trees? Or, have the flowers of the numerous varieties of tulips, or of other bulbous-rooted plants, any influence on the bulbs of each other, however near they may stand, or be promiscuously planted? Even the animal creation may be brought forward to show' the defects of the reverend gentleman's doctrine. Does a promiscuous sexual intercourse between animals of different varieties of the same species, influence or alter the powers or capabilities of the animals concerned in that intercourse? A bitch has frequently puppies of one litter, by three different breeds of dogs, yet her own health and powers remain unimpaired and unaltered, as well as those of all the dogs she had copulated with. It is the progeny only that is altered; and this, within the bounds of the different species of animals, as well as plants, may be improved or deteriorated, according to the judicious selection of the parents employed to procreate new varieties.

Though the five sorts of potatoes could never have been assimilated into one and a different sort, they might have been reduced to one of the sorts cultivated. Because, as the bulbs of no particular sort appear to have been selected in preference to those of the other sorts, that sort which was most prolific, or had the greatest number of bulbs, or eyes, or buds, would afford the greatest number of sets, and annually increase, till all the other sorts disappeared. But the falling off of the quantity and quality of the general crop, must have proceeded from a totally different, though natural cause, viz. old age, either in the course of time and nature, or brought on by circumstances encouraging a disposition in the sorts to carry many apples or plums, and consequently much seed-by which they would become prematurely weak, exhausted, curled, or otherwise diseased, and at last, totally unproductive of either flowers or bulbs.

This propensity of the potatoe to early decay, I have endea voured to elucidate in a paper in the transactions of the Caledohian Horticultural Society.-Your constant reader,

No. 7. Piershill, 3d December 1813.

JOHN SHIRREFF.

FOR THE FARMER'S MAGAzine.

Of the Breeds and Management of the Cattle of Angus.

Query I.-What is the colour, form, and size of the native breed of Angus?

The colour of the native breed of Angus-shire cattle is generally black. There are probably five-sixths of this colour; only some

may perhaps have small white spots on the forehead, or white on the flank, belly, or buttocks; and if there is a good deal of white, the extremity of the tail is of that colour.

The next general colour to be found, is what is called yellow, which comprehends the branded, a dark, or red, and a silvercoloured, yellow. Besides these, there are a few of the dun, or brown colour; several rigged (white on the belly and back, and black or yellow on the sides); some haired, that is, black and white hairs intermixed; and some few mostly white, with only a few black spots about the head.

The form is not so easily defined; but they are generally well proportioned, strong bodied, deep in the rib, straight on the back, of a round make, and carry their heads well. There is a considerable difference of size between the cattle in the higher and lower districts. Oxen, in the former, about three years old, would weigh from 30 to 35 stones; while those in the latter may weigh about 10 stones more: and when they are kept two or three years longer, the low country cattle in particular may weigh about 10 or 15 stones additional (Dutch weight). Cows in the lower districts may be from 28 to 36 stones; and in the higher districts, from 18 to 26 stones; at least these weights may be considered about the average of oxen and cows, although there are some lighter as well as heavier.

Query II-Has the polled breed been brought from other counties, particularly from Galloway; or is the want of horns merely accidental?

I have not heard, in my inquiries, of any bulls or cows being brought into this county from Galloway; and very few indeed from any other county, for the improvement of the breed. Such as have been brought in, have not tended in any degree to improve the native cattle; and they have never been imported, on account of being polled, but merely from fancy to a particular colour or beast. Polled cattle were always to be found in the county; and the circumstance of some being polled, and others horned, must in some measure be the effect of chance. Polled bulls and cows have generally polled calves; and the calves from horned bulls and cows are generally horned: But this is not always the case; only the exceptions are very rare. Now, when the demand for polled cattle to the English market has so much increased, breeders are at more trouble to select polled calves for bulls and cows than formerly. The farmers also find, now, that the polled cattle thrive more equally when wintered in the strawyard, and require less room, than the horned; as the latter push about each other with their horns, and may not only hurt themselves, but generally keep some so much under, that they do not

come so well forward:-From these circumstances, therefore, farmers find it their interest to preserve and increase the polled cattle in preference to the horned.

Query III.-What is the difference between the cattle of Angus, and those of Aberdeen, Kincardine, and Fife, in horns, colour, general form, weight, and aptitude to fatten?

The horns of Angus and Kincardineshire cattle are much the same, being smaller and better proportioned than those of the . Buchan district of Aberdeenshire; and more like those of the. middle district. At three years old, the horns of an Angusshire stot will be as well raised, and sharp at the extremity, as at four years old; but not so strong in the horn. The horns of the cattle in the higher districts of Aberdeenshire, are by far thicker, more round, and straight out from the sides of the head, than those of the cattle in, the similar districts of Angus; while the Fifeshire cattle have horns, greater, more oval, and not so sharp at the point, as the generality of the Angus cattle.

The colour of the cattle in the higher parts of Aberdeen and Kincardine is more black than of those in the similar district of Angus. But in the lower district of Aberdeenshire, and also in Fife, the colours are not so generally black as in Angus and Kincardine; the cattle of Aberdeen and Fife having more white and yellow upon them, or what is called brocked.

