122 
Report on the Farming of the 
have, for a period of near fifty years, selected their rams from no 
other flocks than those of the Leicester breeders, who have been 
most famed for the purity of the blood and general quality of 
their stock, e. (j. Messrs. iBuckley, Stone, Burgess, Paulett, &c. 
Sir Tatton Sykes, from his early and zealous attention to agri- 
cultural matters, and especially to sheep-breeding, may be said to 
have fixed and established the character of the Wold sheep. His 
own flock are rather small in size, but highly symmetrical, with 
a great inclination to fatten. Mr. Robinson's sheep are of a 
larger mould ; and they are held in high estimation, not in this 
Riding only, but are sought after from distant parts of the 
country. 
An attempt was made several years ago, by the late Mr. Os- 
baldiston, of Hunmanby, and by Sir William Strickland, of Boyn- 
ton, to introduce the breed of South Downs, and it was persevered 
in by these gentlemen for many years. It did not extend, how- 
ever, to others ; and at present this description of sheep is not to 
be found within this district, except in the hands of a few ama- 
teurs. Possibly a first cross with the Leicesters might not be 
unprofitable; indeed two or three cases might be named where 
this has been tried and approved of. 
The ewes, as has been said, are put to the ram about the 
second week in October ; and, wherever practicable, are at this 
season fed upon rape or turnips. The most usual way is to turn 
the ram loose in a fold of about 80 ewes. Ram-breeders, how- 
ever, practise the mode oi stocking their ewes, the details of which 
it is unnecessary to describe here : others than ram-breeders have 
also latterly tried the system, and have thought that it answered 
sufficiently well to repay the extra cost and trouble. After the 
ewes have been with the ram about six weeks, they are taken off 
their succulent food, and are put upon old grass : this, of course, 
must depend upon circumstances, for in many Wold situations 
there is no old grass; and here the turniping must be continued 
throughout. In others, hill sides and remnants of old sheep- 
walk are available for such purpose : and here the ewes are found 
to thrive very well, until the beginning of February, when they 
are again placed upon turnips, with a view to promote a due 
supply of milk in the animal. It has been recommended by 
persons of good authority on these subjects, that at this period of 
their gestation some dry food should be given with the turnips, 
such as bean or pea meal, or oil-cake. This has already been 
tried by some farmers in the district, and the effect is well 
spoken of. 
Subject as these hills are to heavy snow-storms, frequently as 
late as April, and destitute of shelter as some parts ot" them are, 
lainbing time is a very anxiojjs time to the farmers, and requires 
