ns
Turkies have been reared of late years ; and for rearing geese,this county, it is said, has from time immemorial been reckonedthe best in Scotland . The climate is too cold for bees.
VIII. The Hebrides or Western Islands .
1. The Cattle of these Islands have been noticed in describingthe West Highland breed in the Fourteenth Chapter itself. Ofthese there are about 110,000 in the Hebrides , exclusive of theIsles of Bute and Arran , and one-fifth of this number are annu-ally exported to the British Continent, and fetch, at a moderateaverage, 5l■ each, or 110,000/., which is somewhat more thanthe present rental of the Isles . Cattle are never employed ineither ploughing or carting.
2. Sheep were little attended to till lately. The most numer.Ous is the native aboriginal breed ; next in point of numbers isthe Linton or Black-faced ; and the Cheviot breed has been nowintroduced into several of the Islands .
3. Horses .—Excepting in Islay , and on a few gentlemens’farms, not exceeding fwo dozen in number in all the Hebrides ,(not including the two isles above mentioned, which compose thecounty of Bute), very little has hitherto been done for bringingthe native breed to perfection, or preventing it from degenerat-ing. But in Islay the garrons have been raised to the heightof 13 or 14 hands, and are found to answer for the plough, cart,itnd saddle. None of the Islands except Islay , export, at anaverage ef ten years, more than they import.
Swine are now reared in considerable numbers, the ancientprejudice against pork having gradually given way. The He-bridian sow of Arran and Mull seems to be either a lineal de-scendant of the Caledonian wild boar, or a cross between himand the long domesticated sow of Ireland , and is* in every pointof view, an ineligible and worthless breed. Better kinds havebeen lately introduced into the Southern Isles. There are two rab-bit-warrens, one of which pays 270/. of rent, and the other 35/-Poultry are not numerous. Goats still maintain their ground onseveral Islands .
Comprehending the Orkney and Shetland Isles.
1. The Cattle of these Isles are of a very diminutive size, andof various colours ; though it is observed by the Reporter, thatthe Orkneys are capable of rearing and feeding large cattle, pro-vided due care were employed to raise succulent food for theirsupport through the year. Should a market not be found forfat cattle either in a living or dead state, the dairy husbandrymight be introduced with every prospect of advantage.
2. Sheep .—Of these there is supposed to be about 50,000 mthe Orkney Isles ; but very little revenue is derived fron: them,