A^■D METEOPcOLOGY OF THE YEAR RELATIVE THERETO. 387 



Crop 1880 was above tlie average, and quality excellent, grain and straw ; 

 quantity of seed from 2^ to 3 bushels. Barley crop 1879, the same remarks 

 apply ; 50 biLshels is a good average. Crop 1880, not more than an average, 

 a large area being very late in ripening owing to dry weather after seed 

 time ; seed about 3 bushels. Oats were not so bad in 1879 ; a good 

 average is 48 bushels ; seed about 4 bushels. Crop 1880, a good average 

 and tine quality. The harvest of 1879 was late, that of 1880 early ; on 

 many farms it was finished about same date as it had began the previous 

 year, but some barley fields were very late in the Carse district ; generally 

 speaking, however, the harvest of 1880 was about a month earlier than that 

 of 1879, with the exception of the late barley. Hay, 1879 ; a fair crop, as 

 to both rye-grass and clover, 35 cwt. Crop 1880 very deficient in quantity ; 

 quality good, 20 cwt. No meadow hay. Potato crop 1879, 4 tons ; 

 1880, 9 tons, little or no disease. Turnips 1879, a poorish crop, 14 tons ; 

 1880, good — 20 tons. In the Carse braii'd was slow, but only one sowing 

 was required. No insects during these two years. In 1879 a lot of weeds 

 came up, — chickweed, redshanks, tussilago, and the usual kinds that plague 

 farmers. In 1880 weeds were not bad, being a dry year. In 1879 there 

 was little substance in the pastures ; in 1880 pastures were good and 

 nutritive. In 1879 stock did little good on them, in 1880 they did well. 

 Cattle and sheep free from disease. No wool. 



FiFESHiRE (West and Middle District). — Wheat — except on some of the 

 thin light soils, where owing to the dry season straw was deficient, this 

 crop has been above average, and thrashing has confirmed the favourable 

 estimate formed early in the season ; quality superior and weights per 

 bushel heavy. Barley on thrashing has in many cases l)een disappointing, 

 and the yield will j)robably scarcely reach an average ; the quality 

 generally fine, and weights heavy, although in many eases there has been a 

 want of the fine bright colour prized by maltsters. Oats, probably a full 

 average. On dry light soils the straw was deficient owing to the heat 

 and drought, but the yield generally, and quality and weight of grain, 

 satisfactory. The straw of all the corn crops superior in quality. Harvest 

 about a week before the average time, and fully a month before 1879. 

 Hay crop scarcely average, quality superior ; second crop in many cases 

 very deficient. Meadow hay not much grown. As comjiared with last 

 year the potato crop was probably more than double, and decidedly above 

 average. A good deal of disease in many cases, and many complaints of 

 "black spots " unusually early in the season, and also of " sprain on some 

 light lands especially ; a considerable proportion will be used in starch 

 manufacture and for feeding cattle. Turnips generally a lar^e crop, few bad 

 fields to be seen ; not many cases of second sowing required. Those fields 

 which had not been storerl, have been completely destro3'ed by the intense 

 fro.st which has prevailed. Damage Ijy insects less than usual. The dry 

 season was favourable for extirpating weeds. Pastures fair average and 



food quality. Stock throve fairly well. There has been com2)aratively 

 ittle disease. Cliji of wool probably about average. 



FiFEKHiUE (Eastern District). — Wheat crop of 1880 at least double 1879 ; 

 little dillerence iu straw. Crop 1880 estimateil at 30 bushels ; 3 busht-ls 

 sown. Barley crop of 1880 more than double 1879 ; straw crop of 1880 

 not HO bulky, but better fpiality ; 30 bushels ostimatod a>5 the average of crop 

 1880, 3 bushels sown. Oat croj) of 1880 about the SiUne a.s crop 1879 ; 

 the straw not so bulky but better quality ; estimate*! crop 44 bushels ; 4 

 bushels sown. Harvest began at the usual time. Hav crop of 1880 oue-third 

 less than 1879; ([uulity much l)eUer. Croj> etitimateJ at ll ton. Meadow hay 

 not grown. PoUito crcip 18H0 d-juljle 1879 at least, one-fourth di.^eased ; 

 disesise conimencetl alxmt middle of September. Tuinip crop 1880 alx)Ut 

 three times larger than 1879 ; crop braiidcd well, almost no re-sowing ; 10 



