THE COUNTIES OF FORFAR AXD laXCARDIXE. 103 



cake all the year round, and in the course of the tweiv-e months 

 about 200 head of cattle are turned off to the butcher in the best 

 condition. Mr Hume usually takes the grass and turnips on one 

 or two adjacent farms as starting ground for the newly bought- 

 in lots. During the last few years he has been buying in a few 

 well-bred shorthorn cows at various sales over the country ; and 

 along with his extensive system of feeding he is gradually intro- 

 ducing the breeding of shorthorns. Already he has been very 

 successful, alike in the breeding and feeding, having carried off 

 several prizes both in the fat stock and breeding shows. About 

 a hundred half-bred ewes, bought at the southern sales, are also 

 kept, and from these and Leicester or Shropshire tups an excel- 

 lent class of lambs is raised. The ewes and lambs are fed 

 together on the fields, and sold as they become " ripe," the lambs 

 being always away in June, and the ewes by the end of July. 

 The most of the fat stock is sold to Montrose butchers, who 

 kill largely for the London market. A flock of blackfaced 

 w^ethers is likewise fed, either on Barrelwellor on some adjoining 

 farm, every winter. As many horses are bred on the farm as 

 maintains the required working " staff," with a pair to sell occa- 

 sionally. They are of a very good kind, and have brought high 

 prices. 



Part of Lord Southesk's fine property lies in the parish of 

 Brechin, where his lordship has some excellent farms, particu- 

 larly those of Longhaugh, "VVindyedge, and Kincraig. The former 

 two, along with a small farm adjoining each, are held respectively 

 by Mr Kobert Lyall Mustard and Mr William Mustard. Ihese 

 four farms, now leased by his sons, were entered by the late Mr 

 Mustard, an enterprising, skilful farmer. The combined farms 

 of Leuchland and Northtown of Leuchland extend to 430 acres, 

 all arable, and are rented at £712. The soil consists mostly of 

 medium loam of fair quality, some small portions being stiff and 

 others very light. As a rule, the seven-shift rotation is pursued 

 on Leucldand, but latterly one field has been allowed to lie three 

 years in grass, the green crop being considerably improved by 

 the alteration. On Northtown the five-shift svstem is fulluwed. 

 Taking the twelve years from 1858 to 1870, the average yield of 

 undressed wheat on Leuchland would be 34 bushels, weighing 

 61 to 02 lbs.; barley, 40| bushels, weighing 52 to 54 lbs.; and 

 oats, 49 bushels, weighing 41 to 42 lbs. On Northtown the yield 

 of barley wuuld be about 39^ bushels, and oats 4iU bushels. 

 The returns the last few years have been much under those. 

 Potatoes vary greatly in the yield. Kegents may be noted at 

 from 4 to G tons, and cliampioiis at from G to 8 tons per acre. 

 Yellow turnij)s average from IG to 18 tons, and Swedes from 18 

 to 20 tons per acre. Hay in a good season yields about 200 

 stones of 22 lbs. each per acre, 240 stones bein^j considered a very 



