REPORT ON THE AGRICULTURE OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 313 



Ayrshire cow, a cross-bred animal is produced which, though not 

 so heavy as, is yet much easier reared than a pure Shorthorn. 



The West Highland cattle brought into the county have by 

 degrees been becoming less numerous. This is doubtless owing 

 in some degree to the fact that the inbuying price is higher than 

 formerly, and therefore they do not leave such a large profit as 

 they used to do. Another explanation probably is, that the 

 ground they used to feed upon has of late been occupied by 

 sheep and dairy cattle. 



A few Irish cattle are being imported, and have in many 

 instances been found to pay well. They can be bought at 

 comparatively little money ; and although they have a pining 

 look for some time, yet they are not long upon the good pasture 

 until they begin to improve rapidly. 



It is becoming fashionable for county gentlemen to keep a 

 few Shetlanders, which they kill for the supply of their own 

 households. These have the double recommendation for private 

 use, of yielding beef of the finest quality and of a limited 

 quantity, their ordinary weight when fat being from twenty to 

 twenty-five stones. 



With regard to the rearing of young store cattle generally, it 

 may be remarked that they are much better kept at every stage 

 of their growth than used to be the case. Many breeders are in 

 the habit of giving them a liberal allowance of turnips along 

 with their fodder. 



Very little remains to be said as to the feeding of cattle for 

 the fat market. Stall feeding is more generally practised than 

 the open shed system, though the latter does prevail to some 

 extent. Oilcake, mashed oats, and other feeding stuffs, are 

 given in different quantities by different individuals. Only a 

 limited number of cattle are sent direct from the pastures to 

 the fat market. A few of the cattle are sent to the Smithfield 

 market, but the greater number used to be forwarded to Liverpool. 

 Latterly, auction marts for the sale of fat cattle have been 

 established in Dumfries and Lockerbie, and many of the animals 

 are consigned to the auctioneers in these places. Butchers and 

 dealers from the populous towns in the north of England often 

 purchase largely at these sales. Christmas fat shows have been 

 held for several years, at which many first-class animals are 

 exhibited and disposed of. 



Section VIII. — Pork Feeding. 



Pork feeding has been carried on to a large extent in Dum- 

 friesshire, so much so indeed that the county has earned a wide 

 reputation alike for the quantity and the quality of the bacon 

 which it produces. There are no more common labels in the 



