ON THE AGRICULTURE OF THE STEWARTRY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT AND WIGTOWNSHIRE. Part 2.

By THOMAS MACLELLAND, North Balfern, Kirkinner, Wigtownshire.

The earliest local record of the terms which regulated the setting of land, appears in the Rent Roll of Barnbarroch, in the possession of R. Vans Agnew, Esq., M.P., and is dated 1624. The following extract is a specimen of the agreement between landlord and tenant at that time, and is given entire and verbatim

"Drumgargon, set with the land vi bolls corn, and vi peckis beir�pays yeirlie xl merkis money, v bolls beir�i veder�iii lambis�xii putrie, ij geis, 1 cog buter."

It will be seen from this that the tenant received on the land from the landlord when he took the farm, six bolls of corn and six pecks of bear, which he also had to leave when he gave it up. The yearly payment was forty merks, or �2, 4s. 5d., besides payment in kind or produce of five bells bear, one wedder, three lambs, twelve poultry, two geese, one kit of butter. The scarcity of money throughout the country at that time would no doubt be the cause of part of the stock on the farm belonging to the landlord (from which undoubtedly arose the law of hypothec), and also of the rent being partly paid in kind. A good wether sheep could be had for 3s. 2d. of our money, a good lamb fit for the butcher at one merk or 13d., and a goose at 6d. These were the valuations of the stock of the Baronies of Barnbarroch and Mochrum in 1624.

A century later, in 1729, we find the agreement on the same farm to be as follows:-

"Pays of silver rent yearly at the two terms 078,00 lbs., four geis, six kapons, twol chickens, half a stone of good butter, six good load of well wine peats�to plow the land�one horse to loading hay, corn, mucking two days if required, with caradges and horses as usual, and the half of the public burdens�the valuations being 30 lbs."

The tenant is here in possession of all the stock on the farm, and is gradually assuming a more independent position. The payments in kind remain the same as in last century. Referring to chickens and hens, there seems to have been a peculiar institution in most leases of last century, and that was the payment to the landlord of what was called "reek hens." At that period the architects of the farm-houses never seem to have made provision for the smoke or "reek" to escape. A hole was made in the roof, where it might find its way out, but without any chimney to conduct it upwards, it generally filled the whole house, and from sheer pressure forced itself out of door and windows. On the rafters of the house the poultry always lodged, and the best hen roosted most directly over the fire, hence the name "reek hen." These hens were esteemed great delicacies, and were continued as payment in kind in some leases as late as 1800.

Towards the middle of the last century the system of the rotation of cropping is first noticed. The following is an extract from a tack of the farm of Barwhannie, in the parish of Kirkinner, taken from the Barnbarroch papers, and is the first that bears on the subject, it is dated 1753 :�" Besides he is to be bound to break up no ground after the first 3 years of his lease that has not layn 5 years in grass, he is to cast out ye marl, take 4 crops running, then let it rest 6 years, then 3 crops, and then rest 6 years, and so on. " The use of marl was first introduced as a manure in Galloway about 1730. It was not generally applied, however, until much later in the century, when tenants were bound in their leases to cart it on to the land. The effect of this calcareous clay when applied to the exhausted soil was surprising. Instead of the long emaciated grain of former years, the oats grew plump and well filled; but the former character of the grain soon became apparent when the application was stopped.

One of the peculiarities of these counties during the past century was the great number of small holdings of land. In some districts the farms were nearly as large as they are at present, but in different localities small crofts were very numerous, and in consequence the counties were thickly inhabited. The country houses at that time, and indeed for long after, seem to have been of the most wretched description. They were commonly miserable dirty hovels, built with stones and mud, thatched with fern and turf, having low doors, and mere holes for windows without glass, but stuffed with turf, straw, or fragments of old clothes. Their cows lodged under the same roof with the tenants, and often without any intervening wall or partition. These wretched houses appear to have existed down to a late period. In a letter the writer has from the late Sir John M�Taggart of Ardwell, he refers to this, and says, "When I succeeded to my estate in 1810, the population must have been very great, as I took down a vast number of mere hovels." Indeed, a few specimens of the same kind of hovels may be seen at this time in the parish of Portpatrick.

The management on these small farms was of the most primitive description. A piece of land near the homestead was selected as being the most convenient, and this received all the manure made on the farm, which was carried out of the byre in baskets made the shape of the back; this was before the invention of wheelbarrows. This was called the "Bear Fey," from bear being so repeatedly sown on it. The rule of cropping has been alluded to in the extract of lease, and it may be remarked, that the first white crop was generally oats, then three or four successive crops of bear or bigg were taken. The bear was grown so extensively because the oats were thirled to particular mills, and the bear was not.

The implements of the time were of the rudest description. The roots of the all-prevailing whin formed the teeth of the harrows; these had to be taken home every evening to be sharpened and hardened in the fire. For the plough chains they took the skin of any of their horses that died, cut it into stripes, and tanned them; these were called "strekins." Their horses� collars were manufactured by plaiting straw, usually done in the evenings by some of themselves. Thus they had a very cheap harnessing for their horses or bullocks�six of the latter and two of the former being common in one plough in 1750.

The want of suitable markets at that time, in two counties so distant from the centres of population as Wigtown and Kirkcudbright, was a great drawback to the advance of agriculture; for we find in 1776, that cattle sold to the butcher at home were worth only 2d. to 2 1/2d. per lb. The great bulk of the fat cattle had therefore to be sent to London on foot. They walked fifteen miles a-day, and took thirty days on the journey, and cost for driving and charges 18s. to �1, 4s. They paid the expenses well, for what was offered for from �10 to �5 at home, sold there from �15 to �18."

The following extract from the Barnbarroch papers shows the profit on feeding stock at that time:-

The feeding stock was usually bought in spring, the cows at that time being very lean, after the scanty winter fare obtainable for them.

From a list of prices of farm stock and crop in the possession of the writer, commencing with 1772, it appears that the price of good two-year old black cattle at that date was �2, 2s. each, and the boll of oats and bear, consisting of 12 imperial bushels, was �1 and �1, 6s. respectively. These low prices for cattle continued with slight variations for ten years, when a gradual improvement began to show itself, and by the end of the century two-year old cattle were worth from �8 to �9. Later on, for three years ending 1813, the average price for that time was about �13, 13s. The improvement in the price of grain was longer in commencing, and it was not until 1800 that a very decided change took place. Owing to the excessive dearth that occurred that year, oats suddenly rose to �4 the boll, or 6s. 8d. the bushel, and bear for the same measure rose to �5, or 8s. 4d. the bushel.

But between the middle and the end of the century, a long and dreary night of low prices had reigned, oats frequently falling as low as 16s. the boll, or 1s. 4d. the bushel, and only on one year (1785), reaching 2s. 6d. the bushel. The rent of land during that period was what we would consider now merely nominal. In 1765 the farm of Kirkland of Longcastle, and parish of Kirkinner, the property of Sir W. Maxwell of Monreith, was let to J. M�Adam for �106, 13s. 4d. Scots money, equal to �8, 17s. 8d. sterling. This was what was called the silver rent; there were also payable 5 bolls bear and meal, some chickens and peats, besides ploughing as much land as would sow 5 pecks oats, and harvesting the same. The rent of this farm at present is �281. The farm of Cairnfield, belonging to Sir W. Maxwell, was in 1781 rented by W. M�Adam at about �15 sterling, the rent of which is at present �202. These examples will serve to show the very low state of agriculture at the time, many landlords offering their farms for cultivation free of rent charge.

The wages of farm servants of the period were as follows:-
Ploughmen in master�s house for the summer half year, �1, 10s. to �2, 2s.; women�s wages for the same time, �1, 5s.; harvest wages, �1, 3s. to �1. 5s., "the men to provide their own hooks and hold themselves up." Low as rents and wages were, the farmers of Galloway had great difficulty in meeting their engagements with their landlords. Rents could not be got paid for months after they were due, and when paid, had often to be borrowed by the less fortunate tenant from the neighbour who was in a more thriving state.

At the conclusion of the first American war in 1783, taxes being increased to an alarming extent, a number of farmers in Wigtownshire, seeing a new country opened to them under a more liberal rule, and free from these objections, resolved to make an attempt to better their condition by emigrating to the land of the West. Accordingly, two vessels were chartered to proceed to America, and between eighty and ninety tenant farmers sailed from Isle of Whithorn to seek their fortunes in the land of freedom. Shortly after this farms were gradually enlarged, fences erected, and a gradual advance made in rural management, to which various causes contributed, and to which we would now advert.

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 6. Causes which tended to the Advancement of Agriculture.

The first impetus the agriculture of the two counties received was consequent on the high prices of grain during the French war. Gold or silver had always hitherto been a scarce commodity in Galloway. No transaction of buying or selling was ever settled in cash. Bills or promissory notes were given and taken for the smallest, as well as for the largest amount. Tradesmen�s accounts, and even servants� wages, were paid in the same manner. When the excitement of the French war brought prices double of what had ever been heard of, and gold found its way into the district, the farming interest began to flourish. New steadings with thrashing mills were erected, strong and substantial fences were put up, and improvements on all sides became visible. The rent of land received an extraordinary advance, and at the set of the Baldoon estate in 1806, just before purchased by the Earl of Galloway, such was the excitement, and the eagerness to possess land, that the auctioneer had to restrain his bidders with the caution, "Remember, gentlemen, you are not purchasing the land, you are only leasing it." But, alas! the high built hopes that these prices would always remain were suddenly dashed to the ground; for on the cessation of the war in 1815, the low prices which followed drained the farmers� pockets, of most, if not of all their capital, leaving them completely in the power of their landlords, who in some instances, at least, did not push their advantage to the utmost. A period of great depression in agriculture ensued, and for twenty years neither landlords nor tenants were possessed of ability or spirit to prosecute much improvement.

