this subject are not new. I was engaged unsuccessfully in the same way more than thirty years ago; and I am afraid that difficulties will be found in adjusting the clauses of the bill to meet the object immediately in view, and, at the same time, not hamper or annoy the honest trader. If legislation can really meet the evil, I should have much wished that Mr. Bright, who evidently understands all sides of the question, had seen his way to have brought forward a well-constructed Government measure, and in that case the expense would not have fallen upon so few. As the matter stands at present, I would recommend to the society to do all it can in favour of the bill." The Bill was remitted to the directors, with power to petition in its favour if they should see cause. The thanks of the meeting were voted to the Chairman, and the proceedings then terminated. STIRLING AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. This Society embraces the counties of Stirling, Clackmannan, Dumbarton, and the western district of Perthshire; and so successful a show has never been held; the result being in a great measure due to the stimulus given to the exhibitors in the district by the offer of five silver challenge cups. The entries in all classes were 560, or about 160 more than at the previous meeting, and the animals were on the whole of much superior quality. The yard was particularly strong in Ayrshires; but the Shorthorns were poorly represented, and those on the ground were not particularly deserving notice, with the exception of some animals shown by Lord Dunmore. His bull, Braithwaite, which took the Challenge Cup, was the bull that carried off the first prize for yearlings at the Highland Society's Show last season, and afterwards bought by his lordship from Mr. Barclay of Keavil. Among sheep, the show of blackfaced was considered to be the best ever seen in Stirling, the excellence in quality not being confined to the prize animals, but extending to nearly all that were exhibited. Of Leicesters there was a small show. The horses were not up to the mark when compared with those seen at various recent shows in the west. Mr. Drew's mare, which was first at Glasgow and East Kilbride, took the Challenge Cup in the open competition, and, in the opinion of the judges, was set down as a better mare than her dam, which was generally allowed to be the best in Scotland. The pigs were particularly good, and the dairy produce showed a great improvement on last year. PRIZE LIST. JUDGES. Ball, three years old and upwards.-A. Buchanan, Whitehouse. Bull, two years old.-First prize, Earl of Dunmore; second, Cow, calved, or to calve this season.-First prize, J. M'Queen, Two years old quey.-First and second prizes, Earl of Dunmore; third, S. Turnbull, Bonhill. One year old quey-First prize, Earl of Dunmore; second and commended, A. Buchanan. AYRSHIRES. Bulls, three years old and upwards.-First prize, W. A, MacLachlan of Auchentroig; second, J. Lang, Bield; third, W. Buchanan, Coxithill. Bulls, two years old.-First prize, R. Sands, Greenfoot; second, D. Keir, Buchlyvie; third, J. Kay, Gargunnock. Bulls, one year old.-First prize, D. Riddell, Kilbowie; second, J. Jardine, Kilewnan; third, W. Buchanan. Cows in milk, three years old and upwards.-First prize, W. Weir, Inches, Tain; second, W. A. MacLachlan; third, W. Fleming, Tillichewan. Three years old queys in milk.-First prize, W. A. Mac Lachlan; second, W. Fleming; third, D. Riddell. Three cows, three years old and upwards, in milk.-First prize, D. Keir. No competition. Cows in calf, including three years old queys.-First prize, D. Riddell; second, J. Dunn, Newton Mains; third, W. Weir. Two years old queys in milk.-First prize, J. Graham, Auchenlock; second, W. Weir; third, J. Paterson, Townhead. Two years old yeald queys.-First prize, S. Turnbull, Renton; second, G. Pender, Dumbreck; third, A. and J. Christie, Bankend. First prize protested against by Mr. Pender. One year old queys.-First prize, T. Leishman, Meiklewood; second, J. Graham; third, A. M'Gregor, Culmore; fourth, J. Kay. EXTRA PRIZES-AYRSHIRES. Silver challenge cup, for the best bull, three years old and under eight years old (given by Vice-President Sir Alexander Gibson-Maitland of Barnton and Sauchie, Bart.