Transcription

268
MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS
 

OPENING THE ALLUVIAL LANDS FOR SALE.
JANUARY 1856


Mr Plunkett states that the Government will forthwith open the lands which border the navigable rivers, and that they will be offered for sale in quantities suited to small capitalists.
It is a step taken by the authorities in the right direction. The opening of land offices in the interior, where maps could be seen and selections made, will be a boon to the agriculturalist. In former times the humble purchaser lost in picking out, buying and getting at his land. Thus an increased facility in its attainment secured by the land offices is to the
purchaser equal to a reduction in the upset price.
The Government purposes to make such a selection & survey of land for sale as may fully equal the demand, which will prevent pernicious
competition at sales, discourage large speculations in land, & create a new department of business.
 
TRAVELLING WITH SHEEP IN SPAIN
 
The Merino race subdivided into breeds, extends over the  greater part of Spain the best are those of Cavagne & Negrate. they are fed during winter on the cast plains of Estremadura, [Extremadura], & from thence they move, about the 15th of April in flocks of two or three thousand, passing the Tagus at Almaras, on their
way towards Villa Costin, Alfura, & Espinas, to be shorn. When this process is finished, they travel again towards the Kingdom of Leon, & spread over the grazing territory of Cervera. The Souran family reside in winter on the borders of Estremadura, [Extremadura], Andulusia & New Castile. Early in the spring they cross the Tagus, pass Madrid, & then proceed to Soria, where a part remains in the mountains, & the rest cross the Ebro to graze in Navarre & the Pyrenees - These divisions are known as travelling sheep - Each flock consists of ten thousand sheep. The flocks have a head shepherd he must be the owner of five hundred sheep, he is over fifty shepherds - Towards the end of September the Merino flocks depart to a warmer climate a free
passage is ensured them through pasture grounds & across the village commons, & the inhabitants are obliged to leave them an opening
of at least ninety paces wide - The whole extent of their journey from the Montana to the interior parts of Estremadura is about one hundred & fifty
leagues, & this they perform in less than six weeks.
 

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