408 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussions. 



sliow it was forcibly recalled to my recollection that thirty years ago 

 I had sent some Down tups to Mr. Whitmore, in Shropshire, when I 

 came across some of his sheep there exhibited. I then expressed some 

 of my misgiving to my companion, who exclaimed, " What ! do you 

 doubt the purity of Mr. Whitmore's breed '?" To which I could only 

 say that I did not know whether he had lately made a change, but 

 if not, I knew of an admixture in the blood. 



It is said, I know, tliat by careful breeding a new type and character 

 may be established ; my objection to tliis is that life is not long enough 

 to effect or test this design, and though various crosses may be useful 

 for a time, it is impossible in the long run to make the impm'e pure. 



If we attempt to trace the origin of the Southdown breed of 

 sheep, their natm-al character at once indicates that they are a moun- 

 tain race, and well adapted for the Southdown hills ; and we may 

 fairly infer, in the absence of any authentic statement, that they 

 hardly existed in tliis island before the Eoman invasion. In 

 fact, but little was heard of them before the Norman Conquest ; 

 but from the earliest times the Southdown hills, with their short 

 fragrant pastiu'uge, and dry and healthy situation, must liavo been the 

 most natiu-al home for these sheep. The first distinct record concerning 

 this breed relates that abt)ut 200 years ago sundry flocks feeding on 

 these Downs were annihilated by a disease called smallpox, which was 

 imported from Holland. From this date more attention was paid 

 to avoid mixing this breed, and pains were bestowed on its improve- 

 ment. 



Mr. Arthur Yoxmg, in speaking of the Southdown sheep, in 1788, 

 much admired their hardy constitution, their usefulness in inamu'ing 

 the land, and the fine flavour of the mutton. In 1794, when con- 

 tinuing those essays which all the world have admired, he speaks 

 of the Southdo\\'n sheep as natives, which for many ages had existed 

 upon these Southdo\Mi slopes. It was not, however, until my father 

 tm'ued his attention to their improvement that any remai'kable features 

 developed themselves, cither in symmetry of carcase or general cha- 

 racter. They were described thus early as speckle-faced by Arthur 

 Young, and as ill-shaped by my father, who thus had a most dif- 

 ficidt task set before him, that of producing good form, aptitude to 

 fatten, and a fixed general character. 



His enterprising spirit, encouraged by the patronage of the leading 

 agriculturists of the day — the lords of Woburn, Holkham, Ashbridge, and 

 Beechwood, &c., and further sustained by a strong sense of duty, enabled 

 him to overcome every obstacle, and to merit the eulogy so feelingly 

 expressed by the Duke of Kichmond at the Smithfield Club meeting, 

 in 1832, just after his death. In several points my father's aim 

 diftcred from that of his distinguished contemporary, Bakewell, the 

 founder of the improved Leicesters. It was Bakewell's desire to 

 obtain the maximmu of mutton with the minimum of bone ; he dis- 

 regarded wool in comparison with mutton, and was an advocate for 

 rapid developments. My father, on the other hand, objected to forcing 

 the yoimg stock, and was anxious to maintain strength of constitution, 

 and though in the onset he was di-iven to a little in-breeding, from the 



