178 WESTMORLAND AGRICULTURE, 1800— 1900 



The weight of a Westmorland Black-faced fleece from the neigh- 

 bourhood of Howgill was given by J. E. Hargreaves in 1881 : — 



12 average fleeces from a clip of lo sheets weighed 48 lbs. 

 12 „ „ 4 „ 54 „ 



12 .. ,. 5 .. 51 .. 



Total . . . . 153 



or an average of, say, 4 J lbs. to a fleece." At that date the fleeces 

 would be washed. 



In 1910 twelve average washed Rough Fell fleeces from the Long- 

 sleddale district, which is admittedly the best for this breed, weighed 

 56 lbs., a similar number from Barbon Fell in the same condition 

 weighed 46 lbs., giving an average of 4 J lbs. per fleece. 



Twelve average Rough Fell fleeces from the Tebay district, un- 

 washed, weighed 42 lbs., or 3J lbs. per fleece. 



Twelve average Swaledale fleeces, washed, weighed 43 lbs., or 

 a mean of just over 3^ lbs. 



Twelve average Herdwick fleeces, unwashed, from Troutbeck 

 weighed 44 lbs. and 12 from the top end of Langdale 34 lbs., or a 

 mean of 3J lbs. per fleece. 



" A Rambler," writing about 1790, says : " When sheep stray in 

 these counties it is not usual for the owners to look after them. There 

 is an agreement between Patterdale, Matterdale, and Legberthwaite to 

 meet on St. Martin's Day to exchange their strayed sheep ; every 

 farmer bringing those which do not belong to him ; no other expense 

 is thought of, but the general one incurred by feasting on roast geese 

 and ale ; and they are so happy with each other, they sometimes 

 make a second day." 



The wool and ear marks of Herdwick flocks are attached to the 

 farms and might almost be looked upon as part of the freehold — 

 however often the tenants may change, the ear and wool marks of 

 the sheep upon the farm remain the same. At the annual meeting 

 of the shepherds, or " Shepherds' Meets " as they are called come 

 round, lost sheep are gathered together and claimed at the gatherings 

 by their owners by means of the ear marks and smits. 



The first " Shepherds' Guide," or a " Delineation of the Wool 



