24 



THE AGRICULTURE OF THE 



permanent pasture, which in 1854 were classed as heath or 

 mountain land. 



Coming within the period of twenty-five years, over which 

 the report is meant to extend, we find it necessary to explain 

 that the Highland Society, in drawing up the agricultural returns 

 in 1857, excluded all holdings under £10 of rent, and therefore 

 we are unable to indicate the accurate increase in the acreage 

 under rotation of crop since that year. The following table, 

 however, shows the increase since 1870 : — 



Arable area in 1857, 

 1870, 



)5 

 3» 



5) 



Increase since 



J) 



1876, 

 1881, 

 1870, 

 1876, 



The percentage of arable area in Morayshire under cultiva- 

 tion in 1870 was 29*5, and in 1880, 30-9. In 1870 the per^ 

 centage in Nairnshire was 17*8, and in 1880, 19*2. Since 1870, 

 it will be observed, the arable area under cultivation has been 

 increasing at the rate of about 434 acres per year in Moray- 

 shire, and about 174 acres in Nairnshire. 



The following tables show the valuation of both counties since 

 1866-67, according to the valuation roll : — 



Moray. 

 Valuation in 1866-67, 



„ 1872-73, 



„ 1882-83, 



Increase since 1866-67, 



Nairn 



Valuation in 



» 



55 



1866-67, 

 1869-70, 



1881-82, 



Increase since 1866-6 / , 



The many and extensive agricultural improvements effected 

 in Moray and Nairn during the past twenty-five years would be 

 insufficiently indicated in a generalised report. We therefore 

 deem it necessary to give, as succinctly as possible, the following 

 notes which we collected in a recent pedestrian tour throughout 

 both counties : — 



Details of Improvements and the different Systems of 



Farming. 



Morayshire. 



Commencing our tour at the most eastern point of Morayshire, 

 we find ourselves in the parish of Speymouth, which has an area 

 of fully 6352 acres. Its rental in 1866-67 was £6204, 3s., and 



