LAND IMPROVEMENTS. 113 



The above figures are taken from the reporter's accounts 

 duly audited every half year. 



From the sum of £26.532 lis. 3fd. has to be taken the 

 amount received for pavement, &c, and the value of the pave- 

 ment in stock, amounting in all to £2,403 14s. 9dJ-., which 

 leaves as the true amount expended, £21,128 16s. 6|d. 



The tenants pay an annual drainage rent charge of £400 17s. 

 at 6-|- per cent., and £236, 17s. at 5 percent. These sums capi- 

 talised amount to £10,904, 17s. 3 .VI., which, taken from £24,128, 

 16s. 6^d., leaves £13,223, 19s. 2fd. as the amount expended by 

 the proprietor upon improvements not yielding interest. Tne 

 item £399, 17s. 3d., under the head "Property march fences," 

 was not included in the estimate of £14,200, and, therefore, 

 fallsto be taken from £13,223, 19s. 2fd., leaving£12,824, ls.llfd., 

 which, taken from £14,200, shows a balance of £1,375, 18s. Oid, 

 in favour of the improvements. 



In the course of carrying out the improvements, flag quarries 

 have been discovered on both estates. They are now in good 

 working order, and will be a source of revenue. 



Permanent Success of Improvements. — The fact of two thou- 

 sand acres of waste land having been improved, within the last 

 six years, is no mean security for the permanent success of the 

 improvements. This improved land is now yielding excellent 

 crops. In 1863 Mr. Brown of Upper Douureay (one of the new 

 farms), carried the cup for the best 10 acres of yellow turnips in 

 the county. Eight of the best farms competed. The weight of 

 Mr. Brown's crop per acre was 25 tons, 12 cwt., 3 qrs., 12 lb. The 

 next highest was 23 tons, 1 cwt, 1 qr., 20 lb. The turnips were 

 grown on land lying in its natural state when the farms were 

 let, and on which grouse were shot the year before it was 

 broken up. 



Mr. Brown competed last year for the cup, but was unsuc- 

 cessful. Still he occupies an honourable position amongst the 

 competitiors, as seen from the subjoined state. n.nt taken from 

 the Northern Ensign of January 12, 1865. 



Yellow Turnips. 



Weight per imperial acre. 

 Toi 



Sir Geo. Dunbar, Reiss Lodge, 



William Paterson, West Wattcn, 



George Brown, Watten, - 



James Hay, Scrabster, No. 1, - - 



James Hay, Scrabster, No. 2, - 



George Trail, Esq,, M.P., Castlehill, 



James Purves, Loehend, ... 



William Parves, Thurdistoft, - 



Robert Paterson, Ratter, 



Robert Brown, Upper Dounrea;/, 



Thomas Purves, Hoy, 



Earl of Caithness, Philips' Mains, 



II 



