Breeding, Rearing, and Feeding Horses, Cattle, and Sheep. 11 
this very habit of theirs which has betrayed you and others into 
the expectation that some of them will be found willing to 
disclose their whole business transactions for the benefit of the 
public," It is not very evident wherein " this frankness has been 
abused ;" but I shall not discuss a matter of that kind, and now 
append the replies, which are as nearly as possible in the words 
of the writers. It should be explained that the somewhat dis- 
jointed form in which most of the reports read is due to the 
fact of their having been replies to a series of ten queries. I 
need not here print the queries, as the general drift of them may 
be inferred from the nature of the appended replies. 
1. Honingham-Thobpb, Norwich. 
This is essentially a corn-growing district, vdth so little grass land that 
to rear a large number of horses -or cattle is impossible. The climate is too 
dry for second year's seeds, but the growth of sainfoin is extending, and that 
enables farmers to keep more sheep. Indeed, attempts are continually being 
made by occupiers of stiff arable lands, and also by farmers with no permanent 
pasture or sheep-walk, to keep a flock of ewes, but I notice that an excep- 
tionally dry summer or cold spring, a very long winter, the failure of a 
root-crop, or the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease among sheep, will often 
cause these farmers to revert to their old system of buying-in sheep or lambs 
to consume their clover, turnips, &c. 
No doubt a few more cattle are reared. Almost every small farmer who 
keeps a cow brings up her calf, and in some instances calves are sent from 
the dairy districts and weaned on a little milk, with linseed and other sub- 
stitutes. But it is found more profitable to buy some young growing stock, 
which mostly come from Ireland. 
The sheep best suited to the district are half-breds, a cross between a good 
Black-faced or Down ewe and a Long-woolled ram. This is the class of lamb 
mostly produced in Norfolk ; but several Oxford Downs and half-bred flocks 
are kept, and probably are extending in consequence of the difficulty and cost 
of procuring good Down ewes for renewing the flock. 
1 consider that a man to successfully breed nags should really understand 
horses. Few men do, although it is a common delusion to fancy yourself a good 
judge of horse-flesh. It is much easier to breed a decent cart-horse ; and many 
more are reared in Norfolk, and of a better class, than was common a few 
years ago. Still, unless a farmer has some rough pastures or low marshes 
to stow his colts in summer, rearing a quantity of cart-horses is attended 
with much diflSculty. 
A good, but not too-finely bred Shorthorn, is the bullock most preferred by 
the Norfolk grazier ; but the Improved Red-polled Norfolks make useful 
dairy cows, and they graze fairly well at two and three years old. 
One great drawback to extend the quantity of stock in Norfolk is the 
constant presence of contagious diseases. As we import nineteen-twentieths 
of the cattle we feed, and they come from all parts of the United Kingdom, if 
there is any infectious disorder in any part of these islands it is sure to find 
Its way to Norfolk. The ravages of pleuro-j)neumonia are more extensive 
than in any other district, and the county has hardly been entirely clear of 
foot-and-mouth disease since the removal of the Cattle Plague restrictions, 
which kept Norfolk free from that scourge for upwards of two years. 
Clare Sewell Bead. 
