The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-17 00:00:00

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS CATTLE

MARKET.

Notwithstanding the severe losses sustained this year
from the cattle plague, and the large sales of half-fat
animals disposed of by the feeders iu the early part of too
season, there was a full average number of beasts on offer
here to-day for Christmas consumption. Fortunately for
the graziers this has been a favourable 3 ear for the produc-
tion of live stock-, although since the third week in
August considerable quantities of rain have fallen in most
parts of the United Kingdom natural food has been very
abundant, root crops have turned out wonderfully heavy,
and both beasts and sheep have been kept longer upon
the land than usual. Tho graziers' expenses have thus
b3en lessened, and there is an abundance of good food on
hand fcr winter us?.

For numerical strength the short-horns hero to-day
stood first. This noble breed, which has extended itself
in all parts of the country for breeding purposes, came to
hand in excellent condition and in largo force, considering
the numbers sold at a much earlier period than iu the
usual run of years of 200 stones, and realised high quota-
tions, in spite of the restrictions still placed upon the re-
moval of stock from this market to distant localities.

We may next place the cross-breeds in the category of
excellence. There were crosses between the short-horned
bull and the Ayrshire cow, between short-horns and Scots,
bred and fed in Norforik, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire,
and, indeed, between almost every other breed in the
kingdom. With some few exceptions, where the very best
animals had not been used, the show in this respect was
wonderfully good. The points of the animals were well
preserved, and the weight of meat was fully equal to any
former year.

The Herefords stood next. This splendid breed exhi-
bited points of great excellence and elicited great praise
from the butchers. The prices realised for them were
about on a par with the general run of good crosses.
As regards the Bayous, we may observe that they came
to hand in excellent condition. The supply, however,was
only moderate, not from any scarcity of stock in the West
of England, but from the unwillingness on the part of the
graziers to forward largely during the continuance of the
present restrictions upon the movement of stock to the
provinces. High rates were paid for them in every in-
stance.

There was a most splendid exhibition of Scots and
crosses from Scotland and Norfolk. The Scotch cattle espe-
cially were unusually good. The Norfolks were larger in
size taken collectively, but the Scots from Scotland had
quite as much consumable meat on their backs as their
more stately rivals. There was very little difficulty in
finding a ready sale for this portion of the supply. The
number of polled Scots brought forward was rather limited;
their quality and condition, however, were very prime.
Of Sussex beasts there was a fair arrival, but most of
them ranged from six to seven years old ; consequently,
did not command much attention.

There were some very good Welsh runts on offer, but
the Irish bullocks were deficient in quality.
Mongrel breeds were somewhat more numerous than
could be desired. The long-horns were very few in num-
ber, but most of them were of full average weight.
With this general outline of the Show, we now direct
attention to the more salient points of the supply.
The following return shows the number of boasts ex-
hibited and the prices realised for them on the great days
during the last 23 years :

Years. Beasts Shown. Prices.
s. d. s. d.
1841 4,500 ... 3 8 to 5 0
1842 ... 4,511 ... ... 3 4to 4 8
1843 4,510 ... 3 8 to 4 4
1811 5,713 ... 4 oto 4 6
1845 5,326 ... 8 6 to 4 8
1846 4,570 ... 4 0 to 5 8
1847 .„ 4,282 ... ... 3 4to 4 8
1848 5,942 ... 3 4 to 4 8
1819 ... 5,765 3 4 to 4 6
1850 6,311 3 0 to 3 10
1851 6,103 ... 2 8 to 4 2
1852 6,271 ... ... 2 8 to 4 0
1853 ... 7,037 ... ... 3 2 to 4 10
1854 ... 6,181 ... 3 6 to 5 4
1855 ... 7,000 ...
~.. 3 8 to 4 2
1856 ... 6,748 ... ... 3 4 to 5 0
1857 6,856 ... ... 3 4 to 4 8
1858 6,424 ... 3 4 to 5 0
1359 7,560 ... ... 3 6to 5 4
1860 7,860 ... 3 4 to 5 4
1861 8,810 ... 3 4 to 5 0
1862 8,430 ... ... 3 4 to 5 0
1863 10,370 ... ... 3 6to 5 2
1864 7,030 ... ... 3 8 to 5 8
1865 7,530 ... 3 4 to 5 4

At Mr. George Dickson's stand there was a large collection
of Scotch beasts, which attracted much attention. Some
of the best Scots and crosses were forwarded by Messrs.
Knowles, Martin, Wishert, Boddie, It did, Winuor, Frost,
Bruce, and other graziers of Aberdeenshire, and by the
Messrs. Longmore, Mr. Stodard, and others of Banffshire.
Messrs Maidwill and bey land exhibited some very
prime animals, the property of Mr. Raid of Greystone, Vale
of Alford, Mr. Martin of Aberdeen, and various other
graziers.

Mr. Varley's stand was well filled with remarkably good
stock from various counties.

Mr. Hick's stand was well filled with some wonderful
stock, consigned by the leading graziers in Scotland.
Mr. Duckworth harlsorna excellent beasts, which realised
good prices. One bullock was offered for sale, which had
been exhibited in the show-yard.
Various other lots of; prime beasts were brought for-
ward, amongst them were some remarkably good beasts,
the property of Mr. M'Combie, of Tillyfour, Aberdeen.
Taken as a whole the supply of beasts was quite equal
to most former years, both as regards weight and quality.
The quality and condition of the sheep were good. Mr
Gurrier had on sale some very good Cotswolds, bred by
Mr. Hewer, of North Leach.

Mi. Dodd had a good show of Downs and half-breds,
forwarded by Mr. John Walter, Esq., of Barwood, Messrs.
Deane, Brighton, P. Dodd, and Healy.
Mr. Lintolt's stand was well filled with prime sheep, the
property of Messrs. Cox, Bates, Latitnore, St. Albans, and
Holzen, of Chichester. Mr. Drewett, of Guildford, sent
some very fine stock.

Mr. Still had four very fine Downs, belonging to Mr.
Canning, of Elston, Devizes.

Mr. Eland had some very prime Lincoln sheep, belong-
ing to Mr. P. H. Casswehr, of Laughton, Folkingham.
Mr. Weall, Mr. Burrell, Mr. Starkey, Mr. Caton, and
Mr. Code had some very good sheep on offer.