HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [83 



mutton. Of wool, part is manufactured in the county, but the 

 greater part sold out of it. It breeds horses enough for its own 

 supply, and some to spare, a good deal of the cold grass land being 

 more adapted to breeding than feeding, and perhaps paying better 

 at grass than it would under the plough. 



It is very possible for an improved cultivation to add very shortly 

 one-fourth to our average products per acre, to effect which nothing- 

 more is wanting than for the improved management to become 

 general ; this quantity, and more, being already raised by our best 

 farmers, independent of any advantage from goodness of soil. This 

 circumstance, united with the additional cultivation of Cannock- 

 heath, and the other waste lands, would increase the product of 

 grain nearly in the proportion of two to three ; and the production 

 from pasture-land might, by a similar improvement, be increased in 

 as high proportion. 



Increase of Animals and Vegetables. We shall add a short me- 

 moir on this subject, as a matter of curiosity and some utility; tend- 

 ing to shew how soon a new breed of animals, or variety of vege- 

 tables, may be introduced and extended, by application and per- 

 severance. 



The cattle species, though not very rapid in increase, will be 



four-fold in 8 years, beginning with 1 bull and i cow, - 2 



In 8 years they may be -^ 8 



16 years, - 32 



24 years, - 128 



32 years, - - 512 



40 years, - - 2048 



and continue in that proportion, though slaughtered at eight years 

 old. 



Sheep. Suppose the ewes each rear annually one lamb only, 

 over and above losses, the young ewes to bring forth at two years 

 old, half males, and the old stock cut off at five years old, all the 

 others preserved, 



One ram and one ewe at first, 2 



In one year may be 1 ram and 2 ewes, - 3 



Two years, 2 rams and 3 ewes, - 5 



Three years, 3 rams and 5 ewes, - 8 



Four years, 6 rams and 7 ewes, - 13 



Five years, 10 rams and 10 ewes, 20 



Suppose the original pair now cut off, deduct - 2 



Remains, - 18 

 The increase is nine-fold in five years. 



