The Farming of Cheshire. 
73 
This increased quantity arises either from the greater number of sheep, 
which an increasing population requires ; or from the increasing weight of 
the fleece, attributable to the altered mode of management, or to the com- 
bined influence of both causes." 
Previously to the enclosure (about the year 1813) of Delamere 
Forest, containing 8000 acres, which were equally divided be- 
tween the Crown and the adjoining freeholders, it was suj)posed 
that 20,000 sheep were kept upon it ; it was in fact the great 
nursery for the county. At the enclosure, the greater part of the 
sheep were dispersed throughout the country, and most of the 
commons being also enclosed, very few of that breed are now to 
be met with.* 
In Delamere Park, the seat of G. Wilbraham, Esq., I have 
observed a beautiful flock of South Down ewes ; this gentleman 
has lately introduced some rams from the celebrated flock of Mr. 
Jonas Webb. The number of sheep kept in this park is about 
600. 
In Lyme Park, the seat of T. Legh, Esq., 1000 sheep are 
kept, including store ewes and those fed for the butcher. 
On some of the driest soils, small flocks of sheep are fed after 
the Norfolk system of hurdling on turnips, whereby the land is 
much improved ; amongst the most important, are those on farms 
at Delamere and Haslington ; on the former, which is a hilly 
district, guano has been used at the rate of about 3 cwt. per acre, 
and the result has been hisrhlv successful. 
Pigs. 
The breeding and feeding of pigs are carried on to a consider- 
able extent in this county ; but from the great variety of crosses, it 
would be difficult to determine to which class the prevailing 
breeds belong; it must however be acknowledged that during 
the last few years they have been much improved ; for, instead of 
the large-eared, coarse-boned pig, which was valued so highly on 
account of the enormous size to which it attained when fat, is now 
to be seen a fine-boned animal, ^^•ith smaller ears, great length of 
body, width of shoulders, and roundness of carcase, with aptitude 
By the first calculation in 1808, the wool averages more than 3i lbs. per 
fleece, and by the second 4^ lbs., which appear rather high estimates, 
when the average of the forest sheep at only \^ lb. is taken into account ; 
but supposing this calculation to be correct, and the weight of wool the 
true criterion as to the number of sheep shorn in the county, I should pre- 
sume that many more than the numbers stated are kept ; as many flocks 
are brought from distant counties, after they are shorn, and having been 
fed here, are again sold off when fat. 
* The Crown land is planted with a variety of forest trees, as oaks, larch, 
Scotch fii-s, &c., the greatest part of which are in a very thriving state ; 
the other portion has been marled, and is in a high state or cultivation. 
