MOST TROFITABLB FARM STOCK. 61 



Down, and Oxfordshire Down breeds have been introduced into 

 this country. As to their relative advantages, it is hardly prac- 

 ticable to give definite statements. Formerly, the higher price 

 which South Down mutton commanded in the English markets 

 would nearly balance any extra gain which the long-wooled 

 breeds would give in proportion to the food consumed. The 

 wool of the South Down also brought a higher price per pound. 

 But of late years the price of long wool has been relatively 

 higher, and at the present time that which comes under the 

 denomination of lustre wool, produced to a considerable extent 

 by the Cotswolds, but to a greater extent by the Lincolns, brings 

 considerably more per pound than any other wool produced in 

 the kingdom, oji account of its special adaptation to what are 

 styled " alpaca goods," the manufacture of which has become 

 very extensive and affords large profits. Measures have been 

 taken within the past year, to introduce the manufacture of this 

 description of goods into this country, and it is probable that 

 the demand for lustre wool here will soon bring the price of it 

 to a point corresponding to that which it brings in England. 



It should not be inferred from what I have said that it is 

 proposed to exclusively occupy the land of this section with 

 sheep. There are, doubtless, farms where cattle would yield 

 as much or more profit than any other stock. Butter and 

 cheese have been made in the county to advantage, and no 

 reason can be seen why this may not continue to be the case. 

 I would only suggest that in the selection of cattle, something 

 like the same principle should be acted on as that laid down in 

 regard to sheep. The breed sliould be chosen according to the 

 soil and climate, and with reference to the special object in 

 view. In England it is becoming more and more the practice 

 to select stock in reference to some leading object. If the 

 farmer believes he can make most money by beef, he directs 

 every thing to that point, and selects his cattle solely with that 

 view. If the dairy is the paramount purpose, a different breed 

 is chosen. It is found that any special quality can be attained 

 in a higher degree by this course than by attempting to com- 

 bine antagonistic properties in one variety. There is a tendency 

 to this system in this country, and there is no good reason why 

 it should not be adopted here to a considerable extent. If a 

 farmer requires animals of a different kind from those bred by 



