48 THE AGRICULTUEE OF THE 



on the estate, and are held mostly by tradesmen on short leases. 

 During the past fifteen years about 400 acres of partly Scotch fir 

 -and larch wood have been planted, which are making rapid 

 progress. Mr Mackessack well knows the exigencies of tenants 

 by being a large farmer himself, as well as a proprietor. He farms 

 from 1500 to 1600 acres of land, and is presently preparing three 

 farms, with buildings, fencing, and drainage, to be ready for 

 letting next season. 



Mr Walter Adam, tenant of the farm of Sweethillock, Alves, 

 is also a successful and very enterprising farmer. He farms 

 extensively both in this county and in Banffshire. The farm of 

 Sweethillock extends to 190 acres, of which 3 acres are pasture 

 and the rest arable. It is rented at £180. He works under the 

 six-shift rotation, taking two successive white crops on good 

 land. Wheat used to yield about 5 quarters per acre, but in 

 recent years only 3 quarters ; barley about 5 quarters, and weighs 

 about 56 lbs. per bushel. Oats are grown on the worst land, 

 and yield from 4 to 5 quarters per acre. For turnips Mr Adam 

 ploughs in autumn, again in winter, and a third time if the 

 season be good. He gives the land 16 cubic yards of dung, 

 along with 6 cwt. of bone dust and IJ cwt. superphosphate 

 manure per acre. He grows only about two acres of potatoes, 

 which are similarly treated to turnips. The tenant built a 

 dwelling-house and an excellent steading, as well as stone dykes, 

 without any assistance from the proprietor. He has improved 

 the farm immensely since 1857. Few cattle are bred, but a 

 good many are fattened, and weigh from 5 to 6 cwt. when sold. 

 Sheep are bought in in the end of the year to eat up the grass, 

 and are fed off on corn and cake. Mr Adam has an excellent 

 stud of horses, but he says there is great need for good stallions 

 to travel the county. His horses work at the rate of 70 acres a 

 pair. Servants' wages have about doubled since 1855. Cottages 

 are scarce, and proprietors should provide these for tenants. 

 Hents have advanced about one-fifth over the county generally, 

 since 1850. The system of farming has changed greatly in this 

 district. With efficient drainage, liberal manuring and liming, 

 the land will now raise double the quantity of grain that it 

 svould have done twenty-five years ago. 



In the western side of the parish is situated the extensive and 

 excellent farms of Earnside and East Grange, which are 

 occupied by Mr James Mackessack, and which combined make 

 a total of 730 acres of arable land, and are rented at nearly £1000 

 a year. East Grange is in the parish of Kinloss, but is very 

 convenient to work along with the other farm. The western 

 side of the parish of Alves contains much fine soil, and the 

 rental runs from £1 to £2 per acre. These farms consist chiefly 

 of black loam, and are wrought under the five-shift rotation. 



