARGE BREED). JUDGES.-A. Darker. J. P. Tynte.

A. Warburton.

Boars under eighteen months old.-First prize £5, and second £3, to Robert S. Backas (Berkshire).

Boars over eighteen months.-First £4, to Robert S. Backas (Berkshire). Second £2, no merit.

Medal for the best Boar in the foregoing sections to R. S. Backas.

Breeding Sows under eighteen months.-First prize £4, to William Joyce (Berkshire). Second £2, to Sir Robert Paul, Bart. (Berkshire).

Breeding Sows above eighteen months.-First prize £3, to William Joyce (Berkshire). Second £2, to John Kenny, Limerick Model Farm (Yorkshire).

Three Breeding Pigs.-First prize £8, and second £4, to William Joyce (Berkshire).

FLAX. JUDGES.-J. B. Boyd.

De K. Kenefick.

Mill-scutched Flax in bundles over 16lb.-First prize £3, Second £2 to E. Smyth.

to David Patten.

IMPLEMENTS.

JUDGES, D. A. Milward. R. C. Wade.

The Irish Farmers' Gazette challenge cup for the best collection of implements, to T. McKenzie, Cork. Highly commended, Gray, Belfast.

SILVER MEDALS TO

J. Walsh, Stedolt, for furze bruiser.

Barrett, Exall, & Andrewes, Reading, for corn elevator. O'Neill, Athy, for Clayton's corn elevator. implements (not in competition). Commended-Garrett, Leiston, Suffolk, for stand of

THE DINNER.

Nearly three hundred members-guests, exhibitors, and others interested in the welfare of the Society-dined together on the evening of the day of the show. The speeches delivered on the occasion were of the usual routine character. How ever, his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, who attended at the banquet as the guest of the Society, and who had minutely examined the general produce of the show, made the following observations in reply to the toast of his health in connection with the prosperity of Ireland: "I believein the show of this year there is very much to approve and to applaud, except, indeed, in point of weather (Hear). I believe, too, that with respect to the number of cattle exhibited, a county with which I am connected, the county of York, may have had some share in diminishing the numbers exhibited on this occasion; the show in that county, which has great attractions for all the