The Southdown Flock Book

Vol. II, 1893

Published by the Southdown Sheep Breeders' Association

PRESIDENT - Mr. H.F. Locke-King
PRESIDENT-ELECT - Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard, Bart
SECRETARIES - Mr. Newton Clayton, Hon. Secretary; Mr. W.W. Chapman, Secretary

There were 50 members.

BYE-LAWS FOR 1893

1. For the present the following shall be the respective amounts due from Members under the terms of the Ninth Article of the Association:-
Entrance Fee £1. 1. 0d.
Annual Subscription £1. 1. 0d.
Life Composition in lieu of Annual Subscription £15. 15. 0d. [£1,252.19 in 2007 using the retail price index]

2. In case of a firm, one Subscription will be deemed sufficient to entitle the partners therein to the joint rights and privileges of one individual Membership, and either partner shall be entitled (subject to Article 26 of the Articles of Association) on behalf of the firm, to exercise such rights and enjoy such privileges.

COUNCIL
3. Meetings of the Council shall be held each year during the Show of the Smithfield Club in London and at such other times and places as the Council shall from time to time appoint.

4. The Council, at its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting, shall appoint from among its Members an Editing Committee, a Finance Committee, and an Inspection Committee.

FLOCK BOOK
5. The Flock Book shall be published annually by the first day of July, and shall contain a register of Southdown Sheep (for this purpose each Breeder shall make a complete return of his Flock on or before the 30th April in each year on a form supplied), a statement of results of the principal Shows and Sales during the year, and any other information which, in the opinion of the Council, shall be of interest to breeders. The Editing Committee shall be responsible to the Council for the publication of the Flock Book. No sheep shall be eligible for entry in the Flock Book except such as shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Council to be pure-bred Southdowns.

6. The price of the Flock Book to non-Members shall be not less than 10s. 6d.

7. The charge for entering sheep - male and female - in the Flock Book shall be as follows, and subject to the after-mentioned conditions of entry:-
For each individual sheep ... ... ... ... ... 0. 2s. 6d. [£9.94 in 2007 using the retail price index]
For the Ewe Flock en bloc (1st year) .. 2. 2s. 0d. [£166.96 in 2007 using the retail price index]
For the replenishment of ewes per
flock each year. Minimum charge
for hundred or part of hundred . ... ... ...0.10s. 6d. [£41.74 in 2007 using the retail price index]
And the cost of inspection and tattooing.

.................

PREFACE TO VOLUME II

In presenting the second volume of the Flock Book of the Southdown Sheep Breeders' Association, the Editing Committee congratulate the Members on the satisfactory progress that has been made since the publication of the first volume. The vigorous manner in which the interests of the Association have been pushed, both at home and abroad, shows signs of great promise for the future. Since the incorporation of the Association on the 12th January, 1892, the number of Members has more than doubled. It now includes the majority of known Southdown Breeders, and there is every reason to believe that there will be a further addition to its numbers, so that it will shortly include practically all the prominent Southdown Flocks of the country.

It is a source of gratification to note that among those who have joined the Association are many farmers who are farming with the sole object of making a profit, without reckoning on the assistance of the showyard.

The Association has joined the National Sheep Breeders' Association, hoping thereby to promote the common interests of all Registered Flocks.

A Show and Sale of Southdowns, registered in the Flock Book of the Southdown Sheep-Breeders' Association, will be held at Chichester on June 26th and 27th, 1893, and another on August 10th and 11th, 1893.

An arrangement has been made between the Secretaries of the American and English Associations whereby a Southdown registered in the Flock Book of the Southdown Breeders' Association can be entered in the American Flock Book for from 24s. to 25s. less than would have to be paid for an English Southdown not so registered; and, in common with other registered stock, sheep so recorded are admitted to the United States duty free.

In America and Canada the publication of the Flock Book has given great satisfaction to Southdown Breeders, who had long felt the need of a reliable record of the breed. A prominent American Southdown Breeder, writing on this subject, points out that it is "to those Breeders who now register their Rams and some of their Ewes that buyers from this side will have to look for their supplies for the future." This view is strongly supported by all the leading American Southdown Breeders, and also by the agricultural Press of that country. Another pleasing feature is that in our own land, as registration of sheep increases, the value of pedigree in sheep-breeding is becoming more and more apparent.

