202 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



that " no member should let a ram at fairs or markets ;" that 

 " no member should give his rams artificial food ;" that " no 

 ram be let to members of the Lincolnshire Society in classes at 

 less than two hundred guineas ;" that " no member sell any 

 ewes, except to kill, at less than ten guineas each." No less 

 than fifty-seven breeders signed this agreement. In 1793 there 

 was a sale of two hundred ewes, which brought from sixteen 

 to sixty-two guineas. The whole brought 2,600 guineas, or 

 fl3,000. 



Hitherto Bakewell's flock has been kept together, and so 

 kept pure. It has now been scattered to considerable extent 

 by public sale since the exhibition. The Leicesters are so well 

 known that it is not necessary to dwell upon them. Their 

 symmetrical proportions, and their extraordinary mutton-pro- 

 ducing qualities, are familiar to every farmer. 



Of the Lincolns but a few were exhibited. They have 

 rather a local or county reputation. As I afterwards spent 

 considerable time in Lincolnshire, I saw better specimens, it 

 seemed to me, than were shown at Battersea Park. 



Then came the Romney Marsh, another local breed kept in 

 large numbers in a cold bleak district of some 25,000 acres, 

 along the south-east coast. They are preserved for their hardi- 

 hood. 



The Southdowns made a fine display, with ninety-six entries ! 

 It is an old and well established breed. The Goodwood flock, 

 or that of the Duke of Richmond, numbering two thousand, in 

 addition to one thousand lambs bred annually, dates back a 

 hundred years. This is no doubt one of the most profitable 

 mutton sheep in existence. It is hardy, easily kept and docile, 

 and the mutton is very highly prized. 



Mr. Jonas Webb, whom I had the good fortune to meet on 

 the ground, and whose lamented death was announced only a 

 few weeks since, has been largely engaged for many years in 

 improving and perfecting this celebrated breed. He was well 

 known in this country, not only as a breeder of Shorthorns, 

 in which he gained a high reputation, but as identified with 

 the Southdowns. 



His flock was disposed of in JiuiG last. The lot of rams, 

 numbering 148, brought over $14,059, or an average of $95 

 apiece, while the ewes, 289 in number, brought over $14,542, 



