116 ON THE AGRICULTUEE OF THE 



the first furrow, and as yet the results have been favourable. 

 As already stated, the farm has been considerably improved 

 since 1850 by reclamations, draining, fencing, and building. A 

 "flying" stock of cattle is kept. They are bought in once a 

 year, and sold off fat from January to April, weighing generally 

 about 6 1 cwt. 'No cattle are bred on the farm. A little cake is 

 used, but for feeding turnips are supplemented chiefly by a 

 mixture of meal made from the different varieties of grain. A 

 small flock of half-bred and three-parts bred lambs are bought 

 in in August. As they are newly weaned when bought, they are 

 treated as kindly as possible for some time on good grass, and 

 soon after the 1st of January cut turnips are given them, and 

 after the 1st of May a little cake is added. They are clipt about 

 the 26th of May, and sold off in June. The farm horses in this 

 district are Clydesdale crosses, very much improved of late, but 

 still short in supply. About 80 acres are usually allotted to 

 each pair. Married servants are in the majority as yet, but 

 manied men are becominsr scarce. Rents in this district have 

 risen from 30 to 40 per cent, at the expiry of each lease; but now, 

 when labour and taxes a,re so high, there is not much room for a 

 further increase. We might be asked. Is this rise of rent due to 

 improved tillage of the original acreage ? or to an increase of the 

 arable land by reclamation ? or to a diminution of the farmer's 

 profits ? We think that the rise is due partly to all these three 

 causes, but mainly to the former two. The rents of several farms, 

 on which there have been no reclamations for many years, have 

 advanced upwards of 20 per cent, since 1850, and in these cases 

 the rise is mainly due to improved systems of farming. 



Sir Kenneth Mackenzie's beautifully situated estate of Conan 

 comprehends the western end of the parish, and has been immensely 

 improved by reclamation, draining, fencing, and building, both by 

 the present proprietor, and by the late Sir Francis A. Mac- 

 kensie of Gairloch, who is spoken of in " The New Statistical 

 Account of Scotland," as being " distinguished for zeal in agri- 

 cultural improvements, as respects both the reclaiming of waste 

 ground and introducing the modern system of husbandry among 

 his servants." Sir Kenneth is convener of the county of Eoss; 

 and is a painstaking practical agriculturist, and a considerate 

 landlord. He holds the home farm of Conan in his own hands ; 

 and under the careful management of Mr Mackenzie, the over- 

 seer, it is kept in a high state of cultivation. It extends to 

 about 400 acres, of which 340 are arable, and 60 under perma- 

 nent pasture. The soil is partly black loam, and partly sandy 

 loam, with a subsoil of sand. The ordinary five- shift course is 

 pursued, wheat being taken after turnips and potatoes. From 

 twelve to fourteen thoroughly good cross cows are kept ; and 

 from th^se and a shorthorn bull excellent cross calves are 



