388 THE CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1880, 



tons. "N"o insects. Barley and oats suffered to a small extent by wild mustard 

 or skellock ; the damage was less than usual. The pastures were of average 

 growth and much better quality than the year previous. Stock thrived 

 well, and were free from disease. Clip of wool an average. 



Perthshiri: (South- West). — '\\Tieat about 40 bushels, or more than double 

 the yield of former year. Seed sown for fallow crop 3 bushels, and after 

 green crop 4 bushels. Barley — about 36 bushels ; quality good, but samples 

 generally dark and ill-coloured ; straw one-fourth less than 1879 ; seed 

 4 Ijushels. Oats — 40 bushels ; straw not nearly so bulky as in 1879, one- 

 third less at least. Harvest commenced about a fortnight sooner than usual, 

 and three weeks earlier than the previous year. The quantity of hay 

 varied very much, owing to the long periods of excessive drought, and the 

 want of rain in spring. The crop was generally light, not nearly an 

 average, about 26 cwt. ; but good quality. River-side meadows were very 

 productive, while upland park hay was very deficient ; but all was of 

 good quality and well got. The potato crop would average 7 tons ; 

 but on many farms one-half was lost by disease, and on others less. 

 The disease commenced rather later than usual, and was very virulent. 

 Turnip crop about 20 tons, or twice as much as compared with former 

 year. Crop brairded well, very little double sowing required. Quality 

 good. Not more insects than usual ; hardly any cases of damage by 

 the beetle. The season was favourable for keeping down weeds. On all 

 deep lands pastures were better than last year ; but light soils and old 

 fogged worn out pastures were unproductive, and in many cases burnt 

 severely by the sun. Stock throve very well on good deep land ; but cattle 

 were disturbed a good deal in hot weather by the gad-fly, and the sheep 

 suffered from fly-blows and maggots. The ordinary diseases, that is, staggers 

 and braxy, were severe on some farms ; never had so many cases of sturdy. 

 Wool was a fair good clip on hill and dale, and over an average in quantity 

 and quality. 



Perthshire (Coupar- Angus District). — Wheat — quantity fully an aver- 

 age both of grain and straw ; quality very good, superior to last year ; not 

 much wheat threshed yet ; from 3 to 4 bushels so\\ti. Barley from 40 to 

 48 bushels ; cjuality good, and from 20 to 30 bushels more than last year ; 

 from 3 to 4 bushels sown. Oats from 48 to 58 bushels ; quality very good ; 

 straw generally less than last year ; about 4 bushels sowti. Harvest com- 

 menced 18th August, exactly thirty days before last year, and much about 

 the average time of the previous years. Hay very inferior as to quantity. 

 Potato crop was very varied, even on the same farm. The crop was 

 not larger than last year in general, there being also nearly one-half 

 in Regents and Victorias diseased — not much in Champions or Magnum 

 Bonums ; quantity from 5 to 8 tons. Turnips from 16 to 20 tons ; quality 

 frequently not so good as last year from finger and toe ; the crop brairded 

 well, and very little re-sowing was required, and there were from 6 to 8 

 tons more than last year. No injury by insects, and none from weeds. 

 Pastures not nearly so good as last year on account of the continuance of 

 dry weather. Stock throve only middling, but were free from disease. 

 Clip of wool an average. 



Perthshire (Western District). — No wheat, and hardly any barley. Oats 

 an average crop. Harvest fully earlier than usual. Hay crop light ; 

 quality good ; not much rye-grass. Meadow hay less productive. Potato 

 crop good and bulky, but much diseased ; a good deal lost by frost. Turnip 

 crop heavy — sown once. No insects and no weeds. Pastures fully better 

 than last year. Stock did better than average seasons, and were free from 

 disease. Clip of wool superior — above average as to quantity and quality. 



