72 
Relative Profits to the Farmer from 
Limerick — and are bought-in from May to November. Stock purchased at this 
time of year are wintered out, and will be sold fat by November 1876. 
There is only one thoroughbred stallion in the district. I doubt if there be 
even one pure-bred Clydesdale stallion, but there are three or four half-bred 
draught stallions. Those who breed hacks and hunters send their mares to the 
Curragh of Kildare, which is only 20 miles distant ; and, during the season, 
some half-bred travelling stallions pass regularly through. 
We sell a great number of hunters and harness-horses, but I do not think 
that any one farmer makes a business of horse-breeding. It is found that it 
does not pay. 
P. Cahiu.. 
63. Maulden, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. 
I think more horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs might be bred profitably. 
I have come to the conclusion that it answers my purpose best to breed 
the whole of the stock required on my farm. 
By securing a good sort to start with, you may breed better animals 
than you can buy, and are much less liable to disease than where fresh 
stock is constantly being purchased. 
I usually put about half-a-dozen mares to the best horses in the neigh- 
bourhood, such as Stokes's " Young Champion," or his brother, Manning's 
(now Staffer's) " Young Champion." 
The mares are worked nearly up to the time of foaling, and again for light 
work soon after, so that but little time is lost. 
I have four foals this year worth from ZOl. to 40?. each. 
I do not thinlc it answers to keep mares for breeding only, but where 
they work on the farm it is profitable. 
On heav}' hardworking-land there would be danger of the mares casting 
their foals through drawing too hard. 
On rich pasture-land I thiuk it answers better to buy old beasts which will 
quickly fatten than to breed. 
Lambs seldom do well on rich pasture, hence it is better to buy. 
On ordinary arable farms, with a fair proportion of grass, I think it better 
to breed all kinds of stock required for the farm. I consider sheep tojbe 
the most profitable. 
Oxfordshire Downs are most suitable to this neighbourhood. They 
come to early maturity, of great weight, good quality, and cut good fleeces. 
One of my tegs, on the 1st of April, cut IGJ lbs., and an ewe teg, 15s lbs. 
George Street. 
6i. KiRKTON, Inverness, N.B. 
I consider that if more judicious and careful attention were bestowed on 
the breeding of cattle and horses in the northern counties of Scotland, not a 
single horn or hoof need cross the Grampians for the purposes of feeding or 
yoking. Many farms in the north are excellently adapted for breeding cattle, 
and would jjay better thus employed ; but fancy leads the occupiers to adopt, 
as they think, less risky systems of farming, such as buying Irish or English 
stores for wintering, buying sheep for I'eeding, or letting the green crop to-the 
sheep-farmers. I'y the latter course, large jjrices may be obtained for turnips ; 
but there is usually a considerable waste in the stackyard, which would be 
obviated by the farmer having in his possession a lot of good young cattle. 
Tlie light loamy soils in the north are very suitable for the breeding of cattle, 
