The Agriculture of Glamorganshire. 
179 
climate throughout the winter. The Cotswold and other heavy 
breeds are rather losing favour, not only on account of the low 
price of wool, which applies to all classes, but more particu- 
larly on account of their being objected to by the butcher, who 
finds the mutton too fat to suit the tastes of his customers. 
The Shropshire Down would seem to be the coming sheep to 
meet the objections raised. Its mutton suits the taste of the 
most fastidious ; it grows a close good fleece, which is desirable 
in a damp climate. This breed also suits well for close folding. 
It seems admirably adapted for the better class of land in this 
district, whilst crosses of the same breed, such as the Clun 
Forest and Radnor Sheep, would suit the poorer soils. 
Horses. — The horses of this part of the county are short- 
legged, heavy-bodied, and active. Breeding is not carried out 
to a great extent, though during recent years it has been on the 
increase. There is not sufficient grass-land, as a rule, to admit 
of this on any considerable scale, and it is to be regretted, as 
this class of horse is in great demand for the collieries and 
iron-works in the county. The management of farm-horses in 
this district is somewhat peculiar. In many instances they lie 
out in the fields during summer and winter, and are only 
brought into the stables to be baited and harnessed for work. 
In other cases they are kept in open foldyards all the year 
round, and are fed in summer on vetches and other grain crops, 
along with an allowance of corn. The advocates of these 
methods say that the horses are more healthy than when tied 
up in stalls in the stable. This may be so, but the practice 
gives the animals a rough and unkemped appearance. 
Pigs. — The pigs of this part of the county have been greatly 
improved of late years by crossing with the Berkshire breed. 
The Large White or Yorkshire breed has been less used, but as 
a cross with the somewhat coarse native pig it would produce 
heavier bacon than the crossed Berkshire. Berkshire and 
Berkshire crosses make, however, the best porkers. 
Implements. — The implements used in this part of the county 
are generally of the most modern type and by the best makers, 
forming a marked contrast to those of the hill district, where 
they are of the most primitive kind. Many self-delivery reaping- 
machines have been in use for years past, and this season, 
when string-binders have reached to a high point of perfection, 
several of these were purchased by the most enterprising tenants. 
I saw three at work in the neighbourhood of Cowbridge, and 
it was gratifying to find that they gave unqualified satis- 
iaction. There is only one set of steam tackle in the county, 
and this is a roundabout set. This is used on a 700-acre farm, 
two-thirds of which are arable, and it has enabled the tenant to 
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