482 History of the Author's 



favour of my breed; which requires, in order to compensate it, a superiority in 

 mutton of nearly 63 lb. per acre. 



The same comparative superiority would take place on land of two or tfiree 

 pounds an acre ; on which, if the sheep were thickly placed, the wool would be of 

 the finest possible quality ; or, if more sparingly, so as to become fat, the increase 

 of weight in the fleece would make full amends for some diminution of fineness in 

 the filament. 



The actual return of a farm of any kind, stocked wish this breed of sheep, has 

 not yet been accurately ascertained ; nor can it be, till such a farm be fully sup- 

 plied with sheep all yielding the best fleeces, and till a ready sale for the wool be 

 established. I have already stated the variety of sheep which are on my own farm, 

 in point of breed, proximity to the Merino, age, and other circumstances ; as well 

 as the various methods in which I have applied my wool, and sheep. I think, 

 however, that 450 sheep, and 195 lambs, together with from 6 to 7 of the larger 

 animals already mentioned, supported on the land and food which I have de- 

 scribed, are, all circumstances considered, a pretty large stock. Notwithstanding 

 which, my sheep are in good condition, and the hay, cabbages, rape, rouen, pota- 

 toes, and other articles which still remain, will be fully sufficient to maintain them 

 till there is plenty of grass. Three or four years hence, if an opportunity be granted 

 me, it is probable that I may make to the public an accurate statement of the an- 

 nual produce and consumption. 



On the farm of Lord Somerville, the report of which is given in the 10th volume 

 of the Bath Society, there was a similar mixture of stock, causing much difficulty 

 as to the actual conclusion relative to the produce of the fine woolled sheep; yet, 

 in the same volume, I have endeavoured to shew that the return for all the kinds 

 of wool taken together, was about £"3. per acre; and, inclusively of carcase, 

 £^5. 18s. per acre. This was independent of letting of rams, which, in the same 

 year, amounted to £^524. los. ; and of any sale of the sheep which bore the finest 

 wool. The land was valued at 36s. the acre, and was, in extent, 166 acres ; of 

 which between 20 and 30 were in turnips. 



Notwithstanding a conclusion so favourable to farmers, objections spring up with 

 them, like weeds in their own neglected fallows. One person asks me whether this 

 breed is fit for deep soils ; and another, whether it will bear folding ; as if 



