Mountain Husbandry. 41 



better practice. The cattle were in a very 

 thriving condition on one of the pastures of the 

 first year's feeding. It will, however, be some 

 years before it will bear their weight in the 

 winter, as the surface is tender, and would be 

 easily poached. Were the use of the plough 

 more dispensed with, the surface, by gentle 

 treading, would soon become consolidated. 

 The former value of these lands, as a sheep pas- 

 ture, was not two shillings and sixpence per 

 acre ; they are now well worth eight times that 

 rent. The cost of reclaiming, after deducting 

 the second year's crop of hay, will not exceed 

 four pounds per acre. The security afforded by 

 good fences contributes greatly to the value, and 

 enhances the rents of the fields ; above twenty 

 miles of stone walls have been erected for this 

 purpose. I think this is one of the most judi^ 

 cious improvements in mountain husbandry that 

 I have yet seen. The estate is principally let to 

 cattle-jobbers, who take it from year to year, 

 and whose rents have been advanced from two 

 to four pounds per annum. Were I at liberty 

 to recommend an alteration, it would be an in* 

 dustrious thriving tenantry, in the place of these 

 cattle speculators. A cattle-jobber depends on 

 his skill in stock, and the knowledge he has, or 

 thinks he has, in the price of future markets : 

 on this ability he depends for his living profit, 



