412 Report on the Agriculture of Cumberland, 



tied up in the byres and fattened off, or run loose in sheds or 

 boxes for the same pui'pose. Some of the summer-fed animals, 

 which have not gained flesh quickly enough to be ready for the 

 shambles by the end of October, when the pastures fail, are tied 

 up and fed off by Christmas. Indeed, it is somewhat difficult 

 to get very young animals, many of which have but four, and 

 others only two broad teeth, ready for market so quickly as 

 those of a more mature age, inasmuch as a large proportion of 

 the food they receive goes to the formation of " blood, bone, and 

 sinew," rather than flesh. Those animals which are intended 

 for stall feeding solely, are allowed straw and turnips ad libitum 

 until after Christmas, when a little hay is sometimes added. As 

 spring approaches, cake or corn is introduced ; the usual allow- 

 ance of the former for ordinary sized cattle being 2 or 3 lbs. at 

 the commencement ; the quantity being gradually increased until 

 a maximum of 7 to 8 lbs. is attained. In the late months of 

 spring, or when turnips begin to fail, mangolds are sometimes 

 substituted, upon Avhich cattle make capital progress. 



Sheep. 



Recently, the breeding and feeding of sheep has become a 

 ■notable feature in Cumberland farming. So late as 1825 the 

 farmers on many estates were prohibited from keeping sheep by 

 a restriction in the lease, as being unprofitable either to landlord 

 or tenant, and very injurious to the quick-set fences. At the 

 present time, the state of things is entirely different ; and it is 

 looked upon as a prosperous sign when a farmer has a good 

 ilock of sheep, for they pay well for their keep, and the land in 

 place of being injured, is improved in quality if only "run over 

 with their golden feet." The prevailing breed is the Leicester, 

 which has been brought to a very fine standard of excellence by 

 some of the most eminent breeders and sheep-fanciers. Particu- 

 larly, as being worthy of record, I may notice the flocks of Mr. 

 Jefferson, of Preston Hows ; Mr. Fox, St. Bees Abbey ; Mr. 

 Jackson, Calva ; Mr. Twentyman, Edderside ; and Mr. Joseph 

 Bell, Scale Hill, Lazonby. These noted breeders annually send 

 a number of rams to the special sale at Cockermouth, which 

 takes place on the last Friday of September, and thus the farmers 

 in the immediate district are enabled to secure good rams for their 

 flocks. Some of the finest rams average from 6 to 10 guineas 

 each for the best pens, and it is not uncommon for selections 

 from the most meritorious flocks to inake high averages through- 

 out ; for example, Mr. Jefferson, and Mr. Norman, of Hall 

 Bank, sometimes realise an average of 8 guineas for 40 animals 

 each, the highest figures being from 25 to 32 guineas per head 



