22 
Agriculture of Nottinghamshire. 
than of any other animal. It is especially the poor man's pro- 
perty, and this may account for the additional interest which has 
been taken in its improvement. Certainly no other animal has 
been subjected to so complete a metamorphosis during the last 
20 years. Instead of the long-eared coarse- offal ed animal, which 
was common formerly, and which was as difficult to make fat as 
it was hard and unpalatable to eat when so made, may be now 
seen a compact creature, with small ears, short snout, deep in 
the sides and thighs, with legs short, and seemingly unequal to 
support the superincumbent weight which it is their office to 
carry. 
It has been often said by various judges at the local agricul- 
tural shows in this county, that the show of pigs has been superior 
to any thing they have witnessed in any other part of the king- 
dom. And yet with such celebrity, we are quite at a loss by 
what term to describe the peculiarity of breed. One of the best 
breeds with which we are acquainted was supplied by the late Mr. 
Fowkes, of Barmborough Grange ; it has been bred very closely, 
and without a single cross from any other source for more than 30 
years. The breed to which we allude is that of jNIr. Crofts, of 
Blyth, from which has emanated much of the best blood in the 
district. Viscount Galway has also a very superior breed of a 
similar caste, at his Lordship's seat at Serlby, which combines 
with great size the best quality, being quite equal in that respect 
to the Neapolitan or Chinese, yet in its general character bearing 
little affinity to either ; possessing a larger frame, attaining with 
nothing beyond ordinary keeping at 14 or 15 months old 25 
stone and upwards. This breed of pigs has the greatest possible 
aptitude to fatten, and is made fat at the least possible expense ; 
a merit which the cottager has discovered and fully appreciates. 
In default of a better distinguishing title, it will be no misnomer 
to call it The Improved Nottinghamshire Pig. 
Horses. 
In this district the ploughing is invariably done by two horses 
abreast. The horses in general use are of a more active kind 
than formerly, being found to get over the ground much quicker 
than the old Lincolnshire breed, which in this part of the country 
is now nearly extinct. Many of the mares have of late years 
been crossed by a Cleveland stallion, brought into the county at 
a great expense by Mr. Watson, of VValkeringham, whose spirited 
exertions in behalf of agriculture in every branch are well known. 
This cross has unquestionably been an excellent one for the light 
soils, by imparting to the ploughing horses a mettle and speed 
which they before wanted. Many however of the farmers buy 
their horses as they require them, at 2 or 3 years old, of the 
