COUNTIES OF ROSS AND CROMARTY. 103 



about L.1200 to 1^.1600. The majority of the farms are small, 

 the Mains of Drynie being the only large farm on the estate. It 

 is occupied by Mr James E. Mitchell> and is rented at L.714. 



The estates of Kilcoy have been improved considerably during 

 the past quarter of a century, chielly by the draining of old land 

 and buildings. 



One of the largest farms in this neighbourhood is Kilcoy 

 Mains, occupied by Mr AYilliam Murray. It extends to about 

 610 acres, all arable, and is rented at L.732. The rotation pur- 

 sued in this neighbourhood varies — the fourth, fifth, and sixth 

 shift being all worked upon. The five-shift rotation prevails, 

 and is, on the whole, the most suitable for the district. The soil 

 on Mr Murray's farm is mostly black loam on a rocky subsoil. 

 A good many cattle are fed in the district, but on highly-rented 

 land farmers complain that they cannot afford to breed cattle for 

 themselves. Mr Murray generally buys in Cheviot lambs in the 

 autumn, and, after wintering them, disposes of them to sheep 

 farmers in spring. A few farmers in this neighbourhood keep a 

 stock of cross or Cheviot ewes, and breed lambs from Leicester 

 tups, selling them off in August. On the larger farms on this 

 estate from 70 to 80 acres of arable land is alloted to a pair of 

 horses, and on the smaller farms from 50 to 60 acres. 



Another large farm on the Kilcoy estate is Belmaduthy, 

 tenanted by Mr W. G. C. Asher, and rented at L.712. Mr Asher 

 is an intelligent practical agriculturist, and works his farm on 

 the most advanced principles. 



The farm of Munlochy and Braevil, also on the Kilcoy pro- 

 perty, extends to 210 acres all arable, is occupied by Mr A. P. 

 Smith, and is rented at L.364. The soil varies. In the valley 

 of Munlochy and Allangrange there is a good deal of stiff clay, 

 a few fields of <^ood black loam, and some moss. On the risino- 

 ground on either side the land is generally of a lighter quality; 

 but sharp, and when in good condition is very suitable for all 

 kinds of crops, wheat excepted. The five-course shift is pursued 

 here. The heavier land suits wheat very well, and good crops are 

 always certain if the season is favourable. AMieat, on an 

 average, yields from 3 to 4 quarters i)er acre ; chevalier barley 

 from 3 to 5, and common barley from 3 to 5h, and oats from 3 

 to 6. Wheat seldom exceeds the standard weight — 02 lbs. per 

 bushel ; barley weighs from 53 to 56 lbs., and oats from 40 to 

 43 lbs. The land intended for turnips gets a good strong autumn 

 fuiTow of 8 to 10 inches in (k'])th, and is in many cases sub- 

 soiled besides to a further de])th of 6 or 8 inches. In s]>ring 

 again it receives, according as it may hap])on to be clean or dirty, 

 two, or perha])s three, cross ])k)ughings, with corres]ir)nding har- 

 rowing, grubbing, and rolling, and has all the weeds collected 

 and carted oil. Ilie land is then treated in the usual way, from 



