The Fannliuj of Westmorland. 
13 
impi'ovlnji^ the land. In the limestone districts, where the water 
is so hard as to show petrifyinj^ properties, surface-water in 
puddled ponds should be provided for the cattle. 
Butter now forms a profitable item, and the Westmorland 
housewives are perhaps not surpassed anywhere in its manufac- 
ture. Its sujicrior sweetness and flavour are well known and 
appreciated in the manufacturing towns, where it is in great 
demand accordingly. The competition amongst the middle- 
men, or dealers, became so keen that special weekly markets have 
been established at Sliap, Orton, Ravcnstonedale, Warcop, &c., 
where the farmer readily obtains the full value of his produce. 
Among the many benefits obtained from railways are the 
etjualisation of markets, and the rise of prices at home, instead 
of a large intermediate profit being taken between the producer 
and consumer. 
Shsep. 
In March, 18GG, Westmoreland owned 224,664 sheep. It 
would be interesting to know what proportions Avere in " Fell 
stocks," properly so termed, seeing that nearly one-third of the 
entire area of the county remains in " Fells." Taking a stand- 
point on the ridge or " backbone " of the county at the head of 
Long Sleddale, the Fell sheep west thereof are Herdwicks, whilst 
those east and north are of the Scotch, black-faced, or " rough " 
breed. 
The Herdwicks (once not inaptly described as " the breed 
best standing starvation ") appear to suit the Lake mountains the 
best. In traversing these several mountain ranges, a striking 
difference is observed in their herbage and configuration. The 
western parts rise more abruptly into craggy and rugged peaks, 
with sweet herbage amongst the precipitous rocks. The northern 
and eastern ranges are more rounded in outline, the herbage 
coarser, and the summits more covered with bog and heather. 
The flocks are sometimes the property of the landlord. On 
entry on the farm, or on the 5th of April, "viewers" on each 
side, usually neighbouring farmers well up to the work, are 
appointed on each side, who report on the various numbers and 
classes, such as rams, ewes, wethers, and hoggs, specifying the 
proportions with the value of each per head. The tenant gives 
bond for the value, and is to deliver similar numbers of like 
value and condition or make good any deficiency at the end of 
his tenancy. In other cases the sheep-stock belongs to the 
tenant, who, nevertheless, takes and leaves them at a valuation, 
as if once the " /tea/" be lost it is difficult to recover. The 
right of common of pasture is appurtenant to the ancient tene- 
ment, and is described in letting a farm as unlimited, i.e. not 
