324 ExjJeriences of a Scotsman on the Efsex Clays. 
several occasions we liave, therefore, brought Scottish sheep south, 
and have had much better results. These are " Crosses " (Border- 
Leicester Blackfaces) and " Half-breds " (Border-Leicester 
Cheviots) — sometimes designated in Scotland " Greyfaces " and 
" Whitefaces " respectively. 
The initial cost is comparatively less, and there is a larger 
percentage profit left on the outlay. These sheep are, as far 
as possible, grazed on the " seeds" above described, being, of 
course, allowed cake from the beginning of the year, having been 
purchased in during the previous fall. Many will think that a 
breeding-flock would better suit the circumstances, and no doubt 
there is much to be said in favour of this view, more especially 
as bouo'ht-in ewes in lamb do well. But then a regular flock 
means a professional shepherd, with all the troubles of the sheep- 
world added on to those of the dairy. During the occupancy of 
a previous tenant, however, sheep were the only stock. 
Live-stock from the North do not ahrays prove a success, 
however. We have had three- and four-year-old Highland 
bullocks from Islay, as a change fi*om the Welsh or Shorthorn 
animals usually bought at Barnet or in the neighbourhood, and 
these did very well. But the butchers grumbled about their 
not being as well filled up with fat inside as they expected, and 
as weighing-machines were not in vogue then, they got their 
own way. From this it will be inferred that the land is not 
such as will "fat a bullock," and we find it needs a large quan- 
tity of cake with any breed. It will be noticed that Scotsmen 
have practically two strings to their bow in the matter of live- 
stock, because if the local supply does not suit them, they have 
their native district to fall back on, where prices are generally 
easier ; and there is no doubt this choice of markets gives a 
better chance of profit very often. Dealers, or friends left in 
the North, can send up a few truck-loads of sheep or cattle on 
the shortest notice. ■* 
I must not close without detailing one more experience — 
that relating to haymaking. The difference between the Eng- 
lish and Scottish systems of haymaking has been so often com- 
mented on in the farm journals as to need no detailed description 
here. It may bo shortly stated by the present writer — who has 
made hay in both countries — that the English system is im- 
mensely superior to the other, but entirely inadmissible in 
Northern districts. In the South the hay is stacked out of the " 
swathe, and allowed to " sweat " in the stack. If tliia were 
done in the North, it would go "rotten black as muck," except- 
ing, jwrhaps, in a very dry season. It must first be built into 
little ricks in the field, where a preliminary heating is gone 
