1921.] 



The Herd wick Sheep. 



505 



to the high charge for wintering (now 12s. 6d. a head from 

 10th October to Ladyday) this unfortunately essential charge is 

 a very serious drain on the hill farmer. 



As the majority of the farms are unfenced it is especially 

 necessary that the sheep of each flock can be easily identified. 

 Each flock therefore has its characteristic ear and body marks. 

 These are registered in the Shepherds' Guide, where engrav- 

 ings of both sides of the sheep of each flock are given, showing 

 the position and description of the various marks. Marks have 

 become part and parcel of certain places, remaining with them 

 through any changes of tenancy, e.g., just a raven clapped on 

 the near side will always mean Eavenscrag farm. Flock - 

 masters were wont to meet annually at Kerkstone Top (2,000 ft.) 

 to exchange strays, but this is now done mostly at the various 

 sheep fairs and ram hirings. 



The best ewes are generally kept for the production of pure 

 bred lambs, but on those places where any low land is available 

 a proportion of ewes will be crossed with Leicester or Wensley- 

 dale rams for producing grey-faced lambs. The former give the 

 quicker-growing lambs, the latter the longer-backed seUing sorts. 

 These grey-faced lambs are sold to the lowland farmers who 

 fatten them off or keep them as breeding stock. 



The average weight of the dressed Herdwick carcass is about 

 12 lb. per quarter for adults. The mutton is unexcelled by that 

 of any lU'itish breed of sheep, and 4 -year-old Herdwick mutton 

 is claimed to be the best finished and most valuable mutton pro- 

 duced. Four-year-old Herdwick wethers sold last year at prices 

 ranging to over ;£5 each. 



The average ewe fleece weighs about 4 J lb., but rams and 

 ewes fed for shows often yield twice that weight. The wool is 

 coarse, and was used for carpet making, but" at present, like 

 the wool of other breeds, it is a drug on the market. In 1908 

 the price fell as low as 4d. per lb. 



Among these mountains innovations come slowly and 

 many ancient and interesting customs still survive. The 

 Shepherds' Meets, at which formerly " strays " were handed 

 over, partake now more of the holiday, and at the Dun 

 Cow at Mardale (soon to be 20 feet below the surface of Lake 

 llaweswater) there is annually a gi'eat meeting of shepherds; 

 the day is given over to fox hunts, hound trails and Fell races, 

 the evening to song and sentiment, where yet one may hear 

 many a lusty hunting song and many a strange toast — such as 

 " Confusion to the scab," and " Full sheets and ready money." 



