AXD METEOEOLOGY OF THE YEAR EELATIYE THERETO. 395 



bushels ; weight, 58 and 59 ILs. per bushel not uncommon ; 3i^ bushels 

 seed in low and well-cultivated lands, and 4 in high and poorer soils. The 

 remarks on barley apply to the oats ; average yield say 32 bushels ; weight 

 a good average, but does not exceed the average so much as barley. 

 Harvest began at the nsual time, but finished three weeks earlier than last 

 year. Hay a light crop, under the average ; the drought and scorching 

 heat in June causing the thinning and stinting of both clover and rye- 

 grass, each of which looked most promising in the early part of the season. 

 No meadow hay. Potatoes double the crop of last year, and of excellent 

 quality, almost free of disease ; average, 5 tons. Turnips a very large 

 crop, much above an average, of fine quality, but latterly very much 

 injured by the severe frosts ; brairded well, but a good deal of second 

 sowing in consequence of wind, and, in some places, want of moisture ; 

 Yellows, 20 tons — Swedes, 25 tons. A large extent of the turnip crop, 

 especially the Swedes, are let to be consumed on the ground by sheep ; the 

 continuance of frost, with slight thaws now and then, has destroyed a large 

 proportion of this crop. The pastures during the months of June, July, and 

 August were very bare on account of the drought and heat ; more abundant 

 during the earlier and later part of the season, and of good quality through- 

 out. Stock throve well, much better than in the wet season of 1879, and 

 were free from disease. Clip of wool good and over an average. 



Inverness-shire (Inverness District). — Wheat — quality of grain and 

 straw excellent ; average yield about 28 bushels, being about a third more 

 than in 1879 ; bulk of straw less, but quality much superior ; from 3 to 4 

 bushels of seed usually sown. Barley — quantity about 40 bushels on best 

 soils, and about 28 bushels on lighter soils ; quality very superior, the weights 

 being unusually high ; average about 57 lbs. per bushel. Straw fine 

 quality, but much less in quantity than 1879 ; average C|uantity of seed, 3^ 

 bushels. The yield of oats aljove an average, while ([uality is very superior 

 compared ^\dth former years. Straw also excellent, but less in bulk than 

 in 1879 ; quantity of oats about 40 bushels an average on good soils, and 

 about 26 bushels on lighter soils ; about 4 bushels sown. Harvest began 

 earlier than usual by about a fortnight. It was some five weeks earlier 

 than in 1879. Average quantity of hay on good land about 2 tons ; quality 

 very superior to crop 1879. The crop was well mixed with clover and rye- 

 grass. The seed, where saved, is excellent, though less in quantity than in 

 some former years. Very little meadow hay grown. The yield of potatoes 

 in many cases was double that of 1879 ; average not less tlian one-third 

 more. Very little disease affected the tubers. On land adapted for 

 potatoes the average return would be about 7 tons, while poor land would 

 average about 4 tons ; exceptional crops some 10 tons. The turnip crop 

 was much superior to crop 1879, both as regards quantity and (quality ; 

 the average yield on good land would be about 25 tons, while on light 

 land about 17 tons would be an average. On clayey and grav'tdly soils re- 

 sowing was to a small extent resorted to owing to dry weather. Frost has 

 damaged the crop almost entirely where unsecured. On some light soils 

 insects affected the plants to a small extent, but not so seriously as to injure 

 them ; ."mall, long wire-looking worms. No injury by wrrds. Tin* wiather 

 favoured cleaning till towards the end, when s(»i't growing weather pro- 

 moted usual growth. Eag weed, wild mustard, chief weeds. Pastures 

 superior in (juality. Stock throve excellently and were free from disease. 

 Tlie ^vinter of 1879-80 being fine, the clip of wool was a full average. 



Inverness-shirk (Beauly District).— Wheat— 40 busluls, fine quality, 

 (53 lbs. per bushel ; 2(> bushels over last year; 3 to 4 bushels sown. P.arley 

 — 3() busliL'ls, fine <|uality, 57 to 59 lbs. ])er bushel ; on clay and wet 

 lands only 20 bushels; average, 36 bu.shels ; 6 bushels over la.st year; 

 4 to 4^ bashels sown. Oats — average 41 bushels, on fine land 62 



