REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURE OF AYRSHIRE. 39 



to Mr. C's entry. The soil is various, part a deep rich loam, 

 part light soil with a whmstone bottom, and a large portion of 

 a blackish soft nature. 125 acres of the best land under rota- 

 tion is divided into six enclosures: — Two in green crop (one 

 turnips, the other potatoes) ; three in white crop (one sown out) ; 

 and one in hay or pasture. The rest of the arable land is under the 

 usual 5-year course. About 80 acres are thus annually in green 

 crop, consisting of 20 acres potatoes, fully 2 acres mangolds, and 

 the residue turnips. Manuring : — The lea-break in the 6 -shift (if 

 thought needed) top-dressed very lightly with Peruvian guano. 

 For potatoes, about 24 good cart-loads of dung, and near, to 6 cwt. 

 Peruvian guano, per Scots acre. For turnips, as far as the farm- 

 yard dung goes — say 15 carts, 12 bushels crushed bones, and 1£ 

 cwt. each of Peruvian guano and dissolved bones mixed ; or, for 

 turnips without dung — 20 bushels crushed bones, and 2 1 cwt 

 each of guano and dissolved bones mixed, per Scots acre. Two- 

 thirds of the turnips swedes (Skirving's.) Half of the soft 

 turnips eaten on the ground ; the swedes stored, and cut in the 

 spring months for the hoggs. No barley is grown, and as a 

 large part of the soil is not adapted for wheat, only about one- 

 half the green crop break is annually under that cereal, the finer 

 sorts being preferred, such as white-Essex, &c. Wheat after 

 potatoes, in Ayrshire, is generally a better crop than after turnips, 

 and we notice that wheat always succeeds on the potato land at 

 Trees, and sown early in November. What of the turnip land 

 may be adapted is sown about the beginning of February — if 

 possible. Seeds at the rate of 4 bushels per Scots acre, sown 

 from hand. " Potato " and " black tartarian " oats are usually 

 sown on the best land — the latter variety yielding well, and 

 considerably thought of in Ayrshire. The other kinds sown are 

 " Tarn Finlay " and " red " oats — the last on the blackish land 

 from its stiffness of straw. About 30 acres of the young grass is 

 cut for hay — the remainder being grazed with hoggs. No dairy 

 cows are kept, and consequently no swine fed — saving perhaps a 

 couple. Mr. Cunningham being one of the two-three farmers in 

 all who depend entirely upon cropping and fattening stock. From 

 70 to 80 head of cattle are tied up (no " boxes ") in autumn. 

 These are a mixed lot, all purchased (if possible) in the county, 

 and consisting of Ayrshire bullocks and cpaeys (3 and 4 years), 

 and 2 or 3-year old " crosses " (Galloway and shorthorn, or Ayr- 

 shire and shorthorn). The crosses are preferred, but to get 

 many of them Mr. Cunningham, as well as other large feeders, 

 is often obliged to attend and buy at one or other of the large 

 east-country autumn trysts, although in doing so there is con- 

 siderable risk of disease. For the first two months the cattle 

 get as many turnips as they can consume, then about 2 lbs. 

 each daily of beauineal and bruised cake mixed is begun with, 



