188 RURAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND. 



and Dishley sheep renders the meat neither very agree- 

 able nor so nourishing. It is possible that this is an 

 evil in the new system, and that pasturage, surpassed 

 in quantity, maintains its position for the quality of its 

 produce ; it is possible, also, that some new disease may 

 suddenly develop itself among these inert and unnaturally 

 fattened races, and oblige a new infusion of more energetic 

 blood. In any case we may depend upon this, that the 

 old-fashioned pasturing will not be given up without a 

 struggle ; if it is destined to disappear, it will be because 

 of there being no other alternative. The most likely 

 result is the adoption of a mixed system, partaking of 

 the advantages of both methods. * 



"While by means of the improved pasture farmers suc- 

 ceeded in keeping at most one head of large cattle or 

 its equivalent to one hectare in cultivation, which was 

 already much more than could be done in France, it is 

 now maintained that by stabulation they will be able to 

 keep two, and even three, and so increase considerably the 

 production of cereals. In that case, all the land becomes 

 arable ; and the Norfolk rotation may be applied over the 

 whole extent of the property, in place of being confined to 

 a half. Such are the changes which take place in things 

 human ; agriculture is subject to them like all else. 

 Hitherto it was the use of the pasture-land which, by 

 increasing the number of cattle, and reducing the breadth 

 of cereals, swelled the average return of the corn-land. 

 Now the reduction or abolition of pasturage, while it 

 further increases the number of cattle, supplies fresh 

 means for increasing the fertility of the soil, and conse- 

 quently the production of corn for human consumption. 



* We believe this last conjecture is that most likely to be realised. Box-feed 

 ing and soiling is not gaining so rapidly in favour as to cause us any anxiety, 

 either as to the desertion of our pastures, or the comfort and health of our 

 stock. J. D. 



