378 THE CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1880, 



THE CEEEAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1880, AND 

 METEOROLOGY OF THE YEAR RELATIVE THERETO. 



THE CROPS. 



The following comparison of the cereal and other crops of 1880 

 with the previous year, has been prepared by the Secretary of 

 the Society from answers to queries sent to eminent agricul- 

 turists in different parts of the country. 



The meteorology of the year has been furnished by Mr 

 Alexander Buchan, Secretary of the Meteorological Society of 

 Scotland. 



The queries issued by the Secretary were in the follow^ing 

 terms : — 



1. What was the quantity, per imperial acre, and quality 



of grain and straw, as compared with last year, of the 

 following crops ? The c^uantity of each crop to be stated 

 in bushels. What quantity of seed is generally sown 

 per acre ?— (1) Wheat, (2) Barley, (3) Oats. 



2. Did the harvest begin at the usual time, or did it begin 



before or after the usual time ? and if so, how long ? 



3. What w^as the quantity, per imperial acre, and quality 



of the hay crop, as compared with last year, both as 

 regards rye-grass and clover respectively? The quantity 

 to be stated in tons and cwts. 



4. Was the meadow hay crop more or less productive than 



last year ? 



5. What was the yield of the potato crop, per imperial 



acre, as compared with last year ? Was there any 

 disease, and if so, to what extent, and when did it 

 commence ? The quantity to be stated in tons and 

 cwts. 



6. What was the weight of the turnip crop, per imperial 



acre, and the quality, as compared with last year ? 

 How did the crop braird ? Was more than one sowing 

 required ? and why ? The weight of the turnip crop to 

 be stated in tons and cwts. 



7. Were the crops injured by insects ? Was the damage 



greater or less than usual ? State the kinds of insects. 



8. Were the crops injured by w^eeds ? Was the damage 



greater or less than usual ? State the kinds of weeds ? 



9. Were the pastures during the season of average growth 



and quality with last year ? 



10. How did stock thrive on them ? 



11. Have cattle and sheep been free from disease ? 



12. What w^as the quality of the clip of wool, and was it 



over or under the average ? 



