62 
Relative Profits to the Farmer from 
are probably increasing, from more land being laid down to grass. Foot-rot, 
" foot-and-mouth," &c., are the great drawbacks to success in sheep rearing. 
The loss this year from diseases is simply enormous. As mixed farms are the 
rule here (that is, about equal portions of grass and arable), it follows that 
mixed farming is also. Where an extra breadth of roots is grown, store-sheep 
are purchased ; and where farms are unhealthy or unsuitable, hoggets are 
sold off in the autumn ; but these methods are the exception, so we may 
infer that breeding is supposed to be most profitable. I certainly know no 
one who has given up breeding horses for cattle or sheep, or vice versa. 
The kind of horses bred here are of no particular breed. They are hardy, ■ 
good workers, have plenty of bone, and stand from 15'2 to 17 hands, generally 
bay or brown. The cattle are called Shorthorns, but are not of pure blood ; are 
good milkers, fair breeders, and average, when fat, about 90 stones. The sheep 
are Shropshire, prolific breeders, and good feeders : twelve months old, well fed, 
average 10 stones; older, and ewes, from 13 to 15 stones. 
George A. Mat. 
49. HUMBEKSTON, EOSSHIKE, N.B. 
Owing to the extremely high prices for horses at present, a larger number 
might be reared with profit, and farmers might advantageously rear all the 
horses they themselves require. 
A farm difficult to labour is not so suitable for breeding purposes as a light- 
land and level farm. Mares in foal are less able for the work, and are apt to 
be hurt, while young horses cannot safelj' be yoked so soon as on light land. 
A piece of marshy ground, growing coarse grass, although unsuitable for feeding 
purposes, is well adapted for rearing horses. Horses cannot be reared so cheaply 
on a fine-feeding farm as on light or marshy soils. Light friable soils are 
more profitably occupied in rearing stock ; while the stronger and better soils 
are more suitable for feeding purposes. 
In some quarters sheep, and in others cattle, are more profitable. In this 
county the higher districts are nearly exclusively stocked with sheep, while 
the lower and richer districts are mainly stocked with cattle. Cattle would 
make a poor substitute for sheep in the upper districts, while low-land farmers 
would be unwilling to give up their cattle for sheep, although the keeping of 
sheep on high-rented lands is largely increasing. 
I have known arable farmers take to sheep and afterwards give them up, 
supposing themselves better paid with cattle ; but I have known far more take 
to sheep partially along with cattle, and continue the system, believing them- 
selves more largely remunerated by keeping both sheep and cattle> Black- 
faced sheep suit the more exposed places best; Cheviot or grey-faced pay better 
in the less-exposed ranges; and half- or three- parts bred are more profitable in 
the finer soils and warmer climate. Highland cattle suit well where the 
climate is cold and the exposure great ; but on the lower grounds, progeny 
from a Shorthorn bull and a strong cross-cow is of more rapid growth, and 
consequently of greater profit. A cross between a Shorthorn bull and a 
polled cow is hardy, of great growth, and generally suitable. Perhaps the most 
suitable horses for this quarter are those that are got by a Clydesdale horse 
and the marcs bred in the district. Horses, very high standing or very heavy, 
are not so well adapted for general agricultural work, especially on hilly farms, 
as horses that are smaller, if well made, and with shorter legs. 
iENEAs Adam. 
