Report on the Ar/riculture of Cuniherland, &f'c. 403 



The number of horses has always been returned in Ireland 

 ■along with the other agricultural statistics, and was also in- 

 cluded in the Agricultural Returns formerly collected in Scotland, 

 but until the year 1869, horses were omitted from the Returns 

 collected in Great Britain. The marked difference between the 

 numbers for 1869 and 1870 is not attributable to any serious 

 diminution in the actual number kept ; indeed, it is scarcely 

 possible to make a comparison, since in 1869 all kinds of 

 horses belonging to occupiers of land were returned, and, in 

 addition, an estimate was made of the total number in towns ; 

 but in 1870 it was considered that with respect to horses in 

 Great Britain the Returns should be limited to those used solely 

 for agricultural purposes. Table I. shows a gradual decrease 

 from 1870 to 1873, except in the year 1872, when there was a 

 very slight increase. The falling off in the four years, 1870-3 

 inclusive, was at the rate of 634 in the aggregate, or 3*2 per 

 cent, on the entire number kept. The decrease of late is not 

 entirely owing to the fact that farmers have, to a certain extent, 

 given up breeding : on the contrary, I believe that, on account 

 of the sudden uprise in value within the past two or three years, 

 breeders have sold off a portion of their surplus stock to go out 

 of the country, or at least out of the county. So marked has 

 been the demand of late for really good cart-horses, that almost 

 fabulous rates have been reached. From 80/. to 100/., and even as 

 much as 120Z., has frequently been paid for an animal possessing 

 substance, symmetry, and action, notwithstanding the introduc- 

 tion of steam power upon a few large estates. It is generally 

 believed that in two or three years there will be a considerable 

 increase in the number of agricultural horses, inasmuch as 

 farmers of almost every degree are breeding more extensively. 

 In some towns liberal prizes are awarded for strong entire cart- 

 horses to travel in the immediate district ; for example, at 

 Cockermouth in the present season (1874), the sum of 60/. has 

 been awarded to the best animal, with a guarantee of 100 mares, 

 being the property of subscribers, at 1/. lOs. each ; thus ensuring 

 over 200/. to the owner for the use of his horse during the 

 season. Individual enterprise also is very marked in some 

 cases. Mr. Henry Newby-Fraser, of Hay Close, near Penrith, 

 a few months ago brought a first-class entire horse from Scotland 

 — pronounced in the local papers to be the best strong horse 

 that ever crossed the Border — which cost him 1000 guineas. 

 Unfortunately the splendid animal died suddenly just before the 

 season commenced, after his owner had been promised upwards 

 of 70 mares at the high figure of 7Z. each. 



With respect to cattle, the general tendency has been to a 



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