32 THE AGKICULTURE OF THE 



recent years. Mr Euxton has very much improved his farm 

 steading since 1870. It is now one of the best and most 

 convenient buildings in the parish, and is always well kept. 

 The interior arrangements are most complete, and ample accom- 

 modation is afforded for his stock. In the breeding of cattle 

 Mr Fiuxton is careful and judicious. Only one calf is allowed 

 to each cow until she is over three years of age, when she 

 fosters two every year. The average number of cattle on the 

 farm during the year is about 100. The ordinary stock of 

 liorses consist of six pairs, and a few foals are annually 

 reared. 



The parish of St Andrews extends to a total area of 9359*544 

 acres, and is rich both as regards the fertility of the soil and 

 loveliness of the scenery. There is a great quantity of wood 

 growincr in it, and it contains some of the finest farms in the 

 county. Its valuation In 1866-67 was £6471, 16s., as com- 

 pared with £7810, 17s. now. The farm of Pitairlie lies in the 

 lower end of the district, and is 234 acres arable, and from 15 

 to 20 acres of river banks and pasture in extent. The rental 

 of this farm is 30s. per acre, but the average in the district 

 would vary from 20s, to 25s. The soil is principally clay, and 

 black and sandy loam. Mr Petrie adopts the five-course shift. 

 The average return of barley in ordinary years is about 5 

 quarters per acre, weighing from 55 lbs. to 56 lbs. per bushel. 

 Wheat yields 4 J quarters per acre, and weighs fully 62 lbs.; and 

 oats about 5 quarters, weighing from 43 lbs. to 44 lbs. Barley 

 and wheat are grown mostly after turnips, being invariably 

 manured, while oats are raised from lea without any stimu- 

 lants. 



In the upper division of this parish there is great irregularity 

 in the size of farms, but taking them all in all they are smaller 

 than in the lower half. In passing through this district we find 

 that there is great variety of soil, it being poor, cold, and wet in 

 some spots, resting on the hard " pan," which is so objectionable 

 but so common in the blackhills district. The climate is 

 Jiin congenial. The five-course shift prevails. The various crops 

 yield on an average thus,^ — turnips from 10 to 15 tons per 

 acre, potatoes 3 to 5 tons, barley about 4 quarters, oats 5 

 quarters. The latter is most extensively grown. Wheat is not 

 cultivated to any great extent. All the farm-yard manure is 

 bestowed on the root crop, along with about 50s. worth of arti- 

 ficial manure per acre. 



In the same parish, and in the vicinity of Elgin, are the 

 farms of Tyockside and Stonecrosshill, — 150 arable acres and 

 17 acres pasture in extent. Mr Calder, the tenant, is a very 

 careful and liberal farmer, and has improved the value of his 

 holding greatly since 1857. Land for turnips is allowed from 



