INTRODUCTION, ‘ye 
of valuable flefh, in proportion to the weight of the whole 
animal, and in comparifon with the far-greater part of the 
market, are confpicuous, and we may fairly prefume, in- 
difputable. 
The extreme coarfenefs of a very large part of the beafts, 
fometimes brought to that vaft market, may ferve to convince 
an intelligent obferver, that a wide field. lies ftill open for 
improvement; however fimple and obvious the principles 
are on which that improvement might have been long — 
fince carried to comparative perfection. 
The continued zeal of the members of this Society, to- 
wards the attainment of fuch an object, gives fome earnéft 
that it-qwill be attained. The publick ploughing-contefts, 
particularly the laft near Piper’s-Inn, may be confidered as 
fully proving the excellence of Devonfhire oxen, and thofe 
mixed with French, for fpeedy and effeftual labour; info- 
much, that their eafy performances, on that occafion, have 
become difcredited in other counties. And the expedition 
with which they fatten, after many years of profitable la- 
bour, and the fuperior price they will generally produce 
from the butcher, are undoubted proofs that the growing 
preference is well founded. 
The French, or Norman, ‘race, fo generally heretofore 
prized for milkinefs, gentlenefs, and hardinefs of living, 
will not fail to grow in efteem, for refining and bringing 
back to a better quality all coarfe and mongrel ftock, with 
which they fhall be mixed. And the ftature to which oxen 
of this race will grow on moderate, but efpecially on good, 
keep,* is an anfwer to any objection raifed againft the dimi- 
* This fact has been fully exemplified, under the care of Mr. 
Davis, in the park of the Marquis of Batu, at Longleat, and may 
be frequently confirmed by obferyation in Smithfield market. 
VOL. Ix. ¢ nutive 
