AND METEIOUOLOGV OF TIIK VKAIl liHL.VTIVH TIIKUKTO. 311 



in 1879, 36 biisht-ls ; in 187rt, 31 1-nshels ; ami in 1877, 33 bushels. This, 

 applies chiefly to the yield of the fertile fields on the l)iinlc8 of the Forth. 

 The upi)or dry field farms may l)e safely stilted at a fifth less. Averaj^e 

 ■\vei,L;lit iif marketalile ,L,'rain, in 1879, barley 40 lbs. per buslud ; (luality 

 miiidlini,', ])rop()rti(jn of small L'rain more than double the usual (luantity.. 

 Straw abundant in 1877 and i87!i, but generally inferior fodder to 1878. 

 Harvest commenced a nujnth after usual time, one of the latest on record. 

 Average i)roduce of hay crop in 187!), 144 stones ; in 1878, 1(50 stones ; and 

 in 1877, 13G stones. Quantity nearly average, but (quality in 1H77 and 1879' 

 inferior, being much danuiged by weather and want of sunshine when 

 maturing. Meadow hay much less in Inilk, greatly deteriorated by weather 

 in swatiie and cole, especially where the acreage was large ; small ])atches 

 made quickly after mower better ([uality. Turnip crop about 8 or 10 tons 

 per acre, or half the ([uantity, autl not good feeding ([Uality. Only one sow- 

 ing reipured generally. Pastures very inferior and deficient in (quantity,, 

 liail alike for feeding and dairy pur[)oses. Potatoes were a very variable 

 crop, in some cases much diseased, and a coni])lete failure in 1877 and 1879,. 

 but generally a good crop in 1878 ; average yield about 6 tons in the dry 

 and 3 tons in the two wet seasons, including small and diseased roots. 

 Disease conuneiu'ed about usual time. No fly worth mentioning, nor were 

 Aveeds more abumbuit than usual, only the grain crop and fallow breakt* 

 were ill to keep clean. 



Perth and Part of Forfar. — Wheat from 2 to 3 (luarters, one- 

 half below average, and of very poor quality ; straw thin on the ground,, 

 and of bad quality. Barley from 2 to 5 (juarters ; about one-fourth less 

 grain, and in some instances (nie-half light in cjuality and deficient for- 

 malting ]iur]ioses. Oats from ."> to 7 ([uarters, average both as to grain and 

 straw. The harvest commenced ISlh Septendier, fully a month behind the 

 usual time. Hay crop 2 tons, quality inferior, and one-third less in quantity 

 both as regards rye grass and clover. The turnip crop, especially the 

 Sweilish, were re-sown in a great many instances, and where they did grow,, 

 the yield was half the average, from 8 to 12 tons ; the yellows were a better 

 crop, nearly an average, and would weigh from 10 to 20 tons. The pastures 

 were not nearly equal to 1878, but might be compared to 1877. Average 

 weight of the potato croj) from 3 to 7 tons. The crop was ecpial to 1877^ 

 and less disea.sed. Champions were equal to 1878, but Regents and Victoria-s- 

 inferior. The turnip fly was generally more injurious during the spring. 

 tliaTi former years, and from the continual wet weather weeds were very 

 abundant, and almost impossible to be kept down among the turnips and 

 potatoes. 



Forfarshire.- -Wheat about li quarters; grain very inferior, average^ 

 weight 55 lbs. per bushel ; straw average (luality. Barley about 3 (piarters; 

 grain inferior, average weight about 50 lbs. per bushel. Straw average 

 ([uality. Oats a fair crop, but cut when green ; grain therefore below 

 standard in weight, about 5 (juarters ; weight 38 to 40 lbs. per bushel ; straw 

 e.\.cellent ([uality. Harvest about four weeks later than usual. Hay about 

 2 tons, quality inferior. The weight of the turnip crop about 10 tons,, 

 (piality fair ; brairded very well, but was destroyed by fly ; more than half 

 had to be re-sown. Quantity of potatoes about 5 tons, as against 7 ; very 

 little disease. Turnips were the only crop affected by insects, and they 

 were very much injured thereby. 



Aberdeenshire. — Little wheat grown. Barley is the most deficient 

 of the cereal crops ; the average (juantity would not be much over 2i 

 ([uarters, and the average weight about 48 lbs. The general average of 

 barley would be about 5 quarters, and the weight 53 lljs. Oats was generally 

 a bulky crop, but with the early frosts it was badly filled ; the yield per 

 acre would be about 3 quarters, and the weight from 36 to 40 lbs. ; the straw 



