AXD METEOKOLOGY OF THE YEAR EELATIVE THERETO. 389 



Perthshire (Pertli District). — "Wheat from 4| to 5 quarters on an aver- 

 age, being about 2 quarters more tban last year ; straw mucli firmer, but no 

 more bulk than previous year ; quality of grain very much better. Barley 

 a very disappointing yield compared with what the fine dry season led us 

 to expect — about 32 bushels, very fine quality, 55 to 57 lbs. per bushel ; 

 straw soft, and goes fast out of sight in the courts ; grain better quality, but 

 not much more of it than last year. Oats a very good crop, except on clay 

 lands — from 48 to 54 bushels, 42 to 43 lbs. per bushel ; an average crop 

 of straw ; 2 quarters more grain, but not as much straw as last year. 

 Har^^est 10 days before the usual time. Hay about 1 ton 15 c^^i;., very 

 fine quality ; clover very strong — second cutting exceptionally so ; 1 ton 

 less than last year ; much better quality. Meadow hay more productive. 

 Potato crop 7 to 8 tons this year ; 4 to 5 tons last year; Regents one- 

 third diseased ; Champons hardly any ; first noticed disease in the end of 

 September, Turnip crop 15 to 20 tons ; three times more than last year ; 

 first Swedes liad to be re-sown owiag to the continual drought ; came away 

 very fast, and grew rapidly after the rain came. Not much damage done 

 by insects. No weeds, except some mustard (skelloch). Pastures very- 

 bare all season. Stock did uncommonly well considering the scarcity of 

 grass, and were free from disease. Clip of wool about an average as to 

 quantity and quality. 



Perthshire (Highland District). — Wheat — none grown. Barley — 

 (fjuality excellent ; from 36 to 37 bushels ; from 56 to 57 lbs. per bushel ; 

 4 lbs. heavier than last year ; average quantity sown, 4 Inishels. Oats — 

 quality excellent ; average 41 bushels ; from 43 to 44 lbs. per bushel ; 

 3 lbs. heavier than last year ; average quantity sown, 5 bushels. Harvest 

 about a week earlier than usual, and three weeks earlier than last year. 

 Hay — average quantity; about 13 cwt. ; quality weak, but very "well 

 secured. Rye-grass chiefly defective ; clover, average — about 7 cwt. less 

 than last year. Meadow hay a sj)lendid crop in the higher glens ; through- 

 out about 3 cwts. better than last year. Potato crop first class, quite' 4^ 

 tons ; 1 ton more than last year ; hardly any disease ; several dilatory 

 farmers lost more or less of their crop by the early frost. Turnip crop 

 very good ; average 20 tons ; one or two cases of 30 tons ; quality better, 

 and about 4 tons more than last year ; braird well ; no second sowing 

 required. Insects did no injury. Crops were not injured by weeds. 

 Pasture was not rank but nutritive, comparing well with last year. Stock 

 throve well, and were free from disease. Clip of M'ooI — quality very good ; 

 about 25 per cent above average. 



Perthshire (Dunkeld and Stormont District). — Wheat excellent (j[uality 

 and weight ; 36 bushels ; seed so^^'n, 4 bushels. Barley wants colour ; 

 lieavy weight — 30 bushels ; seed sown, 5 bushels. Oats very good ; 32 

 bushels ; seed sown, 6 bushels. The quantity of straw both of barley and 

 oats was much under last year. Harvest about the usual time in Lower 

 Stormont, but ten days earlier in late districts. Generally the hay crop 

 was short ; on good land it may have touched 2 tons ; much under an 

 average crop. Meadow hay not much gro\m, but generally less productive. 

 Potato cro]) about as good as last year — 6 to 7 tons ; not much disease on 

 red lands, Init more on light lands. Turnips — cxtm crop, from 26 to 30 

 tons ; crop brairded well ; not more than one sowing in general. Stormont 

 Union Competition — Ist prize, 23 tons 15 cwt. ; 2d prize, 23 tons 6 cwt. ; 

 3d ]»rize, 23 tons 3 cwt. Not much injury bv insects, grub, or turnip- 

 lly. Not mucli weeds in general exce[)t on low-lying fields. Pastures 

 an average crop, but fii*st half of grass season was deficient. Stock 

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

 ^od ([uality. 



