ON THE WEST HIGHLAND BREED OF CATTLE. 163 



It is stated that in summer they are sufticiently fed, but that in 

 winter they have nothing to support them but the decayed glean- 

 ings of the herbage of the former summer. In many districts of 

 Scotland it is feared the same treatment still continues, and that in 

 the spring time the cattle are so poor that they fall victims to 

 the anthrax fevers which are unfortunately now so prevalent. 

 I have thought it might be useful to draw attention to a sug- 

 gestion in the paper above alluded to, as I have for many years 

 adopted it, and have found it to be most beneficial to my 

 stock. 



On all hill farms there is a considerable extent of rouo-h Basilic 

 grass such as deer's hair, bents, spret, &c., which neither cattle nor 

 sheep will eat in summer or autumn, and which yearly is killed 

 by the frost. Great quantities of hay might be made from 

 this grass, which, though coarse in quality, if slightly heated, 

 like English hay, will be greedily eaten by cattle in winter ; and 

 though not affording sufticient sustenance to fatten the animals, 

 will keep them in a healthy growing state, and prevent that great 

 mortality in spring which so frequently happens from starvation 

 and weakness. The plants from which this hay would be made 

 decay and fall upon the ground in winter, and in this decayed 

 state are the sujiport of many herds of cattle. It cannot, there- 

 fore, be doubted that if made into hay in August and September, 

 when fresh and succulent, they will afford a supply of most 

 useful provender in winter. This hay should be preserved for 

 use till the month of January, unless snow covers the ground, 

 when it should be at once had recourse to, so as to prevent a 

 starve. Highland cattle with their thick winter coat and hide 

 can stand out a great amount of storm and cold, if they have 

 sufficient nourishment to prevent actual starvation. 



Play on many farms is cut only on the very best of the grass, 

 and that perhaps all given to the breeding cows, and the other cattle 

 left to shift for themselves as they best can; whereas if a little 

 more labour was bestowed in turning some of the coarse grass 

 into hay, the cattle would be in better condition in spring, and 

 perhaps more stock might be kept on the farm. 



Some farmers object to cutting this coarse grass, thinking it 

 useful food in its decayed state early in spring, when the fresh 

 growth begins to come up amongst it. It has been found, how- 

 ever, that when eaten by sheep in this state it is very indi- 

 gestible, and if taken in any quantity, forms into small hard 

 balls in the stomach, very frequently resulting in death. 



