238 
On the Feeding of Stock. 
270 ewes, and will, consequently, leave the land each succeeding 
year in a better condition for growing crops of corn. 
The next point to determine was the breed to be preferred ; a 
question Avhich soil, climate, and the tone of the neighbouring 
markets, go far towards deciding. Every local influence pointed 
towards the Down rather than the long-woolled races ; but 
authorities were at variance as to the kind of Down to be 
selected. 
It is remarkable that in Mr. Jonas Webb's immediate neigh- 
bourhood, very few tenant-farmers, except his own relations, keep 
a Southdown flock, and that some large proprietors who have 
commenced with that breed, have gradually introduced an infu- 
sion of Hampshire or Norfolk blood into their flock, till the 
leading characteristics have become changed. 
It has been well said by one of our best modern authorities 
on architecture, " Use the material of the. neighbourhood, and 
make the best of it." Believing this precept to be fully as 
applicable to farming as to building, I decided at least to test the 
local practice before I abandoned it, and commenced operations 
with seven score shearlings, and one score full-mouthed ewes of 
the black-faced half-bred Norfolk and Southdown breed (an 
established cross), and with three score Southdown shearlings 
from a flock of high repute.* 
Careful attendance in the yard at lambing-time went [far to 
determine my preference in favour of the black-faced sheep ; 
the prices offered for the produce reared confirmed this opinion, 
and the experience of a second season enabled me to decide, that 
for my locality at least the black-faced was the best rent-paying 
sheep ; that the Southdown ewes must be drafted to the butcher 
(in default of other demand for them), and the local breed im- 
proved. 
The chief grounds for this decision were, 1st, The superior 
vigour of constitution of this race ; 2ndly, The greater number of 
lambs which they reared on my ground; and 3rdly, The greater 
demand which prevailed for ewe lambs of this kind. 
In the close competition which now exists between the different 
races on which sufficient care has been bestowed to secure a 
good fleece, early maturity, and first-rate mutton, the palm must 
be awarded to those ewes whose vigorous constitution makes 
them the best mothers and nurses, and prolongs the period of their 
unimpaired powers of bearing. The superiority of the black- 
faced breed in these respects was most marked ; without any 
* The Norfolks cost 37s. 6tf. a-piece ; the Southdowns, 45s. If I had wished to 
sell either at the end of the year, the difference in the selling price would have 
been in favour of the cheaper sheep ; such black-faced shearlings as I then bought 
are now worth from 50s. to 55s., according to the season. 
