324 ^^ DRAUGHT OXEN. 



commonly fold to go to keep, at three and 

 four years old. The price of a young bullock, 

 fit to break for harnefs before the war, was 

 from ten to feventeen pounds, fince which it 

 has been more than doubled. Indeed the price 

 of live flock of all kinds, has been of late, and 

 was on the commencement of the year 1797 fo 

 exorbitant, as fcarcely to feem deferving of cre- 

 dit ; now the excefs is in fome degree mode- 

 rated. Bei kfliire pigs of fix weeks old, were 

 fold at eighteen (hillings, and even a guinea 

 each, or at nearly eighteen pence pei' pound 

 alive. Shroplhire and Herefordfhire (lores, 

 fuch as had ufed to come to the London feed- 

 ers at about fifty (liillings, or under, were 

 worth five or fix pounds a piece in the coun- 

 try ; it has even been afferted, that a North- 

 amptonfhire breeder a6lually acquired fifty 

 guineas in one year, from the produce of a 

 fincrle fow. But extremes of this kind carry 

 the legitimate remedy within themfelves. The 

 excelTive price has fet all thofe in the country 

 who had convenience, to pig-breeding ; and 

 competition in the market has already made 

 great progrefs, and will foon complete the con- 

 fummation of bringing the price of the article 

 to its proper level. In the meantime how came 

 thofe fagacious and vigilant gentlemen, the anti- 

 rejiratters, to fuffer nature and the reafon of 

 things to prevail, and do the needful wuhout 



their 



