MAT. 323 



if fed in the field. That the expence is some- 

 thing, cannot be denied, hut that it amounts to 

 any thing considerable, is contrary to fact. Mr. 

 Mure fed 240 fatting oxen in sheds through a whole 

 summer by the mowing of one scythe : if the at- 

 tendance upon the beasts be added to this amount, 

 the whole will evidently come to a sum which, 

 when divided either per head or per acre, will be so 

 low as to do entirely away this objection. As to 

 the question of thriving, the assertion has been 

 made, as far as it has come to my knowledge, with- 

 out a trial, and is consequently mere theory. The 

 beasts mentioned above, were all sold fat at Smith- 

 field, and did as well as similar beasts had done fed 

 abroad in the most favourable seasons, and better 

 than in any summer not remarkably favourable. I 

 practised it for several years together very carefully 

 for fatting cattle, weighing alive periodically, both 

 while in stalls and when at grass, and I found that 

 in soiling they throve better than when abroad. If 

 the world will reason upon every question of farm- 

 ing, they should do it without prejudice, and then 

 their reason would, to my apprehension, agree with 

 these facts. Every one knows how tormenting 

 flies are to cattle when abroad : ride into a field in 

 summer to look at stock, and where do you find 

 them ? Not feeding, but standing or resting un- 

 der trees, in ponds, in rivers, and, if there is no 

 better shelter, in ditches under br^tebles ; in a 

 word, any where but feeding in the open air. 



Y 2 What 



