Farming of Leicestershire. 321 



while a large number of cattle and sheep are fattened, a gradual 

 improvement of the pastures is effected. 



The cattle are all bought in annually, between October and 

 May, the number fattened varying from 130 to 150 head. 

 When purchased they are selected according to condition, and 

 divided into three lots : the best and most forward Sfettinsr a 

 richer description of food, viz., a little more hay cut among the 

 straw chaff, a little more pulped roots among that chaff, and a 

 more liberal allowance of meal or cake. No. 2 are carried 

 forward through the winter or spring months in a good store 

 condition ; while lot No. 3 are general scavengers to the whole, 

 being turned out through the day to gnaw the rough pastures, 

 and at night brought into the yards, where they have the offer of 

 any refuse food from the cribs of their more favoured neigh- 

 boui's. 



Thus all goes on in order and with economy ; everything is 

 utilised, and there is no waste. All the hay and straw is cut 

 into chaff, and all the roots pulped. 



Selling commences about Whitsuntide, some of the most 

 forward being then fit for market, and continues up to Christmas, 

 at which time a total clearance is effected. 



Three hundred fat sheep are annually sold, the breed a cross 

 between the Leicester and Shropshire Down. 



A small flock of breeding ewes are kept, the remainder being 

 bought in as lambs in September and October. A portion of 

 the lambs have the run of the pastures during winter, getting 

 daily, in addition, an allowance of cake or corn ; and the v/hole 

 are fattened off the following summer and autumn on the pas- 

 tures and turnips. 



About 50 acres of grass are annually mown for hav, the whole 

 being irrigated from a stream passing through the farm ; the 

 trenches prevent the use of the mowing-machine, hut the hay- 

 maker and horse-rake are used. 



Great care is taken to properly graze the pasture, and the 

 rough grass left in the fattening enclosures is gnawed off durino- 

 the winter. The dung is all collected, and treated as described 

 in our First Division. 



The primary object in view is to keep as large a head of live 

 stock as is possible ; and little of any other grain but wheat is 

 sold in the raw state ; but, together with the large quantities of 

 cake purchased, it is converted into, and goes to the market in 

 the shape of, beef and mutton. 



The practical result of this is that the increase of stock ensures 

 an increase of manure, and a consequent improvement in the con- 

 dition of the farm ; and let us hope that the late and current high 

 rates of fat stock have also improved the condition of the purse 



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