On the Farming of Middlesex. 
23 
some distance from the place where it is shed into the pail ?" 
After careful and patient investigation, the former practice 
commends itself to his judgment. The population of London 
are probably little aware of the nature or number of the esta- 
blishments whence their milk is "supplied. Mr. Morton calcu- 
lates that 24,000 cows supply the metropolis, not including milk 
sent by railway ; and that in 1865 there were in 1723 cowsheds 
17,622 cows. The number to which they were reduced, or the 
number now kept, it would be difficult to ascertain. Some cow- 
sheds did not suffer, while others, and those not the worst arranged 
or apparently unwholesome, were emptied. In all probability 
they will regain, if not surpass, their former dimensions. Some 
of the smaller cowsheds, or rather stables or back premises, are 
entered through the dwelling-house of the dairyman. The first 
impression on entering is surprise at seeing cows stowed in so 
small a compass, and that there should be so little apparent 
nuisance from their presence. As may be supposed, the owners 
are exceedingly fond of their cattle, and as a rule take pride in 
their appearance and well-being. The mysteries of the milk 
trade are not open to the public, and must be acknowledged to 
be in somewhat bad repute ; but there are establishments where 
the milk may be procured as good and pure as from a country 
dairy. Milk from the country has an attractive sound, but 
mothers of families have found that their young children have 
thriven on London-shed milk when that known to be from the 
country has produced evil effects. The sites of many large cow- 
sheds have probably not changed since the buildings were 
extended to the suburban farms, on which the cows were origi- 
nally grazed. In such an one there are now say 100, instead of 
as before the cattle plague, 180 cows, ranged in well- aired and 
roomy sheds, divided in pairs, and the two being fed together, 
parted by a low partition. As the result of inquiries as to the 
mode and hours of feeding, it is found that there is little difference 
as compared with those establishments in the country already 
described. If the "London" cow is kept to be milked and 
fatted after her last calf, some pea or bean meal is dusted into 
the grains, which are not readily consumed. The morning and 
afternoon milking are' at later hours, as the customer is near at 
hand. Acquaintance with the management of one shed is a 
guide to nearly all the rest. Some grow their own grass and 
root-crops, and hay, others buy all at the wharf, station, or hay- 
market. 
In a new establishment, or rather new buildings, of an old 
and highly respectable concern, which for generations has sup- 
plied the highest in the land, the buildings are patterns of neat- 
ness and convenience. The cow-stalls and root-stores are below ; 