An important event occurred in 1835, which contributed in no small degree to the progress of agriculture in the district. This was the opening up of the English markets by the steamer "Countess of Galloway." The want of a suitable outlet for the produce of these distant counties has been noticed previously. How much more would this be felt before steam navigation was introduced, when large numbers of sheep and cattle were fed on turnips with no outlet for them, but by the long and exhausting journey by land, or the still more precarious voyage in a sailing vessel. The nearest and most accessible market to West Galloway at that time was Ayr or Dumfries. But the journey for a bullock which had been stall fed for six months was wearisome, and the waste on the animal was calculated at from �1 to �2. On the other hand, if Liverpool was attempted by sea, there was no other communication but the small sailing coasters, which might be weeks on the voyage. The late Mr Edward Speed of Liverpool was about the first to push and persevere in the trade of shipping cattle in sailing vessels to Liverpool. Frequently have these frail crafts left Garlieston or Isle of Whithorn with their living cargoes, to be driven back to the port they started from, or have been obliged to take shelter in some distant harbour, where the animals were disposed of often at great loss. The uncertainty of this mode of transit, and the increasing demand for a more sure conveyance, led the proprietors, pre-eminent among whom was the late Earl of Galloway, and the farmers of both counties, to the idea of building a new steamer expressly for the purpose of carrying live stock. Accordingly, a fine safe steamer, the "Countess of Galloway," was put on the station, thus placing the Liverpool market within twelve hours of the two counties. Cattle and sheep by this conveyance could he shipped on the Saturday, and by the Tuesday or Wednesday following the returns with the money were safe in the pockets of the shippers.

Previous to the introduction of steam communication with Liverpool, sheep feeding on turnips had been carried on only to a limited extent. The chief part of the green crop break was planted with potatoes, which flourished around the shore, and produced great crops when manured with the sea-weed found so plentifully on many parts of the coast. The few turnips that were produced were used for the wintering of black cattle, the natives of the district, either in large open courts on the arable farms, or were given to supplement the fodder on the hill side in sheltered places in the higher districts. Sheep feeding on turnips was commenced about the beginning of the present century, on the farm of Stewarton, by a Mr Heron, after which the system gained ground slowly until about 1817, when Highland wedders were introduced. The supply of wedders for turnip feeding had hitherto been obtained from the hill farms in Minnigaff. These were purchased in autumn, and, when brought down to their feeding grounds, had to be at once enclosed on turnips by hurdles or nets; but, from the number of deaths among them, the profits were never very great. Mr R. M�Clelland, North Balfern, and Mr J. Greenshields, Stewarton, were among the first to introduce wedders to Wigtownshire from Falkirk. They being of a hardier constitution than the native breeds generally, left good returns. With the command of the English markets, sheep and cattle feeding increased to a great extent. New feeding byres were speedily erected, or the long empty sheds previously used for wintering cattle were fitted up with stalls. Large droves of Highland wedders were brought into the counties to consume the turnips, the cultivation of which had by this time greatly increased. After the failure of the potato crop in 1846, the cultivation of the turnip was farther increased, and guano and bone manure coming into general use, the number of cattle and sheep annually fattened became rapidly larger. In 1847 a new and larger steamer, the present "Countess of Galloway," was built, and superseded the old steamer, it being found too small for the requirements of the trade. The new steamer had accommodation for 200 cattle, besides several hundred sheep, and was capable of running three times a week to Liverpool and back; and previous to the opening of the Portpatrick Railway, in the spring months, its capabilities were fully taxed.

Another important event occurred in 1846, which contributed in no small degree to the advance of agriculture. This was the introduction of the turnip-cutter for sheep feeding. About 1833 lambs from Moffat and Lockerbie began to be introduced for feeding on turnips. These were generally kept on grass as late in the season as December, and were always fed along with old wedders, which broke the roots for the lambs, and induced them to begin eating sooner. When the lambs cast their teeth early in the spring, they made very little progress toward maturity on nothing but the hard Swedes, from which they could scarcely scrape as much as would keep them alive. The turnip-cutter was therefore a great improvement; and though a good deal of prejudice existed for a long time against the "trough system" of feeding, by degrees the advantages of it became so apparent that, in a few years, these machines began to be generally used, and now there is scarcely a farm where several are not in daily use during winter. Young sheep by this means are kept in good growing condition all winter, and when the spring arrives, where they have been liberally treated, can be sold off the turnips fit for the butcher.

The introduction of ground bones and guano as manures exercised an influence most marked on the progress of agriculture. Before that the only manure available for green crop was farmyard manure, which being made without the consumption of feeding stuffs or turnips, was not very rich in fertilising properties. Sometimes large quantities of the ashes of the quicken grass, which had been lifted off the fallow-land, very frequently in a foul state, were applied in the turnip drills, and raised excellent crops as far as they went. Ground bones had been in use, partially at least, in Wigtownshire since 1832. In that year Mr Thomas Routledge opened a bone-crushing mill at the village of Eldrig, Mochrum, and from that date the "Old Mill of Mochrum" has been quite an institution in the county. The present Sir W. Maxwell took a lively interest in the undertaking, and was the first to put a bone between the rollers. Guano was introduced about 1842, and was generally in use four or five years afterward. It is curious to compare the quantities applied per acre five and twenty years ago with what is required now. In a note-book of manuring belonging to the writer, dated 1848, 2 cwt. of Peruvian guano, with 10 bushels of half-inch bones, and 16 carts of farm-yard manure, was considered an extra application for Swedes, while the general quantities for the same crop were 2 cwt. guano and 20 bushels bones, without the farm-yard manure. The price of the guano that year was 9s. 6s. the cwt., and the bones 2s. 3 1/2d. the bushel, making the total value of the two manures �2, 4s. l0d. the acre; not one-half of the cost of the manurial application of the present day.

Saldanah Bay and Ichabee guano were largely imported from Liverpool, and used with great success shortly after 1848. At that time these guanos were rejected as almost worthless by the Lothian farmers, who for many years afterwards would apply no manure to their green crop but the best ammoniacal Peruvian guano. It was demonstrated by experiment, as well as by the practice in Wigtownshire about that date, that equal parts of phosphatic guanos and Peruvian guano mixed would produce as good results in raising green crops as the same quantity of Peruvian guano alone, thus anticipating by some years the theory promulgated subsequently by the Society�s and other chemists, and which is now accepted as correct, that the larger percentage of ammonia found in Peruvian guano is not requisite for the growth of green crop.

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7. Farms and Farming System.

As formerly noticed, the crofting system was at one time very general in these counties, but more particularly in Wigtown. These crofts have been thrown very much together, forming farms of moderate size, the particular fields of which still bear in many places the original name of the ancient divisions. There are still a few of these small holdings, some of which are not of sufficient extent to give constant employment to a man and a pair of horses. In that case, where crofts are contiguous, the crofters borrow and lend, so as to work their land at the least possible expense. The greater part of the arable land consists of farms of moderate size, from 100 to 600 acres, few exceeding the latter figure. In the Stewartry, where the proprietors are very numerous, the owners of the small estates farm their own land; there being between 200 and 300 landowners whose rentals vary from �500 to �l00, and 70 under �100. Several of the smaller class of arable farms are held by one tenant, some of the smaller proprietors also holding farms on which they do not reside.

Leases are much more commonly the rule in Wigtownshire than in Kirkcudbright. In the latter county, on the Selkirk estate, the farms are not generally let on lease except at the special desire of the tenants, when a valuation is put on them, often accompanied by a rise of rent. When no lease is sought, the rents are seldom advanced; some of the Earl of Selkirk�s farms being occupied by tenants whose forefathers had been on the land for 200 years. In Wigtownshire the most of the farms are let on leases of nineteen years, it being considered undesirable to shorten or extend the time.

A considerable difference exists as to the time and conditions of entry. On the Galloway estate the entries are nearly all at Martinmas ( November 11th ), the outgoing tenant being bound by the conditions of lease to sell at a valuation all his white and green crops to the landlord, who hands them over to the incoming tenant at the same price. The white crop is valued by two arbitrators, mutually chosen, who take proof in harvest; that is, every twentieth stook is selected, stacked, and thrashed separately, the rest of the crop being computed by the produce of the proof. The thrashing of the proof takes place at Candlemas ( February 2nd ), when the one-half of the produce is valued and paid, the other half is payable at Whitsunday ( 7th Sunday after Easter ) . The incoming tenant is bound to pay the sum expended on seeds, provided they have not been depastured after harvest, in which case the outgoing tenant forfeits the amount; but in most cases this is matter of arrangement between the outgoing and incoming tenant. Whatever ploughing is done on the stubbles before Martinmas by the outgoing tenant has also to be paid for. On the Selkirk estate the entries are mostly at Whitsunday, the outgoing tenant having the white crop, which is taken at a valuation on the foot at harvest by two arbitrators mutually chosen. Where it can be arranged, the incoming tenant gets his horses stabled on the premises to plough the turnip break, but the stubble furrow has to be paid for. This entry is preferred by many as requiring less capital at starting, but the valuation of the growing corn at harvest is frequently very wide of the mark. The time of entry to nearly all the hill farms is at Whitsunday as being the most convenient for all parties.

The rotation under which the arable land has, until lately, been cultivated, is the five-course shift, but a growing inclination is being shown to tend this to the six-course. The order of the crops is :�Oats or barley on the lea; green crop�turnips, potatoes, or mangold; wheat, barley, or oats; seeds or hay; grass.

