62 ON THE AGRICULTURE OF 



Sidlaw range by tlie Pass of Aucliterhouse, and winds its way 

 to Dundee via Baldragau, Locliee, Camperdown, and Liff. The 

 branch from Guthrie Junction to Dundee passes through 

 Friockheim, Arbroath, East Haven, Carnoustie, Barry, Moni- 

 fieth, Broughty Ferry, and Dundee. In connection with the 

 North British Piailway, steamboats ply between Broughty Ferry 

 and Tayport, and Dundee and iSTewport. To supersede this 

 somewhat unsatisfactory connecting link, the Company con- 

 structed the ill-fated Tay bridge. The length is 2|- miles, and 

 the number of spans eighty-nine, the centre one being 200 feet 

 wide, and 115 feet high. The cost exceeded £400,000. The 

 bridge, which was constructed of iron, worked well for some 

 time, and was acknowdedged by all who saw it in its complete- 

 ness to be the most wonderful achievement of modern engineer- 

 ing. But, during a terrific hurricane on the memorable night of 

 the 28th December 1879, it gave way under a passenger train, 

 causing the loss of between thirty-five and forty lives. Kincar- 

 dineshire is not so well supplied with local lines. A branch of 

 131 miles connects Montrose and Bervie, w^hile the Deeside 

 Piailway runs through the parishes of Drumoak and Banchory- 

 Ternan. 



From an agricultural point of view, Forfar and Kincardine 

 occupy a prominent position among Scottish counties. In the 

 lower districts of Forfarshire, with their genial climate and rich 

 soil, the cultivation of potatoes and wheat is carried to a per- 

 fection not excelled in any other part of the country. In Kin- 

 cardineshire and the higher parts of Forfarshire, less favoured by 

 nature, quite as much skill and care are exercised in the raising 

 of oats and turnips, while in both counties the rearing and feed- 

 ing of stock are pursued with great success. 



In both counties there is a considerable extent under wood, 

 the total value of w^hich is great. In Forfar, there were 26,604 

 acres under wood in 1854 ; the increase since then being 

 1492. The area in Kincardine increased from 16,652 acres in 

 1854 to 27,843 acres in the present year, being an increase of 

 no less than 11,191 acres. The extent of land in Forfarshire 

 this year, under both grass and fruit trees, was 52 acres ; used 

 by market-gardeners for the growth of vegetables and other 

 garden produce, 282 acres ; and used by nurserymen, 106 

 acres. In Kincardine there is no ground under grass and fruit 

 trees, but market-gardeners occupy 20 and nurserymen 12 

 acres. Both counties are valuable from a sporting point of 

 view, containing as they do many excellent grouse moors and 

 several very good deer forests. 



