38 THE AGEICULTURE OF THE 



the sea. Both Waterymains and Covesea are on the Gordons- 

 town estate, and consist chiefl}^ of light arenaceous soil. The 

 soil on the farms of Waterton and Waterymains is mostly 

 adhesive clay, interspersed with rich alluvial and loam. In 

 the district generally the rental averages from 30s. to 35s. per 

 acre. Confining ourselves to the farm of Waterton, we may 

 state that Mr Young pursues the six-shift course, viz., two 

 crops oats and wheat, turnips, barley, and two years grass. 

 Wheat, barley, and oats yield pretty equally, from 4 to 5^ 

 quarters each per acre. A great proportion of the Duffus 

 estate is notable for its crops of hay. On Waterton the 

 average return per acre varies from 200 to 250 stones. Mr 

 Young prepares for the root crop in the ordinary way, and 

 manures land for turnips in spring with a mixture of super- 

 phosphates and crushed bones to the extent of from 6 to 8 

 cwt. per acre. Autumn wheat gets a liberal supply of farm- 

 yard manure, and barley is heavily top-dressed with dung in 

 the spring. This produces a fine crop of grass and hay. 

 Potatoes are grown only to the extent r squired for farm use, 

 and are treated similarly to turnips. Very heavy crops of 

 turnips are grown in this district. The condition of the farm 

 of Waterton, as well as that of neighbouring holdings, has been 

 vastly improved since 1857. Draining, fencing, and squaring 

 up the fields have since then entailed great labour and outlay. 

 A little previous to 1850 and in 1868, the whole of the land 

 on the farm of Waterton was dressed with lime and an 

 admixture of earth at the rate of from 7 to 8 quarters per acre. 

 The farm steading is in excellent repair, having been built 

 about fifteen years ago, and is large and convenient. There are 

 two commodious cattle courts, which are always in use, and 

 which are highly advantageous to the feeding of cattle. The 

 landlord afforded money for the building, and the tenant paid 

 5 per cent, along with his rent. The cattle are all purchased, 

 and only as many cows are kept as supply milk for home use. 

 Most of the feeding cattle are fed in open courts. They are 

 put on to turnips and straw at the end of September, and some 

 of them are sold off between Martinmas and the New Year, at 

 a weight of from 6 to 7 cwt. each. The further advanced 

 stock in feedng are usually finished off with a little cake. Mr 

 Young has long been an eminent breeder of horses. A pair 

 of horses work only from 50 to 60 acres on this tenacious soil. 

 On Sir Archibald's property farm servants are mostly married. 

 Through the courtesy of Mr Young and the accuracy of his cash 

 book, we are enabled to give a statement as to the total cost of 

 labour at various periods since 1857, on the farm of Waterton. 

 It is as follows :— in 1857, about £75; 1860, £78; 1865, £82 ; 

 1870 £95; 1875, £142, 10s.; 1880, £129, 15s.; and in 1881, 



