COUNTIES OF EOSS AND CROMAETY. 115 



is ploughed parallel to old furrows in autumn, from 10 to 12 

 inches deep. In spring it is ploughed across, or, if dirty, is first 

 grubbed and then ploughed across, and thoroughly harrowed and 

 cleaned of weeds. The land is manured with 20 loads of farm- 

 yard manure, with a cwt. of crushed bones, 2 cwt. of bone meal, 

 1 J cwt. of dissolved bones, and ^ cwt. of nitrate of soda to each 

 acre. Swedes are sown from loth to 2oth May, and yellows 

 from 2oth May to 12th June, Potatoes are grown only for home 

 consumption. Captain Warrand has fenced the whole of his farm, 

 and partly drained and reclaimed about 10 acres, all at his own 

 expense. About fifteen cross cows are usually kept, and from 

 these and a shorthorn bull excellent cross calves are reared. 

 Five or six calves are bought in for fostering at a week old, while 

 four yearlings are also bought in, and thus twenty-four two-year 

 olds are sold off every year. About half this number is fed to 

 an average weight of about 6 cwt. by February, when they are 

 despatched to the beef market. The other twelve are sold off 

 when about half fat. Those intended to be fed out are tied up 

 about the 1st of October, having had turnips previously given to 

 them on the open field. The diet till Christmas consists of 

 yellow turnips and a mixture of wheat, barley, oat, and Indian 

 corn meal ; and after that swedes are substituted for the yellows, 

 and a little linseed cake added to the meal. The cattle bred at 

 home are found to be the best paying animals. About 200 

 Cheviot and half-bred ewes are now kept on the farm, and Cap- 

 tain Warrand expects to sell 280 lambs every season. He allots 

 80 acres to each pair of horses. Cottages are scarce, and there- 

 fore unmarried servants are in the majority. Captain AVarrand 

 kept a very fine stock of pure bred Leicesters for several years, 

 but in September last the whole hirsel was dispersed at very 

 high prices. 



The largest farm on the estate is Cornton, occupied by Mr 

 George Middleton. It extends to about 400 acres, all arable, and 

 is rented at about 28s. per acre. The soil is light sandy loam, 

 and the climate is good. The ordinary five-course rotation is 

 pursued. The various crops yield well, except in dry seasons. 

 VMieat usually yields about 4 quarters per acre, and weighs from 

 Gl to 62 lbs. per bushel ; barley yields 5 quarters, and weighs 55 

 lbs. ; and oats yield 5^ quarters, and weigh from 41 to '42 lbs. 

 The grain is usually of the finest quality. The land intended for 

 turnips, if not dirty, gets one deep furrow in autumn and a cross- 

 ploughing in spring ; but, if dirty, it is gi-ubbed once or twice 

 before being ploughed in spring. About 15 tons of farm-yard 

 manure, and from 5 to 7 cwt. of artificial manures, priiici])ally bone 

 compounds, are usually applied to the acre. j\Ir Middleton has 

 recently been trying the system of spreading the farm-yard 

 manure on the stubble land in autumn, to be turned over with 



