84 SHEEP t BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



one time occupied the ground now held by the Black-faced 

 breed, and there does not seem to be any evidence that they 

 were modified by crossing with the new race, as was the case 

 with the old Wiltshire sheep when the Southdowns arose into 

 eminence. 



Descending from the regions of speculation and tradition, 

 we find that Perthshire and Dumbartonshire were the first 

 definite homes of the Black-faced breed. Argyleshire was 

 either at the same or at a slightly later period colonised by 

 the breed, and from these centres it spread rapidly. These 

 sheep found an improver in the person of David Dun, of 

 Kirkton, who has been spoken of as the Scotch Bakewell. In 

 the Statistical Account of 1795, he is described as having the 

 best stock of Black-faced ewes that are to be met with in 

 Scotland. " They are," it is stated, " completely muir ewes, 

 and yet they weigh 48 Ibs. (22| oz. to the pound)," or nearly 

 17 Ibs. per quarter. 



The principal breeders eighty years ago are stated by Mr. 

 Archibald to have been Welsh (of Earlshaugh), Weir (of 

 Priesthill), Gillespie (of Douglas Mill), Robertson (of Broom- 

 lea), Kersie (of Glenbuck), and Foyer (of Knowehead), the 

 grandfather of the present tenants. All these men were 

 living about fifty years since. At a later date the breed was 

 still further improved or maintained by Mr. Foyer (of Knowe- 

 head), Mr. Watson (of Nesbit), Mr. Watson (of Mitchell 

 Hill,) Mr. Craig (of Craigdarroch), Mr. Dryfe (of Barr), Mr. 

 Murray (of Eastside), Mr. Miligan (of Kirkhope), Mr. Sandi- 

 lands (of Cummerhead), and Mr. M'Kersie (of Glenbuck). 



It is always interesting to compare the results obtained in 

 the past with those of the present. I therefore take an ex- 

 tract from Youatt, representing what was thought fifty years 

 ago to represent fairly the capabilities of the Black-faced 

 breed. Youatt says : " They have mostly horns, more or 

 less spirally formed, but the females are frequently without 

 horns. The faces and legs are black, or, at least, mottled. 

 They are covered with wool about the forehead and lower 



