[ 5* 1 



be fed with the fleece ? Suppose this valuable species of animal food 

 were confined to the small breed, would there not be a diminution 

 of its quantity so considerable, as might probably advance the 

 price of mutton from 4d. to 6d. per lb. ? Let it be remembered 

 too, that in proportion to the increased value of the fleece the 

 farmer will be enabled to reduce the price of the carcase ; for his profit 

 is derived from the whole animal, not as separated into parts. There- 

 fore the more valuable the fleece the cheaper he can afford to sell the 

 carcase. 



The next article under this objection is the diminution of the 

 produce of wool by lessening the number of sheep. 



This takes for granted what still remains to be proved, namely, 

 that the inclosing of commons, fed principally by sheep, has 

 a tendency to lessen the breed. I shall consider this objection as 

 applicable to sheep in general, and not to any particular description 

 or species. Here 1 have not only my doubts as to the truth of 

 The position, but I am inclined to think, that the number of sheep 

 will be increased thereby, and this too, in a very considerable 

 degree. For perhaps four years after inclosing, an exception may 

 be pleaded, since this portion of time must be allotted to a course 

 of tillage necessarily previous to the cultivation of sheep feed. 

 This circumstance as being altogether temporary, should not in 

 the least operate as a deduction from the validity of the opinion. 

 From this period, when turnips and artificial grasses are brought 

 forward, I would date my calculation. 



Recurring to a former observation, that Mendip or upland in- 

 cisures were most profitably applied as corn and sheep farms, 

 I will suppose one of this sort to consist of 400 acres. In its cul- 

 tivated state 100 acres may be allowed to sustain as many sheep as 

 the whole did when in common, and a less proportion of land than 

 this will scarcely be allowed for sheep feed. If this be admitted 

 let me ask, what becomes of the futile apprehension of lessening the 

 number of sheep. Let the manufacturer no longer repine, nor the 

 timid senator be the victim of groundless distrust : the farmer will 

 have the same quantity of wool provided from a fourth portion of 

 land as was before devoted to the purpose, and the latter will have 

 the consolation to reflect that the other three fourths are raised 



from 



