222 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



As to the proportions in which the various soils are distributed 

 throughout Scotland, I find it stated in a work of reference which, al- 

 though published some years ago, is still valuable in many respects as 

 an authority, that 



English acres. 



The loams amount to - 1,869,193 



Rich clays 987,070 



Gravelly soils 681,862 



Cord or inferior clays 510,265 



Improved mossy soils e 411,096 



Alluvial haugh or carse land 320,193 



Sandy soils 263,771 



Total cultivated land, probably 5, 043, 450 



Total uncultivated land 13,900,550 



Total area , 18,944,000 



or 29,600 square miles. Of this area about 4,000 square miles belong 

 to the islands. 



According to the agricultural returns recently published, I find that 

 the cultivated area of Scotland is now estimated to be about 4,800.000 

 acres. 



Eegarding the questions of soil and substratum and their conjoint 

 relation to the cattle and the natural feeding products of a district, I 

 would take the district of Aberdeenshire and Banffshire as the best 

 type in Scotland. The cattle from that part of Scotland command the 

 highest price in the London markets, partly due to the breed and partly 

 to the natural feeding facilities possessed. More than one-half of the 

 area is occupied by granite, generally in a decomposed state. This 

 decomposed granite, being rich in alkalies (potash and soda), from the 

 decomposition of the feldspars and mica, forms a soil to which only a 

 proportion of phosphate requires to be added as an artificial manure 

 to raise the best turnip crop in Scotland. The high feeding powers of 

 these turnips, along with the natural clover that grows freely all over 

 the shire, enable the Aberdeenshire farmers to turn out the best-fed 

 cattle in the market. 



EXPORT AND PRICES OF SCOTCH CATTLE. 



In reply to the memoranda accompanying cattle circular I have to 

 state as follows : 



The best method of exportation to the United States is by regular 

 cattle-carrying steamers. 



The best animals to export are Polled Angus, Polled Galloway, Short- 

 horns, and Herefords. ' 



The best routes of export and cost thereof are from London, Liver- 

 pool, and Glasgow, on an average of $17 to $24. 



The purchasing prices of the animals are, for good class yearlings : 

 Polled Aberdeen or Angus, 30 ($146) to 50 ($243.33). But individual 

 specimens of the choicer pedigreed Aberdeen or Angus have realized 

 over 500 guineas ($2,554.91). Galloways, 25 ($121.66) to 40 ($194.66), 

 while choice pedigreed specimens of the Galloway breed have likewise 

 fetched long prices. West Highland, 15 ($73) to 20 ($97.33) : Ayr- 

 shire, 20 ($97.33) to 25 ($121.66). 



The estimated expense for attendance and food en route is about 1 

 ($4.86) a head, if ten or more go. 



DISTRIBUTION OF SCOTCH CATTLE. 



Throughout Scotland Shorthorns are more generally distributed than 

 any of the four distinct breeds peculiar to the country, but these latter 



