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apriculturift now living, a fleece of fine wool of 
about 3lb. weight, but lighter and finer before that 
period. They were cotted in former times, but 
that practice has not been in ufe fince the remem- 
brance of the perfon alluded to, from which cir- 
cumftances it is very probable that the affertions of 
ancient authors, that the Spaniards procured their 
breed of fine-woolled fheep from the Cotfwold 
Hills, are founded in fact, though contradicted by 
fome modern writers. Since that time the inclo- 
fures and better management taking place, and 
good rams being procured from Warwickfhire and 
other counties, the Cotfwold fheep have confidera- 
bly improved in weight of carcafe and quantity of 
wool, which, though coarfer than formerly, is in 
very great e{teem as combing wool, being of a good 
length and very mellow quality. The fafhionable 
Leicefter fheep have been occafionally introduced 
into this diftrict, and, for a crofs or two when 
chofen with judgment, have been found to im- 
prove the breed in fhape and difpofition to fatten, 
but where perfifted in, they have greatly rzduced 
the carcafe in fize, and confiderably leffened the 
wool in quality and quantity: nor is this reduction 
in fize recompenfed by their requiring lefs food, 
or fattening quicker than the other breeds, qualities 
which have been fo ftrongly infifted on, and on 
which the merit of the breed has been chiefly 
founded; on the contrary, experienced graziers in 
VOL. VII. Qa this 
