76 
The Farming of Cheshire. 
number of their sheep. I have reason to believe that the epidemic 
is now abatinjr in virulence ; and, in order that losses from this 
cause may not fall with so heavy a pressure upon those individuals 
among whose cattle the mortality may rage, insurance clubs for 
mutual protection have been established among the farmers. 
I subjoin a few of the opinions of my correspondents relative 
to cattle, &c. 
From the Hundred of Nantwich: — 
" The dairy cows here are a mixture of various breeds, a cross between 
the Durham and shoit-horn being more general than any other. The 
breed of the old long-horn Cheshire cow is become almost extinct. But, 
few sheep are kept in this neighbourhood, and those of a coarse breed, the 
common black-faced Cheshire ; they are very prolific, bringing two, three, 
and sometimes four at a birth ; but they will never fatten." 
From the Hundred of Wirral : — 
" No particular breed of cattle can be said to exist in this district : milk 
being the main object of the farmer, he does not consider any thorough- 
breed particularly advantageous for that purpose ; and I believe it has 
been stated with truth, that a cross between the old long-horn, short horn, 
and Welsh cows is considered a good sort for the dairy. In some very 
particular spots of really excellent land, the pure short-horn and the large 
Yorkshire cow have been introduced with success ; but some farmers 
object to them, as too delicate to stand out in this wet climate. Sheep. — 
Scarcely any sheep are kept where the dairy is the main object; in 
some instances the farmers buy a few Anglesea or Scotch wedders to eat 
up their stubble land in autumn ; but the custom seems to be attended 
with doubtful success in most cases, and few make it a general rule to have 
sheep. The Delamere Forest and Clunn Forest sheep are sometimes to 
be met with in small numbers, but they are not regularly bred in the dis- 
trict. Pigs. — Whatever may be said of the native breed of pigs, a very 
great improvement has been effected of late years in this class of animals. 
They seem to be of the old Berkshire breed, with, in many instances, a 
cross of the Chinese ; which, when judiciously managed, will give com- 
pactness and aptitude to fatten. I should say they are inferior to none in 
any county of England." 
From the Hundred of Broxton: — 
" The description of cattle fed in the Park here is for the most part 
Scotch oxen ; but some handsome short-horns, from Mr. M'Gregors prize 
bull, have lately been reared, and they seem to do very well. The feeding 
is made a two-years business, and cannot therefore, 1 think, be quoted as 
an example. Sheep do not answer in the Park, they go lame from foot- 
rot, through the wet." 
From the Hundred of Eddisbury: — 
" The cattle here are not very good generally ; a few are now crossing 
with the short-horn breed, which is found to improve their stocks. In 
pigs, I prefer the Neapolitan, crossed with the large breed (the short-eared 
kind) ; I then get a large pig with small bones, and one that will feed at 
any age. This I consider the best sort." 
From the Hundred of Bucl<low : — 
" The greater number of cattle kejit here consists of fully half-bred 
short horns, which are believed to be the best for profit. I am of opinion tiiat 
