1805.] Orn the Breed of Sheep. 301

great]y underrating the talents and influence of the favourers of Spanish Sheep; and that Some occupiers of productive lands are now in danger of being misled.

To productive lands, however, I need not at present, con fine my observations; for when we couple what bas been done by Lord Somerville, with the Statements of Mr. Bartley in his comiaunications, the danger wil], in the minds of Some men, appear unwersal. Till lately, Sir, the prudence of all Sheep breeders, induced them to adapt thin Stock to the various de- SCriptions of pasture. Thus large long-woolled Sheep have been preferred for improved lands; Soutb-downs,&c. for those of inferior quality; and small Short-woolled Sheep of the most hardy and active kinds, for our worst, elevated, and moun» tainous Situations,"The practice of varying the breeds accord ing to the diflerence of climate, and the quantity and nature of the herbage for their Support, has been proved by the best of all tests, long experience; and I really imagined that no accurate and attentive farmer, who bad enjoyed proper op» portunities of judging, would venture to express the 8mallest doubt of its propriety.

But what do we now bear! what opinion is.now Spread, with the utmost zeal, by certain new fangled breeders? nothing less than this, that they have made a discovery Somewhat Si- milar to the philosopher's Stone, or the panacea, for which the Sages of former tines Sought in vaivn. They pretend ts have discovered a breed of Sheep, far more profitable than any bitherto known in this kingdom, a breed equally well adapted to the“ richest or poorest pasture;" to hills or cham» paign grounds; to mountains or vallies; to warn, Cold, dry, or humid climates; all, all difficulties and obstacles, Sir, fall tv nothing before the astonishing properties of these wonderful Sheep! From these Statements it would appear that all the Bakewells and Culleys, all the Ellimans, and other enterpris» ing and judicious breeders who have appeared in England within the last century, have been greatly Surpaszed, in the knowledge of Sheep, by the poor and dispirited inhabi- tants of Spain, a country in wbich the faculties and energies of tbe human mind, have been for centuries, locked up by injudigi» Oous Institutions and other unfavourable eircumstances. After all this, what will the Merino breeders Say of the freedom, the ingenuity, the discernment, the enterprize and wealth of Bri-« tons, who have long been ihe greatest manufacturers and con Sumers of animal food in the world.

Convinced as I am, Mr. Editor, th2t the new Leicesters are Superior to any other breed hitherto tried in Britain, on pro- Guctive lands, I must continue to combat the arguments in favaur of other Species of Sheep, But as I am actuated Solely

Aulald,