COUNTIES OF ELGIN AND NAIKX. 65 



since 1864. Since the present factor Mr Smith came to the 

 Strathspey property, nineteen years ago, nearly every farm build- 

 ing has been remodelled, many miles of dykes have been erected, 

 and roads constructed. The duration of lease is nineteen years, 

 with entry at Whitsunday, and after-hand rent. During the 

 past twenty- five years many servants' cottages have been built. 

 Over the whole estate the five-course shift is pursued. Mr 

 Smith became factor for the " Laigh of Moray " estates in 1872, 

 and since then he has made manifest liis great enthusiasm and 

 enterprise both in improvement of land and houses. The leases 

 fell out in 1867. The best land is rented at about 24s. per acre, 

 xilany crofters pay only about 10s. per acre. While the tenants 

 are encouraged to make improvements, the landlord expends 

 about £6000 annually in improving the estate. The work of 

 reclamation has progressed satisfactorily under the present leases, 

 over 1000 acres of new land having been put under crop. 



The farm of Ballintomb is one of the principal holdings in 

 the upper division of the county, and extends to about 300 acres, 

 of vvliich 50 acres are in pasture. In the parish of Cromdale 

 the rental varies from 17s. to 20s. per acre. The soil is generally 

 light, but of a fairly friable and kindly nature. The climate 

 is not suitable for the successful cultivation of barley, but oats 

 yield remarkably well, considering the elevation of the land. 

 About 700 feet above the sea level, oats weigh from 40 to 43 lbs. 

 per bushel in averfige seasons. The customary way of preparing 

 and cleaning land for turnips in this district is adopted on 

 Ballintomb, viz., ploughing stubbles in the end of the year, 

 grubbing and cleaning in spring. The manure is put into drills 

 at the rate of from 30 to 40 loads of farm-yard manure, with 

 from 4 to 6 cwt. artificial manure, chiefly bones, per acre. 

 Potatoes are similarly treated as regards the manuring of the 

 land. In this district the proprietor has done a great deal in 

 building, fencing, and draining during the past twenty-five 

 years. J^'armers should breed cattle more extensively in this 

 district than they do, although they habitually breed more than 

 they feed. We shall refer subsequently to Mr ^lann's famous 

 black polled herd. About 400 lambs are wintered on the farm 

 of Ballintomb, being bought in in August and sold in spring. 

 The farm horses in the district, as well as on this holding, are 

 generally good. About 80 acres are allotted to a pair. Ser- 

 vants are mostly single, and get from £8 to £14 per lialf year. 

 Freedom of cropping is urgently desired by the majority of 

 tenants in this parisli. Some farmers are of opinion that the 

 six or seven course shift could be more advantageously wrought 

 ill tlie upper districts than the five-shift system. 



The following has been sent us by one of tlie leading tenants 

 in Strathspey, which gives a very comprehensive, though brief, 



