TO HIS GARDENER 99 



of Sweet Grains ^ for them every Week which you may contrive 

 to get up by the help of the old Horse. Take care that the 

 Oxen, Cows and Sheep dont want hay for this wet weather 

 will make them slide if they are not fed. The Oxen twice a 

 day, and a little at noon only when dry weather one stone at 

 night one Stone each morning and half a Stone at ij oClock 

 when dry weather and if wet make it a Stone at ij oClock. If 

 the young ones are with them add a Stone more divided into 

 the three feedings. That is 3J Stone each fair good day and 

 4 Stone among them each bad Snowy or very wet day while 

 the Oxen stay. When the Oxen go turn the young ones into 

 the Highlanders^ and let them be fed equally with them, half 

 a Stone for each every night when good weather and when very 

 wet or snow give them a Stone for every three in the morning, 

 but if the ground is covered with Snow, give them one other 

 Stone for 3 at ij oClock. Talk with J. Dods about the above 

 Quantities, if enough follow them if not thought enough, add 

 more. There is no thrift in letting them down that are to be 

 sold and this wet is dangerous weather, so give them more if 

 not fully enough tho' we should part with them the sooner. 

 By no means let them run any risk of getting worse for a great 

 deal won't bring them up if once they turn the least, as nothing 

 but fresh Grass will do that and it will require a great deal to 

 keep them for that ; so better bestow sufficient now to keep 

 them very good till got off, than a little every day till grass 

 comes, and give them the best grass then. In short keep them 

 good till all are off I propose to sell which I reckon may be in 

 three Weeks ; after which a little every Evening for the High- 

 landers I have ordered to be kept will be enough and the like 

 for the two young ones as I don't propose the Highlanders 

 being fat till they are made so by early good grass, so I only 

 want to keep them in good heart by a little hay every night. 

 See that you carry them regularly over the dry of Middle En- 



^ Wight began malt-making in the village in 1726, but did not brew till 1739. 

 About the same time Cockburn turns his attention to grazing (p. 63). 



2 Beside the rough black cattle. The oxen were fattening, and so got better 

 treatment. The phrase above, * slide if . . not fed,' is significant of the time. 

 The starved creatures were frequently bogged (Sc. lairdet) in the wet places in 

 winter from sheer weakness. 



