5t>8 jiceount of the district of La?nmermuir, 13 c: Dec, 



past ; and considered as store farms, are certainly too amall. 

 Few can conveniently keep three flocks, which is reckoned 

 the most advantageous mode of breeding; and those, who at- 

 tempt it, have their (locks so small, tliat much unnecessary 

 expence is incurred from herding them. 



'ilie quantity of ground that has at different times beea 

 under the plough is so great, that it is hard to say, unless it 

 was to extirpate the heath, what could be the inducement. 

 In wet seasons the corn crops seldom arrive at maturity. In 

 1782 heavy losses v/ere sustained from a total failurr 

 «f the crop, which, in many places, vvas not thouglit worthy 

 of being thrashed. 



The grain principally cultivated is oats, different kinds of 

 which have of late been introduced, and these, from ripening 

 more early, have been of material advantage. The new va- 

 rieties are, ist. Red Oats, v/hich are good in the grain, and d» 

 not easily shake. They require tlie ground to be in good heart, 

 or the straw will be scanty, but where proper cultivation is 

 attended to, they are a great acquisition m a late climat*. 

 2d, An early sort of White Oats has lately been brought 

 ;from the neighbourhood of Carnwath, which do not require 

 so fine a culture, and yield more straw. They are not the 

 Best grain, but from being very prolinck the deficiency of 

 quality is amply compensated. 



The dependence of the Lammermuir farmers is, however, 

 upon their sheep flocks, which of course engages their, prin- 

 cipal attention. The kind bred, and perhaps best adapted to 

 the pasture and climate, are the black faced sheep, carrying 

 wool of superior quality to the Tweedale sheep. Hov/ever 

 piuch the different kinds of fine wooled sheep may suit iit 

 favourable climates, and richer pastures, yet it is presumed 

 $he present hardy and active breed will be found most pro- 

 fitable upon such grounds as Lammermuir. At tTie same time, 

 trials are making of the Cheviot breed, and it is said with a 

 promising appearance of success. 



It is always the Vvdsh of every Lammermuir farmer to 

 iave his sheep divided into three flocks, if the size of his 

 4arm will admit, and a distinct portion of ground set a- 

 pnrt for each. 1st, The Ewe flock, for whom is appropri- 

 sited all the lowest and best grass fields : at the same time, it . 

 is reckoned good management, to allow them once a-day, to 

 go to the heights, * where the heather grows, in v;hich they 

 teem to take great delight. The force of custom is so strong- 

 with these animals, that, when once used to this poor plant, 

 tihey will of themselves draw off once a-day to it from ths 

 best grasses. Allowing them to do so, ia_ supposed tg rear 

 the.Jiealtkiest sUeep, ai^d b©»t feedefSi 



idly^ flic 