The six-course shift has recently been adopted on a number of farms, and consists of allowing the land to remain two years in grass instead of one, the crops in the rotation given above remaining the same. By extending the time between the repetition of the green crop, the disease of finger-and-toe is less liable to be produced, and heavier crops of turnips grown, also the quantity and quality of the grain is said to be improved under the lengthened rotation. Twenty-five years ago it was customary in some localities to take two white crops in succession after the lea, but this practice is now almost discontinued. The rotation on the clay or alluvial soils differs from that on the hard land, and is as follows:� Beans on the lea manured; oats; summer fallow; wheat with seeds; seeds; grass.

The land in the two counties is nearly all forerented, that is, the first half-year�s rent is collected six months after entry. An exception to this rule is found on the Baldoon estate, the property of the Earl of Galloway, where the first half-year�s rent is not due until nine months after entry. Twenty-five years ago the rents of several of the farms on different estates were regulated by the fiars price of grain, but at present there are few that are governed by this fluctuating, and at best unsatisfactory, method. Unsatisfactory it is to the farmer, as the custom has now been introduced among dealers of purchasing grain by so many pounds weight,�say wheat at 65 lbs., oats at 45 lbs., and barley at 56 lbs. These quantities are given in evidence as imperial bushels, thus raising unduly the fiars prices.

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8. Cultivation and Produce of the Corn Crops.

According to the Government returns in 1871, the total acreage under all kinds of corn crops in Kirkcudbright was 35,338, which was apportioned as follows ;�Wheat, 993 acres; barley or bear, 620 acres; oats, 33,443 acres; rye, 34 acres; beans, 243 acres; peas, 3 acres. In Wigtown there were at the same time under all kinds of corn crops, 39,800 acres, which were made up of the following :�Wheat, 4364 acres; barley, 1568 acres; oats, 33,307 acres; rye, 150 acres; beans, 402 acres; 9 acres in peas.

Wigtownshire from an early date has been a wheat-producing county. Jeffery, in his communication to the commissioners of the annexed estates in 1777, says�" Till very lately every bushel of wheat used in the town of Dumfries was imported from a distance," of which a considerable quantity was sent from Wigtownshire. No doubt the open winter climate of this county partly accounts for the increased acreage under wheat compared with Kirkcudbright. The freedom from frost of the western portion of Wigtownshire affords frequent opportunities of wheat sowing on the turnip land as soon as it is cleared in winter. Wheat after turnips succeeds best when sown in early winter, say in November; and every exertion is put forth to get the land cleared and sown up immediately. In the best farmed districts the land receives, before being ploughed, a top dressing of farm-yard manure, from 20 to 30 loads the acre, and no plant is more grateful for an application of this kind than the wheat. The succeeding grass crop is much benefited also. Except in settled weather, every day�s ploughing is sown and harrowed before night, that is, on what is termed the "green furrow," as it is found, if the newly ploughed surface gets wet, harrowing is never so satisfactorily performed at that season. During the month of December it is deemed advisable to suspend wheat sowing, except under very tempting circumstances, until the middle or end of January, when every favourable opportunity is taken advantage of for proceeding with the seeding, which is frequently continued as late as the middle of March. The quantity sown per Scots acre, during winter and spring, is never less than 4 bushels or more than 5 bushels. The autumn-sown wheat is cultivated on the alluvial soils after a bare summer fallow. It is sown in September, or as soon as the teams can be spared after harvest, when the fallow receives a single furrow to ridge it up in the way in which it is to remain all winter. The quantity sown per Scots acre varies from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 bushels, according to the taste of the sower. (A bushel is a measure of 8 imperial gallons).

The varieties in cultivation are numerous, but we will only mention the most important, with their chief characteristics. Red chaff grows stiff in the straw, is a hardy wheat for a damp climate, and well suited for strong land, not being easily lodged, grain slightly dark in colour, and in the English markets sells from 6d. to 8d. the bushel less than the whiter kinds. This variety is grown exclusively by Mr Sproat on the clay soils of Baldoon. Chiddam and red straw are fine wheats, but liable to rust in wet summers, especially the latter. Waterloo or woolly-eared wheat, fine sample, but easily damaged in stock with broken weather. Essex white is a general favourite, but apt to get lodged on heavy land. Talavera, a large open pickle, and the best spring wheat we have. April or away wheat is not so much cultivated as it used to be.

It would be impossible to arrive at a satisfactory estimate of the average produce of the wheat crop in the two counties; the seasons are so variable that the produce occasionally falls very low, and in a good wheat year it is proportionately increased. The extremes may be given at 17 to 50 bushels the Scots acre, though it may be a question whether the mean of these figures would represent the average. The quality of the wheat ranges from 57 lbs. to 63 lbs. the bushel; but in moist winters it is usually deficient in condition until the spring. It is found of great importance in preventing the degeneracy of the produce to change the seed frequently. Wheat grown in England is best suited for this purpose.

The number of acres under oats in each of the counties is nearly the same, there being in Kirkcudbright 33,445 acres, and in Wigtown 33,307 acres; making a total of 66,752 acres.

Oats are sown on the lea break, or after the green crop. Those grown on the former are much finer in quality than what are grown after turnips or potatoes. The ploughing of the lea preparatory for this crop begins about Martinmas, and should be finished in time to allow the furrows to become consolidated before receiving the seed. Sowing commences from the middle of March to the end of the month, as the weather permits. There used to be a custom in Galloway, and one that was very strictly observed, that the sowing must be commenced on a certain day�the 12th of March old style�whether wet or dry. On that day one bag, at least, had to be sown, whatever the weather was, or the crop would never come to any good. Early sowing was more popular twenty-five years ago than now, many fields being finished by the 1st of March in the early districts; but latterly few farmers think of beginning until the middle of the month.

Oats sown early produce grain of a better quality, but less in quantity, than those sown late; it is also an advantage to have a field or two early ripe in harvest, so that the grain may not be all ready for the machine at one time. The quantity sown varies from 5 bushels to 7 bushels the Scots acre. Thick sowing, it is argued by many, improves the fodder, an important consideration certainly, but one which should scarcely be entertained at the expense of the grain produce. A great many different varieties are sown, of which the following are the most important :�Potato oats are grown extensively, but chiefly on the better class of soils; on thin, poor land the straw does not bulk much. The quality of this variety is from 38 to 44 lbs. the bushel. Sandy, generally preferred for high districts, not being liable to shed the grain in stormy weather; the straw is bad fodder, but the grain meals well. It is a stiff-strawed grain, and used on heavy, loamy land. The quality runs from 40 to 43 lbs. the bushel. Canadian is a variety recently introduced; but is getting into disuse from the small produce. The grain is of superior quality, some parcels weighing 46 lbs. the bushel. The straw is not good fodder. The Early Angus, Birley, and others have each their own advocates; these varieties are sown chiefly on the secondary description of soils in the inland districts. Top-dressing with artificial manures is not much practised except on soils subject to the attacks of the grub, when 2 cwt. of some strong ammoniacal guano or manure is applied. It is the custom on some farms to top-dress the lea break with farm-yard manure in autumn before ploughing. It may be questioned how far this is good practice, as the winter rains wash the substance out of the manure before the plants are ready to be benefited by it.

In attempting to give a name to the average produce of the oats in the two counties, the same difficulty presents itself as in averaging the wheat. No doubt the variations in the seasons will not cause so much difference in the produce of the oat crop as in the wheat crop; the former being less liable to be affected by cold, wet summers than the latter. At the same time, the quality of the soil on which oats are cultivated is more unequal, comprising as it does at once the best and the worst, from the deep rich land along the shore on both sides of the Isle of Whithorn, or, if we cross the bay, the sound and productive soil on the shore of Fleet Bay, in the parish of Anworth, to the thin moorish land, half covered with small white stones�the emblems of its poverty�which has been reclaimed from the mountain far up among the heather. The highest produce we have heard of, and which is occasionally reached, is 84 bushels the Scots acre; the lowest among the mountain soils, 24 bushels. The mean of these two quantities is 54, which will be considerably above the average, which may be between 40 and 45 bushels.

Like wheat, oats, when sown on the same land repeatedly, soon deteriorates in quality. The grain begins to grow long and slender in the pickle, while at the same time a long black awn becomes attached to it. When this is observed, the sooner a change of seed is effected the better. East Lothian and Berwickshire are considered the best places to obtain seed from. An excellent change of seed is obtained from grain grown on the clay soils, and it is much sought after by farmers on the hard land.

The number of acres of barley in both counties is 2188. This grain is generally grown after green crop, but it has been successfully grown on the lea, where the quality produced is very superior on suitable soils. Considerable judgement is requisite in selecting a proper soil for the growth of barley, and great care is necessary in having this properly pulverised and prepared for the reception of the seed. Sowing commences about the 10th of April, with the English or chevalier barley, and it is continued until the end of the month. The Scotch or common barley can he sown later than the chevalier, and is said to produce more bushels to the acre, but the quality is rather inferior. The colour of barley is generally darker when it is grown after sheep feeding on turnips, than when after potatoes, or on the lea. The quantity of seed sown is about 4 bushels the Scots acre, but where the land is well manured 3 1/2 bushels are sufficient. The produce may be estimated from 60 bushels to 30 bushels the Scots acre, perhaps the mean 45 bushels will be the average. The quality varies from 56 to 50 lbs. the bushel.

Beans are not extensively cultivated, there being 645 acres in the two counties in 1871. They are chiefly sown broadcast on the clay soils on the lea, having received previous to its being ploughed 20 or 30 yards of farm-yard manure. Good crops are also raised on hard land in drills, where they occupy the place of green crop. When the weather admits they are sown in March, at the rate of about 4 bushels the Scots acre. A few fitches or peas are mixed with the seed. The old "Moss of Cree" bean is not so generally sown as formerly, some of the larger varieties taking its place. Few beans are exported, the local dairymen buying up the produce for cow feeding.

