A HISTORY OF SUSSEX 



have done were the pastures capable of carrying the stock. This is shown by 

 the following figures from the returns : 



1867 1905 



_ Cattle - 86,705 Cattle - - 127,041 



Sheep - - 557,39 Shee P - - 400,715 



Pigs - 54,140 Pigs - 41,102 



It is true that cattle show a very large increase, but on the other hand 

 it must be borne in mind that, in addition to the large increase in pasture as 

 against arable, the increase in cultivated land as shown by the returns of the 

 two years quoted has been nearly 39,000 acres, and further that there has 

 been a very heavy fall in the return for sheep. From the returns of 1906, 

 just to hand, it appears that cattle have increased since last year to the extent 

 of nearly 1,700, whilst sheep are 1,700 less. 



The cattle kept in the county are not confined to any particular breed. 

 Sussex, the breed of the county, are kept in comparatively few hands. They 

 were originally kept for the fattening qualities of the stock bred from them 

 and for working oxen. At the time when Arthur Young writes apparently 

 only oxen were used for farm work. A Sussex herd is kept by very few actual 

 tenant farmers, although there is a great demand amongst farmers for Sussex 

 bulls for use with the Shorthorn herds kept for milking purposes. 



It is claimed for the Sussex breed that ' they are unequalled for beef- 

 production, hardiness, early maturity, and thriving disposition,' and that 

 ' the improvement that has been effected in respect to symmetrical appearance, 

 depth of flesh, and early maturity, has been obtained without any loss of these 

 important qualities to the export buyer, i.e. soundness of constitution and 

 hardiness.' In a pamphlet issued by the Sussex Herd Book, from which the 

 above is quoted, it is shown that in the Smithfield Shows in the eight years 

 1 898 to 1 905, the average daily gain in live weight of the steers under two years 

 was 2 Ib. 1*55 oz., and in the case of heifers of the same age i Ib. 10-72 oz. 

 These weights are for the whole of the animals shown in these classes during 

 the period stated ; the figures speak for themselves. 



Excellent herds are kept in the county by the Right Hon. the Earl of 

 Winterton, Shillinglee Park, Petworth ; the Messrs. Ernest E. Braby and 

 James Braby, Rudgwick ; Thomas Bannister, Haywards Heath ; J. E. A. 

 Gwynne, Folkington Manor, Polegate ; James W. Lord, Northiam ; Charles 

 J. Lucas, Warnham Court, Horsham. 



The presence of so many large towns in the county, with London 

 within easy distance by rail, has led to a very large milk industry being 

 carried on. The dairy cows in the herds where milk is produced are almost 

 entirely Shorthorns purchased from Buckinghamshire and the western coun- 

 ties. With these cows a Sussex bull is now generally used and the calves sold 

 shortly after they are dropped ; these calves sell at good prices to farmers, 

 who rear them for store stock. The cross with the Sussex turns out some 

 excellent beasts, and has given an impetus also to the rearing of that breed. 

 Where butter is produced Jersey cows are kept, and are found to answer 

 extremely well, but are not popular with the tenant farmer, the cows and 

 their produce being of little value to the butcher. Good herds are kept by 

 Colonel Walter A. Hankey, Beaulieu, St. Leonards-on-Sea ; R. J. Streatfeild, 



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