iSoj. proper for Rearing Sheep. 303 



Mofs-henth, on which there is much dependence in the time 

 of ffjow, (hould not be burned fo often ns that intended for 

 fu.-nmcT p,>(lurc only, as it continues thin and fliort for tlie firft 

 and fecond feafons after burning, and confequently is not fo able 

 to refiH: rh.e prellure of fnow on its top, and the binding power 

 of frofl at its root, as in a year or two thereafter. 



The act for the prcfervation of game prohibits burning after 

 tlie I ith April, and, in fome feafons, it is impolFiblc to burn any 

 before tlr.it time ; but when this can be proved to be the cafe, an 

 indulgence iliould be allowed, till a more advanced period of the 

 feafon. At any rate, a farmer who has much higli lying coarfe 

 ground, would do better to rilk the payment of a fmall fine, than 

 lofe a favourable opportunity. 



I fhouid now proceed to Hate the particular times of the year 

 in which Iieath is moit proper for the different kinds of flieep ; 

 but this w^ould carry me beyond a proper length, and may per- 

 haps come more immediately under confideration, when I fpeak 

 of the influence of foils on the conllitution of flieep. I am, &c. 



3//; February 1 803. S. L. 



TO THE CONDUCTOR OF THE FARMER S MAGAZINE. 



Account of the Northumherland Breed of Sheep^ and the progreffive 

 Iinpro-veme?its made thereupon, 



.Sir, 



I have often thought that an account of the old breed o£ 

 Northumberland (heep, and the progreffive improvements that 

 have taken place from time to time, by various crofTes, efpectally 

 with thofe of the Difliley or New Leicefter breed, would be a 

 deferable paper to fill up a corner of your ufeful Mifcellany ; and 

 entertained hopes that fome of your numerous correfpondents 

 would take it up. Finding myfelf hitherto dif.'.ppointed, I ven- 

 ture (liowever incompetent to the undertaking) to fend you the 

 following fkerch, which I tn«fi: will prove acceptable to your 

 readers -, at leait, it may ferve to if imulate fome abler pen to a 

 more perfedl: execution of the talk. 



As far as my information reaches, the general breed cf Oieep 

 which covered the champaign parts of this county, prior to the 

 above crofies, were called Mugs ; a name, defcriptive of their 

 nature. I remember well to have feen many of this breed, 

 particularly a flock on the farm of Heatherflaw, then in 

 the pofTtllion of the late Mr Ralph Compton, of Carham, 

 Thefe fl:)cep rirreded my obfervation {0 forcibly at iirft fight, 



Y i i 2 that 



