THE BLACK-PACED OR SCOTCH MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 383 



Among the more celebrated breeding flocks are those of Mr. 

 Archibald, Overshiels, Stow; Mr. Aitken, Listonshiels, Mid- 

 Lothian ; Mr. Malcolm, of Pottalloch, M.P., Argyllshire ; Mr. 

 Moffat, Gateside, Dumfriesshire ; Mr. Hope, Cadenhead ; Mr. 

 Oraig, Polquheys, Ayrshire ; Mr. Craig, Craigdarroch, Ayrshire ; 

 Mr. Greenshiels, Westown ; Mr. Paterson, Glenlaggart ; Mr. 

 Paterson, Birth wood ; Mr. Tweedie, Castle Crawford ; Mr. Den- 

 holm, Betlaw; Mr. Wilson, Kennix; and the Messrs. Watson, 

 Coulterwater — in Lanarkshire ; Mr. McDonald, Strathmashie^ 

 Inverness- shire ; Mr. Pagan, Invergeldie, Perthshire ; Mr. 

 Foyer, Knowhead, Stirlingshire ; Mr. Stewart Ballid, Inverness- 

 shire ; Mr. Kennedy, Sherramore, Inverness-shire ; Mr. Grant, 

 Inverlaidnau, Inverness- shire ; Mr. Robertson, Achilty, Ross- 

 shire ; Mr. Willison, Parisholm, Biggar ; Mr. Murray, Eastside, 

 Pennicuik ; Mr. Welsh, Erickstane, Moffat. 



In the case of the high-class breeding stocks in the southern 

 counties the ewe hogs are often wintered separately from the old 

 sheep on the lower grounds, sometimes getting turnips. Meadow 

 hay is an important element in the dietary of the black-faced 

 sheep all over the country in a heavy, protracted snowstorm. To 

 some hill farms are attached a portion of the low-lying grass- 

 land called a hog fence, where the sheep of the first year are 

 wintered ; but, as this is the exception rather than the rule, the 

 hogs are more generally sent to the arable and dairy farms of 

 the lowlands, where they have the run of the seed-layers, 

 stubbles, and old pastures. They generally arrive about the end 

 of October, and remain until about the 5th of April. The price 

 per head is from 5s. to 6s. for their six months' keep. They 

 return to their native pastures strong and in good condition ; 

 and to this system of wintering may be traced much of the 

 improvement which has been effected in hill stock within the 

 last twenty years. 



The principal breeders in the south invariably sell the wether 

 lambs in the Lanark and Sanquhar markets in the autumn 

 months, and retain through the winter only the purely breeding 

 animals. Those who confine themselves to wether stocks in 

 Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, and Inverness- shire, and the jobbers, 

 buy the wether lambs in these markets at very high prices, 

 ranging from 12«. to 24fi. a head, according to the quality of the 



