126 OF LIVE STOCK. 



buying in a proper ewe stock for that purpose, the breed- 

 ing plan, he observes, is the most convenient. 



Having already given to the public my sentiments on the 

 subject of the breeding and management of sheep,* it is 

 unnecessary to resume that subject in this work. It may 

 be proper, however, to observe, that where the carcase is 

 the object, every prudent farmer will breed his sheep, free 

 from that extra refinement, which tends to diminish the size 

 which the animal would otherwise reach, prevents them 

 from feeding to the greatest perfection, renders their con- 

 stitution too tender, and in some measure destroys their 

 fecundity. It is not intended, by this observation, to dis- 

 courage the more general introduction of a breed of sheep, 

 well calculated for arable districts, but there are bounds, be- 

 yond which, refinement will be found the parent of weak- 

 ness and disease. 



4 



3. HORSES. A gentleman who is carrying on agricultu- 

 ral improvements with great spirit, in the neighbourhood 

 of Penrith, is of opinion, that the breed of horses in Scot- 

 land, is infinitely preferable, for the labours of husbandry, 

 to any he has ever seen in England ; combining action and 

 strength in a greater degree than any of the English breeds ; 

 and he is convinced, that, on an average, they may be kept 

 at much less expence. They certainly possess greater phy- 

 sical weight than blood horses, or those crossed by them, 

 and consequently are fitter for drawing. Their make is 

 strong, and as they go through their work steadily, they are 

 less likely to wa"stc their strength than others are apt to do. 

 It is remarked, at the same time, that a little dash of blood 



* See address to the Society for the Improvement of British Wool, in- 

 serted in a volume of miscellaneous essays, printed in one volume octa- 

 vo, anno 1802. 