Rye and peas occupy 184 acres and 12 acres respectively. The former is cultivated on soft, mossy ground, where no other grain would succeed. It is principally used for feeding purposes; the straw is much sought after by saddlers for stuffing their horses� collars.

The sowing of the cereals is mostly accomplished by hand, though broadcast machines have been in use for many years on some farms suitable for their working. Corn-drills have been recently introduced, and are growing in favour. A number of these machines were in use the last two years; but, owing to the broken nature of large portions of the cultivated ground, and the prevalence of stones on the surface, their use will necessarily be restricted.

9. Harvesting, Thrashing, and Marketing.

The harvesting of the corn crops in this wet climate is always a source of great anxiety to the arable farmer. Corn of all kinds generally grows bulky as to straw, and a wet day or two occurring before harvest, as not infrequently happens, causes great havoc among the tall grain, making the cutting of it both troublesome and expensive. The first ripe grain is the autumn wheat on the alluvial soils, which is ready for cutting from the 1st to the 10th of August on the Baldoon lands. Harvest is not general until the 20th, in the average of years, on land within six or eight miles of the sea coast, while in the inland and higher districts it is much later. The grain is now cut down by machine, scythe, and hook,�the latter being only employed where machines cannot be used. Five and twenty years ago nothing but the hook was used, there being no want of Irish shearers eager to he employed at 1s. 6d. or 2s. a-day, or �2, 2s. for the harvest fee with victuals, or 5s. a-week for board money. Now, scarcely a man from the sister isle can be had except he is expressly sent for; and his fee for harvest, in 1873, was �4, l0s. to �5, with 9s. a week for board wages. The system of paying harvest men board wages is now common. This began to be introduced about twenty-five years ago, and is a decided improvement on the old plan of feeding the men in the farm kitchen. The grain, when cut, is set up in eight or ten sheaves on the field, the good old practice of "hooding" being almost entirely given up. The abandonment of this custom is much to be regretted, as, when properly set up and securely covered by the "hoods," a stook will stand a great deal of rain without being wet through. In the disastrous harvest of 1872, wheat stooks with "hoods" were found to be not so much damaged by sprouting as where they were awanting. When ready for being put together the grain is carted to the stackyard, which is always adjoining the office-houses, built into round stacks of about 100 bushels each, and securely thatched and roped. No barns are provided for the grain. The stacks of grain, being built near to the thrashing machines, are taken down and thrashed as the straw is required for the cattle in the homestead during winter. These machines are driven by water, steam, or horses, the number of the horse-mills being now very restricted. It is preferred by some to thrash out a great part of their crop early in winter, and at the same time to forward the grain to market. This they are enabled to do very readily, as there are a number of travelling mills in the district, which have been a great convenience to the farmers. When these machines are thus employed the straw is carefully stacked up and secured, but cattle do not eat it so readily in winter as that which is newly thrashed, owing to the difficulty of keeping it quite dry.

Reference has been made previously to the distance at which the two counties are placed from good markets; and although these have been now brought within a reasonable distance by the introduction of steam, there still remains the expense of sending all that the farm produces to these distant markets. The cheapest mode of conveyance, by which the greater part of the produce of Galloway can be marketed, is by sea. Wigtownshire, with its 140 miles of sea-board, and nine or ten convenient shipping ports, placed at almost regular intervals along the coast, can never be said to be in want of outlets by which its produce of all kinds can be sent to market. The same remarks apply to Kirkcudbright, whose sea-board, though not so extensive, is furnished with several excellent shipping ports.

The chief markets to which the grain is exported are Liverpool, Lancaster, Preston, the Cumberland ports, Campbelton, and Glasgow. In favourable seasons the quality of the oats grown on the best soils is very good, and in spring bring a high price in the Liverpool market for seed. But it is only for the very best that the highest price can be obtained there, secondary qualities bringing comparatively low figures. For this description of oats Whitehaven is considered the best market, the expenses attending the shipment and sale being considerably less. Scotch wheat is not in favour in the Liverpool market, Consequently very little of it finds its way in that direction from Galloway. Whitehaven and Lancaster, or Preston, receive nearly all the wheat exported, at which ports there is generally a fair demand for good qualities. There is a good local market in the lower district of Wigtownshire for the greater portion of the barley sold, the Messrs M�Clelland purchasing between 20,000 and 30,000 bushels annually for their distillery at Bladnoch; what remains, after supplying several breweries, is shipped generally to Campbelton.

The expenses attending the marketing of grain are very considerable, the charges to and at Liverpool being the highest, and between freight, commission, and other items, amounts to 12 per cent. on the sales. A new market has been opened at Barrow-in-Furness, which, from its accessibility to Galloway by sea, is worthy of notice here. It has already established its name as a ready market for oats and wheat; and if the projected works are carried out, there is no doubt it will continue to be an excellent mart for all kinds of grain.

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10. The Cultivation of the Green Crops.

In 1857, according to the Government returns, there were 15,414 acres in Kirkcudbright, and 18,595 acres in Wigtown, under green crop; in 1871, 18,538 acres in Kirkcudbright, and 19,563 acres in Wigtown, making an increase of 968 acres in the latter county, and 3124 acres in the former.

The green crop occupies the second place in land under rotation, being immediately preceded by the oat crop on the lea. The first preparation for the green crop is the ploughing of the stubbles after harvest. Autumn cultivation and cleaning of the land from couch has been strongly recommended by many writers on agriculture; but, owing to the moist climate of the south of Scotland, this is rarely practicable. Where land is under good management, there need be little trouble with couch, and it may be said with truth of the majority of farms in Galloway, that the labour caused by this troublesome weed has now been reduced to a minimum. Five and twenty years ago it was different. At that time the fallows did not receive the same amount of attention they do now; consequently, it was no unusual sight to see fields, the cultivation of which had been deferred until late in spring, growing green with weeds, into which cattle or sheep had been turned to keep down the vegetation on the surface. With improved implements, but especially by a liberal use of lime and manure, couch in a great measure disappeared, so that in general the simple ploughing of the stubbles is all that is necessary.

The ploughing is always as deep as the nature of the soil admits. It is sometimes executed with three horses in the common plough, or with one plough following in the track of another; the first one turning down the surface furrow, the second turning up or loosening the soil underneath. As lime, where applied, has a tendency to sink in the soil, the advantage of deep ploughing is very obvious. But the majority of Galloway soils do not admit of deep cultivation, especially those on till subsoils. This till is impregnated with a red oxide of iron, which gives it this colour, and is deleterious to vegetation, and, if mixed largely with the soil, destroys to a certain extent its fertility. In this case it is advisable only to stir the subsoil, so that the action of the lime, manures, and rain may gradually convert it into soil fit for the use of plants.

In spring, when land has a tendency to become foul, early cultivation is necessary before vegetation has made progress on the surface. Where this is the case with fallow, it generally receives a double turn of heavy harrows, the teeth of which are well sharpened, across the winter furrow before being ploughed, which much facilitates future operations in separating the couch from the soil; after being ploughed the harrows are again used; two double turns being necessary to bring it to the surface, after which the chain harrows are of great service in completing the separation of the couch from the soil. It is still the custom with some to burn the weeds taken from fallows on the field that has been cleaned. Little can be said to recommend this wasteful practice beyond the saving in cartage, and the facility with which they are got quit of at the time. If taken to the manure stead and rotted with urine, an excellent compound is formed valuable as a fertiliser.

With clean fallows, the work in spring, before being drilled, is comparatively trifling. A single furrow, followed by two double turns of the harrows, is generally sufficient on light friable soils. In some cases even the ploughing is dispensed with, and grubbing substituted. In dry scorching weather, such as frequently occurs in spring, the less light soils are turned the better. By exposing the under part of them to the sun, the natural moisture is dissipated, on the presence of which in the soil a regular braird of turnips depends, and besides, the humus compounds are wasted by the exposure. Occasionally, the drills are formed out of the winter furrow without any previous preparation except a double turn of the harrows. Where the land is friable and free from weeds, this method suits well, and generally ensures a regular braird in dry weather.

The drills are formed by the double-mould board plough, 27 or 28 inches for Swedes and yellows; while for mangold a width of 26 inches is deemed sufficient, and for potatoes 30 inches are preferred.

When artificial manures alone are used for turnips, the custom has hitherto prevailed of making the drills very shallow, with the avowed intention of placing the fertilisers near to the roots of the plants. This is a mistake. The roots of the turnip plant penetrate to a considerable depth in search of nourishment, and the great object to be sought after in the cultivation of the Swede is to manure as much of the subsoil as possible, so as to entice the rootlets downwards, and to bring it into a condition fit for affording sustenance to the plants. For this reason the shallow drill system is beginning to be abandoned by many of its most zealous advocates, who have found out the advantages of placing the manures deep in the soil.

Manure distributors are beginning to be introduced, and, when they act properly, are a great improvement on the hand sowing. These machines sow the manures in rows in the bottom of the drills or broadcast; the former method is more generally approved of, as placing them more immediately under the plants, and in direct contact with the roots, as soon as the seed shall braird. This theory may hold good in the earlier stages of the growth of the turnip, but if the manures are put under the plants, what is to nourish the lateral rootlets which spread out when the Swedes are in full growth during summer? At this time the small thread-like fibres, proceeding from the main roots, meet quite across the space between the rows, spreading in fact under ground as far as the leaves extend on the surface. Any one may satisfy himself of this interesting fact by examining the soil between the drills at the time the turnips have arrived at their full growth, when these minute fibres can be discovered under any flat stone, forming a close and beautiful network. These facts establish the importance of manuring all the soil, and of depositing the manure at different depths, so that in the process of hoeing some of it may be pushed into the space between the rows to become available during the future growth of the plants.

