DEVON CATTLE 353 



acclimatized itself, and it crops better than the seeds- 

 men's sorts that have been set against it. We did, 

 however, see a small field of a new variety which 

 promises to yield both bigger crops and a uniform 

 sample of higher quality. 



Another local speciality was a form of perennial red 

 clover, known as " Cornish marl clover," said to be 

 more persistent and to stand grazing better than the 

 usual cow grass. 



The chief item in the revenue came from the sales 

 of Devon cattle, which leave the farm as forward two- 

 year-olds in the spring ; many go to the Midland 

 pastures, others to Southampton and Chichester, whence 

 the Pevensey Levels are largely stocked, as we had 

 seen in an earlier stage in our pilgrimage. Some men 

 were also able to fatten stock with the aid of corn 

 upon their grass, Southampton being also the market 

 for fat beasts ; but Devons do not tie up well, and 

 there is little winter feeding. Store cattle can stay 

 out all the winter, and as they thus retain their coats 

 they are eagerly sought for by the Midland graziers 

 who want to make an early start. Sheep were general 

 on the farms, chiefly Devon Long Wools, though a few 

 men like our host kept Oxford Downs for their earlier 

 maturity. He made a point of fattening all his lambs 

 for sale during the summer visitor season, and had at 

 that time succeeded in disposing of nearly all his crop 

 at prices ranging from 303. to 403. apiece. 



With all this grazing we were told that little cake 

 was bought, the Cornish farmer preferring to spend 

 money on manures and grow as much of the food as 

 possible. Basic slag was not in favour, superphosphate 

 was the standard manure, and large quantities were 

 used even on the grass, where its value was said to be 

 very manifest. Most of the land appeared to be short 



