THE CHEVIOT BREED. 103 



marshy grounds, or along the declivities of hills, wherever 

 water may stagnate. They are designed to allow a speedy 

 egress to water on the surface, and the effect is to improve 

 the pastures, and lessen the tendency to the dangerous malady 

 of rot. 



When land exists capable of cultivation, the resources of 

 food may be greatly extended, for then turnips as well as 

 hay can be supplied. But an error, too common in such dis- 

 tricts, should be avoided, of ploughing more land than is 

 required for the ends proposed. The purpose of tillage in 

 such situations is the raising of turnips and clover hay for 

 the supply of the stock ; and this end being attained, the 

 farmer ought never to carry his system of tillage further on 

 a purely breeding farm. 



In order that the Sheep of these farms may pasture with- 

 out disturbance, arid that the labour of the shepherds may 

 be abridged, it is held to be highly useful, and even neces- 

 sary, that each farm be enclosed. The suitable fence for 

 such situations is the stone wall, for the forming of which 

 ample materials are for the most to be found on the grounds. 

 This species of wall is formed of stones without the aid of 

 lime, about five feet in height. Sods are sometimes used in 

 place of stones ; but the fences are greatly less permanent 

 and useful, and ought never to be formed where better mate- 

 rials exist. 



The uses and value of shelter in countries so elevated and 

 exposed are everywhere recognised. When natural valleys 

 and glens exist, these are taken advantage of to shelter the 

 flock from the piercing storms of the inclement season. In 

 such cases, the shepherd himself drives his flock to the places 

 which afford shelter, and the Sheep of their own accord be- 

 take themselves to the natural coverts of the farm. But 

 though the instincts of the animals will cause them to avoid 

 a coming tempest, by repairing to the lee sides of eminences 

 for shelter, these are the very situations in which they may 

 be overwhelmed by heavy falls of snow, which, when accom- 



