264 



Farming of Cumberland. 



of Crossfell is called), and is intermixed over Spadeadam Waste, 

 Christenbury Crags, and all the sheep lands adjoining the counties 

 of Durham, Northumberland, and Roxburgh, where they contend 

 with the numerous ponies for pasturage. This breed is totally 

 excluded from all the other mountains of the county. 



An agricultural exhibition is held annually at Alston in Oc- 

 tober, where the black- faced sheep may be seen in full perfection. 



The Herdwick breed possesses more of the characters of an 

 original race than any other in the county. It stands lowest in 

 the scale of excellence, and shows no marks of kindred with any 

 other race. It is stated to have sprung from a few which escaped 

 from a Spanish ship wrecked on the coast, and these having esta- 

 blished themselves on the fells, were found to thrive and enjoy 

 the locality ; and since that, on increasing, have been farmed out 

 in herds, and thence acquired their name. They occupy, to the 

 exclusion of all others, the range of mountains from Wythop to 

 Black Comb. The majority are without horns, and their legs 

 and faces are o;rey or mottled. Where great care is exercised in 

 selecting and breeding, the nose is of a lighter grey,, and is then 

 termed "raggy" or "rimy," from its resemblance to hoar-frost. 

 Except the lambs (which are dispersed over the arable farms 

 during the first winter, at about 35. Qd. per head, for keep till 

 Lady Day), they are kept on the mountains at nearly all seasons. 

 The wethers are sold for feeding at four and five years old, and 

 weigh from 12 to 14 lbs. perquarter^ — the ewes from 8 to 10 lbs., 

 and the mutton is excellent. Formerly, many of this breed had 

 large manes and beards, of very coarse grey hair ; the fleeces 

 were also much mixed with greys and kemps.^ These defects 

 are now removed, without injury to the storm-resisting qualities 

 of the fleece.f The weight of fleece varies from 2i to 3^ lbs. 

 This breed is remarkable for attachment to the place where they 

 are suckled, and this constitutes a part of their value in the eyes 

 of the proprietors. In consequence of this fondness for their 

 heaf or place of breeding they require less of the shepherd's care ; 

 and their heaf may be gradually curtailed or extended on any 

 particular side without the trouble and expense of constant 

 herding. No hay is given to the Herdwick sheep, except on 

 extreme occasions. 



The West Cumberland Fell Dales Association holds an annual 

 show, alternately at Loweswater, Ennerdale Bridge, and Nether- 

 wasdale, at which about thirty prizes are given for the improve- 



* Black or grey wool and stiff hairs. 



+ After heavy rains and strong winds in Y/inter and spring, the wool of the 

 fleece is turned to almost black, as if drenched with soot and water. This dis- 

 colouring of the wool is an indication of the sheep having sustained a sudden and 

 severe check in their thriving. As the weather improves, and the sheep begin to 

 thrive, the blackness goes off, and the fleece resumes its natural colour. 



