origin in South Scotland. Wlien the breed of Cheviots was 
improved by Robson they supplanted the Blackfaces ; but after 
a time the latter are said to have regained their position on the 
more exposed hills, and the breeders of this class of Sheep assert 
that they number fully one-third of the sheep in the North of 
England. They are said to have greater powers of endurance, to 
be braver feeders in the snow, and to be better sucklers than the 
Cheviots. They lamb early in April, and are kept in the flock 
until 5 or 6 years old. The wether lambs and cull ewe lambs 
are sold off in September. The wool is frequently shorn un- 
washed. 
The Border Leicester Sheep, though springing originally from 
the famous Bakewell flock, as the Yorkshire and Midland 
Counties Leicesters did, have now become a distinct breed, with 
points of difference which the breeders consider of great im- 
portance ; such as the colour of the face and cleanness of bone. 
The breeder of Border Leicesters speaks of the " Blue-faces " 
with a sort of contempt. The credit of introducing these sheep 
into Northumberland belongs to the Messrs. Culley, who occupied 
the famous farm of VVark on Tweedside in 1767. It is considered 
probable that crosses with the Cheviot have modified the original 
character of the Bakewell sheep, and soil and climate have also 
had their influence in creating a distinct type of sheep. 
The various flocks of pure-bred Border Leicesters which are 
to be found in the county are maintained chiefly for the purpose 
of furnishing rams to be mated with ewes of other breeds. 
Cheviots, Black-faced Mountain, and half-bred ewes are crossed 
with them. Indeed, judging from the farms which came under 
the notice of the Judges, the flocks which prevail in the greatest 
numbers on such farms in Northumberland as include any 
considerable proportion of arable land, are composed of half- 
bred ewes with more or less of the Cheviot and Border Leicester 
blood in their veins. 
Broadcast SowiiKj. — It may be well to notice in this place 
one peculiarity, or what struck some of us as such, in North- 
umbrian farming ; the Corn is generally sown broadcast. No 
doubt there is a good reason for the practice, or it would not 
be followed by men so sagacious and so proficient in the arts 
of agriculture, but certainly in drilled corn they would have a 
better opportunity of keeping down the weeds which are often 
too prominently in view. 
Implements. — The Northumbrian farmer is thoroughly awake 
to the advantages of modern machinery. The universal use of 
fixed threshing engines, and the application of steam or water 
power for various purposes, has been already noted. Among 
tlie implements generally in use in Northumberland and not 
2 i; 2 
