304 THE CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1879, 



THE CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1879, AND 

 METEOROLOGY OF THE YEAR RELATIVE THERETO. 



THE CROPS. 



The following comparison of the cereal and other crops of 1879 

 with the two previous years has been prepared by the Secretary 

 of the Society from answers to queries sent to eminent agricul- 

 turists in different parts of the country. The meteorology of 

 the year has been furnished by Mv Alexander Buchan, secretary 

 of the Meteorological Society of Scotland. 



The queries issued by the Secretary were in the following 

 terms : — 



1. Wliat was the quantity, per imperial acre, and quality of 

 grain and straw, as compared with the average of past 

 two years, of the following crops — (1) Wheat, (2) Barley, 

 (3) Oats ? 



2. Did the harvest begin at the usual time, or did it begin 

 before or after the usual time ? and if so, how long ? 



3. What was the quantity, per imperial acre, and quality 



of the hay crop, as compared with average of past two 

 years, both as regards rye grass and clover respectively ? 



4. Was the meadow hay crop more or less productive than 



average of past two years ? 



5. Wlrat was the weight of the turnip crop, per imperial 



acre, and the quality, as compared with average of past 

 two years ? How did the crop braird ? Was more than 

 one sowing required ? and why ? 

 ■6. Were the pastures during the season of average growth 

 and quality with past two years ? 



7. What was the yield of the potato crop, per imperial acre, 



as compared w4th average of past two years ? Was there 

 any disease ? and if so, to what extent, and wdien did it 

 commence ? 



8. Were there any insects or any weeds injurious to the 



crops in greater or less abundance than usual, and if so, 



what were they ? 

 From the answers received the following statistics have been 

 -compiled : — 



Edinburghshire.— Wheat aloout 25 per cent, deficient iti quantity ; 

 quality very inferior, being about 60 lbs., as compared with 64 llis., per 

 bushel ; straw good and about average. Barley about 30 per cent, deficient ; 

 quality 53 to 54 lbs. per bushel, as compared with 56 lbs ; straw good and 

 about average. Oats— quantity about 15 per cent, deficient ; quality 42 lbs., 

 as compared wth 44 lbs., per bushel ; straw excellent and an average. 

 Harvest began about a month after the usual time, but was a very good 

 harvest, and finished within a reasonable time. Hay crop less productive, 

 .and also inferior in quality ; meadow hay was also less productive, and 



