COUNTIES OF ELGIN AND NAIRN. 87 



as on several other properties, have liberty to crop the arable 

 land of their farms, during the currency of their leases, in such 

 a manner as they think best, but in all cases they must comply 

 with the regulations of the estate at the termination of the lease. 

 In Nairnshire the regulations of the various estates are almost 

 identical with those in Morayshire. 



Rotation. — There is great variation in the system of rotation 

 observed throughout these counties. Five, six, and seven course 

 shifts are quite general, particularly in Morayshire. Taking the 

 two counties together, we find that the tive-shift course is the 

 prevailing system ; while in wheat and potato growing districts, 

 such as Dufius and Drainie — except v/hen prohibited by the re- 

 gulations of the estate — the six-shift course is most commonly pur- 

 sued. The crops in the six-shift course are — First, grass ; second, 

 grass; third, grain ; fourth, grain; fifth, turnips and potatoes; 

 and sixth, barley laid down with grass seeds. In the five-shifts 

 the crops are thus arranged — First and second, grass; third, grain; 

 fourth, turnips and potatoes; and fifth, barley sown out with 

 grass seeds. The seven-course system is by no means uncom- 

 mon, although the five and six shifts are more general. In the 

 seven-course system the crops are — Two grasses, oats, potatoes 

 and beans, barley, turnips, and barley again. Two courses of 

 husbandry are in several instances pursued on the same farm, 

 the best land being worked in the six-course shift. In the 

 upper districts of Morayshire and throughout Nairnshire, the 

 five-course system is all but universally adopted. Many tenants, 

 however, are contemplating changing to the six-shift course, 

 which is deservedly gaining favour in both counties. Besides 

 giving three years grass instead of two, as afforded by the live- 

 shift system, it effects a decided saving of labour and manure, 

 is easy to work, and helps greatly to ward oil" attacks of tinger- 

 and-toe and canker, which are frequently very destructive to 

 the root crop. There has been no noteworthy change in the 

 system of farm management further than that indicated as hav- 

 ing taken place in the shifts. Fur several years a great deal of 

 attention lias been devoted to the feeding of cattle, which has 

 necessitated a few minor alterations in the rotation of cropping. 

 I'eans and i)ease have given })lace to turnij)s and potatoes on 

 most farms, and as will be noticed elsewhere, wheat is rapidly 

 giving place to barley. 



Size of Farms. — Tiie lower or maritime districts of Moray and 

 Nairn are l)roken up into largii anil moderately sizeil farms. 

 Here there are lew crofts, and in fact, comparatively few hold- 

 ings under 'M) acres in extent, except in the vicinage of towns 

 and villages. The majority of the farms are of medium size, 

 and conveniently laid oil. The smaller classes of farms are 

 much more numerous in the upper or hilly districts, where the 



