Farming of Northamptonshire, 8$ 



On the Oxfordshire side of the county, the Leicester flocks 

 have been crossed to some extent with the " New Oxfords." 

 These are sheep of large dimensions, and are bred in Oxfordshire 

 and the surrounding districts. A cross of this kind increases the 

 size and weight of the Leicesters. The Cotswold or Gloucester- 

 shire rams are also used in the county, principally those bred by 

 Messrs. Lyne and Cother, from the celebrated flock of Mr. Hewer. 

 They very much resemble the " New Oxfords," and, like them, 

 have a tendency to increase the size of the flock. 



Towards the northern extremity of the county, adjoining Lin- 

 colnshire and Leicestershire, the Leicester flocks have received a 

 cross by the introduction of the Long-woolled Lincolns." A 

 very large show of these rams are brought for sale or hire to Peter- 

 borough Michaelmas fair, by Messrs. Price, of Risborough, Kirk- 

 ham, of Hagneby, Hodgkin, and Clarke, and many other Lincoln 

 breeders. The advantages of this cross are principally in the in- 

 crease of wool and size, but they require good pasture-land to 

 prepare them for the butcher. 



On the turnip soils in the interior of the county, and on the side 

 adjoining Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, a cross with a south- 

 down has become the most prevailing system — the advantage being 

 a hardier constitution, finer texture of wool, and a superior quality 

 of mutton. Sheep of this cross will generally produce 4r/. per 

 stone (of 8 lbs.) extra in Smithfield, which is of considerable im- 

 portance to the grazier for the London markets. The wool also 

 will command a higher price. It may be questioned if they pos- 

 sess the same aptitude to fatten as the Leicester, the more active 

 and restless habits of the down sheep being undoubtedly imbibed 

 by the cross. Mr. Jonas Webb and Mr. Ellman have both sent 

 down rams into this county. 



It requires much skill and judgment in the proper management 

 of breeding from repeated crossing, and many persons have had 

 their flocks materially injured by looking more to the size of the 

 male animal than to its other equally important qualifications, viz., 

 strength of constitution and aptitude to fatten. The crossing of 

 pure breeds of sheep has generally been considered very beneficial, 

 especially the first cross ; but there exists some difference of opi- 

 nion with regard to future proceedings, as to the propriety of 

 putting the crosses together. Some of the most perfect and valu- 

 able animals have been produced by the first cross, and none more 

 so than a cross between a pure bred down and Leicester. i\Ir. 

 Twitchell, of Wilby, has shown some very superior sheep of this 

 cross which took the prize at the Northampton Show last summer. 

 He also took the prize for sheep of the same breed at the Birming- 

 ham Christmas Show. 



Respect should be had, in the breeding of sheep, to the nature 



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