Breeding, Rearing, and Feeding Horses, Cattle, and Sheep. 63 
50. AoTHORPE, Louth, Lincolnshire. 
At the present price of stock, the breeding of sheep and cattle could, in many 
instances, be increased with advantage ; but the great loss and disappointment 
resulting from the prevalence of the foot-and-mouth disease no doubt deter 
many from increasing as much as they otherwise would do. 
Very hilly land and strong clay soils are not suitable for the breeding of 
agricultural horses, as the mares at some season of the year, when not rearing 
their foals, ought to work, consequently it does not pay to breed that class of 
horse under those circumstances, excepting when the general demand for horses 
makes their value unusually great. 
When the grass land belonging to a farm will fatten cattle without artificial 
food, or when a farm has scarcely any grass land upon it, it will then pay 
tetter to buy cattle, to feed in the one case, or to put them in the foldyarJ in 
the other. Excepting on the strong feeding-lands, or where some particular 
spot has been found unhealthy for lambs, a farmer, I think, should always 
breed, at least, the number of sheep he requires; and if on poor soil, he may 
find it more profitable to rear only, and not to fatten any himself. 
The breeding of agricultural horses in this district, beyond the require- 
ments of the farm, is not, as a rule, more profitable than the rearing or 
feeding of cattle and shee}). Hacks are not generally of sufficient value to be 
profitable ; and perhaps one or two hunters or carriage-horses only pay when 
fortunate enough to keep sound. Sheep are usually more profitable than cattle, 
as they arrive at maturity sooner, and their wool greatly adds to their value. 
We have no extensive breeders of horses in this district. I have known 
owners of stock increase their flocks, but not their herds to the same extent. 
The shire horses for agricultural pur}X)ses are most suitable, and so are 
Shorthorn cattle and Lincoln sheep ; but as the length and lustre of the 
Lincoln's wool cannot be grown except in a limited area, the value of this breed 
out of the county is confined to particular districts, except when used for 
crossing with other flocks, which is often done with success. 
Henry SnAEPLEv. 
51. Manor House, Carperbt, Bedale, Yorkshire. 
I believe that British fanners might with profit to themselves breed more 
horses, cattle, and sheep than they now do. AVhen the land is of rich 
quality and in permanent grass, I think it more profitable to buy than breed 
horses ; on most arable farms, and when the grass is of inferior qiuility for 
fattening cattle and sheep, I am of opinion that horses may be bred with profit. 
When the land is all under the plough, without any permanent grass, I 
incline to the opinion that it may be more profitable to the farmer to buy than 
breed cattle ; also in some cases where the land, though in permanent grass, 
is of a very rich fattening character. In some cases the land is unhealthy 
for young animals. Under thc'^e circumstances the purchasing of store cattle 
might be the more profitable course. 
On all lands that are subject to produce the rot in sheep it is more profit- 
able to buy and fatten than breed ; but when the land is of a dry sound 
character, aud healthy for them, I believe breeding them is the more profit- 
able plan. 
I doubt whether on any lands that are adapted for the successful breeding 
and rearing of cattle and sheep it would be profitable to rear horses extensively. 
Sheep and cattle arrive at earlier maturity than horses. I'hey arc not 
