COUNTIES OF EDIXBUEGH AXD LIXLITHGOW. 61 



of Woodend, occupied by Mr Archibald M'Yicar. This holding 

 extends to about 800 acres, and is principally hill-land, one-hall" 

 of which is in permanent pasture. On the other section are 

 grown — 1st, oats ; 2d, turnips and potatoes ; 3d, white crop of 

 some kind ; 4th, hay ; and pasture two years. Woodend is 

 essentially a mixed farm. 500 to 600 blackfaced ewes are kept 

 for breeding purposes. These are crossed with Leicester rams, 

 and the progeny are always finished by the end of August. 

 From 40 to 50 north Highland cattle are kept two summers, one- 

 half being disposed of from October to Xovember in each year 

 to the butcher, and others bought in to fill their places. 13 pure 

 Ayrshire cows constitute the dairy stocking, a bull of the same 

 breed being used. 15 or 16 calves are reared upon the skim 

 milk, butter being made from the cream. Passing several small 

 farms on our way, we arrive at West Craigs, which is 300 acres 

 in extent. Some of the land is hilly, and the rotation observed 

 by the tenant (Mr James Mackay) is — 1st, oats ; 2d, turnips and 

 potatoes; 3d, oats or barley, sown down with grass seeds; and 

 three years in grass. Yoi the soil and climate, this seems to be 

 a suitable shift. About 42 bushels of oats and 50 bushels of 

 barley per acre are considered fair returns. Some of the land is 

 grazed as long as ten years. Cattle are fed in winter with straw 

 and turnips, and cake is plentifully used for fattening. About 

 200 Leicester-Cheviot crosses are purchased in the autumn, 

 clipped and sold off' fat when the turni])S have been consumed. 

 Twenty Ayrshire cattle are kept, and their offspring reared and 

 disposed of when ready for maiket. 



Fancving we had seen enough of the mixed hill-farminfr iu 

 this district to enable us to give a faithful report of the 

 agriculture as practised at the present day, we made good our 

 way towards the east, passmg through a charmingly diversified 

 countiy, which is evidently cultivated with great care. Our 

 next halt was at Seafield, made famous of late years by the 

 honours won by the farmer, Mr John Meikle, in the pure Ayr- 

 shire cattle classes. He has a splendid array of silver medals, 

 which his stock have taken at the Highland Society's and other 

 shows. The farm consists of about 4U0 acres, and is lie Id under 

 a lease of nineteen years, from John Pender, Esq., M.P. The 

 rotation is — 1st, oats ; 2d, potatoes and turnips ; ikl, oats ; 4th, 

 hay ; 5th and 6th, pasture. The quality of the soil here varies 

 quickly. On one side of the main road leading east and west 

 the land lets at L.l to L.2 per acre ; on the other, it only realises 

 15s. On Mr Meikle's farm, good oats can be grown weighing u]) 

 to 44 or 46 lbs. per bushel, while the yield sometimes reaches 50 

 bushels per acre. The turnips raised are large and of good 

 quality. The varieties are chiefly yellow Aberileens and 

 hybrids. The tenant has succeeded on two different occasions 



