Breeding, Rearing, and Feeding Horses, Cattle, and Sheep. 41 
run over, they can be brought through (in many cases) without any hand- 
feeding whatever. 
From ten to twenty years ago the breeding of horses was largely curtailed 
on account of their unremunerative market value ; and, as a matter of course, 
their place would be filled with cattle or sheep, but I am not aware of any 
single individual having given up to any large extent the breeding of horses. 
Since the reaction in the horse market, there are, if not two for one, most 
certainly three for two mares put to breeding now, as compared with a few 
y«ars ago. 
The pure Clydesdale horse of the largest frame and weight is not necessary 
for farm purposes. A lighter, quick-stepping, half-bred animal, is more suit- 
able for this part of the country for farm work ; but for working on the farm 
for perhaps two j^ears, and then selling for town purposes, the Clydesdale is best. 
The best sort of cattle are the Shorthorns, and the purer the pedigree the 
better. On the mountain ranges and unenclosed commons, the Highland or 
Black-faced sheep predominate. On the lower-lying and inclosed pastures, a 
cross between the Leicester ram and Black-faced ewes gives a good return. 
And in the vale of the Eden, and all low-lying sheltered situations, Leicester 
or half-bred i^ays best. 
James Mitchell. 
26. Stevenson Mains, Haddington, N.B. 
I think more cattle, sheep, and horses might be profitably bred on many farms. 
I consider it most profitable for the farmer to breed his own horses, unless 
strong, clay soils, where the draught is veiy heavy. On such soils the 
mares are more apt to abort or produce weakly foals ; and young colts, 
■when first yoked, are apt to produce sprains and other lameness, also to slip 
shoulders. The same rule applies to very steep land. 
On dry arable land, with a fine climate, such as the lower part of East 
Lothian, I think store-cattle can be bought cheaper than they can be bred, 
for this reason, that there are other counties better adapted for rearing cattle, 
viz., those counties which have a more humid climate better suited for grass. 
Cattle grow better in those counties. I would instance Westmoreland and the 
greater part of Ireland. On such land as the low-er part of East Lothian cattle 
do not take on the same appearance at all ; they get brown and dry in the hair, 
and do not grow like cattle that are grazing on land better adapted for grass. 
Dr}' arable land that will grow good grass and turnips is suitable for 
breeding sheep. If the land is naturally very fertile, and of easy access to 
towns, it will be found more profitable to purchase than to breed, because 
they can be bred at less expense on poorer soil and further from market, and 
on cheaper land. Sheep also do best going thin on the ground. 
One drawback to the breeding and rearing of horses is that they are not 
nearly so good manure-makers as cattle or sheep. Grass depastured by 
horses will not improve nearly so much in condition as land on which either 
cattle or sheep graze. 
The Clydesdale I believe to be the best agricultural horse. He combines 
strength with durability and docility. Shorthorn or cross cattle, and half 
or three-parts bred sheep are best, 
Adam Smith. 
27. Ahaknet House, Ballyeagget, Ireland. 
For the past twenty-five years — in fact, since the famine period of 1846-7-8 
—a revolution in husbandry has taken place in Ireland. Small holdings have 
disappeared and are disappearing. They have been turned into large holdings. 
