Management of Sheep. 



27 



the back, blended with well-sprung^ top ribs, lon^ hind quarters, 

 the flesh or fat laid even, or in mass throughout the upper form, 

 the animal stands open and well upon the fore legs, and conse- 

 quently becomes habitually gay and easy in its carriage. 



The crossing of the pure breeds has been a subject of great 

 interest of late amongst every class of breeders. While all agree 

 that the first cross may be attended with good results, there exists 

 a diversity of opinion upon the future movements, or putting the 

 crosses together. Having tried experiments (and I am now pur- 

 suing them for confirmation) in every way possible, I do not he- 

 sitate to express my opinion, that, by proper and j udicious crossing 

 through repeated generations, a most valuable breed of sheep may 

 be raised and established ; in support of which I may mention 

 the career of the celebrated Bakewell, who raised a new variety 

 from other long-woolled breeds by dint of perseverance and pro- 

 pagation, and which have subsequently corrected all other long- 

 woolled breeds. 



Having determined upon a series of experiments for my private 

 information, and being desirous to ascertain the best and most 

 economical plan of producing good animals (and having subse- 

 quently confirmed at least the greater part of them), I proceed 

 to give them at full. 



Experiment No. 1. 



On the 20th of December, 1842, 8 lambs were weighed and placed 

 upon the regular turnip-land (a red loam, with cold subsoil), to consume 

 the turnips where they grew, and were regularly supplied with what cut 

 swedes they would eat, which proved to be on an average 23Jlbs. per 

 day. They were again weighed on the 3rd of April, 1843, being 15 

 weeks, and found to have gained upon an average, during the time, 

 25 J lbs. each. 



No. 2. 



On the same day, 8 lambs were placed in a grass paddock, under the 

 same regulations, and found to have consumed, on an average, 19 lbs. of 

 turnips per day, and gained during the time 26| lbs. each. 



No. 3. 



On the same day, 8 lambs were placed alongside the No. 2 lot in the 

 grass paddock, and allowed to run in and out of an open shed during 

 the day, but regularly shut up at night. They vvere allowed half a pound 

 of mixed oil-cake and peas each per day, and consumed 20 J lbs. of 

 turnips per day, and gained 33jlbs. each. 



No. 4. 



On the same day, 8 lambs were placed with the Nos. 2 and 3 lots in 

 the grass paddock, under the same regulations as No. 3, but supplied 

 with 1 lb. of mixed corn per day. They consumed 20 lbs. of turnips 

 per day during the following 10 weeks, being again weighed on the 

 28th of February, 1843, and gained on an average 26 J lbs. each. 



