A VISIT TO OVERSHIELS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 12

A VISIT TO OVERSHIELS.

Mr Max Philpot contributes to a recent number of the North British Agriculturist a chatty account of a visit he paid to Mr Adam Archibald at Overshiels, Scotland, a brief outline of which will bo of interest to many readers who know the member of the Archibald family in New Zealand. The writer says 'that, as a boy, he listened nightly to long and animated discourses on the unrivalled qualities of the Overshiels sheep. His father, whose conclusions on the capacities of flockmasteis and shepherds were wonderfully correct, held —and he never changed his opinion—that the late James Archibald, of Overshiels, was the greatest judge of blackface sheep Scotland ad _ known. The writer goes on to tell of his own reverence for Mr Archibald, and of the awe inspired when that gentleman shook hands and spoko to the writer's father at an Edinburgh sale. He then goes on to recount how he and their secretary —a young lady—reached Foun'tainhall Railway Station, and were driven in a motor car to Overshiels through glorious country. They were met by the host at the gate leading to the front door, and warmly welcomed. In the evening there was a sheep discussion., "The next morning," continues Mr Philpot, "we proceeded to witness the process of tup-dressing prior to the set-out for Lanark sale. Wattie, who is perhaps the best-known tupman in Scotland, was in charge. Here I learned something, and something ' of very great use. I learned how tups mav be held in perfect pose by a mechanical application, which application is of the simplest but most effective character. What a straining and wrestling it renders unnecessary;! Wattie informed me that 'the maister' made the discovery, and designed the 'hold.' At tup-dressing Wattie is an adept. He seeks to hide nothing, for honesty is the watchword of Overshiels. But he can bring into prominence, better almost than any other man I have seen, the major qualities of a sheep. When he extends his concluding, touch, one feels that nothing more can be; done. —Qualities of Overshiels Sheep.—" "The special and characteristic qualities of the Overehiels sheep are well worthy of notice. They' truly represent what they really are—viz., the highest development of the mountain sheep on exhibition today. In their veins courses the best blood of the breed, for, eugenically, their evolution has been assisted and guarded by men of proved skill and untiring application. Everybody admits that the Overshiels sheep are prime sellers. This needs not be wondered at. They are reared on the most natural , and health-imparting blackface ground in Scotland; and then, sires and dames are selected and mated with expert care. Tup buyers would do well to visit Overshiels and inspect the stud rams. They —the various stud ages—constitute a matchlees show. What impressed me in some of the most outstanding types was the marvellous combination of strength and sweetness. The eye of the Overshiels sheep is the most arresting I have met. In the rams particularly it is clear, daring, almost defiant. It is an eye which declares perfect health, and a fearless challenge to any and every barrier that the wildest elements may impose. I cannot recall having been so struck and fa scinated by 'the eyes of sheep before. This year's shearlings, included in the stud, are truly fine specimens.. They could not bo bought; but if I had been a sheep-farmer, and not an elder of the Kirk, I should certainly have stolen three of them. In brief, the Overshiels .type of sheep is distinct and superlative in almost every respect, and 'twill be a long, long time before their glory begins to wane. .Flocks that spring into prominence in a decade or so may soon sink into oblivion; but a flock that has attracted leading sheep improvers for nearly three-quarters of a century is destined to reach far into the future. A race of giants does not perish in a day. —Tlio Farm Steading.— "When the tups, along with several hirsel samples of ewes, had been faithfully examined, we returned and had a look over the farm steading Were Mr Archibald a horsa or cow specialist ho could not be bettor or more fully equipped. . He has labour-saving machines of old and new desigtis; and he has a wired aerial shed for his grain—one of the best and most spacious in the country. While walking over the steading I notice small dove-like boxes affixed to the walls. When asked about their purpose, my host modestly ex plained that he put them up himself—as shelters for the birds. The cats have a true friend, and so have the birds. Mr Archibald has realised the truth of Thoreau's teaching on fellowship. In order to live a full and good life, saith the great American, you must cultivate the friendship and fellowship of the whole sentient world. Robert Burns and William Wordsworth knew this gospel. Adam Archibald practises it. "You cannot imagine a man with my host's instincts and tastes destitute of books. Th'- Overshiels library, as a select and exhaustive collection of books, is quite unique. A student could fare sumptuously on it for a. lifetime. What rare volumes are there! The late Mr John Archibald was a great lover of books; and the Overshiels library- bcarc ample proof of both literary unci seiontific pursuits. My host

admitted that he himself was keenly interested in natural history and botany. His love for dogs, and cats, and birds, and flowers, and trees revealed-* his ambitions and devotions. Ho has found a satisfying friendship in the wild lap of Nature, which friendship the blind and contending worshippers of stone and lime never enjoy. To him—indeed, to every lover of the great variety family of Nature —the song of a bird and the prayerful mew of a lost' cat breathe notes of true and conscious kinship. If our friends are few, the explanation and blame rest entirely with ourselves. —Holiday at an End.— "Everything—save selfishness —comes to an end, and so does a holiday at Overshiels. The night prior to our departure we ascended the hill which overlooks both Stow and Overshiels. We 'peched' considerably on the outward journey, for the tea consumed before starting was not consistent with the essential requirements of pedestrian feats. But once on the top of the hill, and our brows duly wiped, wo opened our eyes, forgot every toil, and revelled in the infinite grandeur of God's creation. Every soul builds its own altar. Mine was where I stood. "The next morning the car arrived punctually at 8.30. We jumped in, shook hands with our host, said good-bye, and then sped away from the paradise of Gala Water. But, listen, friends, listen —we are booked for next year, and, be assured, we shan't forget. r