52 SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF LEICESTER AND DISTRICT 
regard to sheep, it is a remarkable fact that the famous breed of Leicester 
sheep is not found in the county ; this breed, which is popular in many 
parts of this country and has also a great reputation in the colonies, was 
the outcome of the work done in breeding by the famous Robert Bakewell, 
who was born and died at Dishley Grange, near Loughborough (1726-1795). 
The last pure-bred flock of Leicester sheep was kept for many years at 
Beau Manor, near Loughborough, but this flock was dispersed several 
years ago. Bakewell also did much to improve the breed of Longhorn 
cattle, and whilst there are no herds of this breed in this county, it is 
well to note that the work he carried out at Dishley in the eighteenth 
century had much to do with laying the foundations of a system of farm 
live-stock breeding for which Great Britain has become deservedly 
famous. 
THe MeLTON Mowsray AREA. 
There is also marked agricultural activity all round the famous hunting 
centre of Melton Mowbray. Here excellent grazing land is to be found, 
and to the north-east considerable areas of ploughed land on the red 
soils of the middle and upper Lias. More limited in extent but under 
the plough are the lighter soils on the Northampton sands and Lincolnshire 
limestone ; here sheep and arable farming are closely connected. During 
recent years good progress has been made in this district in the application 
of co-operative principles to the business of marketing agricultural produce. 
The Farmers’ Co-operative Association controls an extensive business 
which deals with the disposal of cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry; a 
successful National Mark egg depot is also in operation which has done 
much towards developing a keen interest in the extension of the poultry 
industry, and most of the eggs produced are now graded and sold under 
the National Mark and through a progressive collecting depot. The 
Association also conducts a butchery business very successfully, and for 
this purpose the animals are supplied by its members. Agricultural 
co-operation has had a chequered experience in this county, but it is 
gratifying to note that co-operation amongst farmers at Melton Mowbray, 
Long Clawson, and other places in the Vale of Belvoir has been very 
successful. Progress at most of these centres has been largely due to 
enthusiastic leaders who possessed a wealth of energy and sound practical 
judgment, and have been imbued with a keen desire to be of service in 
securing the improvement of marketing conditions. ‘The country to the 
south and south-west of Melton Mowbray is mainly in grass and on the 
whole well farmed, and is of a gently undulating character. ‘This area 
comprises the land over which the famous Quorn pack is regularly hunted. 
Lying still further south is the almost equally famous Fernie country 
occupying much of what is called High Leicestershire, and centring 
round Billesdon Coplow. Both ‘ countries’ consist of rolling uplands 
requiring the best of horses and horsemanship, and some excellent 
hunters are bred and trained in these areas. 
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOR LEICESTERSHIRE. 
Like the farming in most counties, that of Leicestershire has under- 
gone many changes, and the following statistics have been chosen with 