In conclusion, it is believed that the Association will create a larger market for the Southdown Breed, and will thus become an efficient means of enabling the farmer to cope with the present agricultural depression. Already the quality of Southdown mutton is appreciated abroad, and Sheep Breeders are becoming convinced that it is quality, and not merely size, which insures the maximum profit.

SOUTHDOWN FLOCKS

FLOCK NO. 29
The Hon. Mrs. Cecil Howard, Dutchlands, Great Missenden, Bucks.

This flock was originally founded by the purchase of Ewes and a Ram from the very old-established flock of the Earl of Suffolk, which has been in existence since the beginning of the century. Ewes were subsequently obtained from the Throckmorton, Carew-Gibson, Eastwell and Ickleton Flocks. Rams have been bought and hired from Messrs. H. Webb, J. Blyth and Murietta.

Old Ewes 81; Shearling Ewes 26; Old Rams 2; Shearling Rams 2.

FLOCK NO. 30
A. Heasman, Courtwick, Littlehampton

This flock was established by the late Mr. Heasman about 1830, from the best old Sussex Down Sheep, and after his death in 1853 it was carried on by his two sons, and latterly by Mr. Heasman only. Rams had been previously used from the fine old flock belonging to the Duke of Richmond at Goodwood, and from Mr. W. Rigden's prize flock at Hove. In 1860, the celebrated sheep "Old Salisbury" was hired from Babraham for 84 guineas [£6,041.47 in 2007 using the retail price index]. , and on the dispersion of Mr. Jonas Webb's flock in 1862 the sum of 80 guineas was given for another Ram out of a Drewitt Ewe. Afterwards, Rams were again hired from the late Mr. Rigden, as well as from Mr. Carew- Gibson, Mr. Henry Webb, and latterly from Mr. Penfold's noted flock at Selsey. Early maturity and a fine quality of wool have been the principal objects studied. Prizes have been won at the meetings of the R.A.S.E., the Bath and West of England, the Royal Counties, and Smithfield Club Shows.

Old Ewes 315; Shearling Ewes 70; Old Rams 7; Shearling Rams 14.
N.B. A Ram (unregistered as yet) from the Sandringham Flock was used in 1892.

FLOCK NO. 36

G.C. Carew-Gibson, Kingsfold, Billinghurst

This flock was founded in 1867 by the purchase of choice Ewes selected from the flocks of Messrs. T. Ellman, of Beddingham, and R. Boyes, of Eastbourne, and was replenished at various times by Ewes from the old-established Buckland and Hove flocks. Rams were obtained from Lord Walsingham, Mr. Rigden, and Mr. Penfold, as much as 200 guineas [£15,090.74 in 2007 using the retail price index] having been paid upon one occasion. The Sheep are hardy, of good constitution, even character and fine quality.

Many prizes have been won by Mr. Carew-Gibson at the Royal, Royal Counties, and Bath and West of England shows.

Old Ewes 309; Shearling Ewes 50; Old Rams 10; Shearling Rams 19.

FLOCK NO. 37

S.W. Seward, Weston, Petersfield

This is a very old flock, for when Mr. T. Seward took Weston Farm in 1804 he purchased the flock from Mr. Binsted, and since that time it is believed that it has only been replenished by two outside Ewes, fresh blood having been introduced by the purchase of Rams of the best blood, from Lord Walsingham, Messrs. Jonas Webb, Hart, Penfold, Henry Webb, Carew-Gibson, and latterly Messrs. Blyth and Hobgen. The Sheep have often taken prizes in local fat stock shows, but none have been exhibited at summer shows since 1871, in which year five Shearling Ewes were awarded first prize at the Royal Counties Show, Portsmouth.

Old Ewes 420; Shearling Ewes 125; Old Rams 4; Shearling Rams 6.

The one list of prizewinners is the same as in the previous year's Flock Book