1803.} Strictures on the Crosses of Sheep. 401

cattle, what he called an improvement upon Mr. Peacey’s rye grass, and which he said wasa much sweeter grass, but not quite so early..

I highly approve of Mr. Middleton’s plan of eating, or as it is commonly termed, spending the whole of the root crop upon the land which produced it, his proceeding so far upon this principle as to chop to pieces every turnip upon the spot rather than carry one off to be eaten elsewhere, discovers a just and genuine notion of true husbandry, although perhaps there is very little real manure in the turnip itself.

I am yours

A BUCKINGHAMSHIRE FARMER.

STRICTURES ON THE CROSSES OF SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SHEEP.

To the Editor of the Agricultural Magazine. DIR, OUR Correspondent Nehemiah Bartley has of late,

through the medium of your Magazine, made repeated advances in prosecution of his favourite scheme, the demoli- tion of what he calls the prejudices of such breeders as prefer Jarge to small stock. He has proceeded thus far without check, without opposition, and I hope without particular notice, as his plan is most assuredly pregnant with mischief. But, as| have already undertaken a refutation of arguments of a similar tendency with those advanced by Mr. Bartley, F shall not suffer him to proceed further unopposed. Not Sir, because I think his reasoning irresistibly mighty, or, likely to make any deep impression upon the minds of practical farmers, but that having a certain degree of plausibility attending it, and the charm of novelty to recommend it, and coming trom the Secretary of so very respectable an institution as the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society, it may have consider- able weight with the incautious and inexperienced breeder. Mr. Bartley and his coadjutor in the cause, Dr. Parry, found their theory upon what all the world besides esteems false principles. They make that a primary object which ought enly to occupy a secondary station. Wool, with them, is an object of the first consequence, whilst mutton is only of in« Jerior moment. And not only wool, but the fineness of wool, is a consideration, in their esteem, of sufficient weight to in- duce them to sacrifice quantity of mutton to quality of wool. Nay, they proceed so far upon this principle, as to boast of the very diminutive weight of the carcases of their sheep. They reckon likewise upon the false principle, that smad/ stock will invariably require a proportionally small time, and small quantity of toed, in fattening’ But it is net my present