12 
The Farmiiiij vf WeUinorland. 
Cattle. 
Said Pring-le in 1793 — "The cattle are of the Long-hoincd or 
Lancashire breed, excellent feeders, and possessinp^ in an eminent 
degree the desirable property of laying on fat. The heifers and 
barren cows, if well chosen, are confessedly good thrivcrs, and 
in great request among the graziers of Yorkshire. Not many 
years ago there was killed at Lowther a bullock weighing 132 
stones." No such thing as a long-horned ox can now be found 
in the county, the breed being extinct. Till within a very few 
years back one or two herds still lingered in the mountain dales 
near Cockermouth in Cumberland, and a well-known cattle- 
dealer was accustomed to purchase a lot for grazing on his farm 
near Kendal, but it is understood that no more can now be had. 
This is somewhat to be regretted, as, notwithstanding their 
alleged slowness in arriving at maturity, they possessed hardi- 
hood and other properties suiting the exposed grounds and cold 
and wet climate. It should be remembered that there were no 
green crops nor artificial foods in their day, and they existed 
under circumstances which finer breeds could not endure. They 
would have made good crosses with the short-horns. It is not 
improbable that the present system of forcing may result in 
weakening the constitution of stock. 
The short-horns were introduced about 45 years ago, and have 
gradually supplanted the native breed. Many first-rate herds 
are now to be found throughout the county, and every farmer of 
any account keeps his own short-horned bull. Previous to the 
regulations consequent on the cattle plague (which happily 
Westmorland entirely escaped) considerable quantities of Gallo- 
way, Highland, Irish, and Dutch cattle were shown at the great 
fairs of Appleby and Brough, and these, spreading through the 
country, led to crosses v/ith the short-horns, which raised useful 
stock for the high-lying farms. 
Every spring there is a great exodus of stock from Westmor- 
land to the great grazing district of Craven. Of those summered 
at home, many go to be fed on turnips in Scotland and low farms 
in the county. In the immediate neighbourhood of Kendal the 
dairy farmers usually keep up their stock bred at home, and feed 
off the old cows. Many bullocks and gelt cows are sent off as 
far as Norfolk. 
In some parts of the county, as about Crosby Ravensworth, 
cattle are liable to a disease called " cripple," and also " red 
water." In the former complaint the animal has a continual 
hankering after bones or the clothes off the hedge. The bones 
crackle, and death ensues. Generous feeding is the best cure, 
and both these diseases disappear after draining, liming, and 
