92 ON THE AGRICULTURE OF THE 



During the first fifty years of the present century it is not too 

 much to say that the agricultural and social customs of Ross and 

 Cromarty were completely revolutionised. Large tracts of land 

 were reclaimed, draining and fencing were executed extensively, 

 new dwelling-houses and farm-steadings were built, roads were 

 made, improved farm implements were introduced, threshing- 

 mills brought into the country, a regular and systematic course 

 of cropping was adopted, artificial manures introduced ; the 

 barley, oats, and potatoes of the olden times supplemented by 

 wheat, turnips, and clover ; better horses, better cattle, and better 

 sheep were bred ; and, in short, almost every trace of the primi- 

 tive simplicity and rude barbarities of the feudalistic times were 

 abolished for ever. We cannot, of course, go into detail on these 

 gigantic changes, but we may transcribe from the report on the 

 parish of Tarbat in Sir John Sinclair's "Statistical Account 

 of Scotland" the following remarks regarding the introduction of 

 modern husbandry into Ross-shire : — " In the year 1798 the farm 

 of Meikle Tarrel in the parish was taken on a nineteen years' lease 

 by a farmer [Mr George Mackenzie] who had studied the most 

 approved mode of agriculture in East Lothian. The farm, which 

 then consisted of about 250 acres of arable land, was occupied by 

 several small tenants, whose lands were in a state of wretched- 

 ness, and their house afforded accommodation for neither man 

 nor beast. This farmer brought with him horses and implements 

 of husbandry of the very best description from the south, as also 

 farm servants of his own training. This was the first introduc- 

 tion of modern husbandry into this part of the country, from 

 which the introducer obtained the name of Farmer George. In 

 bringing his system into practice he had at first to contend with 

 many deep-rooted prejudices. Even the proprietor could not 

 then understand how his interests were to be forwarded by 

 encouraging his tenants. In the first place, a dwelling-house 

 was to be built, as also a set of suitable offices, houses, and a 

 thrashing-mill and garden, &c., enclosed. All this was done at 

 the farmer's own expense, without any assistance from the pro- 

 prietor, and at an outlay of L.150G. The soil being good, and 

 the new system bringing it into favourable operation, the farmer 

 soon began to reap the reward of his expense and labours, and in 

 the seventh year after his entry he had the satisfaction of obtaining 

 for his wheat and oats the highest price in Mark Lane — circum- 

 stances which dissipated the opposition of prejudice, and raised 

 up a spirit of imitation." Almost simultaneously with Mr Mac- 

 kenzie, Mr George Middleton came north from England, and 

 began farming in the parish of Cromarty. Mr Middleton, whose 

 grandsons now farm so extensively in Ross-shire, erected the 

 first thrashing-mill used in this part of the country, and exported 

 the first wheat. Among the others who took part in the early 



