FARM BUILDINGS 129 



bred, because in the second generation what we 

 nowadays call Mendelian segregation begins to set in 

 and the progeny become diversified, throwing back to 

 all sorts of combinations of the characters of the 

 parents. That these second crosses of the Cheviot 

 Border Leicester breeds do not so segregate seems to 

 show that there must be a very strong Cheviot founda- 

 tion in the Border Leicester. 



We were still in the country of Shorthorns, and 

 went to see one of the famous herds ; but it would 

 require a specialist to make intelligible the excellences 

 of the great bulls which were paraded one by one 

 magnificent beasts, docile with much showing, and 

 amenable to the hints of the stockman, who knew well 

 how to get them to stand to the best advantage. 

 Our host had a famous run of white bulls and white 

 Shorthorn bulls have a special value, because when 

 used on the black Galloway cattle they get the " blue 

 greys," which are perhaps the most highly esteemed 

 of all cross-breds for butchers' purposes. The cattle 

 were all housed in a style that would seem luxurious 

 to the south country or even the Norfolk farmer ; for 

 perhaps the most striking feature of Northumbrian 

 farming to a stranger is the magnitude and excellence 

 of the farm buildings great blocks of well-built stone 

 structures, dominated by a very factory-like chimney. 

 Every northern farm has a small boiler, which supplies 

 steam to the engine for chaffcutting, pulping, etc., and 

 also for cooking or steaming foods ; the boiler is fixed 

 and possesses a substantial chimney, forming a distinct 

 feature in the landscape, while a great dovecot almost 

 equally tall is a not infrequent accompaniment. For all 

 the substantial character of the buildings and the skill 

 of the farming, rents did not run as high in this part 

 of Northumberland as might have been expected, but 



