532 The Scouring Lands of Somerset. [oct., 



The varying degree to which the characteristic properties of 

 "teart " land may be developed in different places and under 

 different conditions helps to explain the very various 

 opinions which have been expressed as to the seriousness of 

 the problem. It is true that in certain seasons the "teart" 

 fields do not scour cattle to any very grave extent ; but that 

 the occurrence of "teart" land on a farm on the whole in- 

 volves very great inconvenience and loss both to the land- 

 lord and tenant there can be no doubt. 



It is thus important to realise the variable nature of " teart " 

 land ; and in the following description of its properties and 

 characteristics it must not be concluded that every statement 

 is applicable to every scouring field in the same degree. 



Effect on Cattle. — The effect on cattle turned into a "teart" 

 pasture is manifest in a few days — often within twenty-four 

 hours, and it is always most noticeable in the spring and 

 autumn. The dung becomes very loose and watery, and the 

 animals get into a filthy condition ; later, the dung becomes 

 light-coloured and full of bubbles. It is a real scouring. 

 In a short time the animals begin to lose flesh, become 

 "pile-haired," and go out of condition altogether. The 

 writer is told that if cows are left any long period 

 in a bad "teart" field when the herbage is scouring, 

 they become very emaciated and will "scour themselves 

 to death." It is a curious fact that a dark-red Devon 

 cow, if allowed to feed in "teart" pastures, will gradually 

 turn to a muddy yellow colour. The symptoms do not, on 

 the whole, seem to suggest a specific disease ; and, indeed, it 

 seems not impossible that the scouring due to "teart" land 

 may be simply a much aggravated case of the slight scouring 

 which occurs occasionally on many types of land. 



All kinds of cattle are affected, but cows in milk are the 

 worst sufferers, quickly becoming very ill and ceasing to 

 yield the normal amount of milk. Lambs up to about a year 

 old are also liable to scour. Fortunately, sheep and horses 

 do not appear to be susceptible; but the "teart" lands being 

 part of an important cheese-producing and milk district, dairy 

 cows are the principal live stock. 



On farms where there is sound land as well as "teart " land, 

 if it is necessary to turn the cattle into the "teart" fields, 