To attempt to enumerate and describe all the different manures in use would occupy a space exceeding the limits of this paper. We shall merely indicate the character of those most in favour, and now generally in use. From an early date in the history of fertilisers, the Galloway farmers, as previously alluded to, have preferred phosphatic manures to those containing large proportions of ammonia. This may have arisen from the moist character of the climate preventing the proper action of the latter; for it is an ascertained fact that ammoniacal manures require sunshine and dry weather for the proper development of their qualities. Be this as it may, the character of the manures in use has been determined very much upon this principle, and it is not considered advantageous or economical to have above three or four per cent. of ammonia present in manure applied to green crop.

"How do you mix your colours ?" was a question," says the author of "Horse Subsecivae," "put by a young artist to his more experienced brother. �With brains, sir."� And there are more things mixed with brains than oil colours. One of these is artificial manure preparatory to sowing. It is a fact worthy of note, that the farmer rarely applies any one of the many artificial manures by itself. There is somehow a want of confidence in any of them individually that leads to the mixture of them all, but upon what principle this is adopted has not been explained. In the case of guano it is different. Mejillones, with its 70 per cent. of phosphates, and less than 1 per cent, of ammonia, is not considered a suitable guano to apply alone. It is therefore mixed with nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, Guanappe or other ammoniacal guano, so as to increase the percentage of ammonia. It is this principle that has guided the farmer in the application of light manures to the green crop, to the adoption of which he has been undoubtedly led by the effects of the climate and the results produced.

Bone manure has long been one of the most valuable and important of the fertilisers, and calls for a separate notice here. It has received, as it deserves, more of the confidence of the farmer than any other of the manufactured manures. Forty years ago the Old Mill at Eldrig village, Mochrum, commenced grinding rough bones, but for many years the machinery was in an imperfect state, as the large pieces of bone which had been applied to the land more than thirty years ago still turning up undissolved testify. There is also a hone mill belonging to a company at Innermessan, near Stranraer, and another at Dalbeattie, belonging to Messrs Biggar. Large cargoes are also imported from various quarters, more or less genuine. It cannot be said that the quality of this manure has been improved by the introduction of boiled bones. The gelatine which is extracted in the process of boiling is valuable as a manure, containing, according to Liebig, about 528 per cent, of nitrogen; the dry bones contain about 32 per cent. of dry gelatine. Yet to all appearance the bone manure in use contains a large proportion of the boiled bones, which, being almost destitute of ammonia, have only the phosphates to recommend them.

The quantity of manure applied per acre for Swedes varies according to the enterprise or ability of the farmer. Used alone, 6 to 12 cwt. of artificial manures and guanos is a common rate; and where it is desirable to raise the condition of the soil, 6 or 8 cwt. of bone manure is added. With farm-yard manure at the rate of 15 yards per acre spread in the drills, one-half of these quantities is considered sufficient. Heavy applications of farmyard manure are not recommended, experience showing that larger crops are produced on less dung and a mixture of guano or bones. In some parts of Wigtownshire the farm-yard manure is reserved for the succeeding wheat crop.

The sowing of Swedes commences from the first week in May to the middle of the month, and is continued until the first week in June, after which the sowing of the yellow turnips is proceeded with. The thinning is performed by the hoe or the hand; by the latter mode the plants are left at a more uniform distance than with the hoe, but the hoe stirs the land better, and rids it of weeds.

The climate of Galloway is, in general, favourable for the cultivation of the green crop. On some favoured spots near the sea shore very heavy crops are raised, occasionally ranging from 40 to 50 tons per imperial acre; but 30 tons is considered a good yield, while on land that has been long under crop 20 tons is a fair average.

Swedes grown on artificial manures and bones keep better in the ground in spring than those manured with dung, so that it is found desirable to secure these against sudden frosts in the inland districts. A variety of opinion exists as to the best mode of storing turnips. In the interior, where the frosts are severe, this operation commences in November. The common way of doing is to place the turnips in narrow pits of 6 or 8 loads each in the field for sheep feeding, covered with straw and as much earth as will turn a moderate frost, which must be removed early in spring. Those not required for sheep are carted to the homestead and secured there. Where game is plentiful, storing is absolutely necessary, whatever the character of the season may be, and that portion of the green crop that cannot be got covered in pits is generally covered up with the plough in the fields; if properly done in this way, the roots keep fresh until spring.

The extent of land under mangold in 1871 was 35 acres in Kirkcudbright, and 210 acres in Wigtownshire. With the exception of Ayr, the latter county has the largest acreage of this useful root of any county in Scotland. Five and twenty years ago little or no mangold was grown; the cultivation of it is now gradually increasing. It cannot be said that the climate is very favourable for the growth of the mangold, yet occasionally good crops are grown on suitable soils when well manured. It agrees with being long in the ground, and is sown before the end of April. Deep strong loam is selected for the cultivation of it; one-third more of manure being required than for Swedes. As it is easily damaged by frost, it requires to be lifted by the end of October. The pits are made about 6 feet wide at the base, thatched with straw for a few days to allow any moisture to escape, and afterwards covered with sufficient earth to resist hard frost. It will keep until the following summer if pitted dry, and is valuable in May and June for feeding cattle, for which it is chiefly used.

Potatoes occupy 5735 acres in the two counties. They have been since 1845 a very precarious crop in this moist climate; the quantity cultivated is mostly required for local wants. A few are exported, and some preserved at a manufactory near Wigtown. The largest breadths are grown on reclaimed moss, where they thrive well, and are comparatively free. from disease. The produce of the mossland is in demand for seed.

Few carrots being cultivated, they scarcely demand more than a passing notice.

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11. Galloway Cattle.

The Blue Book returns for 1871 gives the number of cattle of all kinds in Kirkcudbright at 37,937, and in Wigtownshire 39,111, making in all 77,048. These consist of different breeds� Galloway, Ayrshire, Highlanders, and crosses. There are no shorthorn stocks in the district; but bulls of that breed are imported from other places for the purpose of rearing crosses with the Galloway or Ayrshire cow, the former producing fine animals, coining early to maturity.

The Galloway cattle, though much fallen off in point of numbers, have long occupied an important place in the rural economy of the south of Scotland. Possessed of a hardy constitution, and covered with a profusion of long hair, they were well adapted to stand the rigour of a mountainous climate, before shelter was furnished for them in modern farm buildings. Reared originally for the most part on the higher and unenclosed grounds, in the northern portions of Galloway, they were taken down to the cultivated ground, where they were kept until they were four and sometimes five years of age, and then sent south to the English markets. Sir David Dunbar, just before his death in 1682, formed all the low lands, called at that time the Baldoon lands, into an immense park for the rearing and fattening of black cattle for the English market. This park contained above 1800 acres, and would keep 1900 head of cattle; it was kept in grass for the greater part of a century. It is said to have been one of the finest sights of the times to be present at the gathering of these cattle into droves, previous to their departure for the south. Their natural wildness made this no easy task, and the assistance of all the neighbours far and near had to be obtained. Frequently, however, when just on the eve of starting, the whole herd would suddenly set off, and, in spite of all the help that could be mustered, regained their pastures. There is a breed of the Galloways among the Minnigaff hills that still to a certain extent retains this wildness, so much so, that the appearance of a stranger�s head over the summit of the hill is the signal for a general dispersion. Modern treatment has in a great measure deprived the black cattle of their natural timidity, and with regular housing and feeding they have become quiet and docile.

The principal rearing ground for the Galloways in Wigtownshire is on both sides of the waters of Bladnoch and Luce, where large quantities of meadow hay are cut, upon which the black cattle are wintered, for the most part out of doors, on any rough and sheltered moor. In the parish of Mochrum, containing 25,600 acres, there are many good stocks of Galloways, which are either reared on the ground or bought in, there being no dairy of importance in the parish. Further inland, in the upland districts, there are a few Galloway cows kept on every farm where the elevation is too great for the Ayrshire stock.

In Kirkcudbright the black cattle some years ago reigned supreme among the grassy glades and higher lands in Minnigaff, the black-faced sheep occupying the tops of the hills. Lately, however, the number of cattle kept has been on the decrease, sheep stock having been substituted. For instance, on the farm of Polgown five or six mowers used to be employed, now one or two men can cut all the hay required. In the lower districts the Ayrshire cow occupies the place where the Galloways at one time predominated, and on the land up the water of Dee, where fine cattle were wintered not long ago, little hay is now made; but the entire pasture is given up to sheep. Lord Selkirk keeps a stock of twenty Galloway cows, and there are several breeders in that locality whose names appear on the prize lists, among whom may be mentioned Messrs Shennan, Balig; Thomson, Blaiket; Cunningham, Tarbreoch; Biggar, Chapelton. These gentlemen, for the most part, breed bulls for sale, and keep comparatively little store stock.

Regrets are expressed on every side concerning the gradual lessening of the numbers of the Galloway stock, and a variety of opinions advanced as to the cause. The chief reason given by the best informed on this subject is, that the Ayrshire cows yield a larger return, and that the Galloways require to be kept until they are aged, and do not agree with the forcing system so much in vogue now in feeding cattle at two years old. As an illustration of what Galloways can be brought to at that age by good management we will cite one example of a successful breeder in Wigtownshire � Mr M�Whinnie, Airyholland�the details of which will also serve to show the general principles upon which the breed is reared. This farm occupies rather an exposed situation facing Luce Bay, by which it is bounded on the south-west, and gradually rises from the sea until it reaches an elevation of 400 feet. The surface is much broken up by immense boulders of blue stone, which gives the country in that locality a very rough appearance, and makes the cultivation of the soil both difficult and expensive.

