A2s'D METEOROLOGY OF THE YEAR RELATIVE THERETO. 349 



small allowance of from i to 1 lb. of cate per clay to each is a preventative. 

 The clip of wool, both as to quantity and quality, was under the average, 

 the result, no doubt, of the very severe winter. 



Nairnshire. — No wheat grown. Barley, grain and straw about the 

 same as last year ; grain, in most part, dark in colour, but of good quality ; 

 average per acre, say 28 bushels ; weight a good average, many samples 

 weighing 56 lbs. per bushel ; seed sown 3^ to 4 bushels. Oats, grain and 

 straw under an average ; quality and colour of grain good ; weight not more 

 than average, yield say 28 bushels per acre ; seed from 4 to 6 bushels. 

 Hai-vest later than usual, and fully a fortnight later than last year. Hay a 

 very thin light crop, in many cases an entire absence of clover, which may 

 be accounted for in some places by the severity of the previous winter, say 

 16 cwts. No meadow hay grown. Potatoes on an average about the same 

 as last year, say 5 tons ; a marked absence of disease. Turnips a fair aver- 

 age crop ; yellows, say 16 tons, swedes 20 tons ; quality good ; more 

 second sowing than was ever known, especially with all early sown turnips, 

 caused by frosty nights succeeded by bright sunshine, and in some cases liy. 

 No injury by insects. Weeds not more plentiful than ordinary, except where 

 turnips were sown more than once. Pastures scarcely of average growth or 

 quality. Stock throve fairly well ; cattle and sheep were free from disease. 

 Clip of wool under an average. 



Inverness-shire (Inverness District). — Wheat about 3 quarters per acre ; 

 quality inferior compared with crop 1880 ; about 4 bushels so\^Tl in autumn, 

 and 3^ in spring ; very little sown during past few years in this district ; 

 both quantity and quality much less during past six years than formerly. 

 Barley about 40 bushels on best land, and from 24 to 32 bushels on light 

 land ; quality very fair both of grain and straw ; quantity sown on best land 

 about 3 bushels, and on light land from 4 to 5 bushels. Oats from 34 to 

 40 bushels on best land, and from 20 to 30 on light land ; the retm-n for 

 oats have been less than anticipated on good land. Harvest about the usual 

 time, if anything later than tlie average of seasons. The quantity of hay 

 upon heavy well-drained land in good condition would average about 2 

 tons, while on light ill-conditioned land somethinf' like 25 cwts. would be 

 an average upon the high ground. No meadow nay of any consequence. 

 The potato crop was excellent, both as regards quantity and quality ; the 

 average yield would be from 8 to 10 tons per acre on good land well 

 manured ; the braird of early sown swedes was damaged by frost, followed 

 by fly on some fanns to a great extent ; many farmers resowed yellows 

 instead, and tlie result in most cases has been satisfactory ; there are some 

 excellent crops of turnips ; the weight per acre varies considerably ; some 

 fields were damaged, partly by insects, but the frost first caused the damage, 

 which was succeeded by dry scorching weather, favourable to tlie develop- 

 ment of insect life ; the damage was much worse than usual. The injury 

 done by weeds was not more than usual ; wild mustard abounds, and does 

 much damage. Tlie quantity of grass was fairly good, but the ([uality was 

 iiuu-h inferior, caused by an excess of moisture antl want of sunshine. 

 Stock throve very middling, much worse than in 1880, but were quite free 

 from disease, with very few exceptions of an ordinary nature ; one case of 

 ])l(*uro occurred, but was stamped out. Clip of wool about an average ; 

 quality very fair. 



Inverness-shire (Beauly District). — No wheat grown for some years. 

 Barley— the quantity in 1880 would average 32 bushels; in 18S1, 28 bushels ; 

 ([uautitv of straw in 1880 rather under 1881, and quality fully 2 lbs. ner 

 bushel lighter. Oat crop 1880 would average 3G bushels ; 1881, 24 bushels ; 

 bulk of straw in 1881 fully one-third under 1880 ; quality good. Harvest 

 began about a month Ijitur than ordinary. The quantity of hay per acre 



