ON THE WEST HIGHLAND BREED OF CATTLE. 155 



out to them, wherewith they might sustain life until the storm 

 was over, when the animals were again allowed their liberty. 



Present System of 3fanagemcnt. — The present system of man- 

 agement varies very much in different districts, and with the size 

 of the herds; indeed, in the same district, and under the same 

 climatic and local influences, the modes of managing the cattle in 

 winter are somewhat different. Some of the small herds in 

 Argyll and Perth are divided into two sections, the breeding 

 cows being placed in one fold and the young cattle in another. 

 The latter are supplied with straw and a little meadow hay, and 

 a few turnips when the crop is plentiful. The breeding cattle 

 are somewhat more liberally treated, receiving a larger proportion 

 of hay of superior quality, and more turnips. Other occupiers, 

 chiefly on the more extensive holdings, prefer to allow the year- 

 lings and two-year olds to roam at large in the fields, where they 

 have a few turnips thrown out upon a piece of clean lea-ground, 

 with a rack of hay or straw in an open shed at night. With 

 this fare and the rough grass which they pick up in the woods, 

 it is surprising how well they keep up their condition, a fact 

 which at once stamps the hardy character of the race. At three 

 years of age, the heifers are selected for breeding purposes, as it 

 has been found that they are not mature enough at a younger 

 period of their existence. In the winter and spring months, that 

 is to say, in January, February, March, and April, the calves are 

 dropped. Here may be noticed another diversity of opinion 

 which exists. Some farmers keep the calves separated from the 

 dams until the periodical turning out to grass, allowing them to 

 be together for a short period three times a day ; others keep 

 them in a fold together, and although the latter system has many 

 advantages, yet both the dam and her young become very wild, 

 and almost unapproachable when allowed full liberty. In the 

 beginning of October, the calves are weaned, and as the tempera- 

 ture at that season is generally low, the cows seldom suffer 

 from sore udder, the milk having become almost dried up, on 

 account of the failing pastures. It may here be remarked that 

 some farmers of the present day give cake to the growing calves 

 as well as to the cattle intended for the shambles. This ensures 

 bone and rapid growth in the one case, and early maturity and a 

 highly finished state in the other, but the plan can scarcely be 

 called a judicious one in the case of calves which have afterwards 

 to be turned upon the bleak moors, and there to subsist upon the 

 scanty fare which nature has provided for them. 



Several extensive graziers do not breed their own cattle, but 

 purchase them when three or four years old, removing them to 

 finer pastures in different parts of the country for the purpose of 

 feeding. The following account of the management of West 

 Highland bullocks was furnished by Laurence Dalgleish, Esq., 



