SHEEP. 339 



and by judicious feeding and management throughout, he soon 

 brought them up to a character widely differing from the ori- 

 ginal with which he started. So eminent was his success, 

 that in 17^7, he let three ranis for 1250 pounds, (about 



MO,) and was offered 10-30 pounds, (about $3,200,) for 

 :M ewes. Soo-i alter this, he received the enormniu price of 

 HO;) guiiuvis, or $4,000, for the use of two thirds of a single 

 ram ibr a season, reserving the other third for himself. He 

 reduced (he boae and oilal or worthless parts of tho carcass, 

 and increased the weight of the valuable parts, and especially 

 their tendency to fatten and early maturity. This was effec- 

 ted mainly, by a nice discrimination, which has probably 

 never been surpassed, if it has ever been equalled. He se- 

 Icvlod medium sizes for the breed, with as much evenness and 

 perfection of form as possible, for he found that excellence and 

 profitable feeding qualities were seldom connected with extra 

 size, large hones, or imperfect form. He also observed the 

 disposition to fatten in individuals, and used only such as 

 were conspicuous in this respect. He relied more than all 

 upon their quality of handling well, depending even more 

 upon the elastic, mellow touch, than upon the most symmet- 

 rical Jig-ire. He used only the choicest rams, a little under 

 size, while the ewes were of lull medium weight. The pro- 

 geny were pushed with a fill 1 supply of nutritious ibod, and 



iinatically brought to early maturity. Connected with 

 this, was his practice of in-and-in breeding, or breeding the 

 parent upon the progeny, for several successive generations, 

 which had the tendency still further to refine the bone and 

 ofKtl, and impress most effectually, the desirable characteris- 

 tics of the race. It is even credibly asserted, that he produced 

 ro- in such of his fattening sheep as he wished to mature 

 early for the shambles, as in the first stages of that loathsome 

 disease, the fat-secreting qrgans accomplish their office more 

 rapidly than in a state of perfect health, and it at least secured 

 them against breeding when they left his own hands. It is 

 certain, that Bakewell carried his refining system to such an 

 extent, as partially to destroy the procreative powers ; and 

 he was subsequently obliged to introduce new animals to re- 

 invigorate and continue his flock. The general system of 

 Bakewell, however, was attended with complete success. 

 He produced a race of animal?, not only far beyond what 

 England had ever before seen, but. which, in all the qualities 

 he endeavored to establish, have not been exceeded since; 

 and his improved Leicesters have come down to the present 



