XXXVI / INTRODUCTION. 
The South-Down race, at, once for inclofures and for 
down-walks, are growing in repute after progreffive trial. 
The fuperior quality of the wool of this latter race, added 
to that of the mutton, will not fail to enfure a continuance 
of the eftimation in which they are held, in a large part of 
South-Britain. The increafing zeal of the Suffex farmers 
for improving, by felection and care, their native and inva- 
luable breed of fheep, cannot be too much applauded. 
This fpirit was difplayéd on a large fale, in the moft liberal 
manner, at the fummer exhibition at Lewes in 1798—a 
fpectacle which the Secretary of this Society thought it a 
part of his publick duty to witnefs; and it is with pleafure 
he can bear teftimony to the fair and exemplary manner in 
which the exhibition was made. To fee thirty or forty 
farmers bring forth each ten picked ewes of the fame age 
from his flock, and place them in open pens fide by fide in 
along rank, for the whole country to compare and im- 
prove by, while the premiums feemed to be an inferior ob- 
ject; and at the fame time exhibiting for premiums and 
fale fome of the fineft rams in the country, was no common 
occurrence. The landlords and chief gentlemen of the 
diftri& mingling with thofe farmers, encouraging their te- 
‘nants in their ufeful emulation, and taking a part with 
-them in the rural and peaceful conteft, were circumftances 
of additional pleafure. 
It is not poffible for the-fheep-owners of every great 
diftri& to exhibit in like manner and to equal effect, for 
few are the races that can vie with the South-Down; but 
every race is capable of fome improvement, by care in the 
felection for breeding-ftock; and without fuch care will fail 
of that improvement, if not degenerate.” No flock is found 
without fhewing fome difference in goodnefs of fhape, and 
perhaps a confiderable one in wool. And whenever indi- 
: . viduals 
