26 Agriculture of Shropshire. 



towns. I doubt whether any more profitable use could be found 

 for the grass-land of this district. It is eminently suited for a 

 dairy district, and the great demand for the produce offers an 

 additional inducement to this branch of husbandry. 



As regards the dairy management, I have only to say that the 

 quality is good, and the farmers' wives, with that care and economy 

 for which they are characterised, show a considerable degree of 

 skill and good management in carrying out their share of the 

 dairy duties. Nearly all is sold fresh, the demand being so 

 great, and scarcely any made into salt butter. In some remote 

 situations it is done to a small extent, but the intersection of 

 the county by railways has considerably reduced it. The cheese 

 made is of very inferior character, and only suited for the use of 

 the servants and labourers. 



As I have said before, the cows are inferior in quality, but 

 no doubt as milkers they answer a better purpose than higher- 

 bred cows, and I do not see any sufficient reason for taking 

 up a better-bred class. They calve very irregularly — in fact are 

 dropping their calves all through the year. More are probably 

 calved in the spring ready for the fresh grass than at any other 

 time ; but this does not depend upon any systematic arrange- 

 ment, but rather because farmers in the neighbouring district find 

 a demand for their inferior in-calf heifers when the grass is fiesh. 

 The use of linseed-cake for dairy cows (when the produce is sold 

 as butter) is exceedingly remunerative, and the use of 2 or 3 lbs., 

 or even more, daily, will pay back the cost with considerable 

 profit. It should be commenced gradually, and then decreased 

 as the cow approaches drying. 



In addition to the dairy stock kept, there is a large number 

 of young cattle reared here. These are the calves purchased 

 with or produced from their cows. Tlie quality of these, as 

 might have been anticipated, is by no means good, still they 

 produce usefid heifers for the dairy. The calves are soon put 

 upon skimmed milk, and although some add to it linseed gruel, 

 this is not general. The early treatment of the calves is by 

 no means calculated to render their growth rapid ; however, by 

 the aid of roots and hay, they gradually become weaned and 

 ready for the grass. During the summer they get a fair supply 

 of grass, and when the autumn comes they are better than would 

 have been expected. Many are taken to the yards and wintered 

 there ; but by far the majority are kept on a dry piece of grass- 

 land all the winter, and supplied with some temporary shedding, 

 where they have turnips with hay or straw. This keeps them 

 very hardy, and with all the disadvantages of not being at the 

 homestead they have certainly the benefit of a vigorous health. 



