42 ON THE AGEICULTUEE OF THE 



counties will be swelled out in the winter season at least 40 to 

 50 per cent, by these commercial or flying stocks ; in spring they 

 again sink to their ordinary level. 



Horses. 



The number of agricultur?d horses in Mid-Lothian is small 

 compared with the aggregate in some counties of similar size. 

 Linlithgow has about one-half the number. The large county of 

 Aberdeen contains six times as many as the former; twelve 

 times as many as the latter. The numbers were in — 



There has been a decrease in" both counties within the past 

 seven years, but not to any large extent. A few farmers, we 

 have already noticed, are introducing two years' grass in place 

 of one ; this makes some difference in the number required, and 

 others are going into steam cultivation, which also to some ex- 

 tent tends to decrease the quantity required. Of the 4079 returned 

 in Edinburgh, only 705 are unbroken, so that very few are reared 

 in the county. Linlithgow, with a total of 2077, contains 559 

 unbroken animals, as breeding is carried on a little more exten- 

 sively. The work horses as a rule are of a good stamp. Most 

 of them are either pure Clydesdales, or have been largely mixed 

 with Clydesdale blood. A few farmers in the west of Linlithgow 

 breed excellent types, the best of the produce bringing as far as 

 L.80 to L.90, and now and then one over L.100. We may here 

 mention the name of Mr James Mackay, who is well known in 

 local show-yards as being a successful prize-taker. The horses 

 he rears always bring high prices. Mr Orr, The Hill, also 

 breeds some splendid Clydesdales, for which he has taken honours 

 in Linlithorow and Batho-ate. Great care is bestowed in both 

 feeding and grooming, the diet varying at different periods of the 

 year, according to the work they have to do. When' the spring 

 pressure is on, the farm horses are fed upon hay, oats, and beans, 

 with now and then a w^arm mash. Occasionally, a few potatoes 

 are given, as well as carrots or swedes. The horsemen, in 

 general, seem to take great pleasure in having the animals under 

 their care in good condition, while the harness is clean and well 

 kept. In the towns, particularly in Edinburgh, there are many 

 horses in addition to those accounted for in the Board of Trade 

 Eeturns. These consist of various breeds for drawing drays, cabs, 

 'buses, and tram-cars, with a few used for riding and driving by 

 business men and private families. The number of horses required 

 by the Edinburgh Street Tramway's Company varies from 470 



