806 THE CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1887, 



tures of average growth and quality. Stock throve well ; cattle and sheep 

 free from disease, always excepting braxy. Clip of wool good in qualit}', 

 and over the average in weight. 



Argyllshire (District of Cowal). — Wheat, none. Barley, none. Oats, a 

 fairly good crop, and generally got in good condition ; yield quite an average, 

 and weight of corn show the ordinary range — easily 40 11:)S. to the bushel ; 

 seed about 6 bushels. Harvest finished somewhat early. Ryegrass hay was 

 decidedly under an average, but most of it got in good condition ; 2 tons 

 was scarcely reached in the best croj^s. Meadow hay as above, but less in 

 weight. Potatoes, a very heavy crop for this district, but as a rule the 

 quality inferior ; in some cases, owing to excessively rapid growth, fully 

 one-third were hollow ; but almost free from disease. The average weight 

 of turnips is greater than has probably been known in this district for 

 twenty years. No damage to any crops from insects. Weeds easily kept 

 under ; crops were cleaner this season than for the last ten years. Growth 

 of pastures was deficient, and what was somewhat disappointing, though 

 we had more than average sunshine. Stock did not come otf the grass so well 

 as expected. Cattle and sheep quite free from all disease. Quality of wool 

 excellent, and quantity a full average ; if any difference, a little more than 

 an average clip. 



Argyllshire (District of Inveraray). — No wheat. No barley. Oats an 

 unusually good crop, and well saved ; about 30 bushels ; straw scarcely so 

 heavy as usual ; but quality of both straw and grain very good ; seed, 6 

 bushels. Harvest rather earlier, say eight or ten days, than usual. Clover 

 does not grow on many farms in this district ; Avhen it does it is grown with 

 ryegrass ; crop under usiial weight, say 28 or 30 cwt. ; quality, owing to 

 good weather, very good. Meadow hay up to last year's crop, particularly 

 on damp meadow land. Potatoes an unusually good crop, owing to the 

 dry warm weather, both as to weight and quality ; very little disease, except 

 in the earlier kinds, and some new kinds tried. Turnips best crop for many 

 years, and grew well in this district always; average from 12 to 15 tons ; 

 quality sound and good ; brairded well. No injury by insects ; but chaf- 

 finches and sparrows are becoming more numerous and destructive to oats. 

 Not much injury by weeds ; mustard weeds, henbane, flowering nettle, 

 and dockens less than usual. Pastures quite as good and nutritious as 

 last year. Stock throve well, and were free from disease. Clip of wool, 

 quality good, and rather heavier than ordinary. 



Dumbartonshire.— Wheat, about 30 to 35 bushels ; say about 8 to 12 

 bushels more than in 1886; equality much better ; straw about same quan- 

 tity as last year, quality better ; seed sown, 2^ to 3 bushels. Barley, very 

 little grown ; 35 to 38 bushels ; quality very good ; seed sown, 3 bushels. 

 Oats, 30 to 36 bushels ; smaller crop than 1886, owing to season being so 

 dry ; straw said to be shorter than any year since 1826 ; a considerable 

 quantity injured by bad weather in harvest ; seed sown, 3^ bushels. Har- 

 vest about a fortnight earlier than usual. Hay about 30 cwt. to 2 tons, 

 according to soil anil locality ; quality excellent. IMeadow hay about same 

 as last year, and well got. Potatoes, quantity similar to last year ; equality 

 very fine ; little disease ; no new varieties. Turnips, crop better than last 

 year; about 20 to 22 tons, in some districts much more, and the finest 

 "crop experienced for many years ; quality tine ; brairded well ; no resowing. 

 No damage by insects ; fewer weeds than usual, owing to vmusually dry 

 season. Pastures, growth not very luxuriant, owing to drought, but quality 

 superior. Stock throve on dry land moderately, on wet or cold land 

 better than usual ; some stocks affected by pleuro ; the county local aulho- 



