u_ 



2 ON rilE AGEICULTUIIE OF THE COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND. 



(Iwelling-liouses are very commodious, and the Duke has erected 

 a number of Large and attractive shooting lodges. On most of 

 the larger sheep-farms there are excellent dwelling-houses, in 

 which the tenants reside during the greater part of the year. 

 The dwelling-houses of the smaller tenants and cotters have been 

 greatly improved during the last twenty-five years, mostly by 

 the Duke of Sutherland. They are now, in general, comfortable 

 though not large. The arable farms are all provided with good 

 threshing-mills, driven by water or horses. There are very few 

 covered courts in the county, but they are now to be found on 

 some of the larger farms on the south-east coast, one of the best 

 being at Culmaily. Mr Lawson's steading at Clynelish is worthy 

 of special mention. It was built by the Duke in 1871, the 

 tenant paying interest. It is neat, compact, and exceedingly 

 convenient. The cattleman, for instance, has not to go outside 

 in any of his operations, while for the manure there is a con- 

 veniently situated covered pit. The cattle divisions are commo- 

 dious and well- ventilated. It is, indeed, one of the most compact 

 farm-steadings in the north of Scotland. jMr Sellar has also an 

 exceptionally good steading at Culmaily. 



The arable farms are in general well fenced, mostly witli 

 tlykes and wire. The dykes are usually built at the cost of the 

 Duke, wdiile the tenants drive the materials. 



The roads throughout the county are very good. Their forma- 

 tion has already been referred to. 



Sheep-Farming. 



The wealth and greatness of Sutherland may be said to con- 

 sist in its sheep-farming. To that important and generally 

 lucrative industry, the arable farming of the county is in a 

 manner made subservient. From it the Duke of Sutherland 

 and the other proprietors derive the larger proportion of their 

 rentals. To it the county is mainly indebted for the prominent 

 part it plays in the agriculture of Scotland. Carried on very 

 extensively, and %vith much success, the system is distinguished 

 by a perfection of management not excelled in any jiart of the 

 country. The stock of sheep, too, almost entirely of the Cheviot 

 breed, is of a high class, bearing an excellent reputation, and 

 commanding the top prices in all the leading British markets. 



This extensive and improved system of sheep-farming was 

 founded in Sutherland in 1806. In that year, and in 1807, as 

 if to make way for a new order of things, scab and rot killed 

 the majority of tlie small ill-shaped, ill-managed Kerry sheep 

 that formerly grazed the straths and mountains along with the 

 lilack cattle. In that year, also, Messrs Atkinson and Marshall 

 arrived in the county from Northumberland, and brought with 



