THE COUNTIES OF FORFAR AND KINCAIIDIXE. 125 



shorthorns and polled cattle, a few pure-bred anhnals of both 

 breeds being raised in the district. The most important change 

 in the system of farming on this estate within the past twenty- 

 five years has been the more extensive adoption of the six-shift 

 rotation. The stocks both of cattle and horses have been greatly 

 improved during that period. On other estates in this parish 

 there has also been a good deal done in the way of permanent 

 improvements since 1855. 



The last parish we visit is Strachan, the most western and 

 by far the largest j)i^rish in the county. It extends to no less 

 than 41,885 acres, the main portion of it consisting of high hills 

 and moors. The rental is only £5210, the increase since 1855 

 being £1573. The arable area is very small, and is made up 

 largely by a narrow irregular fringe along both sides of the Feugh 

 and its tributary the water of Dye. Near the village of Strachan 

 on the Feugh there is a considerable stretch of really good arable 

 land, mostly black free fertile loam. The principal estates in 

 this parish are those of Glendye, Strachan, and Blackball. On 

 the former, now owned by Sir Thomas Gladstone, Bart, of Fasque, 

 there is a small strip of arable land along the course of the Dye, 

 mostly between Binglyburn and Glendye lodge, a short distance 

 above the bridge of Dye. On the Strachan estate there are a 

 few good arable farms, the largest being Bowbutts. Extending 

 to 180 acres, all arable, this farm is leased by Mr James L. Eust 

 at a rent of £219. The soil is light black loam, on gravel or 

 rock. One half the farm is worked in five shifts, and the other 

 in the " easy " six-shift rotation. The five shifts is still the 

 most general in the district, but the six is gaining ground. The 

 latter is the most in favour everywhere, but some portions of the 

 land would throw out the sown grasses and go back to the 

 natural state, growing heath and rough grasses, if left three or 

 more years in grass. Oats yield about 4 J- qrs. on an average, 

 and weigh 42 lbs. ; barley, 3|- qrs., weighing 55 lbs. ; potatoes, 

 5 J tons, suitable for the market ; turnips, 18 to 20 tons; and hay, 

 1:^ ton per acre. Turnips get from 10 to 12 loads of farmyard 

 manure per acre, wii:h from 3 to 5 cwt. of artificial manures. 

 Potatoes get from 12 to 15 loads of farmyard manure per 

 acre, with from 4 to 5 cwt. of light maiuires. The artificial 

 manures mostly used for potatoes consist of a mixture of 

 potash salts and other substances, and for turnips soluble and 

 insoluble phosphates. Very little wheat is grown in this 

 district, but oats and barley of lieavy weights and very fine 

 quality are raised. Harvesting begins, as a rule, early in 

 Septemljer. A good many cattle, mostly crosses between the 

 polled and shorthorn breeds, are reared in this parish. Indeed, 

 a few of tlie smaller farmers breed more than they feed, while 

 the larger farmers have only a few to buy in. Mr liust and 



