THE COUNTIES OF FORFAR AND KINCARDINE. 115 



7 qrs., weighing from 40 to 43 lbs. Turnips grow exceptionally- 

 well, yielding as much sometimes as 30 tons per acre. A very 

 commodious and substantial farm steading, with all the modern 

 comforts and conveniences, was erected on the home farm in 

 1872. It was built from a design by Mr Murray, the local 

 factor on the property, and is altogether one of the best stead- 

 ings in the county. The cattle courts are covered, and are ex- 

 tensive. A saw mill, carpenter's and blacksmith's shops adjoin 

 the steading, the saws and other machines being driven from 

 the water-wheel, which also drives the threshing mill. These 

 conveniences enable Sir Thomas to accomplish by his own em- 

 ployees a good deal of the estate work. An excellent herd of 

 polled cattle is kept at the home farm, as also some very good 

 sheep. The herd will be referred to afterwards. 



Proceeding eastwards from Fasque we enter the parish of 

 Laurencekirk, in which there is a large extent of good land, 

 clayey loam in some parts, deep strong loam in others, and thin 

 loam on the higher portions. Extending to 5617 acres, this 

 parish has a rental of £12,710, the increase since 1855 being 

 £5198, or not far short of £1 per acre. A good deal of this 

 very large increase is no doubt due to the growth of the village 

 of Laurencekirk ; but it is equally certain that there has also 

 been a very large increase in the agricultural rent of the parish. 

 The principal estates in this parish are those of Haulkerton, 

 belonging to the Earl of Kintore, and Johnston, owned by Mr 

 and Mrs Pearson. On the former there are several laro^e and 

 very good farms, on which a most advanced system of farming 

 is pursued. That of Bents of Haulkerton, occupied by Mr 

 William Alexander, is specially worthy of mention. On this 

 estate a good deal has been done in the way of building and 

 draining since 1855. The Johnston estate extends to about 

 1010 acres — 800 arable, 40 under natural pasture, and 170 

 under wood. The gross rental amounts to about £1800. Near 

 the village of Laurencekirk the rent is as high as £3 per acre, 

 while on the higher parts it is below 20s. Since 1850, some 

 draining and building and other improvements have been effected 

 on the estate. The soil is mostly of a clayey nature ; the five- 

 shift rotation being generally pursued. The home farm extends 

 to 200 acres arable and about 80 of wood pasture. A good 

 many small crofts are held by villagers on leases of ten years' 

 duration, and at rents as a rule higher than those paid for 

 larger holdings. 



Eordoun, the most important agricultural ])arish in the 

 county, lies on the north of Laurencekirk. It extends to 26,937 

 acres, and yields a rental of .£21,307. The increase since 1855 

 amounts to no less than £5358, or close on 4s. per acre of the 

 total area. The soil varies greatly. A large portion is strong 



