COUNTIES OF ELGIN AND NAIRN. 41 



{icre. Potatoes return on an average 5 tons per acre. The 

 land is ploughed with a stronf^ furrow in autumn, allowed 

 to lie under the action of frost in this condition until spring, 

 when it is cleaned in good time, and left to consolidate 

 and gather moisture for some time before drilling. About 18 

 loads of dung are given per acre along with from 4 to 6 cwt. of 

 artificial manure, which is composed of dissolved bones and 

 superphosphates. To light land, when farm-yard manure runs- 

 short, Mr liussell gives 5 cwt. of crushed bones to an acre. 

 From 8 to 10 acres of potatoes are grown every year. They are 

 sometimes laid down with stable manure alone, sometimes with 

 sulphate of ammonia and potash, and occasionally with bones. 

 The latter is not considered good for potatoes. Since 1855, 

 about 80 acres of land have been improved, 50 acres of which 

 were drained lately at the tenant's expense. The proprietor 

 paid a proportion of the expenses of draining some 15 or 20 

 acres. Several miles of dyke, new dwelling-house, and an 

 addition to farm steading have been built by the proprietor, 

 for which 5 per cent, interest is payable by the tenant, who 

 supplied building materials. Eight or ten calves are bred 

 yearly, and from 20 to 30 head of three-year-old cattle fed 

 during the winter. They are partly tied up, and partly fed in 

 half-covered courts. The first consignment of fat stock is 

 usually turned out about Christmas, weighing fully 5 cwt. each. 

 Cattle feeding in folds are sometimes kept on yellow turnips for 

 three weeks, then Swedish, with a little corn and cake, until 

 about April, when they weigh from 6 J to 7 cwt. Some years 

 there is more profit in buying in than breeding. Mr Kussell 

 bought about 100 half-bred lambs and wintered them up to a 

 few years ago ; but although they left a little profit, he has 

 relinquished sheep feediuLj, and now sells his spare roots. His 

 horses are all good, and work at the rate of 80 acres a pair. Under 

 the heading of labour, we give Mr Russell's statement as to the 

 increase in the rate of wages. Since 1857 rents have risen 

 about 20 per cent. Mr Russell grows about one-third of his 

 turnip land in swedes, two-thirds in yellow turnips, one-fifth 

 barley, and one-tiftii oats, Rye is grown on 10 or 15 acres of 

 the poorest soil. 



The parish of Elgin is inland, contains 19,258-329 acres, and 

 is very irregular in its shape. Its valuation in 18G6-67 was 

 £10,238, 9s., and now it is £11,351, 4s. Tlie nature of the soil 

 is extremely variable, and the climate is generally dry and 

 early. Elgin is situated in the eastern corner of the parish, is 

 71^ miles from Aberdeen, 178 from EdinburLjh ; latitude 57^ 

 39' N., longitude 3' 22' W. To the south-west of the parish, 

 there is much of the soil fertile loam, ami the scenerv is 

 mignificent. Five miles south-west of Elgin arc the lichen- 



