( 444 ) 



CHAP. XII. 



LIVE STOCK. 



SECT. I. — CATTLE. 



THE cattle predominant in Norfolk arc Scotch, 

 bought in every year from the drovers of North Bri- 

 tain. The quantity of these is very considerable indeed ; 

 as there is scarcely a farmer of any consideration in 

 the county, that does not turnip-feed a lot proportioned 

 to the size of his farm. The profit was formerly re- 

 spe6lahle, hut it has been gradually lessening, by reason of 

 the high price at which they are bought in. Tiie breed is 

 lessened in Scotland, and the drovers are more skilful than 

 they used to be, in estimating what the demnnd will be 

 from the state of the turnip crop, and they accoidingly pro- 

 portion their supply so exa6llv, that cheap lots are rarely 

 procured. This circumstance has had some influence on 

 the change that has taken place in the county respe6ting 

 sheep. This stock has of late years been very greatly in- 

 creased, to the diminution of bullocks, and has been efFedt- 

 ed by the superior profit derived fiom the South Down 

 breed over that of Norfolks. The change has been of 

 great importance to the farmers, insomuch, tiiatthey have 

 by this means raised their profit, at the same time that 

 their farms are in better heart : it they were in the liabit 

 (could it be eiFedled on a large scale, of which I have lit- 

 tle doubt) of treading their straw into dung by their fat 



sheep. 



