15 



and the 3d, in open sheds, or what, in Berwickshire, arc 

 known under the name of Hammfls, or Hemmels *. 



The plan of fold-yards is certainly the cheapest, being 

 in general formed by the offices which afford shelter to the 

 cattle ; but where a number of animals, of all sorts and 

 ages, are suffered to mingle together, many accidents must 

 happen, and the cattle must often be injured, by going 

 through a yard full of straw and dung, and often very 

 deep, in which they must frequently sink. Though this 

 plan might answer for young cattle, where divisions are 

 made by walls or hurdles, yet it would never answer for 

 feeding valuable cattle for the butcher. 



In a well-regulated extensive farm, employed in' the 

 convertible husbandry, it is contended, that fold^yards, 

 divided for stock of different ages, are indispensably ne^ 

 cessary, as no farm can possibly feed the whole cattle- 

 stock during winter, which is requisite for grazing in 

 summer. This important question will be afterwards 

 discussed. 



Feeding-houses are, in some respects, well calculated 

 for fattening cattle. The ' animals are kept warm and 

 quiet, and each can have the portion of food allotted to 

 him ; but the animals having no exercise when thus stall- 

 fed, become unhealthy, the meat unwholesome, and the 

 legs of cattle, when confined to one spot, are so apt to 

 swell, that they are unable to go to market. 



On the whole, the 3d plan seems to me the best ; name-' 

 ly, that of hammels, which I first had the satisfaction of 

 seeing, at Mr Robertson's of Ladykirk, in Berwickshire. 



* It is said, that this is an English word, and hence that 

 Hemel-Hampstead is derived. But Hammel is probably de- 

 rived from hum, a habitation. 



