60 ox THE AGRICULTURE OF THE COUNTY OF SUTHERLAXD. 



more than twenty bulls every spring, and takes them back to the 

 Home Farm to be wintered. From these bulls the crofters' cattle 

 (indeed the cattle of the county generally) have been much im- 

 proved, and the comfort of the smaller tenants greatly enhanced. 

 On the south-east coast shorthorn bulls, chiefly from Morayshire, 

 have been in general use during the last twenty years, and con- 

 sequently a large pro]5ortion of the cattle stock in these parts 

 consists of crosses from Highland cows and shorthorn bulls. A 

 few years ago many of the crofters, findmg that cross calves 

 brought a readier sale and higher prices than Highland calves, 

 became anxious to have their cows mated with shorthorn bulls. 

 Crosses, however, do not suit the climate and treatment the 

 cattle of Sutherland crofters have to endure so well as High- 

 landers, and most of them have gone back to the use of bulls of the 

 shaggier and hardier breed. About six years ago Mr Kelly founded 

 a herd of Highland cattle at Achinduich, and it now numbers 

 about 20 head. The foundation of this promising young herd 

 was laid from a Dunrobin heifer, and a cow from the island of 

 Barra, nearly related to the Highland ox from Dunrobin that 

 achieved the distinguished triumph in 1865. There is very little 

 cattle-feeding in the county, the large majority of the surplus stock 

 being sent south in lean condition when a year and a half or two 

 years old. A few of the larger farmers on the south-east coast, — 

 notably Mr Sellar, Culmaily ; Mr Lawson, Clynelish ; and Mr 

 Dudgeon, Crakaig, — feed a number of two and three-year old 

 crosses every year, and send them to the southern markets, 

 where they invariably command the top prices. Mr Sellar feeds 

 from 120 to 200 head, chiefly three-year olds bought in Caithness 

 and taken to Culmaily when about two and a half years old. 

 They are commenced in the house there with tares or similar 

 green food, and are afterwards fed mainly on turnips, cake, and 

 grain. They are generally sent to the market about the Christmas 

 season. As already stated, Mr Lawson recently established, at 

 Clynelish, a herd of polled cattle. He acquired good blood at 

 the outset, having been a large purchaser at the dispersion, three 

 years ago, of the herd of the late Mr Paterson, Mulben, Boharm. 

 The animals have thriven remarkably well, and have amply 

 proved the wisdom of introducing them. Mr Lawson feeds the 

 black steers he breeds himself along with a number of bought-in 

 crosses, and for both he obtains the highest current prices, the 

 blacks finding the most favour among the butchers. There is 

 little doubt that the black polled breed would suit Sutherland 

 admirably ; and it will be surprising if they are not reared in 

 large numbers in the county before many years have passed. 

 Mr Dudgeon feeds an excellent lot of crosses, partly bred by 

 himself and partly in Caithness. Several of the other farmers 

 along the south-east coast feed a smaller number, mostly crosses 



