AND METEOEOLOGY OF THE YEAE EELATIVE THEEETO. 343 



usual by weeds. Pastures rather above the average. Stock throve well, 

 aud were free from disease. Clip of wool under average in bulk and 

 quality, the result of the dark wet summer. 



Eoss-SHiRE (Western District), — No wheat, and verv little barley. The 

 yield of oats will not exceed 2^ quarters, or 20 bushels; as a rule, 

 not so good as last year. The quantity generally sown is from 5 to 7 

 bushels ; the summer being cold and the autumn very wet, is the cause of 

 the deficiency and inferior quality. The harvest was from a fortnight to 

 three weeks later than usual. The c[uantity of the hay crop will not 

 exceed one ton, and the quality not near so good as last year, owing to the 

 unfavourable season. Meadow hay less productive, not exceeding one-half 

 of last year's crop ; the quality indifferent. The potato crop as a rule was 

 the most abundant, and the quality better than has been for many years ; 

 there was very little disease ; Champions seem to have suited best ; the 

 yield would be about 10 tons. The weight of the turnip crop will be about 

 8 tons, and the quality not equal to last year ; brairded well, and no second 

 sowing required. Xo injury by insects. Owing to the wet summer, weeds 

 were very troublesome to keep down ; chickenweed was the most abundant. 

 Pastures not ecpial to last year. Stock throve tolerably well, but not equal 

 to last year ; were quite free from disease. The clip of wool was good, and 

 above average. 



Ross-shire (District of Dingwall and Munlochy). — Wheat, quantity and 

 quality of grain much below last season ; quantity not more than 24 bushels ; 

 quality 2 to 3 lbs. per bushel below average ; quantity of straw was less, as 

 the crop was thin in the ground owing to the very late spring ; quality fair ; 

 seed 3 to 3^ bushels. Barley quantity a fair average, say 36 bushels ; 

 quality at least 1 lb. per bushel below average ; quantity of straw up to 

 average of seasons, and of good quality ; seed 3j to 3^ bushels. Oats, 

 quantity deficient, quality barely average ; quantity of straw much less than 

 last season, quality a fair average ; crop was thin on the ground, owing to a 

 late seed time and cold season ; a second growth came on in June to thicken 

 the crop, but the pickles on this growth did not fill ; yield, say 3 bushels. 

 All the cereal crops suffered from a lack of the usual heat and sunshine and 

 from too much wet. Harvest began about Ttli September, fourteen days later 

 than the average of seasons; the first weeks were very threatening from wet, 

 the latter weeks were very drying. Hay crop average in quality, though a 

 little less than last season ; quality fair ; clover grew well. No meadow hay. 

 Potato crop lifted small in size, though numerous ; quality very good. 

 Disease aj)peared in August, older varieties affected from 10 to 40 per cent. ; 

 j\Iagnum Boniuns nearly free; quantity up to average. Turnip crop unequal 

 and inferior; finger-and-toe disease more prevalent ; weight not over 12 

 tons ; crop brairded well, and not much second sowing required. No injury 

 by insects, and not more than last season from weeds. The growth of 

 pastures began later in the season, but was kept up quite as long as usual. 

 Stock on the whole throve well, and were free from disease exce]»ting two 

 outbreaks of pleuro. Clip of wool — quality was fair, quantity rather under 

 the average. 



Ross-shire (District of Tain, Cromarty, and Invergordnn). — Wheat, very 

 variable returns ; a few good fields, l)ut average not over 28 to 30 bushels, 

 and about 60 lbs. weight; about 3 bushels of seed. Barley, produce above 

 average in (juality, but of comparatively less weight than usual; average 

 return about 38 l)U>hels; about 3 bushels nf seed. Oats, quantity above 

 average, Iteing about 3(5 Ijushels, but much l)elow average in weight, very 

 little exceeding 41 lbs. in good land ; about 4 and 5 bushels sown. Harvest 

 began about ten days later than usual. Hay crop generally light, but of fair 



