the Roman nose, and other traits which render this flock remarkable, both as a record of the past, and a most interesting instance of the successful breeding of long woolled sheep. It is said, and the assertion is borne out by the appearance, great size, and noble character of the flock, that the weight to which the ewes attain when fatted is 20 stone, that a teg has been known to shear 21¾ lb. of wool; and that the average weight of two fleeces is 28 lb., or 1 tod. The flock now unfortunately numbers only 200. The value placed on them for breeding purposes may be learned by the significant fact, that all the ram lambs are saved, and command a ready sale at good prices.
It may be a question whether this breed and quality of sheep is that best fitted to a neighbourhood and soil such as that on which it has been so long and so successfully maintained; the mere fact of its existence, however, supplies an argument in its favour. They are said to do better and to be more hardy than the Lincolns, by which, from time to time, the stock has been replenished, and compared this year favourably with some Lincolns newly imported, which stood beside them in the fold.
Implements.
One novelty among implements is to be found in the adjustment of shafts for the purpose of turning, or rather reversing the action of a heavy iron roller, an unpatented invention of the owner of Beechwood, which weighs 3 tons, and can be loaded by filling a cradle with stones up to 4 tons. The roller is used either on the sward of the park, or to compress the roads; in either case, the difficulty is to turn so heavy an implement with two horses drawing abreast, and necessarily leaning on a shaft. This is avoided by fitting the double shaft to the upper of two hollow discs of woodwork encircling the cylinder, which revolves after the manner of a railway turn-table on that beneath it. For the purpose of turning, two vertical iron pins, by which the discs are fastened together, are drawn, the horses make a half turn, the pins are replaced, and the roller is ready to move in the opposite direction, without the least strain or inconvenience to the team.
London: Printed by W. Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street,
and Charing Cross.
