334 THE CEREAL AND OTHEE CEOPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1881, 



sowing was almost general Owing to the mild weather, the crop where 

 not stored is running to seed. No other crop but the turnip ■were injured 

 hy insects. Ovring to excessive rainfall weeds were numerous, especially 

 chickweed and other annual weeds. Pastures were of average growth, but 

 inferior in feeding quality. Stock throve only moderately, but were 

 generally free from disease. The quality of the wool clip was under 

 an average, o"\Wng to the extra severe winter previous, and the quantity 

 was quite below the average, and to this has to be added a very low price, 

 as che"\dot wool has scarcely ever exceeded Is. per lb. 



Peeblesshire. — No wheat. Barley, quantity would average about 32 

 bushels ; the yield of straw mnch the same as last year, but the quality 

 of the grain very deficient, about 14 lbs. lighter per 4 bushels than 

 last year ; from 3 to 4 bushels sown. Oats fair average crop ; general 

 average about 34 bushels per acre ; more straw than 1880, but rather 

 less corn, and lighter per bushel. Harvest began about the last week of 

 August, being about a week later than the harvest of 1880, but about an 

 average time of the last twenty years. Hay crop lighter than previous year, 

 about 20 cwts. Meadow hay fair crop, as good as last year. The yield of 

 potatoes per acre would be much the same as 1880, but with little or no 

 disease ; average 6 to 7 tons per acre. Turnip crop, weight about 7 tons, 

 in most places not more than half a crop, but owing to the mild open 

 autumn turnips left in the field improved considerably ; qnality very 

 good ; the crop generally brairded well, but required three to four sowings, 

 owing to the frost at night and the scorching sun and turnip-fly during the 

 day. There was little or no injury done to white crops by insects. On pro- 

 ' perly farmed land there was little or no injury caused by weeds. Pastures 

 not so rough as in 1880, and the quality of grass not so good, owing to the 

 wet summer and want of sun. Stock did not thrive so well as usual, but 

 were free from disease. Wool, quality inferior and under the average. 



Dumfriesshire (Upper Nithsdale). — No wheat grown. Yery little 

 barley grown. Oats from 35 to 40 bushels ; quality under an average, and 

 more light grain ; straw an average in bulk, but not in quality. Harvest 

 about two weeks later than the average of seasons. Hay under an average 

 crop ; quantity from 25 to 30 cwts. ; quality fair. Meadow hay considerably 

 less productive. Potatoes from a ton to a ton and a half less than last year ; 

 fully a fourth diseased, which commenced about the middle of September. 

 Quantity of turnip crop would be from 3 to 4 tons less than last year, say 

 from 12 to 15 tons ; quality under an average ; a fair braird ; swedes mostly 

 sown a second time on account of frosty nights and parching sun through 

 the day. Crops injured by fly rather more than usual. Weeds much 

 as usual ; crop difiicult to keep clean on account of wet season. Pastures 

 under the average, both in growth and quality. Stock did not thrive so 

 Avell as usual. There was nothing more than the usual disease. Wool clip 

 considerably under an average, both in quality and weight. 



Kirkcudbrightshire. — Little wheat grown. Barley, 10 bushels short ; 

 weight 5 lbs. per bushel short ; quality inferior ; generally 4 bushels so\\ti ; 

 straw average quantity. Oats, quantity 10 to 15 bushels short; weight 

 5 lbs. per bushel short ; quality inferior ; straw average quantity. Harvest 

 about five weeks later ; unfavourable weather for securing crop. Hay, 

 both clover and meadow, quality very inferior, generally below average, 

 particularly on light soil. Potatoes full average crop ; very little disease. 

 Turnip crop very inferior quality ; brairded badly ; resowing almost 

 general ; c|uantity much below average. Turnips much injured by fly 

 and wire- worm. Mangold much injured by mangold fly. Much injury 

 from weeds. Wet weather prevented land being properly cleaned. Wild 

 mustard, red shank, and couch grass on badly cultivated land most 