-R. Wilson, Forehouse, Kilbarchan. Silver challenge cup, for the best cow in milk, three years old and upwards.-A. Holm, Jaapston, Neilston. FAT STOCK, ANY BREED OR CROSS (SHORTHORN HEIFERS Pair of fat stots or queys, any age.-First and second prizes, Pair of two years old stots, bred by the exhibiter.-First prize, W. Thomson, Burnbank; second and commended, J. White, Meadowend. Pair of two years old queys, bred by the exhibiter.-First prize, W. Thomson; second, P. Dewar ; commended, J. White. Pair of one year old stots, bred by the exhibiter.-First prize, Earl of Dunmore; second, J. Cousin, Grassmainston; commended, W. Thomson. Pair of one year old queys, bred by the exhibiter.-First prize, W. Thomson; second, J. M'Queen; commended, J. Peat, Manor. FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES. Brood mares with foal at foot, or to foal this season.-First prize, R. Stark, Camelon; second, F. Archibald, Carsiepow; third, W. Ure, Crawfordstone. Yeald mares, three years old and upwards.-First prize, A. B. Yuille, Darleith; second, W. Moffat, Skirva; third, D. Riddell, Kilbowie. Highly commended, J. Forrester, Nethersarse; commended, R. Stark. Two-year-old fillies.-First prize, R. Sands, Greenfoot; second, T. Denholm, Lochgreen; third, F. Archibald. One-year-old fillies.-First prize, P. Dewar, Queen's Park; second, C. J. Tennant, Balwill; third, W. Moffat. Commended, A. M'Nab, Techmuiry. Two-year-old entire colts-First prize, J. Brown, Wester Camoquhill; second, D. Riddell; third, A. M'Nab. Two-year-old geldings.-First prize, R. Sands; second, W. Muirhead, Pirnhall. Commended, T. Leishman, Meiklewood. One-year-old colts, including geldings.-First prize, W. Buchanan, Coxithill; second, W. Kay, Littlekerse. Pair of draught horses (mares included), to be shown in cart harness. First prize, D. Riddell; second, W. Moffat. Commended, R. Stark. ROADSTERS. Mares or geldings, three years old and upwards, for road or field.-First prize, W. Walker, Stirling; second and third, J. C. Wakefield, Eastwood Park, Callander Lodge. EXTRA PRIZES-OPEN TO ALL COMERS. Silver challenge cup for the best Clydesdale mare, three years old and upwards (given by Mr. Forbes, of Callander).— L. Drewe, Merryton, Hamilton. For the best harness horse or mare, to be shown in harness (given by Sir William C. B. Bruce, of Stenhouse, Bart.) First prize, W. Walker; second, and commended, J. C. Wakefield. For the best cart horse or mare, to be shown in cart harness. First prize, R. Stark; second, D. Riddell, EXTRA STOCK. Pony, exhibited by Mr. W. Ross, Trininallan House, Stirling. First prize, W. Walker; second, W. Ross, Trininallan House. SHEEP. BLACKFACED. Rams, two-year-old and upwards.-First prize, second, and silver medal, R. M'Neil, Letter, Killearn. One-year-old rams.--First prize, second, and commended, W. Beunie, Smallburn. Five ewes, two-year-old and upwards, with lamb at foot.First prize and silver medal, R. M'Neil, second and commended, W. Drysdale, Craigengelt. Five one-year-old ewes.-First prize, R. M'Neil; second, G. Stirling Home-Drummond, Blairdrummond. Commended, W. Drysdale. LEICESTERS. Rams, two-year-old and upwards.-First prize, Earl of Dunmore; second, M. Nimmo, Foot-o'-Green. Commended' J. Fleming, Carmuirs. Silver medal, extra prize, open, A. Smith, Stevenson Mains, Haddington. One-year-old rams.-First prize, J. Fleming; second, Earl of Dunmore; third, J. T. S. Paterson, Plean. Three ewes, two-year-old and upwards, with lamb at foot.-First prize and medal, M. Nimmo; second and third, J. Fleming. Three one-year-old ewes.--First and second prize, J. Fleming; third, Earl of Dunmore, PIGS. Boars, large breed.-First prize and silver medal, A. M'Nab, Techmuiry; second, A. Watt, Stirling. Boars, small breed.-First prize, second, and silver medal, R. Philp, Bridge of Allan. Brood swine, large breed.-First prize, third, and medal, W. Kay, Little Kerse; second, A. Watt. Brood swine, small breed.-First prize, second, and medal. -R. Philp. Three pigs, not exceeding eight months old.-First and second prize, R. Philp. WOOL. For the best five fleeces of Leicester wool.-First prize, L. Drysdale, King-o'-Muirs; second, J. Fleming. For the best five fleeces of blackfaced wool (white).