Description
Autograph Letter Signed, to an unknown correspondent, "Query 1. What is the cause of the kemp or chad hairs in wood.. Ans. - They are chiefly cherished by the sheep being exposed in cold ... situations and always increase with the age of the animal, a deprivation of succulent for a length of time has the same effect both these dry up the kindly moisture of the body and materially affect the pick of the fleece. Query 2. If two sheep of the some quality were to be kept for a season the one removed and the other not supposing them both to keep free of disease until clipped which of the two would have the finest fleece ? Ans. - Individuals might be equal, and either might predominate, even among .. it might be hard to determine, but leave them remain so for five seasons and the thing is decided.... N.B., Tar is not necessary, whale oil mixed with butter, tallow, or hog's lard is greatly preferable.... Query 3. What is the cause of the thick catting or pudding upon the sheep's back and what would prevent it ? Ans. - I have always concurred that this was occasiond by disease at one period or other in the season. It is ten to one that it is from an unhealthy sheep that it is taken - if at any time the sheep should appear sound and well it will be found that it was affected by .... dyssentry... paralytic affection.. These answers Sir are founded on practical experience for 30 years and void of all theory and you are at liberty to work what use of them you please ... your truly James Hogg, Eltrive Lake, July 7th 1817, 2pp. 4to
Footnote
Provenance: , Dr James Fairweather Milne (1896-1985), one-time General Practitioner at Boddam, bequeathed to 3rd cousin, the vendor.
Note: In 1810 Hogg had settled in Edinburgh after his attempt at shepherding in Dumfriesshire has left him bankrupt. In 1813 he had produced The Queen's Wake, a poetical if not a financial success, in 1815 Pilgrims of the Sun and in 1816 Mador of the Moor. None of these brought much income and in 1816 the Duke of Buccleuch, in memory of his wife, gave Hogg the farm of Eltrive [Altrive] Lake in Yarrow at a nominal rent. The present letter, to an unknown correspondent, shows the extent to which Hogg was occupied with the practical affairs of shepherding as much as his literary endeavours.