56 ON THE AGRICULTUKE OF THE COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND. 



but tliat it is more largely grown now than a few years ago. 

 The yield of barley ranges from 3^ to 6 qrs. per acre, the average 

 being, perhaps, between 4|- and 5 qrs. The weight varies from 

 50 lbs. to 54 lbs. per bushel, the greater portion being close on 

 the latter weight. Barley is gro^vn always after green crop, and 

 about 3 bushels of seed are allowed to the acre. A good deal of 

 tlie barley grown in the county is manufactured at the celebrated 

 Cl}Tielish Distillery. In regard to the area under barley Suther- 

 land comes twenty-second in Scotland. 



Oats. — As might be expected, and as shown by the following 

 table, oats are the most popular variety of grain : — 



The soil and climate of Sutherland are admirably adapted t<i 

 the cultivation of oats. In general, the yield is large and the 

 quality of the gram good. The yield varies from 3^ to 6^ qrs. 

 per acre, the average being slightly over 5 qrs ; while the weight 

 ranges from 40 lbs. to 44 lbs. per bushel, 42 lbs. being about the 

 average. Sandy oats are largely used ; but, latterly, such 

 varieties as longfellow, and finefellow, and potato oats have been 

 sown to a considerable extent. Swiss and Canadian oats have 

 been found to suit the new land at Lairg exceedingly well. 

 The former have given a yield of from 4 to 6 qrs. per acre, and 

 weighed about 38-| lbs. per bushel, while the latter afford a fair 

 return, and weigh about 44 lbs. per bushel. From 4 to 5 bushels 

 of seed are given to the acre. A considerable quantity of the yield 

 of oats is appropriated as food for horses, and also some for cattle 

 and sheep ; but the larger proportion is made into meal for the 

 inhabitants. In regard to the area under oats Sutherland stands 

 twenty-eighth among the Scotch counties. 



Bye and Peas. — These are not cultivated to a very great extent; 

 while it is one of the few Scotch counties that grow no beans. 

 Tlie area under rye in 1853 was 7|- acres, and this year (1879) 

 87 acres. The yield averages about 4 qrs. per acre, and the 

 weight about 58 lbs. per bushel. In 1853 there were 90f acres 

 under peas, and this year 44 acres. 



Hay and Grass. 



In a coimty where the rearing of stock rules so supremely as 

 in Sutherland, the pasture break is one of the most important 

 on the farm. It is therefore natural that the increase of 7419 

 acres in the arable area since 1853 should have been added 

 chiefly to the land under pasture. The following tables show- 

 that it has been so appropriated : — 



