228 ON THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF GRAZING 



class seems to have been held quite of equal value with the 

 former. Horses of small size but of the hardiest constitution 

 were also kept in considerable numbers, and during the summer 

 months wandered not merely over the hill tenanted by their 

 owners but over a wide range of country, the high hills being 

 hekl as a common by the district. But black cattle, as they are 

 called, formed the staple of the stock over the whole Highlands. 

 They are still called by old peop»le An jVith* the substance or 

 the wealth, and the owner of what was called a large and good 

 " fold " of cows was respected — probably envied — as much as a 

 millionaire is among the merchants of the present day. 



The young cattle were allowed scope as well as the horses, 

 but the milch cows were the objects of constant care and of 

 much attention.-)- They were not held sacred as among the 

 Hindoos, but they were treated with great tenderness and mth 

 most considerate regard. To guard them against the evil eye 

 and every species of witchcraft, many persons repeated a charm 

 over them every morning as they went forth to pasture ; even in 

 the shackles with which their legs were bound when they were 

 milked, the cross bar fastening the shackle was always made of 

 witch elm or of rowan. In the many songs composed to them 

 thev are often mentioned in terms of endearment as stronsj as 

 those applied to human beings, and the woman who combined 

 the art of filling the pail with " rearing the calf " was held in 

 very high esteem. 



From the beginning of July to the latter end of September 

 the milch cows with sheep and goats were always driven to the 

 grassiest and best-sheltered spots among the hills, known as the 

 shieling. The women and young people generally tended them 

 in these uplands, while the grass on the strath or level portions 

 of the farm was allowed to grow in order to afford them winter 

 food. 



Such was the system of grazing pursued in the Highlands till 

 near the close of last century. But as farmers from the southern 

 parts of the kingdom became by degrees acquainted with the 

 extensive mountains and glens of the north, they readily sa^y 

 that a great portion of these tracts was left absolutely waste. 



* Probably the same word as the English Nmt and Anglo-Saxon Nyten. 



t For their milk along with that of sheep and goats was the sheet anchor and 

 mainstay of their provision — often their sole support. Some men still living, 

 though all past fourscore, tell of their having been for all the summer months 

 fed on milk alone with its various preparations — no bread or potatoes being 

 tasted by them. "When there is such an outcry about the necessity of a rich diet 

 for the maintenance of health, — when even the lowest criminals get their liberal 

 allowance of butcher meat, — it is striking, and ought to be instructive, actually to 

 converse Avith men who year after year were for several months supported on 

 milk diet alone. The fact that they are living to an age so rarely reached is full 

 proof that their systems were not undermined in youth. 



