36 
Relative Profits to the Farmer from 
a small proportion of them along with cattle on their farms, still continite 
to do so. This shows that they found the system profitable. The number 
of sheep kept on arable farms in the north-eastern counties of Scotland has 
lately been yearly increasing. 
Some farms, from their altitude, are not suitable foj- feeding, and yet pay 
well as breeding farms. The rearing and feeding of sheep might be combined 
with profit upon arable farms suitable for them, and of such an extent as 
to warrant the necessary expenditure connected with the employment of 
skilful shepherds. The greater portion of such farms should be left in pasture, 
and the cultivation of it so arranged as to provide sufficient winter food 
for the proportion of the sheep which should be sold to the butcher. The 
enormous rise in the working expenses on arable farms, mainly, if not ex- 
clusively, used as gi-ain- and beef-producing farms, suggests for consideration 
whether it would be attended with profit and general advantage to have a 
larger proportion of such farms under permanent pasture, and introduce, to 
some extent, well-bred sheep suitable to the soil and climate. Instead of 
working them on the five shift with two grasses, which was, and to a large 
extent still is, the general practice in the north-eastern counties of Scotland, 
this rotation of cropping is now almost universally condemned, in conse- 
quence of the increased working exj^enses and its exhausting effects on the 
soil. As far as circumstances admit, the breadth of land under grass is being 
increased, and, as already stated, the number of sheep kept is now con- 
siderably more than it used to be, clearly indicating that the farmers find the 
change profitable. 
On farms of limited extent, on which a stock of cattle are kept, it is con- 
sidered more profitable to purchase lean sheep and to feed them off", than 
to attempt the breeding and feeding of sheep combined. 
In 1873 we commenced to keep Cheviot ewes crossed with Leicester tups 
on the Home-farm of Cluny. The prices fell in 1874, which affected our 
valuation at last Martinmas. Notwithstanding the fall in prices, the sheep- 
account left the same amount for rent as we used to get for the grass-parks 
when they were rouped. Our accounts for this year are not yet made up ; 
but I expect they will show a very fair return at Martinmas. 
Clydesdale agricultural horses, Shorthorn cattle or Shorthom-crosscs, and 
half-bred sheep, are considered best suited for this part of the country. 
Farther up the coitutry, the Aberdeenshire Polled cattle are found to suit very 
well ; and in the cold, bleak, exposed parts of the Highlands and Islands the 
hardy, hairy-coated West Highland cattle are likely to remain the dominant 
breed. Possibly these may be improved by Shorthorn bulls, the same as the 
polled cattle and all other local breeds have been. 
Ranald Macbonald. 
21. HuNDALEE, Jedburgh, Eoxbubghshiee. 
I think farmers would profit by breeding more cattle and sheep. On heavy, 
strong, clay land and uuder regular rotation, where it would be unsafe and 
unwise to employ young and unseasoned horses, breeding them would be un- 
profitable. On the other hand, breeding horses would pay on light and low 
rented land, more especially where there is a (piantity of hill or outlying 
land. Horses could be bred and worked until they were five or six years old, 
and sold as part of the cast of the farm, or at an earlier age, as circumstances 
might render necessary. 
As a rule, I think it would be profitable to breed a larger proportion of cattle 
on feeding farms. 1st. liecause there is every inducement to keep the calves 
in an imiuoviug state from the period of their birth onwards. 2nd. It greatly 
