Breeding, Rearing, and Feeding, Horses, Cattle, and Sheep. I'd 
while the heavier carse-lands are better adapted for feeding. On the latter 
the cattle usually feed rapidly ; but a breeding-stock is apt to get too fat, 
with cows missing calf; and in some instances even tbe calves and stirks 
reared on such soils are subject to black-leg. On such holdings, therefore, 
buying stores is preferable to breeding, but there are few cases of this kind 
in the north. On light land, awkwardly situated for working, sheep-feeding 
pays best. Breeding of ordinary sheep stocks will not pay the highly rented 
arable farmer. 
Horses bred on the farm are much more durable and healthy than those 
bought-in ; therefore, every farmer should endeavour to breed his own horse- 
supply, which, with care and attention, in this part of the country can be 
generally done profitably. 
John Cean. 
65. Blaieton, Aberdeen. 
Grain farms, where there is not much pasture-grass, or farms near large 
cities, are unsuited for breeding horses. In such cases purchasing is, as a 
rule, preferable to breeding. On grass farms a fair proportion of horse-breeding 
should pay. 
Some farms are better for feeding than breeding cattle. As a rule, fine soils, 
where grass and turnips are of fine quality, should be used for feeding; 
and poorer soils largely devoted to breeding. Of course, shelter, climate, 
altitude, &c., have to be studied. Should beef and mutton maintain 
present prices, the British fanner should lay more of his land in grass. It 
will be especially to his profit to do so, taking into account the present 
price of labour and manures. In this case more cattle and sheep would be 
required. 
Were the present extreme prices to continue, neither cattle nor sheep 
would pay the farmer so well as the rearing of horses ; but at ordinary prices 
I know of no circumstance where it would be pi udent to drop the keeping of 
cattle and sheep, and breed horses only. We must bear in mind that after 
having a mare served it is five years before her progeny is properly fit for 
work ; and my experience is that great changes of price^often take place in 
shorter time. Breeding part is the safer way. 
On arable farms of good soil in all our low-lying districts I reckon cattle 
^with perhaps a few sheep to eat up foggage, &c.) the most profitable ; as 
you approach the higher lands or thin soils you require to increase your sheep. 
We have no very distinct breed of horses in this district. Our cart-horses, 
I should say, are a sort of mixture of all breeds. Our roadsters are a little 
more distinct, but we have no clearly marked line of distinction. We just 
endeavour to get a good stallion, and cross away. As to cattle, where 
■chmate and soil are good, the Shorthorns will come earlier to maturity, and 
give more weight for their keep than any other breed we have ; but they are 
more delicate, and require more attention and shelter in bad weather. I 
reckon the Aberdeenshire breed a valuable one. The West Highland cattle, 
I have no doubt, are well suited for their own district. 
Alex. Campbell. 
66. The Manor House, Catterick, Yorkshire. 
I have no hesitation in saying that farmers could breed more stock pro- 
fitably. I should say, all farmers ought to breed their own horses if possible 
(that is, working farm-horses), and this can be done to advantage on most 
