366 THE ISLE OF MAN — ITS AGRICULTURE, CLIMATE, ETC. 



with grass seeds after green crop. A few farmers (Scots) consume 

 a portion of the turnip crop with, sheep ; but this is the exception, 

 by no means the rule. 



Every farm, whether large or small, is sub-divided and enclosed. 

 This has been done in the days of old, and it would be a 

 matter of difficulty to make them as crooked as they are, were the 

 present generation to try it. This was done, they say, so as to 

 afford shelter in some of the corners, whatever way the wind 

 might blow. These fences are all made feal dykes, that is, of 

 divots taken from the surface, and filled with soil between. These 

 were made from six to eight feet in width at the bottom, and 

 about two and one half at the top, with a ditch upon either side. 

 The top is sown with whins, but many of the old fences are so 

 wide, that you may easily drive a horse and cart upon the top of 

 them. So fond are the Manx of such fences, that they are 

 building them of the same material at the present day, although 

 plenty of stones could be conveniently got. It will thus be 

 seen that from four to five yards are lost with such a fence, and 

 about three or four yards more on either side are robbed by the 

 surface being taken for its erection, besides, it is continually 

 requiring repairs, and, at best, it is a very bad substitute for 

 a fence. So accustomed are the sheep to them when they are 

 loose, that they make a run in a slanting direction, and are over 

 the top in a moment, although they are generally from five to six 

 feet high. They are in consequence obliged to tie their sheep 

 with what is termed a lanket. This is made of menella, three 

 ply thick, with a loop upon each end, and about one foot long 

 (according to the size of the sheep). A running noose is formed 

 upon each end, and a fore and hind leg placed in the loop, which 

 prevents them from leaping. When walking, they form a step, 

 and then a half one as they proceed ; and, if pursued, they hold 

 up the hind leg, and run swiftly upon the three. Many of them 

 even go over the fences although thus tied. 



There is a breed of sheep said to belong to the island ; and I 

 am inclined to believe it, as no other agricultural community 

 would think it worth the trouble to rear them. They are from 

 six to eight pounds per quarter when fat, but their mutton 

 is superior to the Scotch Black-faced. The ewes are excellent 

 mothers, evidently giving a large quantity of milk, as the lambs, 

 when fat, produce the largest quantity of fat upon the kidney of 

 any we ever saw slaughtered, and the meat is of excellent quality. 

 When the lambs are fat they are heavier (per carcass) than they 

 ever are if kept on for breeding. In former times the mountains 

 were commons, and every inhabitant could send as many sheep 

 as he chose to be grazed upon them. This was taken advantage 

 of, and they generally had as many sheep as would yield wool to 

 keep the family in clothing of every description. The wool was 



