CHEVIOT SHEEP. 391 



as Aberdeenshire — where thej have the outrun, as it is called, on 

 arable farms, viz., nearly the whole grass, on which they are 

 kept till the weather becomes stormy, when they are folded on 

 turnips. They are sent about the 10th of October, and remain 

 till the beginning of April. The cost of wintering varies from 

 about 7s. to 9s. each. 



With the exception of the great Inverness market in July, 

 where large sales are made by character, for delivery later in 

 the season, markets for Cheviots are held in autumn, the most 

 important being Lockerbie for lambs, and Falkirk September 

 a,nd October trysts for ewes and wedders. Besides these, auction 

 marts have sprung up in various quarters, where large quantities 

 are disposed of ; and although we question the pohcy of selling 

 stock in bulk in this way, thus superseding old-established 

 markets, and paying 3c?. or M. in the pound for doing what 

 farmers ought to be able to do for themselves, there can be no 

 doubt that for the sale of single sheep it is admirably fitted. 

 Mr. Aitchison was the first to introduce the system of selling 

 Cheviot tups by auction at his farm of Menzion, in Peebleshire, 

 more than forty years ago ; the practice is now universal. One 

 of the most attractive sales of the season is held at Beattock. 

 Mr. Bryden, of Kennelhead (late of Moodlaw), long known as a 

 most successful breeder ; the Messrs. Carruthers, of Kirkhill ; 

 and Mr. Johnstone, of Cappelgill — almost equally celebrated — 

 have an annual sale there, and draw purchasers from all parts of 

 Scotland. In 1872 about 120 tups averaged 10 guineas each. 

 Similar sales are held in various localities, one of the most im- 

 portant being at Hawick in September, where, among others, 

 the lots of Mr. Aitchison and Mr. Elliot, of Hindhope, always 

 command a large attendance and a deal of spirited bidding. 

 The latter gentleman has for many years been a most successful 

 exhibitor of Cheviots at the Highland Society's and other shows, 

 carrying everything before him. We cannot resist giving an 

 anecdote, which shows that his fame as a breeder must even 

 have reached the ear of royalty. Happening on a recent occasion 

 to be an exhibitor at the Smithfield Show, Mr. Elliot took the 

 opportunity of visiting the Home Farm at Windsor, when he 

 had the honour of being commanded to wait upon the Queen. 

 Her Majesty, with that graceful condescension for which she is 



