n 



4:4: THE CEKEAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1883. 



quality; average quantity about 26 cwt. Potatoes generally lifted welWin 

 many cases 6 to 7 tons; very little disease. Turnips sa<lly deficient in 

 quantity ; many fields very bad with finger-and-toe ; average of swedes 

 about 12 tons, yellows about 8 tons. Crop brairded fairly well ; very little 

 second sowing. Injury by insects nothing unusual. Grass late in coming, 

 but stood out fairly well. Stock generally very good, and free from disease. 

 Clip of wool below average. 



SuTHERLAXDSHiRE. — No wheat grown. Barley — This crop varied very 

 much. On good and well-farmed land it was a heavy crop, but got laid 

 before being cut, and does not thrash so well as last year ; the average 

 yield is about 34 bushels, and the weight generally 2 lbs. less than last 

 year. Oats do not bulk so well as last year, unless under exceptional cir- 

 cumstances. There is, however, a fair quantity of straw, and it is of good 

 -quality where it was harvested before being knocked down by the gales 

 that prevailed during harvest ; the average yield is about 32 bushels ; very 

 little oats are marketed till spring, but I think the grain will be lighter 

 than last year. Harvest about the usual time. There has been a decided 

 want of clover, and the yield is generally one-third short of last year. 

 Meadow hay similar to that of last year. Potatoes are not groMTi for sale 

 to any extent ; the crop has been large, and of best quality. The weight of 

 the turnip crop is less than last year, and much below an average ; a second 

 sowing was necessary in many places, and there is a good deal of finger- 

 and-toe. No injury from insects ; turnips were said in some places to be 

 injured by fly, but I think they were burned with frost. Pastures of 

 average growth ; rather more growth of ryegrass and other strong grasses 

 and less clover. Stock did not thrive well on pasture, owing to the wetness 

 of the season, but were free from disease. Wool weighed a good average, 

 and the quality was sound and strong. 



Caithhess-shire. — No wheat grown. Bere generally grown instead of 

 barley ; the season generally was not favourable for the crops, owing to a 

 want of seed and the early part too dry ; bere will be 4 bushels under last 

 year, and the weight 2 to 3 lbs. less ; straw deficient ; seed sown, 4 

 bushels. The oat crop is very irregular, but in most cases less by 4 bushels 

 than last year ; in some districts the weight of grain is 4 to 5 lbs. less, but 

 on an average it may be stated at 3 lbs. less ; quality of straw good, and 

 well harvested, but short in quantity ; one- fifth under last year ; seed, 5 to 

 6 bushels. Harvest quite fourteen days after ordinary date ; though late, 

 good weather, and crop well secured. Hay crop deficient from dry weather 

 in May ; clover much as usual ; weight not tested. Meadow hay, small 

 extent grown ; crop under average. Excellent crop of potatoes ; con- 

 siderably over average ; disease very trifling, and late of appearing, but 

 decay in the larger tubers ; weight not tested, as the growth is mostly for 

 home consumption. The braird of the turnip crop came away much as 

 usual, and no second sowing was required ; the crop varies a good deal in 

 different districts ; but, as a whole, the weight will be rather under last 

 year. There was no special injury by insects ; oats were in some cases 

 damaged by grub, but not to a larger extent than in some former years. No 

 injury by weeds. Pastures were not up to the average, being very thin at 

 root. Live stock did not thrive so well as usual ; season too cold, and 

 pastures being thin at root. The county has been entirely free from 

 disease. Wool an average in quantity and quality. 



Orkney. — No wheat grown. Very little barley grown. Oats a light 

 crop — about 32 bushels; average weight, 38 lbs.; straw, nmch less than 

 last year ; seed, 4 to 5 bushels. Harvest ten days later than usual. Hay 

 crop rather below the average; quality good. Little meadow hay made. 