A stock of twelve cows is kept, which all calve in February. The calves are suckled, and get the half of their mother�s milk, or, as the custom is, the milker takes two teats, while the calf gets the other two. As soon as they can eat the calves get good hay or oat straw, and turnips cut small. They suck on to October, or as soon as a young grass field is cleared, getting half a pound of cake daily all summer, which is increased to one pound when they are weaned. When the sown grass begins to fail they get turnips on the old grass, which, with the cake, are continued all the winter, the quantity of turnips allowed being 1 cwt. each. The calves are wintered out, and are never in a house after they leave their mother.

The second winter they get ryegrass hay, 1 1/2 lb. of decorticated cotton-cake, and 1 cwt. of turnips each daily; they are foddered regularly once a day in the morning. They are all sold at two years old, and with the treatment we have been describing make splendid animals at the age. In the spring of 1873 two of these were sold to Mr Cunningham, Tarbreoch, for �55; the remainder of the lot brought �24, l0s. each.   (Mr M�Whinnie�s herd of two-year olds, which sold at this price, consisted of twenty he having bought in his own calves, eight stirks, which received the same treatment as his own calves.)

In general, black cattle do not receive cake when stores, but are wintered chiefly on hay or oat straw. They are disposed of in early spring to purchasers for the English pastures; Mr Burrel of London, and Messrs Welsh, Newton-Stewart, being extensive buyers. Large numbers are also purchased by local graziers for summering" on the better class of soils, and these are either fattened off on the old grass pastures with the assistance of cake, or reserved for stall feeding during the ensuing winter.

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12. The Rearing, Wintering, and Grazing of Cattle.

Besides the Galloway cattle bred in the counties, the particulars of which have already been adverted to, a considerable number of crosses are reared between the Ayrshire cow and the shorthorn bull, which are most commonly kept on the farms where they have been brought up, and made fat for the butcher at two and sometimes three years old. When calves they are not allowed to suck, but are fed from pails, and for the first two or three days always with their mother�s milk. They get three chopins or English quarts at a time, twice a day, till they are three weeks old, after which their allowance is gradually increased, and linseed meal dissolved in water, or oatmeal porridge well boiled, added. By the time the calves are four weeks old they have learned to eat turnips cut small with the sheep-cutter, and if given fresh and clean will consume a considerable quantity. Hay and linseed, cake are placed before them in small quantities and they soon come to eat half a pound of the latter. The milk is continued throughout the summer, until each calf has taken about �3 worth; but frequently the oldest are weaned before they have incurred so much expense, so that the younger ones may be brought well forward before winter. In some places three calves are reared from one cow, and when that is the case, the allowance of milk is necessarily limited, linseed meal being the chief substitute.

The calves are generally weaned sooner than the Galloways, namely, about August, or as soon as the hay stubble is cleared, after which a liberal allowance of linseed-cake is given, say 1 lb. a day for each. English cotton-cake decorticated is found to answer the purpose nearly as well as linseed-cake, and is much cheaper.

Mr Hughan, Cults, Sorby, combines butter-making with the rearing of calves, which, at the present price of stock, appears to be a profitable combination. We give an outline of the whole management:

From forty to forty-four Ayrshire cows are kept, which are crossed with a shorthorn bull. The milk, as it is drawn from the cows, is strained into zinc coolers, 5 1/2 feet long by 33 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, where it remains until it is sufficiently cool, when it is drawn from the coolers, and put into a barrel large enough to hold the whole evening�s or morning�s milk. It remains in the barrel from 36 to 48 hours until it is thoroughly thickened, or as it is locally termed "lappered." The thickened milk is then put into a churn which is driven by a horse, and after getting two or three turns to mix the cream and milk, one-eighth part of water is added, at a temperature of 80^o or 90^o, according to the heat of the weather. By this means the milk in the churn is raised to 60^o or 68^o. In frosty weather the water is often heated to 100^o. The churning generally lasts about ; if it is done more quickly the butter is soft. When the cows are in full milk, churning takes place twice a day, and three or four times on Saturday. The butter is washed in cold spring water, after which it is salted at the rate of 1 lb. of salt to 24 lbs. of butter, packed solidly in barrels, holding from 50 to 100 lbs., and forwarded to the Glasgow market.

The calves are all kept, and fed from the pail. The first week they each get one quart of new milk twice a day. The second week, two quarts twice a day. The third week, butter milk is gradually added to the new milk, so that by the end of that week, they are getting one quart of butter milk added to two quarts of new milk twice a day. The fourth week the new milk is gradually reduced, and butter milk added, so that by the end of that week the calves are wholly fed on butter milk, getting three quarts twice a day, brought to the heat of new milk, by adding a little hot "brochan" made from oat or linseed meal. As soon as they show a desire to eat, they get a little rye-grass, hay, or oat straw, with a small quantity of pulped turnips, until they are put to the grass. The same quantity of butter milk and "brochan" is continued, till they are from five to six months old, when they are gradually weaned, and put to grass in a sown outfield. During the winter they are all tied to stakes in the calf-house, and kept in a growing condition, their food being straw and turnips with a little oil-cake. �As soon as there is sufficient grass in April, they are turned out amid grazed until October, when they are tied up, and fed on straw and turnips sliced till February. After that they get an allowance of artificial food increased gradually during the spring from 2 to 6 lbs. per head daily. They are kept until the middle or end of May, when they are sold fat.

Crosses are seldom wintered out of doors, but require to be housed early in the season to prevent loss of condition, which is apt to ensue in October, especially in wet weather. The skin and hair of a shorthorn or cross bullock being considerably thinner than those of a Galloway, the former suffers much from exposure where the latter will thrive. In the summer and autumn numbers of Irish young cattle are brought into the counties to be wintered or stall fed, but it is found by experience that these cattle take more kindly to the stake after having been some time in the district.

In wintering young cattle it is of great importance to have proper conveniences for classifying the stock, thereby separating the weak from the strong. In the construction of the most of� the Galloway steadings sufficient attention has not been paid to this, it being not uncommon to see 40 or 50 cattle together in one large open court yard. A good many of this number cannot thrive; the strong push the weak about, and, instead of� making improvement, many of the smaller class lose condition, and frequently die during rough. weather in spring. Some prefer keeping the young cattle tied all winter, so that each may get its own allowance of food without being disturbed. This system, no doubt, has its advantages, but in general it will be found that store cattle will do as well during winter in small numbers together in open courts, where they can be sheltered without being kept too warm, and, if properly classified, and with plenty of room, there will be few, if any, kept at the outside.

Young stock in the early winter thrive well on the green turnip tops; these are scattered over the field where the cattle are allowed to go out during the day; and, when put into the shed at night, they eat greedily of the oat straw, which forms the great bulk of their food during winter. As spring advances the decayed turnips are selected, and given to the store cattle, and the sound tubers left to the feeding stock. A cart-load of the unsound turnips will keep a score of young beasts in growing condition. Where turnips are not available, undecorticated cotton-cake is a good deal used, and is coming more into favour. Calves, however, do not agree with it, the particles of cotton adhering to the cake are said to produce obstruction in the bowels, and in some cases to cause death.

At one time little attention was given to the progress wintering cattle made, the question was more the numbers that could be brought through than their improvement, and consequent increase in value. With cattle, at their present price, the stock-master must not be satisfied with seeing his "winters" remaining stationary, but should aim at steady progress all winter, which can be attained, where turnips are not to be had, by the use of artificial food. The straw-cutter is a valuable acquisition in the wintering of young cattle, but the merits of this machine have been long in being admitted in Galloway. With the straw cut into half-inch lengths, and mixed with pulped turnips into which any kind of cheap meal may be introduced, an excellent compound is produced, upon which the cattle thrive well. When turnips run short in spring, the cut straw is steamed, or boiled along with ground Indian corn, at the rate of two pounds for each animal per day. A few handfuls of bean meal sprinkled over this mixture cause the cattle to eat it with avidity. In this manner a great deal of valuable straw can be utilised for winter feeding, much of which would otherwise be trodden under foot and wasted.

Wintering cattle are generally kept in the courts until there is a good appearance of grass in the fields, and the weather is somewhat warm; those intended for feeding next winter being put to the best pastures, so that they may be well forward in condition by the beginning of October, about which time they are tied up in the feeding byres.

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13. Cattle Feeding.

The system of rearing and feeding cattle for the fat market has long been an important department in Galloway farming. The extension of turnip husbandry with the opening up of the English markets, and the use of auxiliary feeding stuffs, have given this system such an impetus that it may be said to be now the chief spoke in the wheel of the arable farmer who does not follow the dairy system.

The price of beef fluctuates much more than that of dairy produce, and if the feeder finds himself obliged, from want of "keeping," to bring his fat stock to market at a certain time, which may occur during the prevalence of low prices, the result may be a serious depreciation in his profits. It is no unusual occurrence for the price of a fat bullock to vary as much as �2 or �3 in the course of a season; and in the spring and summer of 1873, there has been a difference of 2s. per imperial stone in the price of beef, making �6 in a steer of 60 stones weight. No doubt this uncertainty has induced many to abandon the feeding, and to adopt the dairy system, the produce of which is less subject to violent fluctuations in price, and is more of a steady-going character. Notwithstanding these changes, the importance of the feeding system may he gathered from the following statement.

During the year ending 30th of June 1873, according to returns furnished by the Caledonian and Glasgow and South-Western Railway Companies, and also by the Galloway Steam Navigation Company, it appears that the total number of cattle sent out of the counties by these conveyances was 14,569.  (This number does not include the Irish cattle landed at Stranraer by steamer, and sent on by railway.)  Of this number it is computed that about 8000 were sent to the fat market; the remainder being stores which had been wintered, or reared in Kirkcudbright and Wigtown. The estimated value of the fat cattle we may place at �23 each, which gives a total of �184,000.

