43® Ohfervations on the LeiceJIer, Nov. 



nre the proofs of this ? For, in this particular, I will not 

 credit the allertioiis of even ISkir. Bakewcll, CuUic, or Brodie j 

 becaufe they cannot be confidered as impartial judges. But al- 

 lowing the Leiceftcr fheep to be a valuable breed, I flatly deny 

 tint Mr Brodie has the merit of introducing them into Scot- 

 lantl : nor will I mention him amongft thofe illuitrious names, the 

 Dunc of Buccleugli, the late Earl or Hopetoun, and other r.oble^ 

 mt^i". who broii:^ht Mr Bakcwell's fheep into this country^ And 

 I liave only to Hep over the boundary of his farm, at Upper 

 Ke.'h, into the fields of his neared neighbour, to paiticularifc 

 IVI. Brown of Johnflonburn, and his friend the late Mr Hepburn 

 of Clerkington, who went on purpofe to viht Mr Bakeweil at 

 Diililey, and purchafed rams and ewes of his moft ^pproven 

 breed ; as alfo, if my memory ferves me, llallions and brood 

 mares, young bulls and cows : all of which they introduced in- 

 to Scotland many years before Mr Brodie flocked his farm at 

 fecond hand, or gave the high prices for the rams and ewes 

 of the New-Leicelter breed, fo much vaunted of. But before 

 that the fuperiority of this breed over all others is received as 

 an axiom, many and repeated trials ought to be made, in va- 

 rious foils and fituations, at different heights, from the fhores of 

 tlie ocean, to the fummits of the mountains. I cheerfully admit, 

 that ti-.efe are a valuable breed of llieep, in fituations \^-]iere they 

 are conftantly fupplied with a full bite of the richelt food •, and 

 only contend, that their merits have never yet been properly af- 

 certained, and are probably much overrated by their breeders. 



But in order that the merits of the different competitors may 

 be juftly appreciated by well authenticated facls, let a field, or 

 fields, of an equal quality of foil, be divided by a railing, and each 

 of the A\\'\(\o\^s Jlockcd up about Augull:, one with the New-I;ei- 

 ceflcrs, the other with the black-faced breed -, two chofen little 

 flocks picked out by their refpettive breeders, in the fame condi- 

 tion, as to age, fat, &c. *, let each of the flocks be accurately 

 weighed, when they are put into the enclofure ; and if turnips are 

 deemed neceffary for fupporting the Nevv-Leiecllers thr^.ugh the 

 winter, let the black- faced be ferved with an equal quantity. 

 Next fummer, \^ hen the lambs are fit for yeaning, let the ewes and 

 lambs of each breed be again weighed : the ewes b^if^g then with- 

 drawn, the lambs are to continue, and ought to be weighed again 

 »t the end of tlie fcafon, before they are put to turnip ; again, 

 when they are put into their refpedive enclofurcs, when clipped \ 

 and at tlie end of the feafon, they may be flaughtered, and the 

 weight and value of their quarters, wool, tallow, olrals, and 

 quahty of their fleih, will all be accurately afcertained ; or if It- 

 • . judged ncceir.uv, the fxperim^nt may be continued in this 



manner^ 



