STONEHAVEN TO CORTACHY. 



227 



soiled, and well limed with about 4 tons of lime per acre ; then ploughed 

 again, and harrowed and rolled till a fine seed-bed was obtained, when the 

 seeds were sown and lightly harrowed and rolled in. By the middle of July 

 it afforded a free bite for sheep, and before winter set in there was a beautiful, 

 close sole of grass. This year it has been most luxuriant. 



Nos. 2 and 3 were sown down this spring, and are now excellent pasture. 

 Both were sown, after green crop, and the land prepared in the ordinary way 

 as if for sowing down with a crop. 



In sowing down in this way, weeds are very apt to get up in large quanti- 

 ties and choke the young plants ; and when this occurs, no time should be 

 lost in " skimming" them over with a scythe. The grass gets up very quickly 

 after this operation. 



Where the field is exposed, it is a good plan to sow half a bushel of barley 

 along with the seeds ; it gets up faster, and affords much shelter to the young 

 plants. In sheltered situations, however, it is better not to do so ; for if the 

 season is moist the barley is apt to get up too quick and strong, and smother 

 the grass. 



The price of mixture No. 1 is 1 14 8 per acre. 

 No. 2 is 1 74 

 No. 3 is 1 12 7 

 but of course these prices will vary with the rise and fall of markets. 



Field No. 1. Soil stiff, sandy clay, with gravelly subsoil; exposure 



southern. 



Field No. 2. Lig ht sharp soil, with gravelly subsoil ; exposure' southern. 

 Field No. 3. Sou very light open gravel ; exposure northern. 



The church, with its thick yew and laurel girdle, 

 stands hard by the Castle-lodge on the banks of the 

 Southesk. We look through the window of the 

 family burying-place and read on marble how the 



Q 2 



