1305.] On the Breed oF Sheep. 151

1 cannot imagine to myseif an opponent more fair or liberal, 4f ihe term oppozition, may be properly applied to any tw perzons equally ardent in the purzuit of the Same objects. It cannot then be called opposition, 1t is only a difference in the mode: the one may bappen to be of a turn of thought, to pro- ceed Straight forward the nearest way» unmindfalof diticultes; whilst the other, perhaps, might prefer a Smoother but Some- what more eireuitous direction.

Common Farmers, with whom it is my utmost ambition to class, cannot be Supposed competent to adjust th vokitical relativus of trade and commerce. Their toils are of 4 Dature widely different=-to mercase the grain, and to multiply he blades of grass, and to apply the products to the vest and most profitable purposes; and let it be their consolauon to re- '“Aect that tbeir Success will be ever coineident and comimnen- surate with the prosperity of their country. But a common farmer may have common sense to perceive at a glance, that it must be most Ppreposterous policy, with infinite riSque,to procure a foreign article at the cost of SIX or Seven shillings, which he himself could easily produce on his own homested at one Shilling or eighteen-pence, including rent, eXx- pense, and profit--and yet this might be done with fall crossed Merino Sheep, i- e- in the fourth generation, descending from fine woolled British ewes, or in the fifth and Sixth from coarse woolled Sheep. Will the most Sanguine advocates for trade and commerce undertake to prove that their profits would compensate for the difference?

The last Season I disposed of all my prime rams, 7.€. Such as carry fleeces of about ten pounds each, partly in Dy own ock, partly at twenty-five guineas each for the Season, and partly for half the laimbs produced, to be delivered me when weaned; the latter division have been running with Ryeland, Southdown, and Mendip ewes; andin two instances with ewes denominated by the owners improved Southdown, i. e. balf Southdown and balf Leicester blood: but the more true and appropriate“ term,[ conceive, would be, improved Leicester, however by these means I may have opportunity of more ac- ceurately discriminating. All these rams have been placed within the distance of eighty miles friom Batb, whence the improvement(having been first derived from the King) may be Said to have proceeded; one of them with a Select ock .-of ewes belonging to Mr. Billingsley.

I am at aloss to guess your Correspondent's meaning, where he Seems to censure“the mode adopted by Mr. Billinesley," unless he advert to an experiment, conducted many years by that Gentleman, t9 ascertain he comparative value of SIX certain deseriptions of Sheep, amongst W hich were the South»

Ag. Mag. Vol, 13.%