390 
The Management of a Shorthorn Herd. 
stress is laid upon the maintenance of unchecked progress in 
young stock ; and it is held that in feeding young cattle, if 
a loss of flesh be allowed to occur, it never can be altogether 
made good again. This may seem to be rather strongly stated, 
especially in connection with what has been said just before 
about a check in the attainment of size, by early breeding, 
being made good by a year's rest at three or four years of age ; 
but I believe it will be found to bear examination. Those who 
have carefully watched the growth and development of cattle 
will allow that it is at least much easier to make up lost 
time, as regards growth of frame, than to restore flesh wasted at 
an early age. Particular care, therefore, is exercised at weaning- 
time to feed as well as possible, and the calves are still kept 
tied up beside the dams, so as to have their companionship for 
awhile, thus avoiding the violent break of a sudden separation, 
Avith the bellowing, the pining, the refusal of food, and conse- 
quent loss of condition, so frequent when the parting is not 
effected thus gradually. 
The foregoing remarks, applying generally, with little vari- 
ation, to the whole of the great breeding and feeding district of 
the north of Scotland, have more particular reference to the 
Sittyton, Clyne, and Middleton farms, in the occupation of 
Mr. A. Cruikshank. Any slight variations noticed upon other 
holdings visited I will state presently ; meanwhile I may say 
that the above farms comprise altogether about 600 acres, of 
which the cultivated parts, that is to say, the entire farms, 
exclusive of roads, area of farmsteads,- and similar deductions 
from the total acreage, may be divided thus : — 
Acres. 
Oats and barley to supply straw 200 
Sown grasses for pasture 270 
Turnips 100 
Hay for horses • .. 12 
582 
The average stock of cattle and horses together, taken at 
Whitsuntide, may be put down roundly at 150, exclusive of the 
calves and foals of the season, which, as being then dependent 
entirely upon their dams, are not counted as food consumers. 
If the average were taken at Martinmas it would be consider- 
ably higher, as the young stock of the year would by that time 
appreciably assist their parents in the consumption of the direct 
produce of the land, and the annual reduction of number by 
sale would not have taken place. The following are the exact 
numbers of cows and horses, exclusive of calves and foals, but 
including all other ages, taken at Whitsuntide in the last two 
