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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



ferent, which appears to be an impediment, as experience 

 confirms that all animals must become constitutionally 

 acclimatised before they will attain a high degree of su- 

 periority. 



The properties which have been most assiduously cul- 

 tivated in the pure breeds of sheep are a disposition to 

 fatten at an early age, combined with the greatest pro- 

 duction of wool, varying in its qualities, and therefore 

 valuable for particular purposes. There is no animal 

 that degenerates more rapidly from in-breeding, or is 

 more susceptible to the influences of climate or locality. 

 The original breed of mountain sheep in Wales, treated 

 as they generally are in a very primitive fashion, per- 

 mitted to roam unheeded and uncared for, are much in- 

 bred. Their diminutive size, weak frames, and want of . 

 stamina, afford conclusive evidence of the pernicious 

 effects of the system. A cold and inclement winter fre- 

 quently destroys vast numbers of them, and in their 

 best condition, when three years old, their average weight 

 does not exceed twelve or fourteen pounds per quarter. 

 The effects of climate and pasturage on the sheep are 

 very striking. It is essential to select breeds adapted to 

 localities. If Cotswolds were to be consigned to moun- 

 tainous districts, they would rapidly degenerate ; and 

 mountain sheep removed to better keep on the Cotswold 

 Hills, would as speedily improve in size and weight. 

 Without, however, launching out into such extremes, a 

 circumstance close at home, which came under my own 

 personal observation, will serve as an example. The 

 late Earl. Ducie had a large flock of Southdowns, bred 

 with great care from the stocks of the Duke of Rich- 

 mond, Colonel Kingscote, Captain Pelham, Messrs, 

 EUman, Rigden, and other breeders of renown. The 

 very best tups that could be procured from Mr, 

 Jonas Webb were introduced. There was, however, a 

 marked distinction in each generation of the sheep bred 

 upon the farm. Every succeeding year the produce be- 

 came stronger and heavier, and though gaining in weight 

 and probably in wool, they lost much of that refinement 

 of character for which the Southdowns are so highly 

 famed, I directed the attention of a friend to this, a large 

 and successful breeder of Shropshire Downs, who was 



present at the ever-rnemorable sale, which took place 

 after the noble Earl's death in 1853, and my friend ob- 

 served the difference as well as myself. These sheep 

 were as highly bred as sheep could possibly be ; it was 

 entirely the effect of a pasturage adapted to breeds of 

 greater bulk, Mr. Jonas Webb was a purchaser of 

 some of the lots, and that gentleman's subsequent suc- 

 cess at the exhibitions is evidence of their not having 

 deteriorated his flock. As it was found that South- 

 downs were not the best suited to the land, a cross- 

 bred flock has been substituted. 



The most experienced and successful breeders, as it is 

 well known; purchase, or hire, rams at high prices, 

 periodically, to avoid the evils of breeding from the near 

 relatives in their own flocks. 



The excellence of the Shropshire Downs presents a 

 very powerful argument in favour of crossing ; they 

 have of late years justly gained great celebrity. This 

 breed has been produced by introducing Southdown 

 tups to the ewes of Clun Forest, a hilly country between 

 Bishop's Castle and Knighton, As I have previously 

 observed, it would be inconsistent to transport a Cotswold 

 to the mountains of Wales ; but the mountain flocks in 

 the vicinity have recently derived the greatest benefit 

 from the use of Shropshire Down rams. It is crossing 

 between animals widely different in symmetry, propor- 

 tions, characteristics, habits, and constitutions, that has 

 led some persons, who have witnessed the evils that 

 ensue, to condemn crossing upon any terms. But that 

 differs greatly from crossing animals of homogeneous 

 properties. The best results have been experienced from 

 that practice, when the object has been to improve the 

 progeny of the female by the influence of a male of 

 greater excellence. The Cotswold and other long-wool 

 breeds doubtless possess more or less distant infusions 

 of the Leicester blood, which keeps up the true symme- 

 trical form, and the propensity to fatten at an early age. 

 With these facts, it is difficult to conceive upon what 

 grounds an argument can be maintained against judi- 

 ciously crossing the breeds of sheep. 



I am, sir, yours faithfully, 



Cecil. 



NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

 MEETING AT HORNCASTLE. 



The twenty-third anniversary of this Society took 

 place at Horncastle, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 

 25th and 26th July, We ever approve the migratory 

 course of agricultural societies. It is very conducive 

 to their prosperity, and the different districts in which 

 they are held cannot fail to derive many advantages. 

 The convenience to tardy exhibiters, the temptation 

 to the supine and indifferent to visit such shows when 

 brought near to them— all has its eflfect, and men are 

 brought from their homes to view for themselves, the 

 improvements brought forward — they become interested, 

 and the most prejudiced and obstinate go away with 



more kindly views towards an improving agriculture. 

 Very many, we know, are compelled, from their own 

 convictions, to commence anew the work of improve- 

 ment on their holdings, and in the breed of their stock. 

 There are, however, some disadvantages arising from these 

 migrations ; occasionally, when taken to the less popu- 

 lated parts of the county, the funds of the Society suf- 

 fer from the paucity of the attendance. We believe the 

 North Lincoln will this year sympathize with The 

 Royal in this respect. The attendance, notwithstanding 

 the isolated situation of Horncastle, was good, and tlie 

 show, in many of its classes, was very attractive ; the 



