230 ON THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF GRAZING 



and sheep were regularly lioiised and fed in pens during the 

 rigour of the season. The consequence was often fatal. When 

 the provender was consumed before the genial return of spring, 

 cattle of all kinds perished in numbers for want of sustenance. 

 There may be about 20,000 sheep in the parish. A few of the 

 Cheviot breed have been lately introduced in Glenorchy ; and 

 the Earl of Breadalbane, ever anxious to promote the interest 

 of his country and the good of the people, designs, it is said, to 

 send some more of the same kind to the parish for trial. Black 

 cattle have been for years past decreasing in number but im- 

 proving in kind." 



In the report for Ardchattan and Muckairn (1792) it is said : — 

 " In the parish are from 2600 to 2800 black cattle. Though not 

 of a large size they are in general handsome and well haired, and 

 in great estimation with the English drovers. There are between 

 28,000 and 30,000 sheep. The large breed brought some years 

 ago from the south country produce a greater quantity of wool, 

 but are much inferior in quality to the old Highland sheep. 

 Thousands are sold yearly to the low country butchers. When 

 a few are purchased by individuals they sell for from 12s. to 

 14s. ; white wool sold last year at 7s. 6d. the stone, wool 

 besmeared with tar at 5s. 6d. — eight fleeces on an average to the 

 stone." 



" Prevailing rains through gTeat part of the year, with a pre- 

 carious seed-time and harvest, render the climate of this country 

 unfriendly to the growth of corn ; therefore, the chief attention 

 should be directed to the improvement of our grass and cattle. 

 The inhabitants are beginning to keep fewer cattle, and, of 

 course, better grass than formerly. The gentlemen are particu- 

 larly attentive in this respect." (See also Statistical Account, 

 Speymouth, vol. xiv. page 383 ; Xorth Knapdale, vol. vi. paoie 

 261.) 



It may be interesting to quote the opinion of the Eev. Dr 

 Singer of Dumfriesshire, as expressed in the volume containing 

 the Society's Transactions for 1803 to 1807. Formed before he 

 could have had it tested to any great extent by actual trial, it 

 says a great deal for the clear and sagacious judgment of the 

 reverend author, and I quote it as confirming the conclusion at 

 which I have myself arrived. 



He says (page 545) : — " In the Highlands nature seems to have 

 laid out extensive sheep-walks on almost CA^ery farm, and as it 

 is found that sheep are the safest stock, the most easily and 

 cheaply managed, having access to the largest part of the 

 pastures, and always marketable and productive to the farmer, 

 it is undeniable that sheep ought to be reared as the principal 

 article of farm produce throughout the Highlands. Black 

 cattle thrive as well as sheep to a proper extent of stocking 



