1805.] On the Breeding of Sheep. 237

try the comparative merits ofthe different breeds of cattle and Sheep, is certainly a great deSideratum. The question, how- ever, could not, I think, be decided by Such as those recom- mended by Mr. Lawrence, and quoted by your correspondent; for without weighing the food as well as the Sheep, a proper Copclusion could not be drawn as to the mozst profitable.

Besides, why begin the experiments with two year old Sheep? No sbeep Should be kept, on our productive lands, which will not, at that age, attain maturity. The Leicester Sheep would then be completely fat; the Small Sheep would not; and.no man of judgment will contend, that an animal completely fat, will improve, in as great a proportion in a given time, as ano- ther only half or two thirds, fat. The experiment should, un- doubtedly, be commenced as Soon as the lambs are weaned, and continued till they be eighteen to twenty-four months old. I am astonished that Mr. Lawrence,(Ss0me of whose works I have read with great pleasure and advantage) should have Proposed Such an experiment as that mentioned by your cor- respondent; and also that in a publication which will proba- bly be read in all parts of the kingdom, be has not been more Particular in stating weights; that is, whether the stone is 8 or 141bs.&c.&c

As Mr. Lawrence has written 80 extensively, and ably, on rural affairs; it is probable that he is a reader of your ma- gazine, and other works in which the opinions of practical men, in various parts of the kingdom, may be collected; and äs 1 observed, in the newspapers, that ne has lately engaged a Spanish ram at 110 guineas, for next Season, 1 Should be glad if he would state(in your publication) his opinion, more at large, with respect to comparative experiments and the merits, ofthe new Leicester and Anglo-Spanish breeds, on our Productive lands.

What has induced Mr. Lawrence, who is often 80 well in- formed, to state that the Small mutton would Sell at 4d. per Stone,(I Suppose a halfpenny per Ib.) more than the large? This is a Subject to which I have often paid great attention, and I dare venture to assert, that the generality, nay, nine- tenths, of the consumers, would give one halfpenny per Pound more for the large fat mutton, than for the small; at least for any Small mutton that has come within my obszerva- tion; and Ithink Mr. Lawrence, and all the favourers of the Anglo-Merino blood, would decline to meet me ina proper Part of the kingdom with a Suficient number of epicures and men of taste, to decide whether the mution from that blood, or that from the cheviot or forest breeds, is ihe most delicious and agreeable to their palates; each kind having been pro- duced on the common food of each 5pecies of Sheep. 1 as-