SCIENCE OF rOXHUNTlNG. 251 



be debited in bis estabbsbment in place of guano or 

 otber artificial manures now so extensively used. 

 These act ratber as stimulants tban strengthening 

 to tbe soil, aiford it no permanent improvement, 

 and are chiefly employed in the cultivation of root 

 crops, whereas a proper dressing of kennel manure 

 will leave its mark upon tbe land for years. 



Having been a farmer as well as foxhunter, we can 

 attest the accuracy of this ; in fact, a few years after 

 the commencement of our career as M. F. H., we 

 were forced into tbe farming line rather against our 

 inclination, by the tenant of the home farm so 

 mismanaging bis land, taking everything out of it 

 and putting very little in, that the necessity was 

 laid upon us of taking it into our own bands, or 

 letting it to another for a mere song. "We adopted 

 tbe former course, upon tbe recommendation of a 

 first-class agriculturist in the neighbourhood; but 

 having no practical knowledge of the business, we 

 pressed our friend into a farming tour, to see how 

 things were done in otber counties. At that time 

 Sussex had obtained great notoriety for its breeders 

 of Southdown sheep, and this sort being considered 

 the best to work poor land into condition, thither 

 we bent our steps, and were gratified with a sight of 

 the Duke of Eichmond^s and the late celebrated 

 Ellman^s beautiful flocks, from which our stock were 

 subsequently descended, with a cross of the Wilt- 

 shire down, an animal of larger frame, and better 

 adapted to folding than the highest bred South- 

 downs. 