The first object of the successful feeder is to obtain suitable and well-bred animals for the purpose, whatever breed they are. Well bred cattle will pay for a liberal outlay for extra food, while mongrel and ill-shapen beasts will not. The different markets in the counties afford opportunities for obtaining good stock for winter feeding, but the lots exposed for sale are generally mixed by dealers, and care in selection is necessary before the herd can be made up. The October markets at Newton-Stewart, Castle-Douglas, and Dumfries are the most important for buying in feeding cattle, at which there is commonly a large show of first-class animals, chiefly Galloways. At these markets are shown cattle that have been " summered" in the higher districts, which are bought for stall-feeding in the arable farms, their places being filled up by a smaller class suitable for "wintering."

The usual time for tying up feeding cattle is from the 1st of October to the 1st of November. If they are intended to be ready by Christmas, they are put in sooner, as it is found bad policy to allow cattle in good condition to remain too late on the field in autumn, exposed to the cold nights and washing rains which prevail at that season. The yellow turnips are commenced with first, of which a moderate-sized bullock will eat 2 cwt. a day. The usual hours of feeding are, turnips at six in the morning with straw afterwards, turnips again at nine or ten and at two afternoon, and finally turnips and straw at five, when they are done up for the night. At eight the cattleman comes to see that all is right, and to add some fresh fodder, and trim up the bedding, but this visit is only during the continuance of the long winter nights. Some years ago the older and well-bred Galloways used to be fed fat without much extra feeding,�turnips and straw only being used. Of late, probably, owing to the frequent repetition of the green crop, turnips are not so nutritive as formerly, so that considerable expense is now incurred for purchased food, varying from �2 to �3 each bullock. Where aged cattle are fed, it is not usual to commence with the extras sooner than six weeks or two months before they are sent to market, though in some cases grain is given to the cattle shortly after being tied up, which not only shows speedily in the improvement of the beeves, but also effects a saving in turnips.

Bruised oats, owing to the deficient quality and low price, were used extensively in the winter of 1872�73 for feeding. These are found to suit best in the early part of the season when the turnips are full of sap, but from the heating nature of this food they are not continued alone during the spring, linseed cake being used along with them. The grain and cake are placed before the cattle about midday in wooden boxes made for the purpose, but where the fire-clay troughs are used the boxes are dispensed with, the rounded bottoms of the former rendering them easily cleaned out, which they ought to be always once a day; for, as in the dairy, cleanliness is of the first importance, so it is in the feeding of cattle, where anything that would produce heavy smells about the troughs is carefully guarded against, and everything around kept fresh and sweet.

Where young growing crosses are fed, the treatment they receive is on a more liberal scale. This, however, often depends in some measure on the supply and quality of the turnips. With careful feeding on good, clean, and sound roots, along with fresh, well-got oat straw, it is surprising how much progress well-bred cross or shorthorn bullocks will make. Still it is considered by many that, on the whole, the liberal system pays best; and where this is adopted, the cattle begin to get grain by Christmas, some even commencing as �soon as they go into the house. This is continued through the winter months, and by March the oats are discontinued and bean-meal substituted, with the addition of 2 lbs. of linseed cake and 2 lbs. of cotton cake daily for each animal. Mr Rodger, Penkiln, Sorby, who feeds about 100 cattle every season, allows each from 8 to 10 lbs. a day of different kinds of cake and Indian corn meal. The meal is steeped in boiling water over night, and next morning mixed with chaffed straw, among which it remains for some hours before being given to the cattle. By this system a great saving of turnips is effected, and the cattle make more progress than when consuming double the quantity of roots. Mr M�Monnies, Sorby Farm, also uses the straw-cutter for chaffing the hay or straw for feeding cattle. The cut straw is made damp, so that the bean meal adheres to it, and in this way there is no loss. The system followed at North Balfern differs in detail from either of the foregoing, and was adopted several years ago with a view of economising turnips, the production of which have now become so costly. The herd fed annually, in number about 80, consists of crosses or shorthorns. The extra feeding they got was commenced as soon as they were tied up in November 1872. It was 2 lbs. of Indian meal, 2 lbs. of damaged wheat ground, and 2 lbs. undecorticated cotton cake daily for each. The meal was boiled the day before being used with chaffed oat straw cut in half-inch lengths, to which was added a few sliced turnips, each animal being allowed 5 lbs. of cut straw. When about to be used, the mixture is put into the feeding-waggon, and the meal, which gets into lumps after being boiled, thoroughly broken up and mixed with the cut straw; the damaged wheat was also added at the same time. The cattle were fed with about half a cwt. of turnips in the morning, the boiled food between ten and eleven, the cotton cake at� one, and half a cwt. of turnips at night. (The cattle fed on this farm being two years old, the turnips are sliced by one of Samuelson�s cylinder slicers driven by water power.)  As the spring advanced bean meal was substituted for the wheat, and 2 lbs. of linseed cake added to the cotton cake. The expense of this extra feeding was 2s. 9d. a week, exclusive of coals, which cost is. 6d. for the season for each animal. These cattle made very satisfactory progress. It is worthy of remark, that crosses or shorthorns take better with the boiled food than the Galloways.

Where mangold and hay are grown, the use of them is reserved until the spring, and they are always given to the feeding stock in conjunction. These roots, when they have been carefully stored, retain their feeding properties long after the Swede is useless for the purpose � indeed, the quality of the mangold is rather improved by being kept until May. It is a valuable feeding root where young cattle have to be kept late in the spring; it is also found of the greatest service in maturing aged cattle where the quality of the Swedes is deficient.

The best markets, and those most easy of access to cattle fed in Galloway, are Liverpool, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. For large Galloway cattle of fine quality London is said to send the best returns; whereas for rough half-fed beasts Edinburgh or Glasgow is the best market. Liverpool, however, takes the great bulk of the fat cattle which are sent by sea and rail. The marketing expenses of a bullock worth �30 are about 23s., which in a large lot of cattle amounts to a heavy charge.

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14. Sheep and Sheep Breeding.

The total number of sheep of all kinds in the two counties, according to the Government returns in 1871, was 493,557, of which 366,647 were in Kirkcudbright, and 126,810 were in Wigtown.

The largest proportion of these consists of the blackfaced or mountain breed�which is treated of separately�the remainder is made up of Cheviot ewes and half-bred lambs, half-bred ewes and lambs, crosses and other breeds, with the year-old sheep of their respective kinds.

Of late years the arable farmers on the lower parts of Galloway have been going more into sheep breeding than formerly. The rearing of lambs has been profitable for two years past, and, owing to the high price of labour, more land has been allowed to remain in grass, which generally has been devoted to this purpose. There are, however, few full stocks of breeding ewes kept. It is preferred rather to combine sheep feeding with the rearing of a few lambs on the farm; and more attention has hitherto been bestowed on the former than on the latter.

The ewes preferred are the Cheviot, procured chiefly from the Highlands, and the half-bred. The rams most in use are the Yorkshire or the Lincoln. The Cheviot ewe, it is considered, rears a stronger lamb, and as a hogget it pays better for keeping in summer than the hogget from a half-bred mother. The latter comes early to maturity in spring, and becomes fat with little extra feeding. Care is necessary in the selection of the rams for breeding with half-bred ewes�the lambs, with some sires, have a tendency to become small in the neck, which betokens a want of growth about the animal. With the Lincoln ram an excellent breed is produced, combining strength of bone with good substance and a heavy fleece.

The rams are put to the ewes about the 20th of October, and for a short time previous to this the ewes are put to fresh grass, so that they may be in a thriving state when they receive the ram. If this is attended to, the number of lambs is thereby increased. Ewes are not often wintered solely on turnips. When the pastures are bare, cotton cake or a few cut turnips on the grass are given. These are increased in quantity some time before the lambing season comes on.

Lambing commences from the middle of March to the end of the month. The lambs are castrated when the weather is moist and cool. They run with their mothers until the 1st of August, when they are weaned and put into a field of young grass, and kept in a growing state by changing their pasture frequently until they are put on the turnips.

Some crosses between the blackfaced ewe and Yorkshire ram are reared on the low grounds; they are frequently sold as lambs in the fat market. A number of cross lambs are reared on the higher ground at the foot of the hills. They are disposed of at the fairs in autumn, and are wintered on turnips; but the greater part of them require to be kept over during the second winter on turnips, when they make good sheep early in the spring of the following year.

An attempt has been made to introduce the Shropshire Downs ram to cross with the half-bred or Cheviot ewe, but the produce both of mutton and wool has proved deficient. There are few of them kept now.

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15. Sheep Feeding.

There is, perhaps, no department of agriculture in which more improvement has been made during the last twenty-five years than in sheep feeding. Prior to 1848, before the introduction of the turnip-cutter, it was never attempted to make year-old sheep fat on turnips. The loss of their teeth from eating the hard Swedes was greatly against the progress of the hoggets, even when they came to the grass, so that it was well on in summer before they could be got fit for the butcher. Indeed, at the date referred to, comparatively few lambs were fed on turnips, partly from the difficulty of getting them disposed of in spring, and also from the small returns left, owing to the backward condition of the stock before the grass came.

The number of sheep embraced in the Government returns for Kirkcudbright and Wigtown, on the 25th of June, includes only a small proportion of those that are fed in winter on turnips. Large droves of Highland wethers, purchased at Inverness or Falkirk trysts, find their way in the autumn down to their feeding ground on the turnip break. These are all fattened and disposed of early in the spring of the following year. Great quantities of lambs, purchased at Lockerbie fairs and throughout Dumfriesshire or Ayrshire, are brought into Galloway to be wintered on turnips; they also are in a great measure disposed of in spring or early summer, and are not included in the returns for the counties. It is to the consideration of the management of these that we now wish to direct attention.

