586 VARIOUS BREEDS OF SHEEP IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
since been so willingly accorded to it. Satisfied himself at 
an early period of his career that the principles he was 
carrying out were correct, and would finally be crowned 
with success, he commenced the practice of letting out his 
rams for the use of other breeders. This plan was not very 
encouraging at first : indeed, it was not till after the lapse of 
some twenty years that it was appreciated in the manner it 
deserved. In 1760 we find his rams being let at 17s. 6d. 
each. This was increased in the following years to one, two, 
and three guineas; but it was not until 1780 that he began 
to receive a remunerating price for them. That year they 
reached ten guineas, the price rapidly advancing each year 
with the increasing reputation of his breed. In 1784 the 
price had risen to 100 guineas for his best rams. In 1786 
one of his rams brought him in 300 guineas; and in 1789 
he received 1200 guineas for three rams; 2000 guineas for 
seven others; and he received no less a sum than 3000 
guineas from the Dishley Society, then just instituted, for 
the use of the remainder of his stock. It is worthy of 
remark that, for the use of one of his rams named “ Two- 
pounder,” he received 400 guineas each from two breeders, 
at the same time reserving to himself the right to put one- 
third the usual number of ewes to him, thus estimating the 
value of the animal at 1200 guineas for the season. At this 
period many breeders, associates of Bakewell, and following 
up his system, extended the reputation of the breed and 
shared in its advantages. In 1793 the flock of ewes, 130 in 
number, of Mr. Paget of Ibstock, was sold by auction, for 
the gross sum of 3200/., or for the average sum of 2 51. 1 7s. 
each. Others were also disposed of about the same period 
at very high prices. 
In order to obtain a permanent character to his breed, 
after he had by continued crossing secured all those points 
he considered desirable, Bakewell carried on his breeding 
with his own blood, and did not scruple to use animals 
closely allied to each other. This system, adhered to more 
or less during a course of years by his successors and by 
later breeders, while sustaining the purity of the breed, had 
the effect of lessening its value to the farmer. It gradually 
exhibited a weakened constitution, became reduced in size, 
and more delicate in form — the ewes were less prolific and 
less generous to their offspring. These prominent and 
serious defects soon craved the attention of enlightened 
breeders, who, by a judicious introduction of new blood, 
have again restored the original character of the breed, with 
all the improvements resulting from the advanced system of 
