COUNTIES OF EDINBUEGH AND LINLITHGOW. 4L 



lambs are kept for tups, and disposed of at the annual sales at 

 Edinburgh. Some of the rams thus dispersed go to improve exist- 

 ing flocks of the same breed in various parts of the country, while 

 others are used for crossing Cheviots or blackfaced ewes. The 

 crosses from blackfaces attain a considerable size by the time 

 they are two years old, and are much esteemed for their line 

 ([uality of flesh. The Cheviot crosses, too, although a little slower, 

 have fine quality, and arrive at a large size with longer keep. 

 Where half-bred ewes are kept and crossed with pure-bred tups, 

 the j^rogeny arrive rapidly at maturity, and produce a large 

 amount of wool and meat. By way of illustrating the manage- 

 ment of the Border Leicester breed, we may briefly notice the 

 system adopted by the Duke of Buccleuch at JJalkeith Park. 

 The flock of breeding numbers 140 to loO, and has been in 

 existence twenty years. The ewes occupy the lighter land in 

 summer and in winter have a few turnips. The lambing time 

 begins in March. In winter the ram lambs get a little cake and 

 liay, while the ewe hoggs get the best of the parks. The flock 

 has achieved many honours in show-yards, and is held in great 

 repute. Mr Ainslie, Hillend, has a nice fold of Border Lei- 

 cesters, and one of half-breds as w^ell. The former numbers 

 about 120. The diet is moderate, as the ewes get too fat when 

 it is liberal. Mr Pord, Hardengreen, has a standing flock of 

 irom five to eight score. Nothing but grass is given to the ewes 

 in summer, but after the new year they get a few turnips. The 

 tups get cake and corn, those intended for sale or the show-yard 

 receiving a more liberal allowance. The rams realise high prices 

 at the Edinburgh sales ; last year (1875), the average for 45 was 

 over L.9. There are several other folds of note in the district, 

 the management of which we have not space to detail. 



Cross Breeds. — As already stated, crosses are numerous. By 

 these the bulk of the turnip crop not required for cattle is con- 

 sumed. The practice is to draw every four alternate stitches, 

 leaving the other four to be eaten off* by sheep. In this way the 

 soil is enriched for the succeeding white crop, a greater breadth 

 of land getting the benefit of the sheeps' droppings. IMany far- 

 mers cart the turnips to a lea field, and there cut them for the 

 sheep, but a large breadth is still, however, consumed where they 

 grow. A great many sheep are in this way annually fed off, 

 being purchased in during the autumn sales and going o(f as they 

 are ready for the market. Some of the lots leave as much as 

 Is. per week for their keej), but when 7d. to 8d. per week is- 

 reached the grower is commonly satisfied. ]\rany farmers now 

 allow a little cake or corn along with the roots, which forces the 

 .sheep forward, and more money is commanded in the makut. 

 Others feed on turnips, ^^i^r ct simple, with i)crhaps a little hay or 

 straw in case oC a hard frost. The numbers of sheep in both 



