338 THE CERliAL AND OTHER CHOPS OF SCOTLAND FOR ISSl, 



not yield more than 6 bolls ; the weight per bushel too is below the 

 average, and on high grounds both grain and straw in very bad condition. 

 The harvest commenced late, fully three weeks after the usual time, and 

 was in all resj^ects tantalising from the unfavourable weather ; as a rule 

 rain prevailed, and if a dry day occurred there was no drought, and thus 

 little or no progress was made in "binning ; the crops were ultimately 

 secured after a fight with the elements. Hay crop was inferior to 1880, 15 

 to 20 cwts. would be about the average. Meadow hay was less productive 

 by about 20 per cent, than in 1880. Early potatoes were a complete failure ; 

 the champions maintain their character as to withstanding disease better in 

 a wet season, and the yield of this sort per acre will average 7 to 8 tons. 

 They are extensively gro\\m, and the potato trade in the district has 

 undergone a change in consequence. Turnip crop was a failure ; the fly 

 was more prevalent than iu any former year, and sowing was repeated in 

 some cases for the third time. In exceptional cases where the fly did not 

 destroy the first sowing entirely, the plants were strong ; but in no case is 

 the yield above a fourth of the average, and in many cases the crop was lost 

 altogether. No crop injured by insects ; wire-worm did not prevail. Indi- 

 genous weeds were difiicult to keep under in consequence of the wet season. 

 Pastures were deficient ; the continued frost of last winter retarded an early 

 growth, and it was quite evident that grasses generally did not throughout 

 the whole season attain to a luxm-iant growth ; in addition to this cause, 

 the excessive wet, and continued ^Wth the absence of sun, prevented pas- 

 tures as in also other crops from reaching maturity. Stock throve very 

 middling, but were free from disease. Clip average. 



Argyllshire (Parishes attached to the district of Oban). — No wheat 

 grown in the district. The little barley grown was of good quality, 

 in fact vras the best crop of the season ; yield about ten returns. 

 Oats were a fair crop, but not equal to 1880 ; quality of grain and straw 

 middling, ovvdng to wet and cold season; crop greatly damaged by severe 

 storms previous to shearing ; seed so\vn per acre about 5 J bushels ; yield 

 about 26 bushels. Shearing of oats commenced at Bonaw on 10th 

 September. Rye-grass a short and thin crop, owing to the severe frost of 

 winter and the dry and frosty nights of May ; not very well secured, as the 

 weather was most unsuitable. Meadow hay was about equal in quantity 

 with that of 1880, Ijut not generally secured in such good order, as the season 

 was wet. Potato crop pretty good, yield being about an average. About 

 40 per cent, of the finer varieties were in some localities diseased. In 

 Skerrie Blues there was little or no disease, and the yield was about ecjual to 

 the whites ; but generally the quality of all kinds was excellent. Turnips 

 were not at all good, as the season was most unsuitable for such a tender 

 crop ; on level and ill-drained land there was no croj) at all, but on high 

 and dry soils there would be a crop of about 14 tons per acre. No injury 

 to anv considerable extent bv insects, and not more than usual. Oxeve, 

 daisy, and such weeds were seen in some fields, but damage not more than 

 usual. The pastures were under an average, and not equal to the j)revious 

 year. Stock throve moderately well, but did not get up to the condition 

 of the previous year ; were free from disease. The quality of the wool was 

 very good, and the quantity was about an average, the preceding summer 

 and autumn having been favourable. 



Argyllshire (Parishes attached to district of Lochgilphead). — No wheat 

 grown, nor barley. Oat crop not more than one-third thrashed, but it 

 is inferior to last year's both in quantity and quality, the averages being, 

 1880, 6 bolls to acre, 41 lbs. per bushel ; 1881, 5 bolls or a little more, 

 39 to 40 lbs. per bushel. Harvest was late ; a month later than last 

 year, and a fortnight later than usual time. Pye-grass crop much behind 



