2
numerous; they numbered 1,819, but the horses numbered only 673,
and the sheep 728. In 1889 the
98
pigs exhibited numbered
only 265, while this year they totalled 911. ore striking than
anything else perhaps is the fact that whereas no goats were shown
in 1889, there were 114 entered for this year's Royal Show. A
remarkable contrast between conditions fifty years ago and to-day
is in respect of farm equipment. To-day it is more powerful, but
more compact. With all the modern developments in agricultural
machinery the space devoted to implements this year, although
greater than at any show during the past decade, is only 9,294
square feet; whereas in 1889 it was 15,602 square feet.
Science and Agriculture.
Every recognised British breed of cattle, with the exception of the Gloucestershires, was strongly represented at the Royal Show
this year.
Dairy Shorthorns had the largest entry, with 253. Other
big entries were those of the Jersey cattle, with 222; the British
Friesian, with 207; the Guernsey, with 175; the Red Poll, with 160;
and the Aberdeen Angus, with 151. For the first time in Great
Britain a special inspection class was provided for 2,000 gallon
British Friesian COWS. The first yield of 2,000 gallons by a
British Friesian cow was in 1955, and it is probable that this is
the only dairy breed that can fill a class for cows yielding 89
tons of milk.
These enormous yields of milk are an indication of the great
strides that have been made in the application of science to
agricultural practice. The Ministry of Agriculture and various
scientific and educational institutions gave demonstrations of the
scientific progress that has been made. To judge from the sketches
of the animals that were shown at Oxford 100 years ago, the improve-
ment achieved by selective breeding is alost beyond belief; while
the advance in the use of machinery and tools is little short of
Another contrast which interested visitors was that
iraculous.
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