324 PIELD AND FERN. 



"A filthy beast, Sir ! Why, a cow is one of the most agreeable of all ani- 

 mals. Everything about her is wholesome and useful : we get odour from 

 her breath : she supplies our table with meat and butter and cream and 

 cheese ; and I assure you, Sir, I would rather eat a cow than a Christian." 



ROWLAND HILL. 



Alloa Mr. Mitchell's Herd To Keavil The Keavil Herd A Avord 

 with Mr. Eastern The Old Fife Breed of Cows Fifeshire Feeders- 

 Old Days of the Fife Hunt A Visit to the Kennels. 



SjpHE road from Stirling to Alloa lies through the 

 * strong wheat lands at the foot of the Ochil hills, 

 which then bend sharply away to the left towards 

 Perthshire. Some of the sheep-ranges are 2,300 

 feet above the sea-level, and were once held solely by 

 the black-faces, but the Cheviot usurper is fast gain- 

 ing on them. The grass is peculiarly healthy for 

 sheep, but the farmers do not care to feed, and there- 

 fore sell off their Cheviot wedder lambs. A. few keep 

 blackfaces to stock their " wedder ground," but all 

 such distinctions are fast fading before the high 

 price which lambs command. 



Alloa is deeply devoted to ale, whisky, and wool. 

 The water rises from a freestone stratum, and has 

 strong functions to perform. Nearly three million 

 gallons of whisky are made annually in Clackman- 



