124 ON THE CHEVIOT BREED OF SHEEP. 



enclosed the numerous disputes and complaints tliat take place 

 on this score would, of course, be prevented. A size of farm 

 pretty common in the north is one carrying 5000 sheep in 

 summer, and the rent is usually from 3s. to 4s. per head, and, in 

 rare cases, up to 7s. 



The diseases to which Cheviots are subject are simply those 

 common to other hill sheep. In the absence of any exceptional 

 fatahty the ordinary death-rate in the south is 1 per score, but 

 in the north-west Highlands it frequently reaches 3 per score. 

 Of the diseases the most common are " braxy," " rot," " louping- 

 ill," "pining," "sturdy," "scab," and "foot-rot." 



Braxy is a disease more of locality than breed, and is almost 

 entirely confined to hoggs. Its appearance is usually first noted 

 for the season about the middle of September, and the greatest 

 loss from it occurs in the months of October and November. 

 The loss occasioned is always worst after a dry sununer, and 

 during a rapid rush of grass in autumn. The progress of the 

 disease is so rapid that animals, in the majority of cases, suc- 

 cumb ^vithout any trace of illness ha\dng been noticed. Wlien 

 affected sheep are observed, they are dull and listless, and con- 

 siderably swollen in the belly, and al^le to move only with 

 difl&culty. "When the illness has come to tliis stage death 

 rapidly supervenes, and the carcase, when examined, is more or 

 less blackened, and has a tendency to rapid decomposition. The 

 bowels show signs of violent congestion, the coats being black in 

 different places. Tlie disease admits of no cure ; but in its 

 prevention judicious hirselhng, so as to give the sheep both 

 change of food and exercise, may have some effect. Wliere the 

 loss is very heavy, the entire removal of the hoggs during the 

 fatal season is necessary. 



Bot is due to a parasite in the liver called the " fluke," and is 

 now less prevalent since drainage has been extended. The 

 symptoms are fully developed towards the end of spring. The 

 animal has then frequently a " poke " or swelling under the jaw, 

 and is emaciated in condition, and bloodless or yellow in the 

 eyes. There is no cure for the disease at tliis stage. 



In regard to the nature of loiiping-ill there is as yet great 

 difference of opinion, but the subject is at present engaging the 

 special attention of Teviotdale farmers. The disease seems to 

 be a nervous affection marked by a great variety of spnptoms, 

 and probably arises from some form of indigestion. It may be 

 noted that very frequently " ticks " are found in diseased land, 

 but it cannot be considered that these are the cause of the 

 disease though so often co-existent. 



Pining, as the name implies, means a more or less rapid 

 wasting or loss of flesh, and is due principally to the eating of 

 too large a quantity of coarse indigestible and non-nutritious 



