Report on some features of Scottish Agriculture. 
217 
They are so frequently carried away by high winds in snow- 
storms, that it is desirable at such times to keep the flock on 
ground which is as flat as possible, and away from glens, streams, 
and rocks. Snow-storms, however, are not so frequent in the 
central and western districts of Scotland as they were some years 
ago, and the flockmaster's losses are therefore not so severe. 
Some of the habits and instincts of mountain sheep are worthy 
of note. During the day they pasture on the sides of the 
mountain and in the lower grounds ; and towards night they 
ascend to the hill-top. This practice seems to show, not only 
that the higher ground is preferred as a nocturnal resting-place, 
but also that it is inherent in sheep, in a natural condition of 
existence, to seek a fresh bite every morning and evening ; and 
it may not be out of place to mention here that this practice is 
imitated by some of the best flock-masters in the south of Eng- 
land.* Sheep that have been wintered out as hoggs seem to 
remember the fact on the return of the season next year, when 
they are apt to seek the low ground, and to endeavour to reach 
their old winter-quarters ; but they generally manage to get back 
to the spot where they were bred by the beginning of May. 
The attachment to the native hill is so strong that there 
are numerous anecdotes current in reference to it, some of 
which savour a little of the marvellous. Mr. Mitchell himself 
remembers an instance of a sheep swimming Loch Lomond, on 
its way back to its birthplace, and being picked up not more than 
100 yards from the shore opposite to that from which it started. 
Sheep and lambs are always sold by the " clad score" of 21 ; 
the custom of giving the extra one (one for luck, as it is generally 
termed in England) arose, it is thought, as a method of compen- 
sation for tolls ; but, if so, what is the origin of the " long hun- 
dred" and the "baker's dozen"? Tolls vary from Qd. to lOd. 
per score at different bars ; but they are very unequally distributed 
about the country. For instance, between Rowardennan and 
Glasgow, a distance of 27 miles, there are no tolls for the first 
third of the journey, and no less than five in the remaining 
distance. In a hilly country, where sheep and cattle are driven 
along the high road, there being no mode of conveying them 
long distances, it has been found necessary to provide resting 
fields for them at night. These halting-places are termed " drove 
stances," and are generally from 10 to 12 miles apart, a medium 
size being about 200 acres. They are set apart by the land- 
owners for this purpose, and a fee of Is. per score is charged for 
sheep, and from 2s. 6c?. to os. per score for cattle. They are not 
always enclosed, and it is in all cases necessary for a man to sit 
* See the Report on Mr. Rawlence's farm, 'Journal of the Royal Agricultural 
Society,' 2nd series, vol. v., p. 505. 
