90 THE AGEICULTURE OF THE 



especially in the low-lying lands of Duffus and Drainie. Xovv, 

 however, comparatively few of these are to he seen. Low close 

 drains have been sank, and are proving equally as serviceable 

 as the open ditches. There has been considerable difficulty en- 

 countered, however, in obtaining sufficient fall in these low-lying 

 districts for underground drains. On the Duffus estates, the 

 diainage of an unsightly marsh, known as the Loch of Spynie, 

 which had a tendency to check the proper drainage of the dis- 

 tricts for a considerable distance around, cost the proprietor, as 

 well as a few of the tenants, great outlay in excavating canals 

 for the drawing away of surface water. This still involves an 

 outlay of £100 a-year to the proprietor, but the canals have 

 been highly beneficial to the drainage of the district. Here 

 the landlord keeps all open ditches clear and in working 

 order, while the tenant repairs covered drains. In the upper 

 parts of both counties tliere is sufficient fall for a most efficient 

 drainage, and the land is kept in a very fine workable condition. 

 The same system is adopted over the whole of Moray and Nairn. 

 The drains are chiefly laid with tile pipes in the lowlands, but 

 in the upper districts, where the flow of underground water is 

 less, the stone method of laying drains has been pretty exten- 

 sively adopted. In the lower divisions of these counties, 

 especially of Moray, where the subsoil in some districts contains 

 iron ingredients drains require frequent repairing. They last 

 for a considerable period, how^ever, in other soils. On the Rich- 

 mond estates the proprietor defrays all expenses involved in 

 the drainage of land, and charges the tenant 5 per cent, of 

 interest. In short, all the proprietors in the counties have very 

 liberally rendered their aid to their tenantry in draining, as well 

 as in all other matters tending to improve the soil. On mossy 

 and sandy soils the average depth of underground drains is as 

 nearly as possible 2 feet 6 inches, on stiff soils 3 feet or 3 feet 

 6 inches, and leading drains about 4 feet. 



Fences. — Wire is tlie prevailing fence throughout these coun- 

 ties. There has been a great improvement effected in enclosing 

 fields during the past twenty-five years. Prior to 1857 there 

 was scarcely a completely fenced farm to be seen, but now on 

 every estate most secure fences have been erected, partly at the 

 expense of both landlord and tenant. Stone dykes and hedges 

 are the principal fences on a few holdings, but wire in most cases 

 is found to be more suitable and convenient. 



Boads. — The counties of Moray and Nairn are well provided 

 with excellent farm, district, and county roads. The length of 

 the turnpike roads in Morayshire is 429 miles 5 furlongs and 

 214 yards. The total cost of maintenance for 1881-82 was 

 £3989, 8s. 7d., and for the previous year it was £4056, 18s. 7d. 

 The road assessment in Morayshire is 7d. per pound, and in 

 Nairnshire 8|d. per pound. 



