JUDGING. 177 



formation of a scrap-book, in which I have accumu- 

 lated prints of all the celebrated animals I can 

 obtain : by the comparative study of which the 

 merest tyro, with a tolerable eye for drawing, may 

 be taught in a day or two to distinguish the pecu- 

 liar type of each breeder's stock — Messrs. Douglas, 

 Booth, Towneley, &c: one glance will enable you 

 after a few days' use, to point out the specimens of 

 each. 



It is a famous amusement for a wet day. And if, 

 occasionally, you amuse yourself by sketching one, 

 until you can hit off its likeness in a few strokes of 

 the pencil, this attainment will be of infinite service 

 to you some day. To be a judge of stock, is the first 

 essential in the education of the farmer. 



With chemical information respecting soils and 

 manures, the outlay of a few guineas will supply 

 you. Artificial dressings, far better compounded 

 than you could hope to mix, you may obtain in 

 every town from the manufacturer himself, or his 

 agent; you have only to name your want to be 

 exactly and promptly supplied ; but that acquain- 

 tance with your subject, which is to save you from 

 loss, or rather to secure profit in purchasing, whether 

 in the market or at sales, you must personally fag 

 for ; and, even when this skill be attained, you must 

 mind and not neglect your play. You must " keep 

 your eye in," the expression is. As one tasting- 

 cheese has to secure the fairness of his decision by 

 an occasional bite of the neutral medium, bread ; 

 and as port wine suffers in flavour, sipped in imme- 

 diate juxta-position to preserved ginger ; and as, in 



