516 
Wool in Relation to Science tvith Practice. 
scale, suggestive as to the meclianical details in manoeuvring 
large flocks, of pens, runs, and the use of decoy sheep (vol. ii.). 
That genial man, that admirable husbandman, my late friend Mr. 
Torr, gives his experiences in a lecture on " Sheep versus Cattle : " 
I shall have to refer to his influential opinions hereafter. I 
■cannot now resist quoting two characteristic observations — " Dif- 
ferent breeds of sheep have different tribes, which even the breeder 
cannot distinguish It is my sacred resolve to keep the 
Aylesby flock pure, as it has been for something like 80 years." 
Mr. Dixon (vol. iv.), an admirably readable writer, sketches the 
_ Rise and Progress of the ' Rent-paying ' Leicesters." We have a 
portrait of our " shepherd king," Bakewell, and the famous maxim, 
strong loin, strong constitution." There is also much about San- 
day and Holme Pierrepont : it is very interesting and suggestive 
to trace the spread of the Leicesters. Passing over Mr. Tanner's 
interesting paper, " Climate and Sheep " (vol. v.), to notice it else- 
where — I find in the same volume, in the " Farm Reports," that 
Mr. Torr sent rams to England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, 
Australia, California, Jamaica, and St. Helena. Professor Wright- 
son's Vienna paper, in the 10th volume, is noteworthy : but for 
a fitting conclusion to this reference to the ' Journal,' I return 
to Mr. Dixon, and his pleasant quotation of a Cumberland 
Dalesman's toast — which I heartily honour — " Pack sheets and 
ready money ! " 
The Science of the Subject must new command our best atten- 
tion. What is science? It is generality as opposed to mere par- 
ticulars, system as opposed to random, verification as opposed Ui 
looseness of assumption. Would that some world-famed Somer- 
ville might arise to write from an agricultural point of view ' A 
Connection of the Physical Sciences ! ' * Certain it is that agricul- 
ture bears a close relation to more branches of science than an\ 
other art. The branches should perhaps be treated as Professoi 
Ansted has treated in this 'Journal' (vol. ii. N. S.) " Rainfal 
and Geology." We observe that this year the Highland Society 
of Scotland has made an advance in this direction ; it offers ; 
■premium, according to merit, for the " Best Tcxt-bdok on Agri 
•culture as a branch of Physical Science, including the applicatioi 
of Botany, Geology, Chemistrv, and Animal Phvsiology." /' 
general characteristic of our day is the determined searching aftc 
principles : the spirit of investigation stalks throughout the land 
knocking loudly but impartially at the doors of the Hall and thi 
Farm, and of the Parsonage and the Cottage. This extract fron 
Mr. Leach's 1871 'Report on Wool and Woollens,'! is practi, 
* Chemistry — or whntovor niagnolism iiifiv bo — now aids and siinplific 
inedianism in a maniu'i- tlwt is .sturtliiig. In delicate processes, cranks, lever 
Jiooks, wheels, &e., are supplanted by the simple attraction of niagnctisni. 
t Official Keports, London International Exhibition, 1871. 
H 
