AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 7D 



hrtd repeated his invitation in that room, to the Bedford- 

 shii-e farmers, to come down to Holkham, and view the 

 system here and on the farms of his tenants, few had 

 availed themse'ves of it. He was proud to state, that 

 some of his tenants, who were formerly as backward as 

 themselves, and as prejudiced m favour of old practices 

 as themselves, Mr. Reeves in particular, who \\ as pre- 

 sent, were now bright examples of good management. 

 Norfolk shef^p, continued Mr. Coke, have given place to 

 Mr. Elman's improved Soutii-down sheep, and drilling 

 has become general, without any instances of farmers 

 going ha'^k from Downs to Norfolk sheep, or from drill- 

 ing to broad-cast corn, and by which practice the car- 

 lock, and other disgraceful weeds of Bedfordshire, ought 

 to be got rid f. Mr. Coke concluded by observing, that 

 Sir Joseph Banks, by his exertions in favour of Spanish 

 sheep, had rendered a most important service to our ma- 

 nufactures ; but do they, said he, want mutton ? or can 

 we have a fine fleece on a fat carcass ? and gave, 

 " Sir Joseph Bank«, and a fine fleece on a fat carcass." 

 The worthy Baronet rose, and with much animation 

 and good humour, thanked the company, congratulating 

 them that it was at length admitted, that improvement 

 in wool had been elYectcd: and said, that if the Merino 

 carcasses were inferior, it was, because their improve- 

 ment was but just begun. We have, said he, seen New 

 Leicesters rise from nothing, and no one knows what 

 breed; and we have seen Downs, formerly like rats ia 

 size, now rivalling any breed in the kingdom. In Spa- 

 nish sheep there is as much capability as in Lincolnshires^ 

 which have risen into Bakewells, or in little rats of 

 South-downs, which have swollen into improved Downs 

 This speech was much and long applauded. 

 The company returned to the farm, and a sale of Park 

 Farm stock tuok place, as follows : 



10 South-down Theaves41 guineas, Rev. Sims, 



10 ditto 46. i\L-.E'iian 



JO ditto. 41 , jMr. Morris. 



10 ditto Ewes, two-shear 40 , Mr. Einiau, 



