In the northern and western parts of the county, where The coal strata are present, the subsoil displays a different character from that of the mountainous schistose tract, from the prevalence of sand ; but much of the soil in these parts is also of a good quality, appearing to have arisen from the decomposition of trap rocks. There is no calca reous soil in Peebles-shire, as it scarcely contains any traces of limestone at the surface.
The old croft, or infield lands, are found about the lower declivities of the hills, and on the proper alluvial lands ; above the former there is generally such outfield as is oc casionally put under the plough. On the tops of some of the hills, when the decomposition of the rock is not such as to generate a true soil, or where that has been washed away, the soil is light and thin, and appears to be a mix ture of moss and sand. It is so loose and light, that when dry it is blown away by the winds; and in its natural state produces heath. In some cases, as in Linton parish, where it is under tillage, and lies upon an impervious subsoil, it becomes very loose and wet in rainy seasons, so as almost to resemble mud. This soil in fact is rather peculiar to the tracts of country formerly mentioned that lie above the sandstone of the coal strata.
Peat, as might be expected, abounds in this county. It is found, as usual, in the hollows among the hills, varying from five to twenty feet in depth, forming flat bogs. Be sides this, it occurs on the declivities, in the usual form of mountain peat, commonly shallow, but in some places attaining three or four feet in depth. Even this mountain peat is moist in its natural state ; but after tillage and lim ing, it consolidates and becomes drier. When the plough can reach the subsoil in these cases so as to turn it up, various mixtures are generated. Soils of this nature have been considerably cultivated, and have been found to yield good crops of oats, and excellent pasture for black cattle.
The chief part of Peebles-shire is divided among sixty proprietors, exclusively of some smaller ones ; and the gross rent is estimated at 26,0001. The valuation in the cess books is 51,927/. Scotch. Some of the smaller pro prietors farm their own lands, but the larger farmers are chiefly tenants. Most of the larger proprietors also farm portions of their own lands. About a fourth part is sup
posed to be entailed. The leases are generally for nine teen years, but longer periods are also granted. Liferents are not known.
For fine inclosed grass lands two or three guineas an acre are commonly paid. Arable farms vary from 20s. or 25s. to 50s. The number of farmers renting lands from 100/. to 500/. is estimated at about eighty; but there are also many smaller farms, varying from 20/. to 801. The smaller sheep farms contain 600 or 700 Scotch acres ; the larger range from 1000 to 4000. There are few of these sheep farms of less than 1001. rent, and the highest rent paid in the county is 600/. The smaller arable farms vary from 40 to 100 and 200 acres : the rents of these varying from 25/. to 150/.
The generality of the sheep farms have more or less arable land attached to them, but there are some of the larger where this is not the case, or where that practice is adopted on a very small scale. In these instances, the meal wanted for the support of the family is purchased, and the cows and horses in winter are kept on natural hay. The sheep, in these cases, are driven to other pastures when the snow is on the ground,or else fodder is purchas ed for them. In a few instances, farms are so allotted, that the sheep and the arable part are of equal import ance, or the latter may even exceed the former.
In respect to the management of the sheep, Tweeddale is rather a breeding than a feeding county ; but, at this time, many more are fattened for the butcher than was in use formerly. The practice with respect to selling off the stock, varies in different places. Sometimes the lambs are sold off at three or four months old. Hogs, at fifteen months, are also sold at Linton market, whence they are carried to Fife, and other places, for feeding. Some of both kinds are also sold in Roxburghshire and in England. In some of the farms they do not breed, but buy in annu ally lambs in June and July, which, after a twelve-month's feeding, are sold as hogs. Hogs are also bought for some high farms, and sold, after a year's feeding, as dinmonts, or else they are kept for two years and disposed of as wed ders. In some, also, the greater part of the lambs are sold fat to the butchers.