--First and second prize, W. Drysdale, Craigengelt. WEST LOTHIAN AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. MEETING AT LINLITHGOW. Since the formation of this association, a more successful | show has never taken place. Not only did the entries greatly exceed those of previous years, but the stock was of a superior quality. In the section for horses there were no fewer than 172 entries, or about 50 more than at the meeting in the previous year; while there were 108 competitors for the different prizes offered for cattle-being about 30 more than last year. JUDGES. AYRSHIRE CATTLE AND CART HORSES.-L. Drew, Merryton; J. Coubrough, Blairtummock; J. Fleming, Castleton; R. M'Kean, Lumloch. SHORTHORNS, SHEEP, AND PIGS.-D. Denholm, Carberry Mains; G. Gardner, Carrington Barns; J. Deans, Dalkeith. RIDING HORSES.-Sir W. Baillie, Polkemmet; W. Ford, Hardengreen; J. Stodart, Bangour. DAIRY PRODUCE.-W. Wyse, Falkirk; W. Dymock, Linlithgow. CATTLE. AYRSHIRES. Bulls, not under three years old.-First prize, W. Waddell, Nethertoun; second, J. Cadzow, Clarendon. Highly commended, W. Young, Whitelaw. Two-year-old bulls.--First prize, J. Meikle, Seafield; second, J. Meikle, Blackburn Hall. Yearling bulls.-First prize, J. Meikle, Seafield; second W. Meikle, East Briech. Highly commended, W. Young. Cows in milk.-First prize, J. Meikle, Seafield; second, A. Morton, Bickerton Hall; third, J. Fleming, Carmuirs. Highly commended, W. Young. Pairs of cows, in milk, bred by exhibitor.-First prize, A. Morton; second, W. Young. Highly commended, J. Walker, Tippethill. Cows in calf.-First prize, J. Meikle, Seafield; second, A. Morton; third, W. Young. Highly commended, A. Wilson, Melons Place. Heifers calved after 1st January, 1867.-First prize, J. Meikle, Seafield; second, J. Walker. Highly commended, J. Meikle, Blackburn Hall. Heifers calved after 1st January, 1868.-First prize, J. Fleming; second and commended, J. Graham, Myothill. CROSS BREEDS. Cows for dairy purposes, in milk.-First prize, A. Learmonth, Northbank; second, J. Cadzow. Highly commended, G. Wilson, Lochhouse. Pairs of cows for dairy purposes, bred by exhibitor.-First prize, J. Cadzow; second, J. Manuel, Newbigging. Dairy cow, in milk, of any breed, kept within the parliamentary boundaries of the burgh of Linlithgow. Open to non-members.-First prize, J. Learmonth, Linlithgow; second, T. Morton, Linlithgow. SHORTHORNS. Bulls calved before 1st January, 1868.-First prize, A. Learmonth; second, J. Graham, Bankhead. Bulls calved after 1st January, 1868.-First prize, G. Bogie, Pardovan; second, D. Hill, Calcoats. Cows. First and second prizes, J. Bartholomew, Duntarvie. Heifers calved after 1st January, 1867.-D. M'Gibbon, In veravon. Heifers calved after 1st January, 1868.-D. M'Gibbon. HORSES. FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES. Mare, in foal or milk.-First prize, J. Young, Niddry; second, W. H. Hardie, Borrowstoun Mains; third, P. Turner, Mannerston. Highly commended, J. Fleming, Three-mile town. Mares. First and third prize, R. M. Buchanan, Livingston Mill; second, J. Brownlee, Nether Alderston. Commended, Three-year-old fillies.-First prize, R. M. Buchanan, Two-year-old fillies.-First prize, J. Brownlee, second, J. Johnson, Ballencrieff Mains. Highly commended, W. Waddell, Nethertoun. Yearling fillies.-First prize, J. Orr, Hill, Whitburn; second, J. Johnson. Commended, R. Dalrymple, Williamcraigs. Two-year-old colts, foaled after 1st January, 1867.Prize, H. Meikle, Woodside. Highly Commended, J. Ford, Stankards. Yearling colts, foaled after 1st January, 1868.-First prize, J. Stodart, Bangour. Highly commended, J. Johnson; commended, W. Wilson, Parkley Craigs. Pairs of mares or geldings, not under three years old, bred by exhibitor.-First prize, R. M. Buchanan; second, J. Robertson, Myrehead. Highly commended, W. H. Hardie, Borrowstoun Mains. Geldings, not under three years old.-First prize, J. Robertson, Myrehead; second, J. Stodart. Highly commended, W. H. Hardie. Sweepstakes: Foal.-Prize, W. H. Hardie. burn. Two-year-old colts or fillies.-First prize and commended, Earl of Hopetoun, Hopetoun House. Two-year-old colts or fillies.