58 ox THE AGPJCULTUEE OF THE COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND. 



the yield is fully equal to the average in the other northern 

 counties. Swedes and yellows are the varieties most vddel}' 

 sown. The quantity of seed allowed to the acre is about 3 lbs. 

 of Sw^edes and 2^ lbs. of other varieties. Generally speaking, 

 the land intended for turnips is manured with from sixteen to 

 twenty-five loads of farmyard dung, and from 3 to 8 cwt. of 

 artificial manure, chiefly dissolved bones and guano. The 

 greater portion of the turnip crop is consumed on the land by 

 sheep, and when let for that purpose brings from £6 to £9 per 

 acre. Sutherland stands twenty-sixth among the Scotch counties 

 in regard to the area under turnips. 



Potatoes. — The following table indicates the area under potatoes 

 since 1853 : — 



Excepting on a very few farms on the south-east coast, this 

 esculent is grown solely for home consumption, a great propor- 

 tion of the crop being grown by the small tenants or crofters, 

 among whom potatoes form a ^'ery important article of food. 

 The average yield over the county is about 15 bolls per acre, and 

 the quality is usually good. During later years a few farmers 

 on the south-east coast have tried small fields of potatoes, and 

 the result has been encoura^mG;. Mr Sellar has sometimes a 

 yield of 30 bolls per acre, includmg all sizes. 



Othei' Green Crops. 



Some years a few acres are sown with rape, chiefly new land. 

 This year there were 19 acres under that crop, and in 1878, 

 222 acres. Of vetches there were 46 acres this vear, and 39 last 

 year. This year there was 1 acre under mangold, but the 

 climate is too cold for that root. It is seldom that much land 

 is allowed to lie in fallow. This year there were 260 acres, and 

 75 acres last year. 



Live Stock. 



Horses. — The number of horses in the county at various dates 

 is shown by the fellowing table : — 



1853 . . . 2794 horses 1875 . . . 2526 horses 



1870 . . , 2511 ,, 1879 . . . 2629 „ 



Decrease since 1853, . .165. 



Of the number of horses returned this year, 2105 are used 

 solely for agricultural purposes, the remaining 524 being kept 



