OF SCOTLAND.

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can be secured, in a situation convenient for the flock. Treeswill scarcely grow in the places where they would be most use-ful, and the spots where trees might be reared, are often atsuch a distance from the range of the pasture, that a largeflock would be more injured than benefited, by being collect-ed and driven into a small space. Besides this, it is a matterof considerable difficulty to preserveyoung trees from either theCheviot or the blackfaced sheep. A stone-wall of five feet inheight affords them but a very precarious security. On thelower hills around Cheviot, belts and stells are numerous;but in the higher situations, or fells, as they are usually term-ed, natural shelter is almost the only dependence in severeWeather.

7. In March, the ewes, at least the gimmers or young ewes,are commonly allowed a few turnips once a-day, which areeither carted to their pastures, or eaten on the ground, bybringing the sheep to the turnip field through the night. Apart of it in the latter case is cut off by nets or by hurdles,which inclose the sheep, in the same way as if they were in-tended for fattening, which shall be afterwards noticed.—kVhcn they are ready to drop their lambs, they are no longerkept on the turnip field, and get what turnips may be left, onffieir pastures. But it is seldom that the turnips last so long,though it is desirable to have a few remaining to be giventhe weakest ewes, or to such as have twins, in a separate’^closure.

8. A few days before the time of lambing, the ewes areCollected for the purpose of being udder-loclced . The sheepare raised upon their buttocks, their back next to the opera-tor j who then bends forward and plucks off the locks of wool§ r °wing on or near the udders, for the purpose of giving freeacc ess to the expected lambs. At the same time he ascertainsc °ndition of the ewes, and marks such as do not appear

theto h,

f in lamb, which may then be separated from the others.*bis operation is not without danger, and several prematureku'ths are usually the consequence. It is therefore not so