Breeding, Rearing, and Feeding Horses, Cattle, and Sheep. 45 
and fatten his own, for he cannot now make purchases in the open market or 
lair without getting more than he purchases. 
As a rule, the breeding of sheep and cattle is preferred to horses. There is 
but little risk in the one case, but considerable in the other; and not only 
the risk and uncertainty, but the grazing, of horses rather extensively tends 
to the deterioration of the land ; while that of sheep and cattle helps to 
improve it, especially the former, when the land is sound and dry, and other- 
wise adapted to sheep. Some landlords, and tenants too, object to horses 
(working-horses excepted) on account of the damage done to trees, fences, 
and grass. 
Many years ago horse-breeding was to some extent given up, and sheep- 
and cattle-breeding adopted. This was owing to the low price of horses, 
risk, &c., as before referred to ; and with the idea that the railways would, to 
a great extent, supersede the use of the horse, and that prices would be lower 
still. 
Nothing has increased so much as the breeding of sheep ; and present cir- 
cumstances — such as the better drainage of the land, abundance of feeding- 
stuffs, the growing of green crops more extensively, which is much encouraged 
by artificial manures, machinery, &c. — tend to that increase. 
The cart and agricultural horse pays the breeder the best. As for the 
himting horse, though the price is high, the breeder meets with too man^- 
blanks for the number of prizes. Could nothing be done to prevent any one 
from breeding from either horse or mare having a natural blemish or unsound- 
ness ? 
I think there is no class of sheep that will give an equal quantity of mutton 
and wool for a given quantity of food as the Leicester ; and I place Shorthorn 
cattle in the same position to other breeds. 
Wm. Linton. 
30. KlNNOCHTEY, CuiAK AnGUS. 
As a rule, I believe that British farmers could breed more horses, cattle, and 
sheep with profit. Horses required for wear on a farm are always most suitable 
if bred thereon, and, under any circumstance almost, can be reared cheaper than 
bought-in at present very high prices. For the rearing of horses rough out- 
lying pasture, well fenced, is best adapted. However, under ordinary circum- 
stances, on good arable land, I have always found that those reared on the 
farm were not only best suited for the work, but cheaper, counting everything, 
than those bought in. There are very few circumstances which I have 
known, in the course of thirty-five years of farming-life, which make the 
buying in of store-cattle for feeding purposes preferable to breeding. As a 
rule, I consider the British farmer should have as many cattle on his holding 
for breeding purposes as would give him his regular feeding supply. Were 
this the general custom we should have little or no disease amongst our 
stock. Imported cattle, or even home-bred bought-in beasts, are those 
which infect our regular stock with the diseases which we are troubled with. 
In this district we consider it the most sure system of farming to have a 
regular breeding-stock, whether of horses, cattle, or sheep — and all com- 
bined, when at all practicable — and when such are kept the laird has never 
any fear of his rent. Nor are the manure manufacturers anxious about the 
existence of hypothec in such cases. I have known several farmers give up 
breeding of all kinds of stock, considering that the purchasing of lean cattle 
or sheep paid better. Those farmers, however, too often fell out of all kinds 
of stock ; the dealers in cattle ultimately having the most of the stock on the 
farms, as well as the best of the profit. 
