114 ox THE AGRICULTURE OF 



The Fasqiie estates, now bv far the most extensive in the 

 county, have been acquired at diff'ereDt times since about 1825 

 or 1830. About that period the late Sir (then Mr) John Glad- 

 stone purchased the adjacent properties of Fasque and Balfour, 

 and some time afterwards that of Phesdo in the same neic;hbour- 

 hood. Then followed Balnakettle and Little and Meikle Strath 

 Balbegno, and last, but not least, the immense property of Glen- 

 dye. The last, by far the largest, was purchased about twenty- 

 five years ago by Sir Thomas Gladstone, the present owner, 

 from the Earl of Southesk, the price having been fixed by the 

 late ]\Ir Walker, Portlethen. It adjoins the other estates 

 excepting Phesdo, which is detached but not far distant, and thus 

 the Fasque property now extends from the village of Fettercairn 

 to within less than 10 miles from Banchory on Deeside, a 

 distance of over 16 miles. The total area is not far short 

 of 49,000 acres. By far the greater portion lies on the Gram- 

 pian range, and consists of black heath-clad hills intersected 

 by numerous valleys or small straths in wdiich there is a good 

 deal of green pasture. On the Glendye property there are 

 several small farms on the lower parts towards Banchory, 

 while on the other estates there is a large extent of excellent 

 arable land, mostly good rich loam, strong and deep in some 

 parts and thin in others, but all over sound and fertile. The 

 property contains a great deal of valuable wood, not a little of 

 which has been planted by Sir Thomas and his father. At the 

 time Fasque was purchased by Sir John its wood was valued at 

 £10,000, and since then its plantations have been increased by 

 several hundred acres. The plantations on Phesdo extend to 

 al30ut 103 acres, and those of Balfour to 215 acres : while on the 

 Glendye property, Sir Thomas has planted about 2500 acres. 

 Around the mansion-house of Fasque there are many trees of 

 great dimensions and rare grandeur. The mansion-house, a 

 large palatial-looking edifice, was built by the Eamsays of 

 Balmain in 1808-9, and is said to have cost about £30,000. 

 The policies are extensive and beautiful. A picturesque finely 

 situated lake, extending to about 20 acres and formed by the 

 late Sir John, adds greatly to their beauty. The home farm, 

 extending to 670 acres, including the farm of Bogendello, is 

 held by the proprietor. About 150 acres around the mansion- 

 house lie under permanent pasture. The other portion is 

 worked in the ordinary five or six shift rotation, and as a rule 

 excellent crops of barley, oats, and turnips are raised. The soil 

 on the lower parts consists of good black loam, what is known as 

 excellent barley and turnip land, and on the higher parts the 

 soil is lighter, but also fertile. Almost the whole has been 

 redrained lately and also well fenced. Barley yields from 4 to 

 5 qrs. per acre, weighing from 50 to 54 lbs., and oats from 5 to 



