COUNTIES OF ELGIN AND NAIKN. 93 



degrees, and it is now all but totally abandoned. It need scarcely 

 be doubted that the falling oft* in the acreage under wheat, in 

 Moray and Nairn as in other wheat-growing counties, has been 

 to a great extent caused by foreign competition. Several 

 farmers, however, gave up the growing of wheat a few years ago 

 in consequence of the returns per acre on their best latid having 

 had a declining tendency every successive year. In the eastern 

 portion of Moray the average yield of wheat varies from 3 to 5 

 quarters per acre ; in Duff'us, from 4 to 5^ quarters; and in the 

 western districts it, in some cases, reaches 6 quarters, but gene- 

 rally it runs from 4 to 6 quarters. The average weight of wheat 

 over this county runs from 60 lbs. to 63 lbs. per bushel. In 

 the year 1882 the return of the wheat crop was exceptionally 

 good, and in some instances it weighed as high as 67 lbs. and 

 68 lbs. per bushel. In ordinary years the average price of wheat 

 per quarter may be stated as nearly as possible from £2, 5s. to 

 £2, 10s. Speaking generally, the yield of straw per acre varies 

 from 38 to 42 stones per quarter, for which from 12s. to 16s. is 

 obtained. In respect of the area under wheat, Morayshire stands 

 eleventh in Scotland. When sown by the drill sowing machine 

 from 2J to 3^ bushels are required, and when sown broadcast 

 from 3h to 4 J bushels is the usual quantity required to seed an 

 acre. The average prices of wheat, as will be observed by the fore- 

 going table of the fiars prices, have been of a very tiuctuating 

 character for a number of years. For instance, in 1871 the aver- 

 age price was £2, 16s. 6d. per quarter; in 1872, £2, 5s. Id.; in 

 1877, £2, 4s. 4d. ; in 1879, £2, 6s. lOd.; and in 1881, £2, 5s. 3id. 

 It has been selling far too cheaply to pay the farmer for several 

 years. For the past five years the average price for wheat 

 weighing 62 lbs. has been something like 45s., whereas 50s. 

 would be required per quarter in order to pay the cultivator. 

 Wheat is commonly grown after turnips, although in many cases 

 after grass, when a liberal supply of farm-yard manure, say from 

 25 to 35 loads per acre, is applied. 



The following table shows the extent of land under barley and 

 here at the various periods indicated : — 



Nairn. 

 Acres. 

 320!) .V 

 2237" 

 282 1 



4212 Decrease since 1857, 214\ 

 Incrcji^e since 1870, 818 

 „ 1876, 234 



It is gratifying to learn from these ligurus, ihat wliilc wheat 



