chicjlij as re(/ar<h the Prudaction of Meat. 413'- 



for the best descriptions. Mr. Norman, of Hall Bank, near 

 Aspatria, lias a breed of Lincoln long-woolled sheep ; and althoug-h^. 

 perhaps, the district is a little too far north to admit of this class 

 of sheep attaining anything like perfection, the animals under 

 generous treatment seem to thrive admirably. A few farmers, 

 have lately drifted into the breeding of Border Leicesters, as 

 being more suitable to the climate and soil than the pure Leicester : 

 but of this others are not quite so sanguine, for where the pas- 

 tures are sound and good, the Leices.ter sheep is healthy, grows 

 to a large size, and produces a fine fleece. In the autumn months, 

 thousands of Cheviots are brought from Scotland, and exposed. 

 for sale at Carlisle, Penrith, Cockermouth, and other fairs and 

 markets, and are bought up by farmers who have either parted 

 with their own lambs, or who do not include sheep-breeding in 

 their farm management. Where a single crop of lambs is taken, 

 from the same flock, many farmers are now in the habit of pur- 

 chasing four- or five-yeai'-old ewes direct from Sutherland, as they 

 consider that by the infusion of Leicester blood a good healthy 

 fall is ensured. The ewes cost about 25^. to 405. each when 

 bought in, and in the following spring throw about 130 to 150 

 lambs to every 100 ewes. Both the ewes and lambs are fattened 

 off as early as possible, in some cases ; in others, the lambs are 

 held over. This system increases the number of crosses by the 

 addition of Leicester-Cheviots, which are held in great repute 

 by some graziers. Highland black-faced wethers are also brought 

 from the Scotch hills for consuming the turnip crop ; and black- 

 faced ewes are purchased and put to Leicester rams. Here and 

 there may be seen a Down ram, as well as a few crosses between, 

 the Down and Leicester ; but although the cross lambs have a 

 remarkable aptitude to fatten, and are well liked by the butchers,, 

 this class of sheep, as a rule, is not much esteemed, not being 

 calculated to thrive upon many of the high-lying heaths in this 

 county, inasmuch as in the spring there is a great deficiency in 

 the quantity of wool produced. 



Hitherto I have been remarking principally upon the varieties 

 of sheep found in the in-fields and upon the lowland pastures y 

 but the sheep of the hill districts is undoubtedly the Herd- 

 wick. The origin of this breed is veiled in obscurity. Tradition 

 asserts that a sloop containing several animals of this class was 

 wrecked near Ravenglass, and that the sheep swam ashore,, 

 established themselves for a time near the coast, and at length 

 found their way to the hills. The Herdwick is strongly attached, 

 to its native heath ; and even where there are no fences, the 

 flocks rarely stray far from their own pastures. Sheep of this- 

 breed seem well adapted to the Cumberland mountains. They 

 will live and even thrive on the most meagre herbage, and in. 



