AND METEOROLOGY OF THE YEAR RELATIVE THERETO. 385 



Pastures — growth less, quality better. Stock did well, and were quite free 

 from disease until braxy came on. It has been very heavy during the last 

 three months. Clip of wool much about the average. 



Argyllshire (Parishes attached to district of Dunoon). — No wheat 

 sown. Barley — 36 bushels, as against about 30 last year. The straw this 

 year was excellent, while last year it was all but worthless. Seed sown, 

 4 bushels. Oats — 40 bushels, as against about 25 last year, while the quality 

 of both grain and straw was excellent. Last year straw was almost worth- 

 less, and the grain, while poor in quality, would not weigh above 37 lbs., 

 against generally 42 lbs. this year. Quantity of seed about 5 bushels. 

 Harvest commenced about one month earlier than usual, and seven weeks 

 before 1874. Hay crop about 15 cwt. against 30 cwt. last year, but the 

 quality this year is very good, against very inferior last year. Meadow hay 

 about the same, but the quality this year is very superior. Potato crop 

 from 8 to 10 tons ; last year would not exceed 5 tons. Disease not general 

 this year, but in some cases there would be 20 per cent. ; commenced 

 about 1st August. Turnips an average crop, about 20 tons, and last 

 year about 15 tons ; quality was deficient last year, and feeding stock 

 did little good on them ; this year about 30 per cent, has been lost by 

 frost ; brairded well ; did not need second sowing. No insects. Crops 

 were never easier managed in respect of weeds. Have seen pastures 

 much better, but stock did very well on the lesser quantity. Stock did 

 very well, and more especially sheep. Have not heard of single case of 

 disease in district. Clip of wool over an average, and the quality was never 

 better. 



Argyllshire (Islands of Islay, Jura, and Colonsay). — No wheat or 

 barley sown. Oats are thrashing about 50 bushels ; a fine quality ; 41 to 

 42 lbs. per bushel, and well coloured ; about 6 bushels sown. The straw 

 is much better than the former year, and also the oats 4 lbs. a bushel 

 heavier and much better coloured. Harvest began on the 18th August, and 

 finished on the 19th September. Good weather all through, although there 

 was some rain. In 1879 harvest began on 8tli of September. Hay was a 

 very light crop in 1880, not over Ij ton ; double the quantity in 1879. 

 May 1880 was very dry. Meadow hay more productive and much better 

 in quality. Potatoes — quantity more than double 1879. No disease. 

 Champions and Magnum Bonums sown. Turnips — an excellent crop both 

 this year and last year. They would be rather better this year. They 

 brairded well ; only sown once. A good part of the oats was thinned by the 

 grub worm, and 2 acres of mangolds were eaten by a small lly like a clock 

 just as they came through the ground. Kail and cabbage planted in their 

 place, and did well The crops were in no way injmed by weeds. The 

 summer being drier, the pastures were much superior than the former 

 year. Stock of all kinds did much better in 1880 than in 1879, and the 

 cows milked much better. Stock throve well. Cattle (juite free from 

 disea.se, but not the sheep. The quality of the wool was good, and about an 

 average. 



Argyllshire (District of Inveraray). — No wheat or barley. Oats about 

 24 or 20 bushels ; average produce. Grain and straw very good and well 

 saved ; about one-third better than previous year. The usual allowance of 

 seed is G bushels. Harvest began about fourteen days before the previous 

 year. Kye-gra.ss and clover lighter than crop of 1879 by at least 8 cwt. 

 Meadow hay, which is the principal fodder, nearly as heavy as previous 

 year, particularly wliat was late of beinj^ cut ; quality of all very good. 

 Potato crop better than previous year. >«ot much disea.se ; not more than 

 one bag in fifteen. Turnip crop always good, this year unusually so ; probably 

 20 or 22 tons. Brairded well ; no second sowing re<j[uired. No insects. 



2 B 



