312 THE CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1887, 



crop was carried to the stack-yard in middling condition ; a third of this 

 crop in this district may be described as fairly good, another third as very 

 middling, and the other third as very bad ; the gross yield being below aver- 

 age, especially as regards fodder ; quantity, 30 to 38 bushels, and the weight 

 42 lbs. to 45 lbs. per bushel; quantity sown, 6 bushels. Harvest commenced 

 last year on 16th September, this year on the 9th of August. The hay crop 

 was deficient to the extent of a third, in consequence of the drought ; it was, 

 however, secured in first class order; weight about 1 ton. No meadow hay. 

 Potatoes at one time were not expected to be a very prolific crop ; fortunately, 

 the rain came in time to save them; the mild forcing weather that followed 

 the breaking up of the drought, and lasted till the close of the autumn, stimu- 

 lated a rapid growth among the tubers, which continued till unusually late in 

 the season ; as a consequence, the crop all over is a very satisfactory one, and 

 the quality excellent; about 6 to 7 tons, and not a larger proportion of small 

 than usual. The turnip crop is uniformly good ; there are some failures on 

 stiff clay land. The Swedish are not so large, owing to the drought, but are 

 very close crop, which gives the weight per acre ; the yellow variety is also a 

 good crop; the weight of the swedes 20 to 23 tons— the yellows about 19 to 

 20 tons. No damage to any of the crop this year by insects. The crops 

 were free from weeds, and the land well cleaned. The pasture season was of 

 short duration, owing to the dry season, and there was a great scarcity of 

 pasture grass until the autumn, when the rain came, it then got freshened 

 up, but never was abundant. Cattle and sheep only did middling on the 

 pastures ; the cattle had to be housed earlier than usual, and supplied with 

 tares or green oats and cake, until the turnips were ready for use, or sold at 

 a heavy loss. Cattle and sheep have both been free from all infectious 

 diseases ; no cases of pleuro-pneumonia or sheep-scab have been in this dis- 

 trict. The clip of wool was above an average in quantity and quality. 



Aberdeenshire (District of Garioch). — No wheat grown. The yield of 

 barley is similar to that of last year, both in grain and straw ; the average 

 weight of the grain would be 54 lbs., and quantity 38 bushels ; 4 and 4^ 

 bushels are generally allowed for seed. The oat crop, although short in 

 straw, is yielding well to the bulk ; but not equal to the quantity per acre of 

 last year, the straw being much longer, and capable of carrying a larger head; 

 the grain is particularly good, well harvested, and weighs generally 43 lbs., 

 and showing an out-turn of 38 bushels ; the quantity allowed for seed is 6 

 bushels. Harvest was commenced about the 19th of August, or about a week 

 earlier than usual. The quantity and quality of the hay crop would be 

 similar to last year, both as regards ryegrass and clover, and the yield would 

 be equal to 1| tons. No meadow hay grown. The yield of the potato crop 

 would also be similar to that of last year, both as regards quantity and 

 quality, which may be stated at 6 tons ; there was no disease, and no new 

 variety was cultivated to any extent — the Champion sorts take the precedence 

 of all others. The Garioch Turnip-Growing Association report a superior 

 crop of turnips, and free from disease ; only on two or three difierent occasions 

 for the last twenty-eight years have the same weight been exceeded, and 

 doubtless a similar result must be recorded for the district, which may be put 

 down at 21 tons; and no second sowing required. No loss was sustained by 

 insects, and no loss by weeds. The j^astures during the season were less 

 than average growth, owing to excessive drought and heat ; but the stock 

 throve well, which is usual in a dry season ; and disease of all kinds reduced 

 to a minimum. The quantity of the clip of wool was an average. 



Aberdeenshire (District of Strathbogie). — There is no wheat grown in 

 this district. The barley crop was good, but the grain was in several cases 

 discoloured, owing to the harry warm weather during the first week of har- 