-First prize, J. Wilson, Riccarton. Commended, Earl of Hopetoun. Yearling colts or fillies, for the field.-First prize, T. Roadsters, not above 14 hands high.-First prize, A. Henderson, Linlithgow; second, J. G. Urquhart. Ponies, not above 12 hands high.-First prize, J. Wilson, Nicolton; second and commended, R. Stark, Camelton House. Highly commended, T. Chalmers, Longcroft. Sweepstakes: Half-bred foals.-First prize, W. Macfie. Commended, A. Henderson. Sweepstakes: Hunters.-First prize, Earl of Hopetoun; Second, H. W. Hope, Luffness. Highly commended, J. Stodart. SHEEP. Aged tups.-First prize, J. M'Kinlay, junior, Hardhill; second, A. Reid, Haining Valley. Highly commended, F. H. Ralphs, Park; commended, J. Morrison, West Dalmeny. Shearling tups.-First and second prizes, J. Morrison; third, A. Reid. Pen of three ewes.-First prize, J. Gay, Polmont Hill; second, J. Fleming, Carmuirs. Commended, Representatives of P. Reid. Pens of three gimmers.-First prize, J. Fleming; second, Representatives of P. Reid. Commended, J. Watson, Mumrills. PIGS. Boars, large breed.-Prize, R. Dalrymple, Burghmuir. Boars, small breed.-No entries. Sows, small breed.-First prize, J. M'Kinlay, Hardhill; second, J. Learmouth, Linlithgow. Wilson, Riccarton. Commended, A. Turnbull. D. Bartholomew, Greendyke. DAIRY PRODUCE. Full-cured butter.-First prize, Countess of Hopetoun, Hopetoun House; second, Mrs. J. Walker, Tippethill; third, Mrs. J. Webster, Mungall Mill. Highly commended, Mrs. Fairley. Fresh butter.-First prize, Countess of Hopetoun; second, Mrs. J. Walker; third, Mrs. H. Meikle, Woodside. Highly commended, Mrs. A. Learmouth, Northbank. THE LIMESTONE FORMATIONS OF ENGLAND. A paper on "The Limestone Formations of England," was read by Mr. H. Trumper, of Dunn Mill, at a late meeting of the Hungerford Farmers' Club, in which he said: Having been requested to read you a Paper on some Geological subject, considered more especially with reference to the application of that science to agriculture, I have chosen that of the "Limestone Formations of England," because geology is a science which treats of objects of such magnitude and sublimity, that it is quite impossible to deal with more than a branch of it in a paper like this. In the first place, I shall attempt to give you a slight sketch of the distribution of the various limestone formations that occur in this country; and in the second, I shall endeavour to treat of their importance in an agricultural point of view. The fossiliferous strata of which the crust of this globe is chiefly composed, are divided into three great classes, viz., primary, secondary, and tertiary-the primary being the most ancient, and the tertiary the most modern of the three; and it is my intention to commence with the most modern, and to descend as it were in the series to the most ancient. The tertiary, or most modern of these three great classes, contains no limestone formations of any consequence in this country, although there are beds of limestone of this age in Sicily of from 700 to 800 feet in thickness; here it consists principally of gravels, sands, and clays. The secondary, or middle-class as it were, contains several beds of limestone, the first or more recent of which is the great chalk formation. This is so familiar to you all, that I need not enter into a detailed account of it, but will merely say that it is subdivided into the upper chalk, which contains numerous parallel layers of siliceous nodules, termed flints, disposed in irregular dis tances from each other; and in some places sheets or seams of flints-the lower chalk which contains no flints, and the chalk marl, an argillaceous limestone which is very constantly found underlying the chalk. In this country the chalk is generally white, but in some countries it is of a deep red, and in others of a yellow colour. Beneath the chalk we have the upper green sand, the gault, and the lower green sand, but these contain no limestone of any consequence, with the exception of the Kentish rag, which is quarried in the neighbourhood of Maidstone. We come next to the Wealden formation of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. Next in succession to the Wealden comes the oolite formation-so named because the limestones of which it principally