SMITHFIELD, LONDON. 315 



doubled. It is said that, in 1710, the average weight of beasts 

 was 370 pounds ; of calves, 50 pounds ; of sheep and lambs, 28 

 pounds. This increase of size is probably attributable in the 

 main to two great causes, which deserve serious consideration. 

 The first is, the improvement of the breeds of cattle. A person 

 has only to go into Srnithfield Market to remark the perfection 

 to which the art of breeding has been carried, and the distinct 

 ness of the lines by which the different breeds are separated 

 from each other. Three great points seem to have been gained. 

 The first is, great size and weight have been attained ; the 

 second is, the tendency to fatten, and to keep in fat condition, 

 has been greatly cultivated ; the third is, that the animal arrives 

 early at maturity. All these are most important points ; the last 

 certainly not least ; for if an animal can be brought to the same 

 size and weight, without doubling the expense, at eighteen 

 months old, that he could formerly be made to reach not sooner 

 than at three years of age, the quick returns, so essential in all 

 commercial transactions, are secured, and as the expenses are 

 lessened, the profits are greatly increased. Nothing strikes one 

 with more surprise than to see what, in the improvement of the 

 appearance and constitution of the stock, intelligence, skill, and 

 perseverance can effect. I may here with propriety quote what 

 my friend, before referred to, says in relation to the quality of 

 the stock in Smithfield. &quot; I fear many of our breeds of beasts 

 and sheep are becoming worse than they were, from an exces 

 sive attention to neatness and symmetry of form, so that bulk 

 and quantity of good flesh have been too much overlooked. 

 Our Hereford beasts are much inferior to what they were ; also 

 other breeds of beasts; and particularly some breeds of sheep. 

 Some persons arc so very particular about purity of blood, that 

 they often run into great error ; their stock losing flesh, constitu 

 tion, and size. This is particularly observable in Leicester 

 sheep. So wedded are some persons to this breed, and to what 

 they call purity of blood, that their sheep keep dwindling into 

 very insignificant stock. I am satisfied that we cannot go on 

 breeding in and in, without losing size, quality, and worth.&quot; I 

 give these opinions of a very practical man, as familiar with the 

 Smithfield Market as any man in England, without endorsing 

 them, and leave them to speak for themselves. 



The second great cause of the improvement of the stock in 