With regard to form, it may be stated, that the Angus cattle are sooner handsome, thicker in the shoulder, straighter in the hair, and not so long legged, as those of Aberdeenshire, except in the hill districts, where the cattle of both counties are more alike. The Kincardineshire cattle are rather smaller than the Angus; but the shapes much the same. Those of Fifeshire are stronger, greater, and rougher boned, than the Angus cattle; at least what I have seen about Falkland.

The weight of the Angus cattle cannot be well ascertained, as few are kept in the county to the proper age, and the difference in keeping of these is so great; but being so well proportioned, they will weigh more to their appearance than the cattle of either of the above counties.

As to their natural disposition to fatten, it is observable, that the best made beast is soonest fat all over, while a rough beast will come as soon to feel fat on some places, but will require longer and extra feeding to bring him to equal fatness; and from what has been already stated, it may be inferred that the Angus cattle are preferable for feeding, having also the other good qualities for that purpose, such as quietness of disposition, being soft and pliable in the skin, &c.

Query IV.-At what age are the cattle of Angus fattened, or sold to the grazier to be fattened; and what is the usual weight of good stocks, when fat?

A very small proportion of the Angus cattle are fed within the county, as they are generally sold, before they come to the proper age for feeding, to cattle-dealers, at three years old. The first sales of the season are about the end of March, and beginning of April, from the best stocks, which have been kept through the winter on straw and turnip. Another sale takes place about the first and second week of June; and the latest general sales immediately before the Falkirk Trysts in August and October, at which latter markets a number of the strongest two year old stots are sold as three year olds; and the county is generally by this time cleared of all the spare stock. Few cattle are reared with the view of being fed before the farmer parts with them; at least I cannot learn any instance of such a practice in this county, as to a whole stock; although a beast may occasionally remain for that time. The weight, if kept to four years old or upwards, may be from 50 to 60 stones, and some upwards of 70 stones.

Query V.-Are any of the females spayed; and at what age?

There are but very few females spayed; and this is generally done when they are calves. Some are spayed when year-olds; but not any, so far as I know, after that age.

Query VI.--Are the cattle, oxen or heifers, ever worked? Cattle are not generally worked in this county. I have made inquiry in thirteen of the parishes adjoining, and can learn that in these there are but eighteen pairs of oxen, (which I reckon to be much the same proportion as in the whole of the county). It may also be remarked, that the above 18 pairs of oxen are within five of these 13 parishes; and I cannot get any information of heifers working within the county.

Query VII.-Do the cows milk well; and are there any stocks kept chiefly for the dairy?

There is not a stock kept (so far as my information can reach) exclusively for the dairy. Those who keep any number of cows, generally bring up calves, one or more, on a cow's milk, after which the milk is made into butter and cheese, by which the county is supplied. And there are some who keep cows in the neighburhood of towns, for the supply of milk to the inhabitants. The cows in this county are not considered as good for the dairy. The average of milk from a good stock may be nine Scotch pints daily during the first three months; and during the remaining five months, from four to five pints.

Query VIII.-What is their food in winter? Are they kept in straw-yards, in the house, or in the fields?

The food is generally straw, with turnips; scarcely any get hay. Very few want turnips altogether; and none get turnips

without some straw.

The cows are all kept in the house, bound to stakes or mangers. The one and two-year olds are generally kept in strawyards, by those who possess 100 acres and upwards. Calves are always kept in the house. Few cattle are kept in the fields, even in the most sheltered situations; but when straw is scarce, they are sometimes allowed (particularly in the hill districts) to go over the fields, or a piece of rough pasture, through the day.

Query IX.-What is their food in summer? Are they ever soiled on cut grass? Are they kept in different pastures, according to their ages?

Their food in summer is the pasturage of sown grasses, (the proportion of which generally sown is 6 lib. red clover, 4 lib. white clover, and one half boll of ryegrass for each acre). There are some old grass fields, but very few meadows; and, except in a few glens, the cattle even of the hill districts get the most of their food from sown grass.

I know of but one fariner (Mr Robert Lyall at Carchary, who occupies the Mains Farm of Kinnaird, and has the cutting grass of the policies), who regularly soils cattle in the county. He has done so for several years past. About the beginning of June 1812, he put up some Highland cattle for soiling, only letting them out to water; and which he afterwards put on turnips. These came remarkably well forward, both on the cut grass, and subsequently on the turnips. During last season, he had one and two-years olds, of his own rearing, kept in the yard for soiling; and he informs me, that they have succeeded as well every way as if they had been kept in the best field of grass. Some farmers indeed keep a few cattle in clover grass when at its growth, for a month or six weeks.

When stock is reared, the cows and calves are allowed to pasture in the same field; and the other cattle are all kept together.

I may observe, in general, that although there be a considerable mixture of the cattle stocks in the county, it does not arise so much from different breeds of cattle, as from the difference of keeping. Cattle from the same stock, if kept differently, will be found to differ very materially in size, and even in shape. There are, no doubt, some kinds larger than others; and if large cattle are taken from good keeping, and put to inferior, they will degenerate; and, besides, to get cattle properly pro