COU^^TIES OF ELGIN AND XAIRX. 59 



foals every year. The only noteworthy changes in the system 

 of farming since 1857, are that more potatoes are now planted, 

 and less wheat and more barley sown. The only desirable 

 change, says Mr Anderson, is " three years' grass pastured on 

 most of the land at least once in a lease, and to labour the 

 different qualities of soil on a farm, when practicable, on a rota- 

 tion suitable to each if allowed to do so." He grows about 30 

 acres of turnips, the half of which is Swedish and the other half 

 yellow, except on lightish soil, when he grows two-thirds yellow 

 and only one-third Swedish, and about 30 acres respectively of 

 oats, barley, and wheat annually. 



The parish of Dallas, having a total area of 23,024-823 acres 

 ranks fourth in Morayshire, and showed a rental of £4873, 15s. 

 in 1866-67 and now reaches a valuation of £5493, 4s. There 

 is a great extent of fine friable soil in. this parish, and it is 

 presently in a high state of cultivation. It is beautifully 

 diversified with rising grounds and level straths of great fertility 

 The climate is as a rule slightly cold, but nevertheless luxuriant 

 crops are generally obtained. One of the largest holdings in the 

 parish is Mains of Ediuvail, which is 270 acres arable and 55 

 pasture in extent. The tenant holds two farms. The rental in 

 the district generally ranges from £1 to £1, 10s. per acre. The 

 soil varies from black loam to gravel. The tenant adopts the 

 seven-course shift, viz., two crops oats after lea, turnips and 

 potatoes, and barley followed by three years' grass. On the 

 other farm the six-course is pursued, viz., two crops oats, turnips 

 and potatoes, and barleys followed by two grasses. Crops vary 

 in their yielding according to the season. In 1880 the lea crop 

 averaged oh quarters per acre, weighed 42 lbs. ; barley 4 quarters 

 per acre, weighed 55 lbs. ; and potatoes 4^ tons per acre. In 

 1881 the yield per acre was at least 1 quarter less than that of 

 1880, and the grain was about 3 Ujs. lighter per bushel The 

 general system of cleaning land in this parish is much the same 

 as we have already described. The land is ploughed 8 inches 

 deep in autumn, and it is also ploughed, grubbed, and harrowed 

 repeatedly in spring. It receives as manure 24 loads of dung 

 and 5h cwt. dissolved bones per acre. For potatoes the land 

 gets a similar ([uantity of dung and 5 cwt. dissolved bones. 

 Since tlie present tenant of Mains of Edinvail entered in 1870, 

 he has ellected great improvements in clearing away foundations 

 of old houses, and cultivating the land. The projtrietor built a 

 large proportion of the dykes on the farm, and trenched 6 

 Hv.ves of reclaimable land. Sixteen cows are kept on the farm, 

 which foster 24 calves every year. Fourteen cattle are tied u^) 

 for feeding pur})0ses in October, are fed on cut swedes, potatoes, 

 bruised corn and oilcake, and are sold away mostly in ^lurch, 

 weighing from 5 to G cwt. each. The horses are good, and 67 



