olO THE CEEEAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1879, 



late in starting. Yield of potatoes very mneli below average, 3 to 4 tons an^ 

 acre being the average crop ; quality fair ; about one-third of crop of early 

 potatoes being diseased, but late potatoes were less affected, and in some cases 

 little diseiise appeared at all. Disease commenced as early as 15th August 

 in early potatoes, but in later ones not until Sept-ember. No weeds, except 

 those indigenous to the soil, were observable — these were abundant ; and 

 wire worm appeared in the higher parts of the district, but not generally. 

 The crop of 1879 met Avith a more disastrous result than the harvest 

 of 1877, the yield from all crops of 1879 proving to be the less productive 

 of the two. Crop 1878 was very good in quality, but deficient in quantity, 

 and superior in every respect to 1877 and 1879. 



Argyllshire. — No wheat, and scarcely any barley, grown. Only about 

 one-third of the oats have been thrashed, and that the worst part ; the crop 

 is inferior to last year, but it is ditlicult to say how much at present, 

 probably 4 biishels an acre. Corn is quite 2 lbs. per bushel lighter than 

 last year. The harvest began a fortnight alter the usual time. The hay 

 crop was about H tons per acre, vrhich is rather above the average, and 

 nearly one-third of a ton more than the average. This is not a district 

 for clover ; a great deal of the aral)le land is reclaimed moss, on which 

 clover does not thrive. The meadow hay crop Avas much less productive^ 

 and was very late ; a good deal of it was not worth much when it was got 

 in. Turnip croji a failure, except on ground naturally very dry ; in these 

 spots the crop was a fair average as to quality and size ; it brairded well 

 generally. Pastures about an average. A fairish yield of potatoes in dry 

 and readily drained land, but a failiu'e in damp land. Rather less disease 

 than usual, and what there was began about middle of Aug-ust. 



Stirlingshire. — Very little barley grown ; oats a full average weight of 

 straw, but, owing to the long continued wet and want of smi, the grain did 

 not ripen out, and consequently is deficient in quality ; harvest about four 

 weeks later. The hay crop was a full average as to quantity, but owing to 

 the unpropitious weather much of it was injured in getting, and is, of course, 

 of inferior quality. IMeadow hay was fully above the average, but the same 

 remark applies to the getting of it as to rye grass. The turnip crop very in- 

 ferior, from 10 to 12 tons, less than half the average. The braird was generally 

 good, and only one sowing was required. Pastures were of average growth,, 

 but lacked the nourishing quality of the last two years, and stock did not 

 fatten upon them. The average yield of potatoes would be about 4 tons, 

 little over half the usual yield ; there was some disease, but not so much as 

 in the two last years. Weeds were very abundant among green crops, the 

 continued wet and want of sun rendering horse or hand hoeing of no avail. 



Clackmannaxshire. — Wheat, five-eighths of a cro]) ; quality inferior. 

 Barley not more than half a crop ; scarcely any of the crop fit for brewer's- 

 malt. Oats not more than three-fourths of a crop ; quality under average. 

 Han'est began about three -weeks after usual time. Hay crop about an 

 average, but most of it was not well got in consequence of the wet season. 

 Meadow hay was a fair crop. Turnips not much more than third of usual 

 cro]i. A fair quantity of grass, but in consequence of so much wet very 

 little feeding in it. Potato crop considerably less than usual ; quantity not 

 good ; a considerable nmnber of weeds among green crop. 



Perthshire (South-west Division and Carse of Stirling). — Average pro- 

 duce of wheat in 1879, 18i bushels ; 1878, 29 bushels ; and 1877, 12^ 

 bushels. Average weight in 1879, 55 lbs. per bushel, and quality inferior,. 

 Straw rank and bulky in 1877 and 1879, short in 1878. Barley — average 

 produce in 1879, 21 bushels ; in 1878, 31 bushels ; and in 1877, 27 bushels- 

 Average weight in 1879, 52 lbs. per bushel, an<l quality bad for malting 

 purix)ses. Straw deficient in cjuantity and quality. Oats — average produce 



