INTRODUCTION, Ixv 



production of milk, for excellence of fatting, and for labour 

 in draught. It will be readily fuppofed difficult for any 

 local Society to draw an abfolute conclulion from the vari- 

 ous accounts received, and opinions given, under this head; 

 and confequently to recommend any particular defcription 

 of beafts as pofitively preferable to all others for general Jlock. 

 The famous Bakewell's feleflion, or mixed breed, under 

 the general name of long-horned^ the publick are pretty 

 well acquainted with; and the difciples of that ingenious man 

 are not v^^anting to follow him in their decided preference of 

 that kind of ftock to all others. The queftion which this 

 Society has been moft accuftomed to hear agitated, is, re- 

 fpecting the comparative merits of that famous produce, 

 and the genuine unmixed race from the North of Devon- 

 ftiire; the latter not, indeed, remarkable for fliortnefs of horn, 

 (for it is rather of a middle- fize) but clean and delicate, cor- 

 refponding with the general defcription of the animal itfelf. 

 This laft-mentionsd race of neat-cattle, fmall but denfe in 

 the bone, flender in the head and neck, having a fleek fkin, 

 and a gloffy red colour, and generally imprefiing the com- 

 mon bbferver with the idea of a beautiful fymmetry, is now 

 confidered as growing in eftimation. In many parts of 

 England they have been long known, rnd partially prized, 

 both in a fat ftate, and for fatting flock; but particularly 

 valued in the Weflern counties. Samples of them, both 

 male and female, fat and lean, have been repeatedly exhibited 

 to this Society, and have obtained a high degree of its ap- 

 probation. 



The enormous prices which the celebrated Difliley flock 

 has obtained, having of late brought forward the JJevon- 

 fliire advocates for their produce, they feem to have pleaded, 

 with fuccefs, the valuable properties and general ufefulnefs 



of 



