5D 



1 iO OX THE AGEICULTUEE OF THE 



new farm at Stittenham. On the west coast the improvement of 

 the estate of Attadale is contemplated. This estate is at present 

 in the hands of one tenant, but it is intended to divide the estate 

 into four farms with new steadings and dwellings, and also make 

 a considerable addition to the arable land. The improvements 

 of the farms of Fernaig, Achmore, and Braeintrah is also con- 

 templated. Y\e have devoted a good deal of space to Mr 

 2>Iatheson's many and various improvements, but when it is 

 mentioned that, in round numbers, they entailed an outlay of 

 something like L. 150,000, it will be admitted they fully merit 

 the notice they have got. 



One of the principal holdings on the Ardross estates is the 

 farm of Dalmore, occupied by Mr Andrew Mackenzie, son of the 

 respected factor on the property. The extent is about 370 acres 

 arable and 50 in pasture. The soil is light, but kindly, and has 

 curious veins of gravel running through it all over the farm. 

 The usual five-course rotation is followed, the best land being 

 sown with wheat, the medium soils with barley, and the lighter 

 gravelly parts with rye. With the view of obtaining a good 

 supply of straw, as much wheat as possible is grown, and the 

 favourite varieties are Chedham and Hunter or Essex white 

 wheat. The seed is changed every three years, generally from 

 the south of England, and from 3 to 4 bushels are given to the 

 acre. The yield varies from 3J to 4 quarters j)er acre, and the 

 weight from 60 to 62 lbs. per bushel. The favourite variety of 

 barley is Hallet's Pedigree Barley. Tlie barley seed is also 

 changed every three years, and about 3 bushels of seed are 

 allowed to each acre. The Pedigree variety grows more straw 

 than the ordinary chevalier variety, and for this reason is used 

 the most extensively. The yield averages about 5 quarters per 

 acre, and the weight ranges from 54 to 56 lbs. per bushel. The 

 Sandy variety of oats stands supreme in Pioss-shire. It usually 

 affords a heavy yield of straw, and where so much attention is 

 paid to feeding, the crop of straw is a very important considera- 

 tion. Mr Mackenzie grows no oats but the Sandy variety, and 

 usually reaps from 4 to 5 quarters from each acre, the weight 

 ranging from 40 to 42 lbs. per bushel. About 4 bushels of oats 

 are allowed to an acre as seed. Eye grows very well on the thin 

 gravelly land, and is on the whole a remunerative crop, consider- 

 ing that it will grow well where no other variety of grain would 

 come away at all. It affords a fair crop of straw, which is 

 valuable for thatching purposes, and usually yields from 3 to 3|- 

 quarters per acre, and weighs from 56 to 60 lbs. per bushel. The 

 land intended for turnips is subsoiled early in autunm by a 

 steam tackle, the " knifer " or subsoiling plough being always 

 used. The object of this is to stir up and loosen the land to a 

 greater depth than it had hitherto been. The knives of the 

 plough penetrate to a depth of about 18 inches, and give the 



