114 ON THE AGRICULTURE OF THE 



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been effected. In 1874 the leases of about 120 crofts expired, 

 and, on a measurement of these holdings, it was found that dur- 

 ing their leases, which ranged from fifteen to nineteen years, 

 these small tenants had reclaimed upwards of 400 acres, all of 

 which had been thoroughly drained and partly fenced. These 

 crofters had also drained and fenced the greater portion of their 

 old land during their leases recently concluded, and by aid from 

 the proprietor they had also done a good deal in the way of 

 building. The gross rental has been doubled within the past 

 twenty-five years; and in many cases, where the land was good, 

 a considerable increase has taken place in the acreage rentaL 

 The tenantry, generally, are in a thriving, prosperous condition; 

 and we should mention that, with one or two exceptions, the 

 wdiole of the 120 crofters, whose leases expired in 1874, retained 

 their possessions and accepted agreements, under which they are 

 bound to reclaim at least one-tenth part of the moorland on their 

 holdings. The waste land, though thin and moorish in some 

 parts, is so well suited for potato culture, and otherwise so suit- 

 able for improvement, that the conditions of the new leases are 

 certain to be carried out very soon. While the improvements on 

 the crofts have been important, those on the larger farms have 

 been still more extensive. Offices and dwelling-houses of a 

 superior description have been erected at Cornton, Torgorm, 

 Leanaig, Easter and Wester Alcaig, Kinkeli, Drumoureach, Dun- 

 vornie, Teanalmich and Teanagairn, &c. There are two steam- 

 mills on the estate, one at Balnabeen and another at Wester 

 Alcaig, but as a rule the tenants use w^ater power for their 

 thrashing mills. Almost every tenant who has any waste land 

 attached to his holding sits under an impronng lease, and there 

 is every prospect of a good deal of reclaiming and other improve- 

 ments being accomplished before the end of the current leases. 

 Plans have been made and levels taken for clearino-.the hioh 

 lands of large lakes of stagnant water, which, when carried away, 

 will render a great deal of land improvable ; and arrangements 

 have also been completed to enclose for planting a large portion 

 of the waste land on the top of Milbuie, belonging to the property. 

 One of the principal farms on the Ferrintosh estate is Rye- 

 field, occupied by Captain A. S. C. Warrand. It extends to 

 about 320 arable acres, and about 50 acres of pasture. The soil 

 is a medium loam on freestone rock, and the rent about 30s. per 

 acre. A five-course rotation is pursued, — 1st, Oats ; 2d, turnips, 

 } being swedes ; 3d, wheat and barley ; 4th, hay Q) and pasture ; 

 oth, pasture. Oats usually yield about 5h quarters per 

 acre, and weigh 42 lbs. per bushel ; wheat yields 3|- quarters, 

 and weighs 62 lbs. ; barley yields about 5 quarters, and weighs 

 55 lbs. ; turnips average about '30 tons per acre, and the hay crop 

 is usually good, and pasture fair. The land intended for turnips 



