The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-02-18

IT
els to the acre. IL constituted an excellent feed
for their horses. Vetcbes or tares, likewise, n
sort of pea, WIS very much cultivated 1t was
custornariIy sown in the fal for sheep, and was
eaten by them in the (all and winter.
The sheep husbandry in England is all nm
mense interest. They will this year cut from
sixty TO seventy millions Of Aeeces ; and sheep
under one year old are not short. The average
yield may he six to seven pounds to a Heece.-
There are two principal classes OF sheep IN
England, the long and the short wooied shetp--
the I.eicestershire and the South Down. The
long wooded, or Leicester sheep, give fleece OF
about eight pounds the short wooded or South
Down, fleece of from three to four pounds
Wool is of great importance TO them, and NUT.
ton in their market commands high prices
Sheep are TO be considered at the head OF their
Agricultural products. The great importance
of providing for them, therefore, is obvious.
Our climate, as has been observed, differs
from theirs ; but the great inquiry applicable in
equal force 10 both countries is, how can we
manage our land in order to produce the largest
crops, while at the same time we keep up the
condition of the land, and place il If possible in
u course OF gradual improvement The sue
cess Of farming must depend in a considerable
degree upon the animals produced and support
Ell on the farm. The farmer may calculate in
respect 10 animals upon two grounds OF profit,
the animal, and the weight obtained by fatten.
ing. The skiful farmer, therefore, expects
where he grains one pound in the fattening OF
his animal 10 gain an equal anonnt in the growth
The early maturity OF stock IS consequently
point of much importance.
Oxen are rarely reared in England for the
yoke. In Devonshire and Cornwall, OK teams
are employed but in travelling one thousand
miles IN England Mr. WEBSTER saw only one
OK team, and here they were driven one before
the other, and In harnesses similar to the har-
nesses Of horses. Bnocks are raised for the
market. 1t is highly esirabie, therefore, both
in respect 10 neat cattle and sheep, that their
growth should be raj III and their fattening pro-
perties favorable, lha; they may be early dispos
ed of, and consequently the expense of produc-
ton lessened
Is it practicable on the soil and in the climate
OF Massachusetts TO procure succession OF
crops d? He could not question it /; and he had
entire confidence in the Improvements to our
husbandry and the great advantages which
would accrue from n judicious rotation OF pro-
ducts The capacities of the soil of Massachu
sets were undoubted. One hundred bushels of
corn TO an acre had been repeatedly produced
and other crops in like abundance. But this
would not effect the proper ends OF judiclous
and profitable agriculture, unless we could so
mana &c our husbnndry that by JudicIous and
proper succession of crops, the land would not
only he restored after an exhaustng crop, but
gradually enriched by the cultivation. 1t is of
the highest importance that our farmers should
increase their power of sustaining live stock,
that they may therefroin OBTAIN the neahs oi
improving their farms.
He Ind already remarked that, in some things
we had tha advantage OF them, particularly in
agriculture implements. He had seen often the
plough with wheels, but he deemed in an nwk'
ward and cumbrous instrument.
The live stock OF England was III hlgh
state of Improvement. He had seen the fine
herds OF Lord Spencer, Mr. Bates and Others,
with satisfaction. The specimens of the in'
proved Short Horns brought 10 this country have
been a capital stock but The character OF the
stock raised among us should have reference TO
the nature of our climate. Our present breed
ofoxen ure beyond doubt best suited TO the
plough. He was inclined to believe that no
stock for the dairy among us and upon our
short pastures, could be found superior 70 the
Ayrshire breed of cows Every effort should
be made 10 improve our own breeds. Inc Dev'
onstre stock brought here at an early period O.
now generally diffused over New England would
probably prove the best stock, upon the whole,
for u.s. 1t undoubtedly admitted OF great Inn
proyement. =
lie urged attention strongly to the seeds OF
aruins which we sowed. Great improvements
had been made in these matters by careful Sc
lection and culture. He considered that the in.
PRODUCTION of the Leicester and South Down
sheep among us would prove an eminent al
vantage. The Leicester require extraordinary
feeding, and must always he kept fat. Inc
South Down were an exceedingly profitable ana
imal, both for wool and mutton ana Wou'a
subsist we'll in short pastures and an exposed
climate 1t is not advisable to cross the Leces.
ter with the Merino, or indeed the long wooded
with the short wooded races.
1t was easy to see the immense Importance OF
n successful agriculture to England and that
even the amount of one per cent. audeu 10 lheir
AGRICULTURAL products would materially affect the
Subsistence and comfort of millions
It was often said that England was garden,
Tbis was u strong metaphor. There was much
moor land and some poor cultivation in England.
Rut he had looked at their improvements with
the highest pleasure and admlfaion liz assn IN
o,,r;c,,I,,,rnl societies. we had gone before then
He would not say that they were following our
example bu. they were now doing what we mao ,ha
done. lie had the pleasure OF attending m,e
first meeting of the British National Asricultu-
r n % Association and gentlemen of the highest
distinction in rank talents and wea h; ws,e np
priced of the great Importance OF 'h.s vast no-
,ooaI in,erest,and were lending their hearty CO.
n,,aro,;on in The cause They had maze ~