140 SHORTHORNS 



after one season's use. He is now inclined for ex- 

 tended trial. Thus far he has kept about 15 breeding 

 cows. The farm is a somewhat high -lying and 

 exposed one of 320 acres, fully 100 acres of which are 

 rough pastures rising to a rocky ridge and falling 

 abruptly towards Whitrig Hill, on which Mr John 

 Grieve keeps a few Shorthorns, bred by Mr Douglas 

 and representing the Myrtle, Apperly Princess, and 

 Pearl families. Most of the soil on Butchercote is 

 of a stiffish nature over clay and red till from the 

 Sandstone formation. 



CAMBUS AND GLENOCHIL. 



" Broad reaches of chill water overflowing 



Shiver and take no rest, 



Under a slow wind that goes blowing, blowing 

 Out of the ashen West." 



So wrote a brilliant Scot (J. W. MacKail) after a 

 fresh impression of a view in the Thames valley 

 above London on a March day when floods were 

 in possession ; and he might have passed into a 

 related mood if the Fates had led him aloft from 

 the Forth -side levels of Cambus in a drab hour of 

 winter or early spring. The wind, to his thinking, 

 would fain be gentle under grey skies, but somehow 

 the other elements are unneighbourly. Our seasons, 

 however, have their rich compensations. Brightness 

 and kindliness are never far away. Elusive the best 

 of our meteorologic blessings may be, but we expect 

 the clear shining after rain. There is a suggestion 



