596 
Report on the Farm-Prize Corripetitioit 
cow was provided by the farmer for the use of the labourer at a 
fixed sum per week. 
Horses and Cattle. — It is not necessary to notice particularly 
the breeds of Horses and Cattle to be found in Northumberland, 
since they are such as may be met with in many other districts, 
excepting the Chillingham wild cattle, which are in some 
respects one of the most interesting herds in England. They 
are supposed to be the original British breed of cattle. 
Sheep. — The sheep, however, are so important a branch of the 
farming, and they include such varied types, that it is impossible 
to pass over them without enumerating the principal breeds of 
the county. 
The Cheviot, the Black-faced Mountain, and the Border 
Leicester Sheep are pure breeds of distinct character, existing 
in large flocks in different parts of the county. But on many 
farms cross-bred sheep are regularly bred, some by mating 
animals of two of these pure breeds, but frequently also by 
putting half-bred tups to half-bred ewes, and in many cases 
three-quarter-bred sheep are bred by putting a pure bred tup to 
a half-bred ewe. 
The Cheriot Sheep claims the first notice, since it takes its 
name from the hills which are the most striking feature in the 
scenery of the county. The origin of this breed has been the 
subject of much speculation. Whether it is a native breed 
or imported cannot now be ascertained. That it was improved 
by the infusion of fresh blood is undoubted. JNIr. Robson of 
Belford has the credit of crossing the breed with some tups 
from the South about 100 years ago. Whether these tups were 
Bakewell Leicesters or Lincoln sheep is disputed still, but the 
result was that his flock became famous and the general distri- 
bution of his rams influenced and modified the whole breed. It 
is pleasing to find the name of Robson still connected with the 
Cheviot sheep, and to see two gentlemen of this name winning 
nearly all the prizes for that breed at the Newcastle Show this 
year. 
The Cheviots are a hardy, active breed, of rather small size, 
with a somewhat close fleece of fine white wool. The* fleeces 
weigh about 4 lbs., and the wool makes a comparatively high 
price, 28s. a " tod " or Is. a pound having been made this year 
in several cases. This breed is kept principally on the hills, 
where no food is brought except during a long blast of snow. 
They lamb on the hills in April, and are kept in the flock for 
three or four seasons, when they are drafted and frequently sold 
to graziers to breed a half-bred lamb. The wedder lambs are 
generally sold for feeding on turnips. 
The lilack-J'aced Mountain Sheep are believed to have had their 
