Merino-Ryeland Breed of Sheep. ^gg 



that of moderate quality. This principle is not only erroneous in theory, but dis- 

 proved by the event in practice. We know that if an animal at his first appear- 

 ance in life want a sufficient quantity of his natural food, he is diminutive, and never 

 afterwards acquires his proper size. The same law affects him even before that 

 period, while he is still in the womb of his mother. Look also at a tree or a shrub, 

 which has grown in an unkindly and barren soil, and see whether it is not stinted, 

 and does not rarely survive transplantation. We see this effect especially in trees 

 which are tender, and not natives ofour soil, such as those which bear certain fruits. 

 Precisely the same thing happens with regard to seeds. Sow them in a poor soil, 

 and they spring slowly and weakly, are subject to all the depredations of insects, 

 and the inclemency of the seasons, arrive too late, if at all, at that state in which 

 they are fit to shift for themselves in transplantation, and never acquire their just 

 dimensions before the season comes, in which their growth ceases, or they are 

 wanted for consumption. 



The principle which I follow is exactly the reverse of that which I have de- 

 scribed, I would treat seed like the foetus in the womb of its mother, and a young 

 plant like a young animal; and by a proper choice of seed, early sowing, warmth, 

 defence against injury, and plenty of the most nourishing food, would push it ra- 

 pidly, safely, and uniformly, through all its stages, so as, in the time which is 

 limited for its growth by nature, to give it its greatest possible dimensions and 

 succulence. 



Conformably to these principles, we must begin with the seed itself. Experi- 

 ence shews that fresh seed vegetates more certainly and quickly than that which is 

 older. That of the preceding season ought, therefore, to be preferred. It may 

 readily be got by cutting off, in the month of February, the heads of cabbages 

 sown the spring before, and transplanting the stumps into rich and well-sheltered 

 ground, at a sufficient distance from all other varieties of the same tribe. As the 

 spring advances, there will rise from these stumps a great number of shoots, which 

 will blossom and become full of seed in the course of the autumn. From" 4 or 

 5 dozen of stumps of the drum-head cabbage, properly guarded against birds, 3 or 

 4 pounds of excellent seed may, in a good season, be thus obtained. 



When, therefore, I want this cabbage for spring feed, about the third week in 

 February, if the weather will permit, I sow such seed, rather thinly, on a well- 

 sheltered bed of deep, rich, finely pulverized and well manured mould, which has 



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