Farming of Leicestersfdre. 313 



wold, Down, or Lincoln ram, and the produce fed off for tlie 

 butcher as shearlings. The other ewes are put to rams of pure 

 breed, " theaves " from the produce being' selected to keep up 

 the flock, and the remainder fatted and sold as before, together 

 with the draft ewes and upwards of 100 half-bred shearhogs, 

 which are bought in. 



This flock is an excellent specimen of the Bakewell type of 

 sheep, and with symmetrical form combines size and good fleece 

 of wool. 



The Leicester wethers have for some years been successful as 

 prize-takers at the Smithfield Club and provincial shows, and 

 the animals for exhibition this year possess great merit, one 

 extraordinary fine sheep being among them.* 



Cattle. — A dairy of 15 cows is kept, their produce reared and 

 fed off, in addition to about 80 Hereford and Shorthorn bullocks 

 and heifers, and also 30 Kerry cows. These, together with 

 the sheep and pigs, are chiefly disposed of in two auction sales, 

 held in December and April. The cattle are fed on pulped 

 roots and steamed chaff, and a cake of home manufacture, com- 

 posed of Indian corn meal, bean mill, and other compounds, in 

 proportions varying according to their relative cheapness or dear- 

 ness, as fat or flesh formers. 



The mixture is first well boiled, and then turned into a mould 

 to stiffen, and given when a few days old. 



Horses. — Six well-bred brood mares are kept, and their pro- 

 duce reared for the hunting field and the road. 



25 cart-horses, chiefly Suffolk breed, and 2 hacks for the bailiff, 

 are kept at the farm. On an average, 8 of these are employed 

 for estate work. 



By the adoption of steam cultivation the farm was enabled to 

 dispense with 15 horses. 



Pigs. — In these days of low-priced grain, pigs are an im- 

 portant feature of the Keythorpe farming. At the time of our 

 visit a stock of 250 was on hand. Breed, the Suffolk and York- 

 shire, and crosses from them, — a very profitable sort, combining 

 fecundity, early maturity, and a great aptitude to fatten. 



From the excellent arrangement of the machinery and buildings, 

 the food is prepared and given at a minimum expense, and 

 keeping in view the relative prices of grain and meat, it is 

 extremely probable that this is a good paying branch of the 

 farm. 



* The above was -written in November, and at the Smithfield Show these sheep 

 carried oft' all the first prizes in their class ; and the gold cup for the best Long- 

 wools in the Show was also awarded to them. 



