ORDER RUM 1 NAN HA. 33'5 



at all times, for breeding 1 , the individuals possessed of the 

 handsomest proportions, and crossing- them successively 

 with those who partake in the highest degree of one or 

 more of the desired qualifications. When, by these means, 

 a breed is advanced to the point of perfection desired, to 

 desist from crossing-, and to breed with the most perfect of 

 both sexes of the same race, or what is termed in and in. 



But the nature of the soil, wooded or open, heath or 

 down, elevated or low, the vicinity of the capital or of large 

 cities, demand modifications ; for, where the flesh is more 

 valuable than the wool, the chief attention is necessarily 

 bestowed upon that quality, and the greater or less readiness 

 in fattening-, preferably to that of fleece. In like manner 

 the difference of latitude and the prevalence of moist wea- 

 ther require modifications ; but by the application of these 

 general principles, subordinate to local circumstances, 

 Great Britain has acquired a variety of breeds, each 

 adapted to its localities, in such a state of perfection, that 

 little can be desired beyond the further extension of the 

 practice to every part of the United Kingdoms. 



These results were not, however, obtained, but by slow 

 degrees, great expense, and persevering attention. It is 

 nearly seventy years since the system commenced, and its 

 increasing importance may be traced by the comparative 

 prices paid for the hire of rams for the season, and the rate 

 of purchase for those possessed of prime qualifications-. 

 At that period, the best rams of the Leicester breed were 

 let out for hire by the season at sixteen and seventeen shil- 

 lings a piece ; and from that time the price kept rising 

 from one guinea to ten, and even more. For the purchase 

 of rams four hundred guineas have been repeatedly given; 

 and Mr. Bewick states, that Mr. Bakewell, in the year 1789, 

 made twelve hundred guineas by three rams, two thousand 

 guineas of seven, and three thousand guineas of the re- 

 mainder of his stock of rams. But it must be observed 



