The Sun.
London, England, 1849-12-11 00:00:00

COUNTIES CATTLE SIIOW.

BIRMINGHAM, MONDAY NIGUT.—The award of the
prizes for cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry to be exhi-
bited at this show—the first over held in the Midland
Counties—took place this morning. The high
expectations previously entertained were more than
realized. The facilities of railway communication to
nearly every part of the country, atcl the fact that in
the Midland Counties there are many of the most
eminent breeders and feeders of stock, appeared to
warrant the conclusion that such an exhibition would
prove a successful experiment, and lead to valuable
practical results.

Amongst the chief promoters of the exhibition in
Birmingham, and who, throughout the present year,
have displayed the greatest zeal in its formation,
have been Mr. T. B. Wright, Mr. Tower, and Mr.
Shackel. Those gentlemen having determined to make
the attempt, their first object was to secure the
patronage of the chief agriculturists resident or
holding property in the adjoining counties. In this
they were eminently successful; for, amongst others,
they speedily obtained the support of his Grace
the Duke of Richmond, his Grace the Duke of Rut-
land, the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Aylesford,
Lord Leigh, the Earl of Dartmouth, Earl Talbot,
Lord Hatherton, and also of his Royal Highness
Prince Albert. To tho:.e names may be added a long
list of commoners, among whom are enrolled Sir
Francis Lawley, Mr. Spooner, M.P. Mr. Adderley,
M.P., Mr. Newdegate, M.P., and distinguished
landholders and practical farmers, and breeders of
stock from various parts of the midland counties.
It was proposed to raise the necessary funds by
subscription, and a sufficient amount having been
obtained a prize list was prepared suitable to the
midland counties, and including all the most useful
varieties of animals. In reference to fat cattle, a
more complete classification was adopted than usual
in lists of this nature, as without this classification, it
was deemed impossible for judges to decide on the
merits of the different breeds with satisfaction to
themselves or the exhibitors, in any way which should
promote a general good object—the main object of
the meeting being; to encourage profitable and not
expensive feeding. Certificates of age were, of
course, to be required, and the cattle and sheep to
be in the possession of the exhibitors previous to the
show.

The project, in its infancy, promised! well, and,
in the course of a few months, it was ascertained that
the entries would be numerous beyond all expecta-
tion. It was resolved, a few weeks ago, to erect an
extensive wooden building in the neighbourhood of
Bromsgrove-street, the land being granted for that
purpose by Sir Thomas Gooch. This work was
undertaken by Mr. Briggs, and executed by him to
the entire satisfaction of the promoters of the show.
Originally it was 330 by 100 feet wide, but ulti-
mately the applications of exhibitors were so numerous
that it was found necessary to add another erection
75 by 45 feet.
The stock, consisting of not fewer than 800 head
of fat cattle, sheep, and pigs, arrived on Saturday,
and the arrangements for the exhibition were fully
completed that day. When the immtnse structure
was lighted by gas at night, the scene was extremely
pleasing, and judges of farming stock declared that
in point of quality, the show of cattle and pigs, not
to forget poultry, was far above the average of similar
exhibitions held in other parts of the kingdom. The
show of pigs was deemed to be unequalled on Lny
former occasion.

Today the judges proceeded to examine the stock
and award the various prizes. It will be seen that
Prince Albert, the Duke of Rutland, the Earl of
Aylesford, the Earl of Warwick, Lord Hatherton,
Sir Francis Lavi, ley, &c., were among the successful
competitors.
The following is a list of the prizes just awarded :