The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1869-12-28 00:00:00

CIMISTMAS FARE.

The Christmas week is always a busy and
exciting one for both shopkeepers and heads of
families. In most cases, we hope, what to have and
where to get it are the only important quew ions tor
solution ; for there is not much to be had, at this
or any other tone, without it. equivalent in current
coin of the realm. Our Dorchester shops have
mourned • thoroughly seasonable aspect.
The butcher., "ho provide the substantial portion
of the gastronomic joys of the meson, have had
rather • trying time. The weather has not been the
best, and Saturday, our chief market day, was
almost too early, while Wednesday is but an off day
and full late. However, they generally met the the
difficulty by msking a show on both days, and in no
previous year to we recollect noticing better provi-
sion for all comers. At all theshops and in the market
the quality of the animals exhibited was of the best—
creditable alike to breeders, graziers, and butchers,
and, decked out with sprgs of holly, it had • very
taking appiarance. Mr. Joseph Fudge, as usual,
had a splendid show, including seven heifers, grazed
by Mr. Taylor. of Bereley Farm,
Somerset, one
of which weighed upwards of 60 score I There was
also a fine Leifer from Mr. Foot of Bewley Wood,
two very excellent heifers purchased at Mr. Emor's
sale on Saturday, one a Hereford, bred by Mr. H.
Mayo' of Frier Weldon, and the other, a magnificent
little Devon heifer grazed by Mr. Robert Smith, of
Stafford. There was also 14 excelleat down wethera
grazed by Mr. G. Homer, Athelhampton' of very
choice quality; four from that noted breeder of
Sussex downs, Mr. Ingram, Of Bagber Farm; 20
capital Hampshire down wethers, fed by Mr. Taylor
of Bereley s five choice Devon wethers, from the
flock of Mr. launders, of Masten; and five very
prime sheep, bred by General Michel, Dewlish. Mrs.
Rollaway, on the opienite aide of the shambles, had
• remarkably good display, including three splendid
shorthorn heifers awl one Devon, fed by Mr. Taylor
of Bereley Farm, near Debater ; one excellent short-
horn and one Devon heifer from Mr. C. Bennett's,
one Devon heifer bred by Mr. Tucker' near
Creerkerne ; tee six-tooth down wethers also from
Mr. Tuckers celebrated flock; five horn wet'bers'
grazed by Mr. Parrett, of Cattistock ; a very extra-
ordinary fat born lamb from the Hock of Mr. G. F.
A. Flower, of West Stafford. This attracted great
attention. In addition there was &splendid fat calf,
bred and (baby Mr. T. Dunn, of the Junction Hotel,
Dorchester. Mrs. Warren, of Charminster, Mr.
Trenchard, of Eirershot, and other country butchers,
had also :same specially prime stook. Mr. Joseph
Lock's display in the North-square comprised a
beautiful Devon ox, fed by Mr. It. Smith, of
I Stafford; a Pure Devon heifer, fed by Mr. H. Mayo,
of Coker's From. • four Devon heifer. end five vary
superior shortborOs ; • fat calf fatted by Mr. Oliver,
of Fromm ; and another from Mr. Hutchings, of
Cliffe ; some excellent Devon wether and Portland
mutton from the farms of Mr. Dunman (Troytown),
Mr. Saunders (Watereombe), and Mr. Saunders
(Drum). Mr. Yearsley, High East-street, showed
four famous Devon beasts, grazed by Mr. Taylor, of
Bereley, e lot of capital" mutton, and • good
display of poultry, Mr. Hayward had also
made good provision for the season. Mr.
Cox bad 'O'4Y (Ihursday) amongst other good
things, one pig, weighing 14 more, bred by Mr.
Gordge of Wrazell ; this animal took the first prize
at the Uorchester show of stock on Saturday last,
and also took • Prize at Sherbome • two of nine
score each, bred and fed by Mr. Hirsol, Bear Hotel,
Wareham ; three of lOscore each from Mr. Dugdale,
of Chaldon. Mr. Cos also showed four or five very
choice porkers, from Mr. Salisbury, of Winterborne,
and 14 others of prime quality from Mr. Ellis of
I Cattistock. Mr. Bennett and Mr. Groves also dis-
played no end of porker,.
At the poultry shop in High &et-street, Mr. 11.
Mills had an immense display of turkeys and geese,
pheasant, and bares, ducks and chickens, unit if you
didn't like to buy out aad out," you can raffia
for them. The grocers shops., of course' had
tempting displays of all the good things which go
to make up Christmas puddings, and • stock of the
various preserved fruits now so generally liked. „ A
busy time they have had of it, and they will no
doubt appreciate the forthcoming holiday.
Ofeleganoiesin
confectionery, Mn. Howe, Comhill,
had • splendid show, and a room is specially
devoted to displaying an attractive stock of
crystallizei fruits, bon-bons of all descriptions,
Christmas trees laden with sweet things, and the
new and pretty conundrum cosmos*, containing
we know not what of sweetness and wit. For
afterilinner entertainment we will back there for
something considerable against any extent of
speeches. Mr. Woolst .n, displayed • variety of
cakes, sweetmeats, and toys. But for novelties and
don't for the world go to Mies Gregory's,
pretty things for children, fathers of families
for there you will find such a bewildering
edict such • number, that nothing lees than
choice, and in the innocence of your heart
• rail way van will convey them all home.
But 10-ef, plum pudding., and toss, wet supply
all the needs of Christmas time. We shall all want
dames, and Ito end of gams. Well, at Mr,