for Consumption in the Metropolis. 
175 
bears upon that of sheep. Let it not be assumed that we pro- 
fess to understand the flockinasters' business better than them- 
selves ; but undoubtedly there are questions in connexion with it 
which re(juire serious consideration. It is well known that the 
" in-and-in " system of sheep-breeding has become a pretty 
general one, more especially in favoured districts.* It is equally 
well known that attention has been shown to a description of 
stock exhibiting great aptitude to fatten ; and in this way crosses 
have become more and more numerous. Have they, we may 
inquire, produced an increased quantity of meat? Probably 
not. We believe that the forcing system has destroyed large 
numbers of sheep which, under ordinary circumstances, would 
have been kept longer on the land ; and, further, that although 
many breeders have kept up the shape of their animals remarkably 
well, and have in many instances realised large profits, the end 
aimed at, viz., the production of fat in a brief period, must tend to 
high quotations. In a comparative sense, the sheep now sold in 
our markets carry a very moderate amount of consumable food. Be 
it observed that we are not alluding either to Downs or half- 
breds, but to Lincolns, Leicesters, Kents, and crosses between 
other heavy breeds. If we could find meat increasing in the 
same ratio as fat, we should find it wholly unnecessary to dwell 
upon the future otherwise than with feelings of satisfaction at 
what has been accomplished : as it is, there is much reason to 
apprehend that unless the old proportions of fat and lean are 
restored, and the supply largely increased, we shall not be able to 
keep pace with the demand which, at the present time, threatens to 
render us more and more dependent upon the foreigner, whose 
producing energies are now, if we mistake not, taxed to the 
utmost. 
But how are we to effect changes in breeding and feed- 
ing in order to arrive at results which, nationally speaking, 
are highly important in their character ? At the present time 
the feeders of sheep contend that they are compelled to keep 
pace with the spirit of the times ; that nothing short of rapid 
production can be a source of profit to them ; and that to keep 
stock longer upon the land than is absolutely necessary would, 
with the competition going on, be attended with absolute loss. 
Doubtless there is much truth in these statements, but they 
do not, as we imagine, go to the bottom of this question, 
which has assumed dimensions which make it one of national 
importance. 
We do not attach much weight to the stated determi- 
* Does not this remark apply rather to fancy stock, than to the general supply 
on which markets mainly depend? — P. H. F. 