consists are composed of small egg-like grains, resembling the roe of a fish. This formation in its various characters extends from the Yorkshire coast near Scarborough, through Rockingham forest in Northamptonshire, to the Cotteswold Hills, and terminates at the sea at Bridport, in Dorsetshire; occupying a zone which is nearly 30 miles in average breadth. It is subdivided into the Upper, Middle, and Lower Oolite. These coralline strata extend through the calcareous hills of the N.W. of Berkshire and north of Wiltshire, and again recur in Yorkshire, near Scarborough. They rest on a thick bed of clay, called the Oxford Clay, sometimes not less than 500 feet in thickness. The third subdivision of the Oolite group, termed the Lower Oolite, consists first of what is called the Corn brash, which is composed of clays and calcareous sandstones, passing downwards into an argillaceous limestone-abounding in marine fossils-termed Forest Marble. Immediately beneath the Oolite, we have a formation of argillaceous limestone, marl, and clay, called the Lias, which is classed by many geologists as part of the Oolite group. The lower part of this formation contains thin beds of blue or grey limestone, separated by narrow argillaceous partings. It may be stated in general terms, that the Lias of England extends along the western escarpment of the Oolite, from Whitby, in Yorkshire, to Lyme Regis, in Dorsetshire. Next to the Lias, we have a group of strata called the Trias, but these contain no limestone in this country. I may mention, though, that the rock salt of Cheshire is found in the lower part of this group, which terminates the Secondary, or middle period. We now come to the Primary, or most ancient of the three great classes. This formation contains beds of Magnesian Limestone, some of which contain as much as forty-four per cent. of carbonate of magnesia, mixed with carbonate of lime; while others consist chiefly of carbonate of lime. This magnesian limestoue furnishes the building stone of which Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament are constructed; and it occurs principally in Yorkshire and Durham. Next to the Permian, we have the Carboniferous formation. We come next in the descending order to the most ancient of the primary fossiliferous rocks, the Silurian formation-so named by that eminent geologist, Sir Roderick Murchison, because it occupies that part of Wales and some contiguous counties of England which once constituted the kingdom of a tribe of ancient Britons, called the Silures. Having given you the above slight sketch of the distribution of the limestones of England, I shall next attempt briefly to treat of their importance in an agricultural point of view; and this naturally brings me to the use of lime in agriculture. Now many persons have supposed that caustic lime exerts a great and peculiar action on the soil, but the late Mr. Nesbit, and nearly all chemists who have investigated the matter, have, I believe, come to the conclusion that it is in the state of carbonate of lime that its peculiar influence is witnessed. The chief use of burning appears to be in the case of hard limestones, which when burnt into lime, absorb moisture from the atmosphere, and become a fine powder. This powder re-absorbs carbonic acid from the atmosphere, and again becomes the same carbonate of lime that it was before being burnt. But its mechanical condition is now changed from a hard solid mass, to a white friable powder, in which state it acts most readily on the soil. It seems to me that pretty much the same result is obtained from marling, from the use of easily disintegrated chalk, and from the application of harder limestones when burnt; the effect differing only in proportion to the solubility or non-solubility of the limestone. If these be very solid, or if the marl containing limestone be not easily acted upon by the air, the effect will not be so immediately produced as if the calcareous matter were more minutely divided, and, therefore, in a more soluble state. The operation of the marl or limestone will also vary in proportion to the quantity of silica, alumina, phosphate of lime, and other such substances contained in it; for although carbonate of