Opinion of a Well-known Farmer. 85 



ties of seeds used in the mixtures are given on pages 29 

 and 30. The poorest field gave a crop, as we have seen 

 in a previous chapter {vide page 30), of not less than 2 

 tons an acre, and the aftermath kept 5| lambs per acre 

 for eight weeks, and afterwards 2 ewes per aicre for 

 fourteen days. The better field of the two was grazed 

 with sheep and lambs as follows : — Three ewes and their 

 twin lambs per acre from April 25 to July 10, and 

 afterwards about 2 ewes per acre up to October 1. 



. In the opinion of my head shepherd the grazed field 

 has given most satisfactory results as regards the 

 amount of stock kept, and the effects produced on the 

 stock were excellent, both as to their health and the 

 progress made by the lambs. My factor (a practical 

 farmer), who manages the farm, is of opinion that the 

 results obtained could, not be surpassed, and advises me 

 to stick to the same mixture for the future. The fields, 

 during my absence from home, were visited by one of 

 the most advanced tenant-farmers in the South of 

 Scotland, and as he has had great experience in laying 

 down land to grass (having laid down to permanent 

 pasture about 400 acres), I think it well to quote part 

 of the letter he afterwards wrote to me : — 



" I was very fortunate in going at the right time, as your 

 hay-cutting was in progress, and so I had an excellent oppor- 

 tunity, both of seeing the grasses growing and amongst the hay 

 on the high field at Clifton. The crop I thought a remarkably 

 fine one for a field of light hill land. The first thing that 

 struck me was the extraordinary take of red and alsike clover, 

 compared to the small quantity sown per acre, which leads me 

 to doubt the systom pursued generally of sowing 12 or 14 lb. 



" The kidney vetch seems to be a remarkable forage plant to 

 grow on light gravelly soil, and for such I think it very valuable. 

 The burnet and chicory also seemed deep-rooting, fine plants 

 for standing drought, and, from the state of the pasture, much 

 appreciated by sheep, as they were so closely eaten down. For 

 your fine crop of hay, however, I noticed you were in the largest 



