On Sheep Folding. 85 



and as near as possible, to class those of the same age 

 and strength together, and whatever preference is giv- 

 en, either in the quantity or quality of the food, should 

 fall to the share of the young and weak. 



The practice, as far as we are able to judge from the 

 information before us, is entitled to the notice of farm- 

 ers in every part of the kingdom ; but in that, as in 

 every other branch of agriculture, much must be left 

 to the judgment and attention of the farmer, it being 

 impossible to lay down rules that will apply to all the 

 different circumstances of soil, situation, &c. It cer- 

 tainly is best adapted for dry lands, and farms contain- 

 ing much pasture that is never ploughed ; upon these, 

 as we have already observed, much manure may be 

 collected that would otherwise be lost ; but upon farms 

 that are entirely arable ; and where grass makes a part 

 of the rotation, to bring the flock from the pasture, and 

 fold them upon another field, is depriving the grass 

 field of a great part of the benefit that might be expect- 

 ed from its being in pasture, and is enriching one part 

 of the farm at the expense of another. The only in- 

 stance in which it is warrantable upon an arable farm, 

 is in cases where turnips are raised either upon clay or 

 heavy loam ; in either of these cases, they may be eat- 

 en with advantage upon grass or stubble fields, as no 

 farmer of common sense would think of eating them 

 •where they grow ; but as we have already observed, 

 the propriety of this must be left to the judgment of 

 the farmer ; much advantage may certainly be derived 

 from it in some situations, and great loss sustained iu 

 others. 



