COUNTIES OF ELGIN AND NAIRN. 121 



exactly double. In 1881 dipped or white wool fetched 6d. 

 the pound, and smeared wool 5d. per pound. The advantage in 

 favour of smearing is thus seen to be of some importance : — 



Smearing 100 sheep once costs . . . . i>'4 5 

 Dipping twice, . . . . . . . 1 10 



Extra cost of smearing, . X2 5 



Value of wool from 100 smeared sheep, . . £12 10 

 Do. do. dipped do,, . . 7 10 



Extra value of smeared wool, £b 

 Net gain in smearing per 100 sheep, . . .£2 15 



It has in addition to be noted, that smearing is a much surer 

 preventative against vermin and contagious diseases. The cost 

 of wintering sheep when sent from home is about 5s. 6d per 

 head. Hoggs sell best in the month of April, and cast ewes and 

 wethers in September and October. 



In Morayshire, in 1857, there were 56,336 sheep, of which 

 25,315 were for breeding purposes, 12,947 of all ages feeding, 

 and 18,07-1 lambs. In 1868 there were 49,848 one year old and 

 above, and 27,899 under one year old, which makes a total of 

 77,747. In 1881 there were 32,557 one year old and above, and 

 16,030 under one year, making a total of 48,587. It will thus 

 be seen that there is the enormous falling off in the total num- 

 ber of sheep in Morayshire of 7749 since 1857. This substan- 

 tiates what has just been stated. 



In Nairnshire there were 16,875 brt3eding sheep, 7896 of all 

 ages feeding, and 11,214 lambs in 1857, which makes a grand 

 total of 35,985. In 1868 there were 17,160 sheep one year old 

 and above, 7156 under one year old, and a total of 24,316. In 

 1881 tliere were 12,002 one year old and above, 3978 under one 

 year old, and a total number of 15,980. The difference between 

 the total of 1857 and 1881 in this county is even greater than 

 in ^lorayshire, but there was a very notable decrease in the end 

 of 1880 and first of 1881. The total number in 1880 was 

 20,108. It must be understood that though there is a very 

 noticeable decline in the numbers thus set forth, sheep fanning 

 in the upper districts is carried on with greater interest than it 

 was twenty-hve years ago, and that the falling oil" is principally 

 caused by reducing flocks in the lower districts. Tlie great 

 reduction in the numbers of young stock is directly the fruits of 

 untoward seasons. 



Industries — )wt A<jrlcaUural. 



AVe have taken up so much space with the agriculture of these 

 counties, that we must limit our remarks on other industries. 



