AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM ll9 



scale not of the largest, but still large enough wiih safg'- 

 ty to wariant any inference that may be drawn. The 

 lambs are dropt in the vale of Taunton, and continue in 

 it during the liist summer. The store flock is summer- 

 ed a short distance from thence, on the hills bordering 

 oaExmoor Forest. The contrast of climate must be re- 

 markable, because there is a difterence in the time of 

 harvest of a month: our feoding sheep are then grazed 

 h\ the exposed, but rich marsh of Bridgewater, long ce- 

 lebrated for its good beef and fat oxen : or finished in 

 turnips and winter vetches in the vale. We had reason 

 to fear^in e'ther case, that the strength of keep miglit 

 open the pile, and give a coarseness to the wool, as well 

 as to the grain of meat ; but the event has destroyed such 

 fears, insoinvich that we had no scruple in sending some 

 Wecher lambs to winter in the marsh, usijig the precau- 

 tion to cott them during the severe winter-months ; and 

 although this land had the character of being too stroi^g", 

 and of scovvring lambs, even to the danger of losing 

 them, we found the mixed breed able to endure it, and 

 thrive surprisingly. § VVhsther as an article of food for 

 those, who are lobust, or those, who are delicate, even 

 at the early age of 18 months, when mutton is usually 

 thought indifferent, it is nutritious and exquisite in fla- 

 vour. There is a firmness in the spine fat ; a richness 

 and deep colour in the gravy ; and a fine texture and 

 tenderness in the grain, v\ hich must command custom- 

 ers, and ensure to this breed the good will of butchers, 

 wherever they may be situated. There are two parties 

 to be considered, the seller and the purchaser. We 

 have had occasion to note, how essential a i-eady sale is 

 to every article of produce, and that this circumstance, 

 in great part, tended to enforce the necessity of a change 

 of breed. These diversities of soil and climate, uncqaal- 

 ied, probably, within the same space of ground, enable 

 us to speak with a confidence, it would be presumption 

 otherwise to do ; because together they embrace all those 



§ Tiey did well until the enj of OeetaibtVj when, Icecp icttin^ saarce, tbo grouoiJs were hainefl 

 agl*}! a ft*tb bite la Februarf . 



