54 ox THE AGRICULTURE OF THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 



the majority of the sheep kept in the county are hoggs — crosses 

 between Cheviot ewes and Leicester tups — perhaps as profitable 

 a class of sheep as is to be found anywhere in the British islands. 

 In the west and higher lying portions of the county a few black- 

 faced flocks are reared. This hardy breed seldom affords quite 

 so large a return as the half-breds, yet they are on the whole a 

 sure and profitable investment. The general character of the 

 sheep kept in the county is very good indeed. It may be men- 

 tioned, that as the Board of Trade, returns are taken in the end 

 of June, when the minimum number of sheep are in the county, 

 they are scarcely a fair index of the stock kept. 



Horses. 

 The number of horses in the county was, in 



1875, 9,898. 



Tliese figures show an apparent decrease in the number of 

 horses in the county now as compared with twenty years ago. 

 There has been no real decrease, however, the difference in 

 figures being explained by the fact that previous to 1869 every 

 horse beast in the county was included in the Board of Trade 

 Eeturns, and that since then horses belonging to occupiers of 

 land only have been admitted. Of the 9000 or 10,000 horses 

 in the county, about 7500 are usually employed in agricultural 

 work solely ; the remainder being either young or unbroken or 

 mares kept for breeding purposes. Generally speaking, the horses 

 used in agriculture are very superior animals, strongly built and 

 very hardy. The greater number have a strong touch of the 

 Clydesdale in them, while a good many are pure Clydesdales or 

 almost so. They are well fed as a rule, and worked equally as 

 well, yet they seem always in excellent trim for their work, and 

 are seldom seen very lean in condition. The farm horses in the 

 county have been very much improved of late by the care that 

 landlords and farmers exercise in the selection of stallions. 

 Several associations have been in existence for a few years 

 expressly for the purpose of securing good entire horses to travel 

 in the county. They are what may be called farmers' associa- 

 tions, but are assisted by a number of the landlords. Liberal 

 premiimis and a fixed rate of fees are guaranteed, so much more 

 being paid for each foal left ; and on these liandsome terms the 

 associations are able to secure the services of the best horses to be 

 had in the country. The effect is already showing itself most mani- 

 festly among the young stock of horses, and the longer the system 

 is continued the greater the improvement will become. A great 

 many excellent ponies are kept in the county, while there is also 



