THE COU^'TIES OF FORFAR AND KINCARDINE. 97 



some fields the subsoil is of a sandy nature, while here and 

 there on the higher knolls, the whingtone rock, so well dis- 

 played on the adjacent hills, shoots up very close to the surface. 

 As a whole, the soil on Baldinny is heavier than on Corston, but 

 the latter is rather more sound and sharp, and better suited for 

 grass and potatoes. Heavier grain is generally grown on the 

 sharp sound land of Corston than on the deeper softer land of 

 Baldinny. Potatoes are also more liable to disease on the soft 

 land. The rotation stipulated for in the lease is that of seven 

 shifts, two years grass, and two green crops ; but, latterly, Mr 

 Buttar has been allowing the land to lie in grass for three years. 

 The grass stands up very well. Mr Buttar feeds a great many 

 cattle and sheep, but these will be referred to afterwards. 



Directing our course towards the Grampians, we enter the 

 Braes of Angus. We here find a colder climate, greater variety of 

 surface and thinner soil, but withal a beautiful country, occupied 

 by an intelligent and enterprising class of farmers, whose system 

 of management bears no unfavourable comparison to that which 

 has won for the lower and better favoured parts of Forfarshire, 

 the credit of beincj one of the most advanced agricultural districts 

 in Scotland. The principal property in this region is that owned 

 by the Earl of Airlie, who is well-known as an active supporter 

 of every movement that has for its object the development of 

 the agriculture of the country. The Airlie estates extend over 

 a considerable part of Forfarshire, and also stretch into the 

 county of Perth. The total area measures perhaps about 70,000 

 acres, the rental for the crop of 1879 being £26,500— £19,500 

 in Forfarshire and £7000 in Perthshire. The increase in the 

 rental during the last twenty-five years amounts to about 

 £10,000. The arable area is estimated at about 1800 acres, 

 rented on an average at say 24s. 6d. per acre, making a total of 

 £22,050, and the hill pasture at 1500 acres rented at 2s. per 

 acre, or in all £4500. The plantations extend to about 7000 

 acres. Since 1850 a large extent of laud has been reclaimed 

 from moor, and is now bearing profitable crops. Within the 

 same period over 500 acres have been planted at a cost of about 

 £3, 10s. per acre. The proprietor has also expended a large sum 

 of money in building, draining, and fencing. These improve- 

 ments are effected under agreements entered into at the com- 

 mencement of leases, all new buildings, considered necessary, 

 being as a rule erected by the proprietor, the tenant performing 

 the carriages. Throughout these estates the tenants have also 

 done a good deal to im])rove the condition of their farms, in the 

 way of reclaiming small patches, draining portions, and erecting 

 fences. The soil varies greatly, but the most general is a 

 medium friable loam, rich in some parts and thin on others. The 

 five and six course rotations prevail, the latter being more general 



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