The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-15 00:00:00

A-LNG'STON GREAT CATTLE FAIR.

Yesterday this celebrated fair commenced for the
sale of stock, horses, and sheep. It is the largest
stock fair in the county of Surrey, and attracts a
vast assemblage of
-persons interested in stock, &c.
This overt cattle-mart is held annually, and coming
at an advanced period in the autumn it is highly
advantageous to cattle breeders and stock keepers
in the completion of arrangements fir the coming
winter. The grazier may calculate the extent to
which his pasture lands will supply agistment and
carry outlying stock through the autumn, and
thereby regulate the amount of cattle to be re-
tained, the stock keeper is enabled to estimate his
requirements for the fatting shed and stall feed-
ing by the appearance of the rickyard, and sheep
breeders can acurately ascertain the necessary
flock to consume turnip crops and the provision made
for the sheepfold ; and thus the interests of an im-
portant class of agriculturists are amalgated by the
ample facilities afforded at this great mart for
stock husbandry. The supply of stock was aggre-
gately large, but not to the extent of some previous
fairs held here, and this may be ascribed to the
abundance of aftermath, root crops, &e., and the
mild and open state of the weather is a most essen-
tial concomitant in the stock-keepers' category, and
greatly
stimulates to the retention of a good head of
stock through the winter. The cattle field stock, in
good condition, commanded a brisk sale, and useful
dairyinc, beasts sold well. There were some herds
of well-bred steers from Hereford and Sussex,
which were in good request for stalling up.
Prices were as follow :—Milch cows, well-bred
short horns in full profit, were bought for
the London milk trade, at from 181 to
231 each ; half-bred ditto, for country dairying,
131 to 161. Dutch cows, 101 to 131; and Alderney
ditto, 9/ to 141. Cows down calving varied in price
from Si to 13/. Steers—Well-conditioned Here-
fords, 121 to 161; inferior ditto, 101 to 121; Sussex
ditto, well grazed, 121 to 141; plain ditto, 91to ill.;
and oxen, aged and accustomed to the yoke, 181 to
211. Devons, 121 to 161; fat cows, 151 to 191; bar-
ren ditto and old crocks, 41 to 81. Heifers—Well-
grown short-horn heifers sold. readily ; those in
calf, 91 to 11/ ; choice ditto, 171; and stock ditto, 71
to 101; cross-bred yearlings, 31 to Si each. Bulls—
This important description of stock consisted of
handsome two-year-old bulls (short-horns and York),
and which developed the essential properties of
well-bred stock. They were in eager demand,
and many selections were made for colonial ex-
portation ; selling figures were from 15 to
18 guineas ; and inferior ditto, 11/ to 131.
Welsh Cattle.—A large portion of the fair field was
assigned for this class of stock, and over which
large herds of black cattle were scattered; three-
year-old bullocks made 11/ to 131; two-year-old
ditto, 81 to 91; heifers, 71 to 81; and cows in full
profit and
_down calving, 101 to 121; the inherent
custom of the Welshman to cheer when a drove of
beasts are sold was to-day inflexible, and from the
unanimous shouts of Welsh'dcaiers it was obviously
manifest that a lively business was transacted. The
Sheep Fair.—There was a moderate amount of
sheep hurdled in, and comprised choice and well-
bred sheep ; business was brisk ; the free growth
of stubble turnips, rapeseed, &c., has militated
much to the sheep farmers' interest; sheep and
lambs were in good fettle ; prices were as fol-
lows :—Southdown and half-bred wethers from
off good keep made 45s to 50s a-head ; close-
wooled ewes to lamb down early, 38s to 45s a-head ;
full-mouthed ditto, 32s to 37s ; and aged ewes, 28s
to 31s per ditto; west country downs, wethers, 42s
to 48s ; ewes, 31s to 36s ; and Dorset ewes (horned
sheep), 42s to 52s a-head. Lambs, well bred South-
down wether lambs, 25s to 275; and ewe ditto, 23s
to 25s a-head ; late lambs, 18s to 23s per ditto.
Rams, seasoned tups, of good pedigree, 4 to 10
guineas ; yearling tups, 3to 5 guineas each. The
Horse Show.—This branch of the fair fully
sustained its importance, cart horses, well built
and sound, suitable for London purposes, com-
manded a ready sale at from 40 to 55 guineas ;
I seasoned ditto, suitable for agricultural purposes,
24 to 32 guineas; and yearlings, 9/ to 141; horses
for double harness and machiners, 16 to 28 guineas ;
horses for the road and field, 20 to 40 guineas.
1