102 THE AGRICULTUEE OF THE 



system to be more profitable than home breeding. Perhaps this 

 has been the best paying system in recent years, when good 

 store yearling cattle were to be had at moderate prices ; but it 

 is now believed, since store cattle have become very scarce 

 and dear, that tenants in the lowlands would find it advan- 

 tageous to breed more cattle than they do. On farms that are 

 well sheltered, attached to a stretch of permanent pasture, and 

 in which there is good and comfortable court accommodation, 

 which most of the more modern steadings have, the breeding of 

 cattle might, with profit, be carried on. No doubt the manure 

 made by young stock is not so rich or efficacious in maintaining 

 the fertility of the soil as that made by feeding cattle, but this 

 would be made up for in other respects. In the fall of the year 

 Irish calves or stirks are usually abundant in this part of the 

 country, and can be bought at from £5, 10s. to £8. These, as a 

 rule, pay the feeder remarkably well. Except those in the 

 vicinity of towns or villages, where milk can be profitably sold, 

 few farmers wdio are not extensive cattle breeders keep more 

 cows than supply milk for the farm. In many cases two suck- 

 ling calves are reared by one cow. There are a good many 

 pure-bred herds of no small celebrity in Morayshire, which shall 

 be noticed hereafter. As to the number of cattle, these counties 

 rank seventeenth and tliirty-first respectively in Scotland. It 

 is necessary to mention that the buying-in system so extensively 

 pursued exclude hundreds of animals from the above tables 

 which are fed within these counties. On nearly all the principal 

 farms there is at least one commodious cattle court, and in a 

 great many of the recently erected farm steadings there are two, 

 partially roofed with slates. They are usually of sufficient size 

 to accommodate from eight to sixteen cattle, and in several 

 instances even more. Where there are two courts, one is 

 occupied by cattle nearly ready for the slaughter-house, while 

 the leaner stock are kept in the other, until the fatter ones are 

 sent away, when the half-fed animals are transferred into their 

 fold, thus making room for an additional contingent of lean 

 stock. It is the aim of most farmers to have the lot of cattle 

 destined for court-feeding pretty equal in size, in order tJiat they 

 might share equally in the food provided for them. Polled 

 cattle are found to agree better than horned cattle while feeding 

 in folds, but both kinds thrive very well, when well bred. 



Cattle Feeding. — The general custom is to take cattle intended 

 for fattening off the grass immediately after harvest, at which 

 time they are usually in good condition. They are tied up and 

 fed liberally with vetches and straw, and a moderate supply of 

 turnips. They are gradually brought on to turnips, which, after 

 a short time, along with straw, are fully supplied, forming the 

 staple food during winter. ^luch care and attention are devoted 