lime be the chief material, its action will be modified by that of others with which it is connected. I will now proceed to speak of the action of calcareous matter in the soil. Now one of the peculiar actions of lime on the mineral ingredients of a soil, is, that it has the power of liberating the alkali contained in it, and which is necessary for the growth of plants. But all good soils contain a considerable amount of vegetable matter, or have the power of absorbing from the air substances adapted to the formation of vegetable matters, and lime acts materially on these organic substances. The presence of carbonate of lime augments the decomposition of roots and other vegetable matters in the soil, because in it we have a substance with which the different vegetable acids formed in the various phases of decomposition can unite at once. It is on soils which contain a large amount of vegetable matter, or that have not been under the plough for a great many years, that lime produces the most marked effect, becanse it brings the stores of nitrogen, and the organic materials contained in them, into the best possible state for the plants to act upon them. The action of lime is also very effectual in peat soils, and in soils which contain sulphate of iron, because it corrects what ; is called sourness-an evil which is felt in many districts. I have before mentioned that the presence of carbonate of lime in a soil augments the decomposition of vegetable matters; and it is a well-known fact that under the influence of the slow decomposition of vegetable and animal matters, nitrogen and ammonia are absorbed from the air, and this absorption will take place in proportion to the exposure of the soil by means of ploughing, &c., and to the porosity produced by efficient drainage, without which lime cannot percolate through the soil and perform its proper functions, and will therefore be perfectly useless. It is absurd to fancy that by liming land which has been worked down to a low state-and from which crop after crop has been taken without much manure-you will restore it to its original fertility; in such cases other manures ought to be used as well, but they ought not to be applied at the same time as quicklime, on account of its driving off the ammonia contained in them. It is in the case of land which has been newly broken up, and when the soil contains only a very small pro portion of lime, that its action tells best; in fact, such cases the use of any other manure without lime, will be of no avail. There is an old proverb, which doubtless many of you remember"The use of lime without manure, Will always make the farmer poor." And that saying is perfectly true, except in the case of soils containing a large amount of organic matter. Without the presence of carbonate of lime in a soil, you can never have the full action of any kind of manure. For instance, if there be sulphate of ammonia in the soil, the plants will not take it up as sulphate of ammonia; but it must be decomposed before the ammonia can be absorbed—there is something required to unite with the sulphuric acid, and this is furnished by the carbonate of lime, and if you have that, the sulphate of ammonia will give its ammonia freely to the growing plants. It is therefore necessary to have a certain amount of lime in any soil, if you wish to cultivate it to the greatest advantage: and there may be almost a total absence of it in soils resting upon limestone; for it is the constant tendency of lime to descend, consequently, soils which were originally formed by the disintegration of limestone itself, sometimes require liming as much as any others. In fact, in several places lime and calcareous matters have been applied with great success upon soils resting upon chalk or limestone. In conclusion, gentlemen, allow me to call the attention of the junior members of this Club to the advantages to be derived from the study of such subjects as I have attempted to set forth in this Paper. The time is coming-nay has almost_come-when those who wish to be considered practical agriculturists, must have thoroughly studied such subjects; but independently of this, the study of chemistry, geology, and the allied sciences, affords