IFest Riding of Yorkshire. 
301 
some extent amongst the wealthier manufacturers, who, havings 
their residences in the suburbs of the towns, have deemed their 
domestic arrangements incomplete without an Alderney cow or 
two. The Riding possesses some few breeders of short-horns, 
whose stock is deserving of notice. Amongst these may be men- 
tioned Earl Fitzwilllam, Mr. VVentvvorth, Mr. Fawkes, Mr. 
Cator, Mr. Slansfield, Lady Ramsden, and Mr. Crawshaw, of 
Byram. More attention of late years has been given to the breed 
of sheep, particularly in the turnip districts of the Riding, by the 
introduction of the Leicester, the improved Lincolnshire, and 
South Down breeds ; and also by a breed, between the Leicester 
and Lincolnshire, from the Yorkshire wolds. A better descrip- 
tion of Mooiland breed has also been established. Perhaps the 
most prevailing system is to purchase the Border or Bamborough- 
shire ewes, or the Cheviot, and cross them with a good Leicester 
tup ; sell the lambs fat to the butcher ; take the clip ; and fatten 
the ewes in the autumn. Where a regular flock of sheep is not 
kept, this plan is probably as good and profitable as can be 
pursued, the peculiarly good suckling properties of the ewes, 
and their aptitude to fatten, making both the lambs and 
themselves early fit for market. Many of the half and better 
bred Moorland sheep are annually fattened on the pastures of 
the lower lands, and from the general desire of the richer classes, 
both in the country and the towns, to procure this smaller descrip- 
tion of mutton, they usually command a somewhat higher price 
per head to the butcher in proportion to their weight. The 
breed of pigs in the Riding is particularly good, both of the large 
and small kinds, many of the best breeders living within its 
limits. Some of the more celebrated of these are Dr. Hobson, 
of Leeds; Mr. John Hannam, of Deighton ; Mr. Nutt, of York, 
and others. \ ery few, if any, of the black kind are bred. 
Remembering how considerable a portion of the West Riding 
is within the influence of the several large towns, it will readily 
be conceived that the average size of holdings will be small. 
In their immediate vicinity the occupations seldom exceed from 
10 to 50 acres ; and throughout the manufacturing portion of the 
Riding generally, from 30 to 50 acres may be considered about 
the usual quantity in a hand. \n the more agricultural parts, 
farms of from 300 to 500 acres are occasional, but more com- 
monly they run from 100 to 200 acres, the majority however 
being from 80 to 100 acres. Notwithstanding the average annual 
value of the land of the Riding is computed at only about 17s. 7d. 
per acre, a great bulk realizes a much higher price. In the 
neighbourhood of the towns — although from circumstances the 
land is of late deteriorated — a rental of from 3/. to 5/. per acre is 
paid. And even in the rural districts, the better land fetches 
