350 THE CEEEAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1881, 



was very unequal, some fields would average 2 tons, others only 15 cwts. ; 

 the average this season would be 1 ton, last season 25 cwts. ; croj) more 

 equal ; clover in both seasons good. No meadow hay. Potato crop of this 

 season would yield about 9 tons, and of last year 7^ ; frost took effect in 

 some fields in the latter end of August, and disease followed, but very slight, 

 and in some fields none. The turnip crop of last season would average about 

 18 tons per acre, this season about 3 tons less ; crop brairded well, but was 

 eaten by fly or beetles, and a great part was sown twice, and some thrice, 

 which caused a limited quantity of swedes to be left of very poor quality. 

 Injury by beetles greater than ever seen here. Injury by weeds no more 

 than usual. Pastures under average growth, and bad quality. Stock did 

 little good from want of sunshine and heat, but were quite clear of disease. 

 ClijD of wool much about an average for quantity and quality. 



IxvERNESS-SHiRE (Skye District). — No wheat or barley grown. Oats one- 

 third less on account of extreme cold and wet ; straw one-fourth less, and 

 inferior in quality. Harvest at least three weeks later than last year. Hay 

 from 50 to 60 stones. Meadow hay generally scarce, and not extra in quality. 

 Potato crop about the same as last year, from 3 to 4 tons. Turnip crop 

 about 13 tons per acre, sown twice in most cases. No damage by insects 

 nor by Aveeds. Pastures not of such feeding quality as last year. Stock 

 did not thrive so well as usual, but were free from disease. Quality of clij) 

 of wool generally an average, but quantity less. 



Inverness-shire (Fort-William District). — No wheat grown, and very 

 little barley. Oats yield about 26 to 28 bushels ; straw and grain much 

 like previous year's crop. Harvest began a fortnight later than usual, and 

 nearly a month later than 1880. Hay about 28 cwts. ; rye-grass deficient ; 

 clover considerably better than in 1880. Meadow hay a good crop, and 

 secured in good weather. Potato crop about 13 tons ; very little disease ; 

 such disease as there was first noticed about middle of August. Turnip 

 crop 9 tons per acre ; brairded well ; only one sowing required, except in 

 very few instances ; those later sown proved the best crop ; considerable 

 injury by insects, especially to earlier sown, by grub, and finger and toe. 

 No injury from weeds. Pastures average growth, but probably not of aver- 

 age quality, owing to the dark cold season. Stock did not thrive quite so 

 well as usual, but were free from disease ; rather more braxy in young 

 sheep than usual, probably due to want of constitution in lambs from severe 

 winter and spring 1880-81, coupled with the very cold wet autumn of 1881. 

 Clip of wool under average, owing to the severe charaxiter of the previous 

 winter ; not much complaint against quality. 



Eoss-SHIRE. — "Wheat in some cases failed altogether, killed by frost ; pro- 

 duce in other cases low, average certainly not exceeding 24 bushels ; quality 

 of grain and straw both inferior ; seed &o^xn about 3 bushels per acre. 

 Barley, quantity over an average, 35 to 40 bushels on average, but running 

 up to 55 bushels on good lands ; quality inferior from lack of germinating 

 powers, and below average weight ; quality of straw good ; average seed 

 sown 3 Ijushels per acre. Oats, quantity of grain deficient, average about 

 32 bushels ; quantity of straw dehcient, quality good ; quality of grain 

 only fair, in some cases inferior ; seed sown about 4 bushels, sometimes 5. 

 Harvest thKee weeks behind usual time. Quantity of hay deficient as com- 

 pared with last year ; average perhaps not more than 25 to 30 cwts. ; gener- 

 ally fairly got and of average quality ; clover and rye-grass fairly mixed. 

 Potato crop yield much superior to last year ; quantity averaging perhaj^s in 

 good and bad land 6^ tons ; little disease, what there was only showed 

 itself at lifting time. Turnip crop much inferior to last year, which 

 was over an average ; this year probably not above 12 to 14 tons ; 

 brairded well, but early sowings to a large extent cut by frost, and in some 