the greatest pleasure to those who have once mastered the rudiments of those sciences: and in my opinion there is no branch of study more interesting and captivating than geology, of which it has been truly said, that "It is a philosophy which never rests-its law is progress: a point which yesterday was invisible, is its goal to-day, and will be its starting post to-morrow." Yes, gentlemen, we cannot contemplate the vast changes that have taken place on the surface of our planet, without being struck with the infinite power and wisdom of the great Creator of the Universe, and with our own insignificance; and viewed in this light, the study of the natural sciences will not only expand and elevate our minds, but will help us to "look through Nature up to Nature's God." A discussion ensued, in reply to which, Mr. TRUMPER observed that the phosphates in limestone were insoluble, which explained the reason the action was not so immediate as in superphosphate of lime. With regard to the silicates in the lower chalk, they were generally found in combination with alkalies and earths, and were consequently in a more soluble state than in the upper chalk and some other formations. The manner in which lime corrected sourness in land was by its combination with the acid of sulphate of iron, thus assisting to convert the protoxide into peroxide of iron. Respecting the age of the different formations, it could only be explained geologically. THE NORFOLK AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. MEETING AT ATTLEBOROUGII. The exceptional exclusiveness of Essex notwithstand-titor, Mr. Aylmer, cleverly enough in the pairs of heifers; ing, there is a strong connecting link running through the and the Shorthorns had all the call of the Hereexhibitions of the Eastern Counties. New trials are con- fords amongst the fat stock, where Mr. Aylmer did tinually granted, with further hearings in other Courts, if better; but in this section, despite the presence of not necessarily before other judges. Indeed, a man who Mr. Wortley, there was nothing "very particular." has had any injustice done him here, can scarcely fail to There were, as usual, but few Devons entered, although, find retribution hereafter; as those who judge are pretty amongst these, Mr. John Overman exhibited a bull of certain in turn to be judged. Thus, upon entering the fifteen years old, which has worn wonderfully well, show-yard, at Attleborough, in Norfolk, there stood, and is the sire of some of his most famous steers, side by side, just as we had seen them at Colchester, the Smithfield Cup ox amongst them. He was beaten, Sorcerer, Charles-le-Beau, and Hogarth the Second; however, here by his son, who scarcely promises to the terrible sameness of the selection being relieved only ever lengthen out like his sire, and both bred in the by Grand Sultan, a young bull of Mr. Lynn's, that was county, rather lack the true North Devon charachighly commended as a calf at the Leicester Royal. Rosolio, ter, which was the better exemplified in Mr. Overin his blinkers, had been drafted as an utterly hopeless man's handsome old cow, from the herd of Mr. Halse, of case, with two or three very moderate animals; and Ho- South Molton. Still, whatever the Devons may do on garth again became the champion bull of the meeting, their own account, there can be no question but that they with the Sultan as easy a second, although he has not have been of some service to the native red polls. The improved much, and is bad about his shoulders. The judges spoke in the highest terms of these classes, of their difficulty, however, was over Sorcerer and the Beau, as in appearance, quality, and use, as there is little doubt but fact their places were left for some time in abeyance. Ul- that a taste of the Devon blood has occasionally been timately, however, Mr. Catchpool was declared to possess tried. Mr. John Hammond, amongst others, had a sweet the superior of the two; a decision in which everybody cow, and a still better yearling heifer, almost perfection in seemed to concur, although in Essex, last week, it was all her way, and which took the cup, beating her senior out the other way, Sorcerer being soon sent out, and Charles- of the same