AND METEOROLOGY OF THE YEAR RELATIVE THERETO. 339 



last year in both, quantity and quality ; cannot state exact quantity. 

 Meadow hay le.ss productive. Potato crop averaged about 9 tons per acre, 

 this year not more than 6 tons ; there was not much disease, but the crop 

 was sadly injured by frosts in June, and never recovered. Turnip crop 

 average this year 16 or 17 tons, last year about 20 tons; crop brairded badly 

 owing to frost and fly, and a second sowing was necessary in some cases. 

 Pastures not nearly so good. Stock throve badly. Cattle were free from 

 disease, and sheep also, with the exception of braxy ; the losses among hoggs 

 from this disease have been verv heavv. AVool was under the average in 

 quantity and quality, but cannot say how much. 



Argyllshire (District of Cowal). — No wheat sown. The crop of barley 

 generally was about 30 Ijushels, or about 6 bushels less than last year, and 

 the weight was 6 lbs, p'^r bushel under last year ; the crop was fairly well 

 got, but neither the quality of straw or grain equal to last year ; seed sown 

 about 4 bushels per acre. As regards bulk the oat crop would be an 

 average one, but for want of sunshine it did not ripen well, and both grain 

 and straw were deficient in quality ; the crop, though bulky in appearance, 

 did not thrash more than about 30 bushels, and the weight per bushel not 

 over 39 lbs ; seed sown 5 bushels j)er acre. General harv^est would be 

 about twenty-eight days later than last year, and in some cases even more. 

 The weather during harvest was very broken, but crops were generally well 

 secured, except in a few instances w^here there w^as some sprouting of the 

 grain. The hay crop was about the same as last year, say about 20 cwts., 

 but the quality is not equal to last year ; both this and last year have been 

 under an average in bulk, and this from the exceptional dry and cold 

 month of May and part of June. The crop of meadow hay would be about 

 the same as last year, and though fairly well secured the quality was not so 

 good ; want of sunshine may be attributed for this, the same as in every 

 other crop. The yield per acre of potatoes would not be more than 6 tons 

 against 8 or 10 last year, but there has not been much disease, which 

 appeared in some places about 20tli August ; the crop is to be a losing one 

 for the farmer, prices are so low. The average turnip crop will not exceed 

 14 tons against 20 last year ; did not braird well, though only in a few 

 cases had they to be sown a second time ; quality not up to the average. 

 No crops were injured by insects. No crops were injured by weeds, though 

 green crops required more labour to keep them clean than last year. There 

 was neither an average growth or quality of pastures as last year. Stock 

 did not fatten so well as last year, and the produce of dairy cows was under 

 an average. Both cattle and sheep have been free from disease, except that 

 young sheep have been more subject to braxy than any former year. In 

 many cases as much as 50 per cent, have died from this disease. No reason 

 can be assigned except the continued wet and stormy weather. The clip of 

 wool was less than last year, and the quality was not quite so g0(xl. The 

 crop of lambs were also under an average, and hill stocks generally were in 

 low condition. 



AROiLLsniRE (Islands of Islay, Jura, and Coloneay). — I only eaw one 

 field of wheat in Islay, and it was quite green in the month of October. 

 Wlien it was sown I do not know. Barley not an average crop, tlie wet 

 weather supposed to be the cause, Oats an average crop, from about 40 to 

 48 busliels ])er acre ; weight from 40 to 43 11)3. per bushel. Straw not so 

 bulky as last year, but a fair good crop. Harvest fullv a fortnight later 

 than last year, no doubt owing to the wet weather, ^he quantity and 

 quality of hay was much the 8ame as last year, not a heavy crop, Imt 

 got paved in good coiitlition, fnuii 1 ton to Ih ton. Meadow liay 

 rather a heavier crop this year. I'he champion "and magnum bonum 

 potatoes were a« good this year as last, and ns free from disease, but the 



