The Glenkens in the Olden Times. 147 



aud the quality of the grain was bad. In unfavourable seasons the 

 inhabitants were reduced to actual starvation. 



The price of cattle was very low, as they were generally in 

 such poor condition. In spring, when put to grass they were often 

 so weak that when they lay down they could not rise without 

 assistance, and they frequently fell into bogs and mosses, when 

 neighbours had to be called to help to get them set on firm ground 

 again. After the oat crop appeared above ground in spring cattle 

 and sheep had to be tended during the day, and shut into folds or 

 loans at night, for there were no division fences. There was scarcely 

 even a march fence between farms, which was frequently the cause 

 of (Quarrels and lasting animosities between neighbours. 



Both men and women, from the hardy way in which they 

 Avere brought up, were more robust and vigorous than at present, 

 and were not subject to many diseases, but the average duration 

 of life was much shorter. 



Saddles and bridles had not come into common use. People 

 rode to church or market on brechams or pillions^ while they put 

 halters made of hair rope on the horses' heads instead of bridles, 

 and jjut shoes only on their fore feet. 



Education was at a very low ebb. Few of the common 

 people could read even the Bible, but the precentor in each congre- 

 gation i-ead the Scriptures in the church before the minister ap- 

 peared. The lower classes were very superstitious, aud believed 

 in ghosts, fairies, and witches. To preserve their cattle from the 

 effects of witchcraft they put pieces of rowan tree on the walls 

 above the cows' heads when in the house, and tied smaller pieces 

 among the long hair of their tails when out in the fields. At this 

 time roads were in a wretched condition. They were indeed but 

 bridle tracks, and thee were very few bridges in the district. 



