Agriculture of Norfolk. 
317 
might be expected ; but, as 1 saw some of the breed at Castle 
Acre, it is not improbable that here too they may prove as formid- 
able rivals to the Short- Horns as in other districts. 
SHEEP. 
Notwithstanding the opinions of former reporters in favour of 
the old Norfolk breed of sheep, they have not stood their ground ; 
and in some districts of the county it is difficult to find one ge- 
nuine specimen. They might be, in many respects, suitable stock 
for the soil of Norfolk when Mr. Kent wrote his report; but the 
activity then commended, as requisite to take them over the ground 
in collecting their food, from the short pastures of that day, is now 
unnecessary, and becomes a positive evil. Great activity implies, 
or at least is generally accompanied by, restlessness of disposition, 
and therefore is one of the greatest obstacles to rapid feeding. 
The superior flavour ascribed to Norfolk mutton by Mr. Marshall 
and Mr. Kent is an interesting quality to those who are willing 
io pay the price of such luxuries. It is often asked, why Welsh 
mutton is not more common in the markets, when all admit that 
its flavour is superior to that of any in common use. The reason 
is obvious : the consumers and butchers do not make it the farmer's 
interest to supply them with it. This also is the reason why old 
Norfolk sheep have for many years been gradually and steadily 
superseded in their native pastures, as the herbage has become suit- 
able for breeds which improved in value much more rapidly in pro- 
portion to the food consumed. Mr. Denny, of Egmere, is gene- 
rally admitted to have the best Norfolk sheep of the present time. 
They are said to have been greatly improved by him ; the legs 
are shorter, and they are rounder in the frame. An attempt has 
been made to give the capaciousness of chest, the levelness of 
form, and the aptitude to fatten, which belong to other breeds, 
but it has only been partially successful ; and the very fact of an 
attempt at imitation is the best evidence of the superiority of that 
which is imitated. Still great credit is due to Mr. Denny for 
what has been done, although he has not succeeded in entirely 
changing the nature of the animal. I saw Norfolks in Lord 
Berners' park at Kerby Cane worthy of a much better character 
than Mr. Arthur Young gives to the Norfolk sheep of his time, 
viz., "shape bad, loins narrow, back-bone high, chines thin;" 
though even yet " their legs are long and their disposition wild 
and roving." 
Leicesters were tried without success, and the South- Downs 
were the first to supplant Norfolks, and many splendid flocks of 
pure South-Downs may be seen. They are said to statnd folding 
quite as well, if due care be taken so to arrange that the fold 
shall be within a moderate distance of their pasture. They will 
