Farmers, especially British farmers, reckon in general to make on
the swings what they lose on the roundabouts. Their activities are various ; and on the whole (in spite of very obvious exceptions) they show adaptability and, as with the best of the Worcestershire fruit-growers, give a very quick and thorough response to scientific discoveries. Stock to-day represents the swings ; and there are some reasons for expect- ing the vitality of the industry to be maintained and indeed enhanced, in regard at least to cattle and perhaps sheep, and indeed poultry, if we may consider them included in our animal husbandry. We breed the best stock in the world ; and have not of recent years, at least so far as the working farmer is concerned, earned the due reward. As regards dairy cattle, nothing is more remarkable than the steady grading up of many herds. Thousand-gallon cows in a dozen breeds are more or less common, and pure-bred herds, giving an average of some 800 gallons a year, are to be found in most counties.
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