ON THE AGRICULTURE OF THE COUNTY OF SUTHERLAND. 87 



Durness ; 704 in Farr, Tongue, eastern portion of Durness, 

 and the part of lieay in Sutherland ; 785 in D(jrnocli, Creicli, 

 Lairg, and Rogart ; and 634 in Clyne, Golspie, Kildonan, and 

 Lotli. The total extent of hill and arable land held by these 

 2680 crofters was estimated at 106,864, of wliicli 10,276f was 

 given as arable. That would represent that on an average each 

 crofter had close on 4 acres of arable land and about 36 acres of 

 outrun each. The outruns, however, were in reality held as 

 " coninionty " by a certain number of crofters. In that year 

 they had 2359 acres in barley, 3971f acres in oats, 7 acres in 

 rye, 19|- in pease, 366 in turnips, 2121 in potatoes, 1143| in 

 grasses under rotation, and 264^ acres of improved and enclosed 

 permanent grass. Their horses numbered 1979, milk cows 5261, 

 other cattle 3471, their sheep 13,646, and their swine 827. 

 They had thus an average of two cows and of over five sheep. 

 Since that time there has been little change in the numbers 

 or possessions of these crofters. They have no leases, and 

 pay from 15s. to 20s. of rent per arable acre, including hill 

 grazings, which carry, on an average, 2 cows, 1 stirk, and 10 

 sheep ; or' 1 horse, 1 cow, 1 stirk, and 10 sheep. About two- 

 fifths keep a small horse or pony. As a rule, the crofts are well 

 cultivated, and the crops grown are about the same as indicated 

 by tlic returns of 1853. The cattle kept by the crofters arc 

 generally black highlanders, and the sheep mostly crosses be- 

 tween blackfaces and Cheviots. Generally speaking, crofters' 

 houses are in fair condition, most of them very comfortalde. 

 They have been greatly improved during the past twenty-five 

 years. In later years a considerable number of the crofters 

 have themselves built new houses, from 37 to 40 feet long l)y 

 13 feet inside the walls. The Duke of Sutherland supplies 

 them with timber and lime free of charge, and also grants 

 slates to be paid in certain instalments. The Duke also gives 

 the crofters lime gratis for repairing their houses. In most of 

 the townships the land has been reclaimed by the original 

 tenants, and, where they still survive, they enjoy the land 

 at the nominal rent fixed between thirty and forty years ago. 

 Every encouragement is given to enterprising and industrious 

 tenants in improving their land. In some cases portions of the 

 lot or additional land is drained and trenched at the cost of the 

 proprietor, the tenant paying interest at the rate of 5 per cent, 

 per annum. Crofters having a good hill stock and a fair sized 

 lot, or arable extent, maintain themselves without labouring 

 from home. The greater number, however, after laying down 

 the crops, seek employment wherever it is to be had ; but the 

 early and late herring fishings, especially the latter, are the 

 great attraction. They seem to prefer to run the risk of fishing 

 on chance to steady wages on land. Some seasons they do very 



