22 AGRICULTURE. ' 



the large sheep-farms a single shepherd has the charge of 

 from three to six or more thousand sheep, varying according 

 to the nature of the country and climate. In performing 

 his arduous duties, he has in ordinary seasons no assistance 

 except from his dogs. Those shepherds who have studied 

 political economy introduce the principle of division of 

 labour into their kennels. When on the hill they are 

 usually accompanied by two dogs : of these, one is the 

 driving-out, and the other the bringing-in dog. To the 

 first he points out a knot of sheep, and informs him by 

 voice and action, that he wishes them to be taken to a 

 distant hill. The intelligent animal forthwith gathers the 

 sheep together, and acts according to his master's instruc- 

 tions. By similar means he informs the second that a lot 

 of sheep, on a distant hill, are to be brought to the spot on 

 which he then stands ; and with equal certainty they are 

 shortly at his feet. To either dog he indicates the indi- 

 vidual sheep which he is to catch and hold. The eagerness 

 and impetuosity with which the dog rushes at the neck of 

 his captive would lead you to suppose that the poor animal 

 was in great danger. Nothing of the sort. The dog fol- 

 lows Izaak Walton's precept, and handles him as if he 

 loved him. The hold is only on the wool. The sheep 

 stand in no habitual terror of the dog ; though within a 

 few yards of him, the elder will quietly chew the cud, and 

 the younger shake their heads and stamp with their feet, 

 provoking him to frolic, or mimic war. We have spoken 

 here, simply, of the daily occurrences of the sheep-walk 

 milk for babes for we fear that the more staggering, but 

 not very ill-authenticated, instances of canine shepherding, 

 with which we might fill our pages, would prove too strong 

 for southern stomachs. Whoever has not read the Collie 

 stories of the great Ettrick herd and bard, has anyhow a 

 rich amusement before him. We love the long face, sharp 

 nose, and sincere countenance of the sheep-dog : 



" His honest, sonsie, baws'nt face 

 Ay gat him friends in ilka place." 



