Xlii INTRODUCTION. 



notice; and in favour of mixtures of different forts, by the 

 breeding of which they propofed to obviate fome errors in 

 fize, and fiippofed imperfections of fliape, which they con- 

 cluded had been too little attended to by pra£lical farmers; 

 not forgetting the great object of moft atTiduous and fpccu- 

 lative men, the deriving to theinfelves as much fame and 

 emolument as they could, to compenfate for their labour 

 and expence. Of this defcription of men, the late fagacious 

 and perfevering Bakevvell has been eminently dillin- 

 guiilied : And perhaps never did an individual, in any age or 

 country, do more towards excitilig general notice, or raifing 

 a fpirit of greater emulation, in the department which he 

 chofe. To his memory much rcfpetSt and gratitude are due, 

 and will not fail to be paid ; while thofe who are following 

 -his maxims of choice and improvement, either in whole or 

 in part, and who are endeavouring to confirm his opinions, 

 or to (hew, by example, wherein they think them imperfeit, 

 will continue to render fervice to their country. Sucli men 

 are confidered with particular regard by this Society. From 

 the different reports, written and verbal, which in various 

 ways have come under the Society's notice, the main quef- 

 tion feems yet undetermined. Whether the J3i(hley race of 

 nott fliecp (long and coarfe-v.ooled, fliort in the legs, Ihort 

 and full in the body, fmull in the bone, faid to be adapted to 

 fatten foonell and mod profitably, on the moft valuable 

 parts, and being lighteft in the parts of leaft value) are, or 

 arc not, on the whole, that defcription of fheep moft to be 

 recommended for all fituatiomY Or, rather, though it b? 

 generally allowed that they have advantages, which re- 

 commend tiicm as valuable in many fituations, — yet, for 

 jame diftri^.ts, and with a view to the produce of various 

 kinds of fine wool, for particular manufactures, it be not 



probable 