herd as the best of all the polled cows or le-Beau left to do battle with the Second Hogarth. Lord heifers. Sir Willoughby Jones' two-year-old was almost Walsingham's best yearling bull has plenty of good beef as smart a sample, and but for her slack back might have about him, but not much style; and Mr. Aylmer's things run the Bale pair a little closer. Mr. Arthur Overman, looked altogether out of form, although, as the list will if with but little to beat, showed an admirable red-andshow, they took a few inferior prizes. Lady Anne and white polled bull, a cross by a Shorthorn bull out of a Queen of Rosalca now came into the same class; and, as poll cow; and Lord Sondes deservedly won with a pen of both have been terribly overdone, the Huntingdonshire very pretty calves. Then there was a class of Polled heifer, as the younger of the two, very properly had the Cows "not Norfolk and Suffolk;" a class of Horned call, with Mr. Frere's cow again third, as in Essex, and Cows "not Shorthorns or Devons;" a class of Heifers Mr. Kersey Cooper's little plaything altogether unno- "not Shorthorns, Devons, or Norfolk and Suffolk;" and ticed; but then she was in better company, and had not a class of Heifers "not Shorthorn or Norfolk and Suffolk;" the bull's society to help her out. There was a capital, and there were of course rumours of objections as to nonif small, class, of four two-year-old heifers, all of which Shorthorns being Shorthorns, and so forth. And Captain received some attention from the authorities, if the Catling won with the "Turnhill breed "-whatever that Queen of Diamonds were still, far away, the best of the may happen to be; and Mr. Henry Overman did well lot. This heifer, indeed, of great growth and fine qua- enough with anything that had some sort of a cross in it lity, promises to go on and make her mark elsewhere, as -an essential condition, as it would seem, at Weasenham she was, no doubt, the best animal in the cattle classes at for any kind of stock, be this cattle, sheep, or anything Attleborough; while she has already distinguished her- but cart horses, which are of course all of the pure Norfolk self, having taken the extra premium as "the best of all" breed-whatever, again, that may happen to be. at the Oakham show last Christmas, and previously first prizes at the North Lincoln and Peterborough meetings. Her chief fault, so far, is that, like most of Mr. Lynn's stock, she has been a little too well prepared, a complaint that could not be urged against Mr. Aylmer's second, which was exhibited in very legitimate condition. Queen of Diamonds is by Prizeman, the best bull at the Norfolk show, last year, out of a May-Duke cow. Two of the highly-commended yearlings at Southampton met again; and, although Lady Pigot's sister to Lady Anne has more length and style, she is already getting gaudy behind, and the neater Butterfly finished before her. Nevertheless, they asked the Americans 350 gs. for La Belle Hélène; but the famous 1,000 gs. Pride of the Vale, slipped her calf almost immediately after she was shipped for the States, and this may have tended to make our best customers more cautious. Lord Walsingham, who, so handy home, was altogether in force, beat his only compe But the Norfolk horses made a very creditable show at Attleborough, as, in fact, it was thought the competition was too strong for the judges. One of these, Mr. Howard from Lincolnshire, could not fulfill his engagement, and a steward of the yard was put on in his place, with no very satisfactory result. These awards, in truth, were pretty generally regarded as the weak place in the proceedings, and the conclusions come to at Downham were continually "corrected at Attleborough. There were as usual some famous pairs of plough horses, well-grown, weighty, and active, the best of which were pronounced to be Mr. Tingey's chesnuts, something probably of a Suffolk cross, as a Norfolk horse must be a brown, bay or black. One of the second prize pair was a very middling animal, and Mr. Overman's were all too high in condition, or they should certainly have stood higher on the list. They looked a deal more like having been made up for a fair than used for agricultural purposes in the county for |