Improved Value of Scotch Sheep. 571 



of a Cheviot ram with Black-faced ewes has been successful, 

 giving an extra value of 5s. to the lamb. * 



In all the Border counties, on the medium high ranges, where 

 the climate is not too bleak and severe, and some portion of 

 turnips can be got in winter, the Leicester-Cheviot cross has 

 answered admirably. The increased value of the lamb at 

 weaning time has of late been about 15s. per head over the 

 pure-bred Cheviot. The tegs cut one-third more wool, the extra 

 quality of which has enhanced the value by 2|fZ. per lb. The 

 quality of the mutton is excellent ; they are kind feeders and 

 attain good weights at an early age ; if kept equally well from 

 the first they would probably prove a better paying sheep than 

 the more tender Leicester of the South. The only drawback is 

 the difficulty of maintaining a stock of ewes, as it does not 

 answer to go beyond the first cross. 



The change effected within the last twenty years in the 

 climate of Scotland by the improvement of the low boggy lands, 

 and by well-directed surface drainage, is conducive to the 

 introduction of such an improved breed of sheep. 



In the autumn of 1865 the high price of sheep in the midland 

 counties induced me to travel to the North at the time of the 

 border fairs to look out for purchases, as well as to be present 

 at the annual sheep sale of a crack breeder in Northumberland. 



Arriving at Berwick, after a journey of 300 miles, I went next 

 morning to the market, where a lot of good Cheviot wethers 

 attracted my attention, and I was at some pains to make out 

 their price ; they were bought by a dealer for the Newcastle 

 Market at 63s. per head. Proceeding thence to Kelso sheep- 

 fair I found draft ewes, half-breds, ranging from 51s. to 5Gs. per 

 head. I next attended Messrs. Borthwick's annual sale by 

 auction at Kilhain, in Northumberland, where 1000 half-bred 

 shearlings wethers made from 59s. to 77s. per head ; 1000 ewes 

 and theaves making from 40s. to 57s. Next day, at the greater 

 border fair of St. Ninians, half-bred Leicester and Cheviot ewes 

 made 46s. to 54s., and three parts bred 48s. to 56s. At the ewe 

 fair held at Oldhamstocks on the following day, three-parts-bred 

 ewes made from 53s. Qd. to (JQs. and half-bred Leicester and 

 Cheviot from 53s. 9^. to 69s. The Thurston Mains half-breds, 

 being very superior, made, from 55s. to 70s., while the South- 

 downs from the same farm were sold at from 51s. to 59.s. 6f/., and 

 several other lots of Southdowns fetched from 47s. Qd. to 54s. I 

 need hardly say that I returned to the south without having 

 purchased a single sheep. 



High as were these prices in 1865, those of 1866 ranged still 

 higher, though the pretensions of the breeders were by no means 



* I am indebted to Mr. Lauder for information on this subject. 



