386 THE CEREAL AXD OTHEE CHOPS OF SCOTLAND FOE 1880, 



The season being generally dry not mncli weeds ; dockens the most 

 common, also thistles, which seem to thrive best io. dry seasons. The 

 2:)astures were not so long as last year, but quite as nourishing, and stock 

 throve well and were free from disease. Wool of 1880 good ; above 

 average. 



Dumbartonshire. — Wheat about 32 bushels ; quality both of grain and 

 straw very superior to 1879. This is not a barley growing district, what is 

 grown was of excellent quality. Oats not quite so large a crop as 1879 owing 

 to the very dry season ; straw especially was a lighter crop, but quality was 

 never surpassed either in grain or straw ; quantity varied according to land 

 being adapted for standing excessive drought, from 40 to 50 bushels being the 

 rule. Harvest commenced about a month earlier than 1879, and 10 to 14 

 davs earlier than an averacre season. Eve-fjrass owing to drv season much 

 lighter than 1879, averaging only 1 ton to 1 ton 6 cwt., or 12 to 14 cwt. less 

 than 1879; quality good owing to dry harvesting. Clover both in rye- 

 grass hay and in after-math wonderfully fine crop, quite exceptional ; in 

 many places the abundance of after-math cut and secured compensated 

 fully for short first crop. Meadows only common in the western parishes 

 of Arrochar, Luss, portion of Row, and Kilmaronock ; quantity about same 

 as last year, but quality very much better as hay harvest in 1879, for late 

 hay was very disastrous owing to constant rain. Potato crop — quantity in 

 1880 averaged 10 tons, and in 1879 about 4 or 5 tons ; quality in 

 1880 very superior; the best potato year for long. No disease till Septem- 

 ber when it appeared pretty suddenly, and was pretty severe m many 

 instances. Turnips most abundant crop, of fine quality, about 25 tons ; 

 1879 not more than one half; brairded irregularly in 1880 owing to ground 

 being so dry, but blanks filled when occasional showers genninated the 

 seed, and second so"\,\ii]g quite excej^tional. No damage from insects. 

 Weeds less than usual, owing to dry season. Pastures vary according 

 to soil and district ; hill pasture much better than 1879 and above average ; 

 low ground owing to dry weather not so abundant, bat fair average. Hill 

 stock did particularly well ; in enclosed fields on low grounds fairly 

 well. Cattle and sheep free from disease. Clip of wool good, over the 



average. 



Stirlingshire (Western District). — Wheat, none grown. Barley little 

 grown. Oats, 1879, average would be about 28 bushels, and 35 cwts. 

 straw, all of inferior quality o^i.ng to the late wet season ; 1880, 45 bushels 

 oats, and 40 cvrts. straw, all of good quality and secured in fine condition ; 

 quantity of seed sown about 5 bushels. Harvest of 1879 about a month 

 later than usual, 1880 a fortnight earlier than usual. Hay, 1879, average 

 crop about 30 cwts. of inferior quality and badly secured ; 1880, average 

 crop, about 25 cwts. of small growth but finely secured. Meadow hay not 

 quite so productive as in 1879, but of superior quality and well secured. 

 Potato crop, 1879, average yield would be about 4 tons and in 1880 

 9 tons. Where the crop was allowed to stand till the ordinary digging 

 time there would be about one-fourth diseased ; the disease made its 

 appearance about the end of August. Turnip crop, 1879, average would be 

 about 6 tons of inferior quality, and in 1880 about 20 tons of splendid 

 quality ; braird excellent. No insects. Owing to the fine season the ground 

 was got well cleaned and prei)ared, and there was no damage from weeds. 

 Pastures shorter in growth, but of excellent quality. Stock throve very 

 welL Cattle and sheep free from disease, except a little scab amongst 

 sheep. Wool — good quality and rather over average clip. 



Stirlingshire (Eastern District). — Wheat crop 1879, was only half the 

 average generally speaking, and 40 bushels is considered a good average, 

 and the quality was equally low ;l the bulk of straw was not so deficient. 



