REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1901 111 



harbourage to beast and bird. In these days, however, through 

 drainage and agricultural skill, there are several farms where 

 excellent crops of all kinds are raised. A sound and hardy 

 strain of sheep gives token of pastoral interest and care. In 

 1765 turnips and clover were introduced. At Wedderlie the 

 Clover Park is still pointed out. 



It may interest the curious to know that from 1802 an old 

 advertiLdment has been handed down, telling, with all the 

 charm of a legend, of a remarkable cow, bred and fed at 

 Spottiswoode. It weighed 320 stones. Paintings of it standing 

 beside an ordinarily-sized cow may be seen. The contrast 

 is, indeed, striking. When one remembers that it dates from 

 the " great dearth " there may exist pardonable incredulity. 

 Thus runs the advertisement: "To be sold at Thirlestane 

 Castle the largest and fattest cow ever seen in Scotland, and 

 at the same time uncommonly handsome." It was bought 

 by Francis Dickson, flesher in Duns, for the immense sum 

 of 200 guin. It was re-sold for 400 guin., and ultimately 

 received a place among the marvels of the travelling show. 

 In 1791 there were 160 horses, 700 black cattle, and 5000 

 sheep in the parish. 



Following in the train of improved cultivation of the soil, 

 there came marked progress in the comfort and mode of living 

 among the people. Tea was introduced in 1800, but nearly 

 fifty years later there were only three "tea-kettles" in the 

 parish, namely at Spottiswoode, Wedderlie, and the Manse. 

 Then, too, a credible writer thus describes the accommodation : 

 "The houses of the hinds and labourers consist generally of 

 but one apartment, which is kept in good order, and would 

 be in most respects comfortable, were it not for want of 

 chimneys. The fire is lighted on the hearth, and there being 

 no outlet for the smoke but a rude crevice made in the 

 uncoiled roof, the houses are almost always filled with a 

 dense cloud, which hovers at a height of five or six feet 

 above the floor. This smoke, proceeding from the peat, 

 communicates a smell to the clothes which is strong and 

 offensive to such as are not accustomed to it." 



Education, too, seems advanced. " Such is the known 

 salubrity of the climate that for a long time a boarding-school 

 of considerable celebrity was kept in the parish, which wag 



