BREEDS, CROSSES, &C. a^Z 



ever, a good opinion of Norfolks, and will not be sur- 

 prized to see them come into fashion again. In May 

 1792, he sold two shear Norfolks at Smithfield, for 3I. 

 each. He admits their rambling disposition, which is 

 much against them ; and he is clear that he cannot keep 

 so many on his farm as of South Downs. The South Down 

 wool is not, on good keep, so good as Norfolk wool, but 

 the fleece is heavier. Five years ago lie got a lot of York- 

 shires from the Wolds, white faces, polled, and the wool 

 very coarse, but they throve wondertully ; never having had 

 any sheep that did better, insomuch, that he was sorry 

 when he parted with them. Norfolks, he thinks, will 

 bear folding better than South Downs. The latter will, 

 however, come to hand rather sooner, but not on ling : has 

 had three shear South Downs of 281b. a quarter. Mr. 

 jfohnson, shall you go back to Norfolks P — " Certainly not, for 

 my lands lie wide." I like this discriminating attention ; 

 it is a sign of accurate observation, and the balance is 

 enough in favour of South Downs. 



Mr. England, of Binham, got South Downs last 

 year, and approves what he has seen of them : he thinks 

 they may be run thicker on the land ; and if as much pro- 

 fit is gained from five as from four, it is a better system. 



Mr. Reeve, of Wighton, keeps only Leicesters: 

 while he was in the Norfolk breed, his flock was 18 score 

 breeding ewes: he has now 10 score Leicester ewes, and 

 all their produce, amounting in the whole to never less 

 than from 28 to 30 score, lambs included ; but the ac- 

 count taken at any time of the year, the amount is 10 

 score more in number. He has had this breed six years, 

 and prefers them to South Downs. Mr. Reeve's account 

 is, however, candid, for he admits that they arc apt to go 

 barren ; and the highest bred, tlie most so ; clips 6 lb. on 

 an average, ewe and hog : his Norfolk ewes 12 to 14 



to 



