ON BREEDING AND REARING ANIMALS. 49 



never knew, no mercenary project, no combina- 

 tion of interest, can go straight forward to im- 

 prove the breed of sheep. Improve, did I say ? 

 I query whether there has been any improve- 

 ment in the breed of sheep in Northamptonshire 

 these last twenty or thirty years, other than what 

 has arisen from inclosures which afford a shelter, 

 and the introduction of turnips and clover, and 

 the use of mercurial ointment. I am persuaded 

 that what are called the New Leicesters, are not 

 near so good as they were ; in fact, without that 

 something, going into this or that county, or to 

 this or that man, for a male, is like a person 

 afflicted with the rheumatism going to Bath for 

 relief, and not using the waters. Bakewell's 

 sheep, at one time, would not only improve all 

 others, but would endure equal hardships, and 

 make more profit of an acre of land than any 

 other sort; would bear the inclemency of seasons, 

 needed nothing to create desire and tempt appe- 

 tite. And as he knew his sheep needed no extra 

 indulgence, he would not let a person a tup, 

 unless he would engage not to give the offspring 

 corn. The professed followers of Bakewell have 

 no objection to their customers giving their sheep 

 corn, and every other indulgence, sparing no 

 expense. They know that fat upon an animal, N 

 like charity, covers a multitude of faults. It is 



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