Highland wethers purchased at Inverness generally arrive at their winter quarters about the end of September. The time occupied on the journey from Sutherland to Galloway is about thirty-five days. From Falkirk the time occupied is from twelve to fourteen days. Railway communication, of course, shortens the journey from either of these places; but the expenses incurred by the trains are fully as heavy as when the sheep walked all the way. Several cargoes are likewise imported by sea every year from different parts of the Highlands. After coming off� their long journey, considerable care is requisite to guard against scab. Formerly the sheep were poured with a mixture of tobacco juice, soft soap, and spirits of tar; now scarcely such a thing is thought of, dipping universally taking the place of pouring. The wethers on arriving are put on stubbles, or any other rather bare pasture, for a few days, and gradually advanced to more succulent herbage. By the 1st of November they are enclosed on the common turnips; nets and stobs or stakes are used for that purpose. The usual way of feeding wethers on turnips is to remove one half of the crop, or whatever proportion is required at the homestead. This proportion is taken out at regular intervals, so that the manure of the sheep may be equally distributed �over the field. The stock also thrives better in this manner than when they have to eat the whole crop on the ground. They are enclosed in lots of twelve or fourteen scores together, which one man can easily attend to; and it is of the utmost importance that they should not be confined on too small a space, but have room to move freely about. The system is now being introduced of using the turnip-cutter for wethers as well as for lambs. This, of course, prevents waste, which to a certain extent is unavoidable in wet weather. Grain and linseed cake are also supplied in boxes made for the purpose�about half a pound a day of each of these being considered a liberal allowance for each sheep. Indian corn being moderate in price in the winter of 1872�3, the writer used it exclusively as extra feeding for a lot of once-clipped hoggs. Each of them consumed about 2 lbs. a day, which, at the price paid for it, amounted to l0d. a week. They were fed on a grass field, and were allowed, besides the corn, half a ton of turnips, with the tops on, to every four score every alternate day. They made great progress, and increased in value about 15s. each in nine weeks.

The first shipments for the fat markets generally commence in January, according as the prices rate or the appearance of provision indicates. They are sent to Liverpool by steamer or rail, and also to Glasgow, and the cost for carriage, commission, and other expenses is 2s. 6d. a head; by rail it is considerably more. By the middle of April the wethers have all been disposed of, and by that time the first of the hoggs are ready for being sent to the market without the wool.

Lambs are also extensively fed during the winter. Large numbers are bought for the dairy farms to eat the surplus turnips, and for the most part are sold early in spring in the wool without eating any grass, which is reserved for the dairy stock. Besides those obtained from Lockerbie fairs and the neighbouring counties, a considerable number are reared on the farms, where they are fed and disposed of early in spring in the wool, or where "keeping" can be obtained for them for longer period without their fleeces. Like their seniors from the north, lambs which have stood the market, and have been travelled front a distance, are all dipped as soon as possible after arriving at their destination. Biggs� dip is extensively used for both sheep and lambs, while some prefer M�Dougal�s. The former gives the sheep a clean and washed appearance, while the latter imparts a dark colour to the fleece, and is supposed by some to render the wool partly waterproof. The lambs on coming home from market are put on to a fresh, clean pasture, and great care is required to keep them in a thriving state on the grass during and after harvest, which is considered a most important period for the future growth and well-being of the stock. For this purpose young grass and seeds, and the aftermath of hay or clover, are preferred. Before the pasture becomes exhausted, the lambs are removed to their winter quarters on turnips, the softer varieties being used for learning them to eat. They thrive well on the common or yellow kinds without cutting until January, though the practice is gaining ground of cutting these even to avoid waste.

A great advance has been made lately in the method of feeding lambs, though occasionally we see a want of care in supplying the turnips in small quantities at a time, and just as the sheep can eat them, which we have no hesitation in saying will deprive the stock-master of a large part of his profit. A good deal of experience and care is required in the shepherd who has charge of a flock of lambs on turnips during winter; but by many it is still the custom to employ an inexperienced boy as shepherd, a course to which may be applied the proverb, "Penny wise and pound foolish." The most successful feeders are very careful, in the first place, to have the turnips put together in the heaps on a dry day, when little earth is adhering to them. The heaps are then carefully covered with straw and a little earth, to prevent the changes in the weather from affecting them. By these means the sheep are always supplied with clean and wholesome food, so that they may he kept constantly in a thriving condition.

Extra feeding is now given to lambs more generally than was the case four or five years ago, and more particularly during the winter of 1872�73. Various compounds are in use, but the basis of them all is the staple produce of the province, oats. Some feeders give oats, and oats alone, to the extent of 1 lb. per day, given twice a day. Others use a proportion of linseed-cake with the oats. A cheap amid palatable mixture consists of the following Oats and cotton-cake, 1/4 lb. of each, with 1/2 lb. of Indian corn to each sheep. In the month of February the Indian corn was reduced to lb., and the same weight of linseed-cake substituted. This was used with success by the writer last winter, and the cost was about 4 1/2d. a week per head. There is a danger in giving sheep too much dry feeding; the ruminating functions are apt to become deranged, and loss of appetite ensue. When this is the case, the constituent parts of the extra food should be changed, and linseed-cake or locust beans in part substituted. An excellent compound is in use in the Rhinns district, which is well reported of, not only for its fat-forming properties, but also as keeping the sheep in good healthy condition, and effecting a considerable saving in turnips. The mixture consists of crushed Egyptian beans, bruised oats, chaffed sheaf corn or hay, well turned together, and the whole wetted with dissolved molasses. The mass is then thoroughly mixed with about an equal bulk of draff, and allowed to remain in a heap until fermentation begins, when it is ready for use. The proportions of the different ingredients are varied at pleasure, and according as the sheep take to the mixture, of which they generally eat from 6 to 8 lbs. a day. The draff is obtained from Campbelton, and when salted keeps for a considerable time.

The best sheep-feeding land in the Stewartry is on the blue stone or gravel soils. It is a popular saying, that the granite and sandstone grind away the fat out of the sheep, whereas the blue stone lays it on. It is a fact, however, that sheep will not live on the granite soil more than a year without becoming unhealthy; the rationale of which may be, that a part of the fine and loose granite or sandstone finds its way into the sheep�s stomach along with the grass, producing "fluke" on the liver, similar to what is caused by feeding on meadows that have been flooded. The rock soils are by far the best adapted for sheep-feeding in winter, not only from the shelter the undulating and broken laud affords, but from the open and porous subsoil preventing the water from lodging on the surface. A fine tract of land of this description extends along the shore in the southern part of Wigtownshire; but being somewhat exposed to the east and south winds, the strong sea air along the coast prevents the sheep from making progress. When the wind blows continuously off the sea the wool of time sheep becomes of a bluish colour, indicating want of tone in the system; and when this is the case, a change farther inland becomes necessary. The till soils are not well adapted for winter feeding; the feet of the sheep in wet weather soon "puddle" the surface, and keep the soil wet and disagreeable.

Clipping the hoggets commences in the Stewartry about the beginning or 2d of April. Some very fine year-old sheep are sent by steamer and rail from the farms in the neighbourhood of Kirkcudbright, among which the names of Messrs Gifford, Ingleston; Phillips, Carse; Williamson, Sypland; Sproat, Borness; Currie, Southpark; and Biggar, Chapelton, stand prominent

In Wigtownshire, clipping is rather later in commencing, few lots being sold without the wool until the 1st of May. Messrs Welsh, Newton-Stewart, do a large trade in slaughtering rough hoggs for the London market, sending the carcasses by rail in a van expressly fitted up for the purpose.

Without multiplying instances, we will only adduce two examples�one from each county�of the extent to which, by careful management and liberal treatment, sheep may be developed at a year old.

The first is a lot of lambs bred in Wigtownshire from High land ewes and Leicester rams. They were clipped and sent to Liverpool in the second week of May 1873, where they were sold to average �3, 7s., and taking off expenses, left �3, 4s. 6d. per head. The wool averaged 7 1/2 lbs. per fleece, which, at 2s. the lb., gives 15s., making in all L3, 19s. 6d. for each sheep. Two out of this lot of hoggs were sold to a butcher, which weighed 103 lbs. and 101 lbs. respectively.

Mr Gifford, Ingleston, Kirkcudbright, reared a lot of lambs the same year from half-bred ewes and rams from Mr Bell Irving�s stock, the produce of which was sold in the end of April at �3, 3s. without the wool, which averaged 8 1/3 lbs., and cleared 17s. the fleece, making in all �4 for each sheep. Besides turnips during winter, these sheep were fed with oats and cake from the beginning of February, at a cost of 5s. each, the oil-cake costing 2s., and the oats 3s. Among the gentlemen whose names have been mentioned in connection with feeding, a good deal of emulation prevails as to who can turn out the best hoggs in spring, and extra feeding to the extent of from 7s. to 10s. is given. It is questionable how far this expensive feeding will pay, but it depends a good deal on the class of sheep to which it is given.

We have been thus minute in giving the details of the management of this important branch of the agriculture of the district, convinced that the proper system of sheep-feeding is only beginning to be understood, and this remark applies not only to Galloway, but to the other districts of Scotland. If we can apply the products of Egypt or prairies of America to the production of beef and mutton in this country, surely a great point has been gained by which our teeming population can be supplied with these important and costly articles of food.

The total number of sheep exported from the two counties by sea and rail during the year ending 30th of June 1873, was 145,492.

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