296 SCOURING LANDS OF CENTRAL SOMERSET. 
powers. These, however, are matters of detail which should 
rather be noticed under the general management of stock, 
but I have made reference to them because it is essential 
that breeding animals should not only possess certain points 
of character which are desirable for transmission to their off¬ 
spring, but that they should also be in that vigorous state of 
health which will enable them to produce healthy descen¬ 
dants. It is no uncommon circumstance for well-bred stock 
to be drafted from the herd as incapable of breeding, which, 
when put to males of inferior breed, are found to be prolific. 
Much of this, doubtless, arises from a want of vigour of body 
induced by a debilitating course of treatment, which would 
have been prevented by active exercise and a system of 
management calculated to promote health. 
The accumulation of those hereditary tendencies which 
are most suitable for the circumstances of each individual 
case is in a great measure under our control, but it must 
still be looked upon as only one portion of a general system 
rather than as embodying all that is necessary. It is an 
important adjunct to other points of good management which 
are of great value to the breeder if judiciously employed, 
but at the same time all his efforts in this direction will be 
of no avail unless assisted by his general course of manage¬ 
ment. Valuable as a good pedigree may be when combined 
with a healthy and vigorous body, when the latter is sacrificed 
to attain the former, the value of pedigree is questionable. By 
avoiding excessive fatness in our breeding animals, by en¬ 
couraging exercise and moderate exposure so as to favour the 
health and energy of the body, and by giving a liberal but 
regularly progressive supply of food, we shall best prepare 
our stock for being recipients of those hereditary powers to 
which I have here made reference.— Journal of the Royal 
Agricultural Society of England. 
ON THE SCOURING LANDS OF CENTRAL SOMERSET. 
By Dr. Augustus Voelcker, Royal Agricultural College, 
Cirencester. 
Report of an Investigation made at the request of the Council of 
the Bath and West of England Society. 
(From the Bath and West of England Agricultural Journal .) 
Scouring lands, though by no means confined to the 
lias formation, occur most frequently in localities where 
heavy, tenacious, dark-coloured soils rest upon yellow or 
