16 ON THE AGKICULTUEE OF 



required for the earlier crop. In North Bute and Commermenoch^ 

 where less attention is given to the early potatoes, an effort 

 is made to sow the crop on manure formed of an equal propor- 

 tion of byre and stable manure and artificial stuffs. Generally 

 it may be said that the farmers are now using more ground bones 

 than formerly, and within the last few years it has become 

 necessary to use a good deal more town manure, and on one farm 

 in Kingarth, in the winter of 1879, upwards of 400 tons have 

 been spread. 



For the storage of the turnip crop during winter different plans 

 are adopted. On the eastern side of the island the produce of 

 two drills is gathered into one furrow, and covered over by the 

 plough. On the western side the turnips are only taken out of 

 the ground as they are needed, the earth being put up to them 

 at the beginning of the winter. The system, so successfully 

 carried out in Dumfriesshire, of feeding sheep on the growing 

 crop, has been tried in Bute, but on account of the moistness of 

 the climate it was found very unprofitable, and the practice has 

 been discontinued. 



The average yield of turnips per acre in 1855 was 15 tons 

 11 cwts; the average yield of Swedish turnips in 1870, about 

 18 tons ; and of yellow, 14 tons. For thinning turnips the services 

 of female workers can be secured at about 2s. per day, and of 

 male workers at about 2s. 6d. per day ; in both cases without 

 food. 



Summing up the report on green- cropping, it must be said that 

 the most unprofitable branch of farming during the last ten years 

 has been the growing of early potatoes, and those farmers who 

 have bestowed more attention on the turnip crop are to-day 

 better off than the others, and their farms are in much better 

 condition. Turnips leave the soil in much better condition for 

 the growth of the next crop, and one can easily distinguish by 

 the appearance of the white crop whether it has been sown on 

 potato or on turnip ground. 



Barley. 



Up to within a recent period wheat was extensively grown in 

 Bute. About the time of the Crimean War white wheat was 

 grown, and was the most successful and most profitable crop 

 raised in the island. Seasons were then very favourable, prices 

 were high, and on one of the most northerly farms the average 

 of 48 bushels per acre was realised on a field of 10 acres. Barley, 

 however, has for the last twenty years more or less been increas- 

 ingly cultivated, and, as a result, has now almost entirely sup- 

 planted wheat. The reason for this change of crop has chiefly 

 been this : the ready market which is found for barley in the 



