AND METEOROLOGY OF THE YEAR RELATIVE THERETO. 315 



consequently generally of heavy weights, but the dull and showery weather 

 experienced during the end of harvest discoloured the grain, which affected 

 prices ; quantity usually sown from 3 to 4 bushels ; the average yield 

 on the best land from 26 to 40 bushels. The yield of oats was feir upon 

 well-farmed lands, but disappointing upon light sandy and ill-conditioned 

 soils ; the quality of straw was good, but small in quantity ; from 24 to 40 

 quarters on good land, but on light land some 16 to 20 bushels would be 

 an average return ; from 4 to 5 bushels are usually sown. Harvest began 

 somewhat earlier than usual, but it was interrupted by inclement weather, 

 and much delayed upon the higher altitudes. The hay crop was lighter than 

 last year's crop, but the quality was good ; about l^ (30 cwt.) would be a 

 full average in the district. No meadow hay grown. The potato crop was 

 a very good one, some fields having yielded about 8 and 10 tons ; while the 

 average would be about 7 tons ; there was no disease ; some new varieties 

 have been grown with promising results. The turnip crop was an average 

 one, some fields of from 25 to 30 tons, being not uncommon upon the best 

 farms ; while 18 to 22 tons would be grown upon lighter farms, if well 

 manured ; the braird comes all right, but second sowing had to be resorted 

 to upon some sandy soils, in consequence of high winds after sowing. Less 

 than usual damage by insects. Charlock was pretty common, as it always is in 

 dry seasons. Pastures were drier than usual, but the quality was equal to 

 1886. Stock throve very well. Cattle and sheep have been free from disease 

 since spring, but considerable loss was experienced through the introduction 

 of pleuro from the south among several dairy stocks around Inverness. The 

 clip of wool was an average one, and the quality fair. 



Inverness-shire (District of Beauly). — Wheat, none. Barley, 26 bushels 

 of ordinary quality ; quantity of straw below last year ; and quality of grain 

 and straw inferior. Oats, 32 bushels, or about 8 bushels less than last year ; 

 straw one-third less, and inferior quality. Harvest about the same date as 

 1885, or fourteen days earlier than 1886. Hay much about the same as last 

 year ; for quantity and quality say 1 ton 2 cwt. Meadow hay none. 

 Potatoes, about 7 tons as compared with 6 tons last year ; the quality very 

 superior, and no disease. Turnip crop much about last season's — weight 

 and quality say IS tons ; brairded very even on friable soils ; but second and 

 third sowing was resorted to on stiff clay soil. Xo injury by insects or 

 weeds. Pastures, good land well watered, fair average, and stock did well, 

 but light land on gravel subsoil was burnt, and next to useless, and stock did 

 no good until autumn. Cattle and sheep free from disease. Clip of wool 

 quality only fair, and light in quantity. 



Inverness-shire (Skye).— Wheat, none grown. Barley, none. Oats are 

 far in advance of last year's crop, and will give a third more meal. The 

 harvest started two weeks earlier. Hay, the quantity much the same as 

 former season, but quality better. Meadow hay about the same as last year. 

 The potato crop has been exceptionally good, as to quantity and quality, and 

 free of disease ; the yield would be about a third more ; some fresh seed is 

 imported, which is of great benefit to the people. The turnip crop was about 

 the same as last year ; the crop brairded well, and did not require a second 

 sowing. No damage done by insects. The damage from weeds was not 

 worse than usual. The pastures were much better than last year. Stock 

 has been doing well all the season, and perfectly free from all diseases. The 

 cliiJ of wool has been very good, and fully above an average as to quality. 



Inverness-shire (Lochaber).— Wheat, none grown. Barley, scarcely any 

 grown. Oats, as compared with 1886, about 6 bushels to acre more grain ; 



