ON TlIK ACltlCULTUKK OF THE COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND. !">'> 



tho area under grain crops has slightly decreased during the 

 past quarter of a century. The increase of 7419 acres in the arahle 

 area in tliat period, as will be afterwards sliown, appears now as 

 almost wholly under grasses. The percentage of corn crops to 

 the arable area in 1870 was 37*4, which placed Sutherland, in that 

 respect, eleventh among the Scotcli counties. In regard to the 

 total area under grain crops, Sutherland comes twenty-seventh. 

 Sutherland does not contribute to the meal supply of the large 

 centres of j)o]ndation ; indeed, in that matter it is far from self- 

 supporting. The cultivation of the grain crops is pursued on 

 principles similar to what prevail in the most advanced districts 

 of the country; and, considering the situation of the county, grain 

 of a very fine (juality is produced. Sowing commences, in a 

 favourable year, towards the end of March ; harvesting opera- 

 tions are begun from the middle of August till the second week 

 in September. 



Wheat. — As ahead}' stated, wheat was tried in the county 

 many years ago, and soon given up owing to the distance from 

 the southern maikets and the supposed unsuitability of the 

 climate. Its cultivation, however, has not been long entirely 

 abandoned, for in the returns collected by the Highland and 

 Agricultural Society in 1853, 217^ acres were in that year under 

 wheat. Tlie following table shows the number of acres under 

 wheat at various times since that date : — 



1853, . 2171 acres. 

 1870, . 246" „ 



1875, . 1 14 acres. 



1879, . 27 „ 



Decrease since 1853, . . 190^ acres. 



It will thus be seen that wheat has latterly been declining in 

 favour. It is now grown on only two or three of the better 

 farms, such as Culmaily and Crakaig. On the former it yields 

 from 3 to 5 qrs. per acre, and in a good year the sample is of 

 very fair quality and colour. In such a wet season as tliis 

 (1879) has been, however, it would not turn out a paying crop. 

 About 3 bushels of seed is allowed per acre. Sutherland stands 

 twenty-sixth among the other Scotch counties in regard to the 

 area under wheat. 



Barky. — This variety of grain grows well in the county, and 

 is cultivated in considerable breadth. The following table shows 

 the area under barley at various dates since 1853 : — 



1853, . 3C43i acres. 

 1870, . 2060' „ 



1875, . 2286 acres. 



1879, . 2268 „ 



Decrease since 1853, . . 1375| acres. 

 It will thus be seen that barley has not increased since 1853, 



