684 



FARMERS' REGISTER 



[No. U 



treatment, and probably their constitutions are in- 

 jured by it. 



The sheep with black faces are the favorites of 

 the farmers; but it seems a doubtful lest of their 

 merit, whatever it may be as to their beauty. 

 About fifty or sixty years pgst, a sort of sheep 

 called the VVillshire, of t;reater size than the 

 largest Dorset and Somersetshire sheep, with 

 much more bone, and lonij-er leys, constituted the 

 Hocks of this country. They are enabled from 

 their strength and length oi" limbs to ramble over 

 the extensive downs, which have since been bro- 

 ken up. The increase of arable land has banish- 

 ed this ugly race; some specitnens, however, even 

 now occasionally appear at lairs, which frighten 

 the delicacy of modern farmers, accuslomed to 

 better models. 



Pigs. — The common run of pigs in this district 

 are by no means remarkable for their beauty. 

 They are generally of a light color, marked with 

 large black or red spots, or in large divisions of 

 black and white. They are of a hardy, enduring, 

 and active nature; draw their subsistence from all 

 materials ihey can swallow, and are managed, in 

 general, with slovenly inattention. However, 

 considerable exceptions must be made. The 

 breed is sometimes crossed by the Essex, Chinese, 

 or Neapolitan race, or the pure breeds of these 

 sorts are introduced; but in some few generations, 

 accident or design produces an intermixture, 

 which, after a few more generations, terminates 

 in a recurrence to the common race of the coun- 

 try. Upon the liirm described, the event has re- 

 peatedly happened, and it is believed that, consid- 

 ering the different qualities of each sort, the me- 

 rits and defects of the varieties as nearly bal- 

 anced. 



Some varieties of pigs evidently fatten more 

 rapidly and upon a less quantity of food than 

 others; this was found to be the case with the 

 black breed from Essex, but the sort was tender, 

 and were not so equal to the fatigue of attendinij 

 their duty in the stubbles, and appeared to be very 

 sensible to the effect of cold. 



Management. — It is a common opinion in this 

 district, that pigs are not a profitable stock upon 

 a farm, in a quantity beyond that which is neces- 

 sary for the consumption of the otlal produce 

 which cannot be carried to market. This opinion 

 may reasonably be doubted; and certainly upon 

 the farm described, where they are kept to a lar- 

 ger extent than the usual proportion to the size of 

 the farm, they indispuiably give an ample return 

 of profit. A quantity of Swedes is usually re- 

 served for their use. The Swedes are a favorite 

 food with them, and apparently they prosper upon 

 them more than upon any other food which is not 

 the produce of grain or pulse. 



In fattening pigs, an opinion is also entertained, 

 which springs ftoin indolence and thouohtless- 

 ness. It is held that changing the litter, and 

 cleaning the styes, protract the time of the an- 

 imal's arriving at his required fatness, and that 

 filth contributes more to his health and prosperity 

 than cleanliness. This opinion is not the result 

 of experience, for very ftiw persons here have 

 tried the alternative of cleanliness; but it is a the- 

 ory they have derived fiom iheir progenitors, in 

 which they will persist if they be permitted. No 

 analogy of reasoning as to the effects of filth on 

 other animals ehakea their belief, and the prac- 



tice can only be overcome by the determined au" 

 ihority of a master. 



Establ'mhinent. 



The farm described is worked by a bailiff, a 

 head carier, and an under carler, a shepherd, two 

 boys, and two laborers, in coiu-tant pay, and seven 

 horses. Except during ihe hay and hoeing sea- 

 sons, weeding and harvest, fiirlher assistance is 

 seldom recjuired. 



The size of the farm described, is by no means 

 recommended as a model. The extent of it was 

 unavoidably thus circumscribed. Neither the bai- 

 lifi' nor shepherd has Hill employment; the bailiff 

 might superintend one hundred and fifty or two 

 hundred acres more, and the shepherd might 

 equally well manage three hundred and filty sheep. 

 A farm, however, from three hundred to three 

 hundred and fifty acres of arable land, affords 

 ample business lor a bailiff who engages in any 

 portion of the working duties, keeps the men and 

 horses in full activity, and makes the most of their 

 strength. It is as much as his eye and attention 

 can command, if he overlooks all the various pro- 

 ceedings, and by foresight and diligence guards 

 against the casualties which are apt so often to 

 occur from the negligence and careless habits of 

 the individuals who are employed as carters and 

 laborers. 



Horses. — The horses selected for the service of 

 this farm rather are of fine bone, above fifteen 

 hands high, with strength quite sufficient for team 

 and plough, but which move with a quicker step 

 than those with large heavy feet, hairy fetlocks 

 and thick legs, a species, however, in very common 

 use. The former are also less subject to disorder 

 than the latter. Carters frequently take a consid- 

 erable interest in the beauty and good looks of the 

 cattle under their management, and from those 

 motives, bestow more care upon horses, which at- 

 tract their attention. It re(]uires very superior merit 

 in a vulgar coarse-made horse to become a favorite, 

 or even to obtain lor it a just share of dressing 

 and fiiod. Beauty in all animals always engages 

 even the most common minds in its ffivor, and 

 generally it implies some uselul corporal quality. 

 The carter's regard for his cattle is purchased 

 cheaply, at the addional expense of a few pounds 

 per head for a horse. Every person the least con- 

 versant with fiirming is aware how completely the 

 horses are at the mercy of the persons who drive, 

 feed, and dress them. It is advisable to consult 

 and indulge their wishes and prejudices, ifihey 

 lead to no essential mischief; their predilectiona 

 are sometimes harmless, and it is frequently diffi- 

 cult to subdue or counteract them. 



Implements. 



Ploughs. — The plouiihs of this district are con- 

 structed, with the exception of the handles and 

 beam, entirely of iron, and much reduced in their 

 length and dimensions from those which were 

 employed thirty years ago; they are generally 

 worked by three horses. The binding nature of 

 the soil renders this' Ibrce so often necessary, that 

 the habit of driving with reins has not become 

 general. So powerful is the effect of custom, that 

 some farmers are yet seen working a soil of four 

 or five inches deep, with four horses dragging the 

 ploughs of the ancient form, and unwieldy con- 



