30 
Relative Profits to the Farmer Jrom 
production. But years must elapse before the supply of good horses agaiu 
becomes equal to the demand. 
Shorthorns and Shorthorn crosses are now the chief cattle bred or purchased 
throughout the midland counties, and presumedly are found the most profitable. 
They have steadily superseded the Herefords and Longhoms, which half-a- 
century ago were the cattle almost exclusively kept. On a few upland farms 
along the Malvern and Breedon Hills, and on the Cotswolds, some Herefords 
are still bred, are reputed fair milkers, but never bring so much money as 
Shorthorns of the same age ; teams of four to six of the oxen, yoked in a line, 
may in these districts still be seen ploughing, carting, and doing other farm 
work. On four farms in the neighbourhood of Stratford-on-Avon, polled 
Angus bulls from the best Aberdeenshire herds have for some years been 
used on ordinary non-pedigreed Shorthorn cows. The first cross follow the 
sire rather than the dam ; are hardier than Shorthorns ; are thick, short-legged, 
symmetrical beasts, much prized by the butcher: although bred from red, 
white, and roan Shorthorn cows, they are blacks and dark greys in almost 
equal proportions, and almost invariably are without even rudimentary horns. 
These half-breds, put either to a polled Angus or Shorthorn sire, furnish 
useful animals ; but as the first cross — the progeny of the pure-breds — are more 
shapely and uniform, they are being regularly fed out, fresh Shorthorn dams 
being obtained as required. 
The sheep are more diversified than the cattle. On many of the poorer and 
thinner soils, where the flock is necessarily run thin, the big long-woolled 
Cotswolds and Oxfordshire Downs are bred. From Oxford and other neigh- 
bouring markets a hardy admirable class of Oxford Downs or half-breds 
can usually be procured, at about 12 months making readily 20 lbs. a quarter, 
and clipping 8 or 9 lbs. of wool. In the more northerly and westerly portions 
of the midland counties are many breeders of pure Leicesters and Shrop- 
shires; whilst many farmers indulge in various cross-bred sorts, putting 
Shropshire, Wiltshire, or Hampshire Down tups upon the longer woolled 
ewes, and preferring the Down infusion on account of its securing hardiness, 
lean meat, and adaptability for living alike during summer and winter in 
pens. 
The more extended cultivation of roots, the increased use of concentrated 
food, and the earlier age at which both cattle and sheep are ready for the 
butcher, now induce many breeders to feed out most of their cattle and sheej). 
The home-bred are usually found more profitable than the purchased stocks. 
There is more chance of their having been carefully and progressively 
managed ; they are acclimatised, and are exempt from the risk of importing 
contagious disease — a most serious drawback to the buying-in of stock. In 
recent years the breeder has had the best share of the profit. 
To buy rather than to breed the live-stock of the farm is desirable where 
the land is heavy and retentive, rich and well-adapted for feeding-purposes, 
producing irritant herbage, which scours or otherwise injures young animals, 
or causes cows or ewes to abort. Land near large towns is usually more 
profitably devoted to feeding or dairying than to breeding stock. Salt 
marshes, pastures frequently flooded, and those where the water supply is 
precarious, are especially unsuitable for young animals. 
In most parts of the country a system of mixed husbandry is found to 
answer best; whilst still further to increase his chances of remuneration and 
diminish his risks, the farmer generally goes in for different sorts of live stock. 
To use a Hibcrnianism, I would say, " all sorts are best," but on most farms 
sheep projierly managed generally yield the handsomest returns. On holdings 
mainly arable, and where heavy land preponderates, cattle in larger proportion 
are required to utilise the abundance of straw. On some of the rich perma- 
nent ^lasturcs which abound in various English counties, where the herbage 
