ST. KILDA. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 27 



time a principal part of the food of the inhabitants ; being 

 both consumed fresh and salted for winter use. 



The cultivation resembles that of the Long island in 

 general ; consisting chiefly in barley, which is by much 

 the finest to be seen in the whole circuit of the isles. The 

 oats are much inferior in quality, and are but scantily 

 cultivated ; nor are potatoes grown to nearly the extent 

 usual in Highland farming. The cultivated ground is 

 limited to a narrow spot close to the little crowded cluster 

 of houses that forms the village, which is characterized by 

 a feature unknown in Highland villages elsewhere, a stone 

 causeway. The land is held conjointly, according to 

 the old and barbarous system of run-rig ; and the allot- 

 ment of farms would obviously be the first step towards 

 increasing the value of the island. Except on the highest 

 hills, the soil is every where of an excellent quality, and 

 might be cultivated to a greater extent. But the violence 

 of the winds is an obstacle to its extension on the west 

 side, where the finest soil, and consequently the best 

 pasture, is found. This pasture is occupied by sheep and 

 black cattle, very few horses being used : a few goats also 

 wander about, kept chiefly for the purpose of milking. The 

 land, like Canna, presents one carpet of fresh verdure, not a 

 single plant of heath existing in the whole island, which 

 is clothed with grass to the very summit. The peat which 

 is used for fuel occupies a range on the highest ridge, and 

 is abundant, although not of a very compact quality. 

 Much of it is consumed in the manufacture of salt, a 

 process which forms part of the necessary economy of 

 every cottage.* 



The provision made for wintering, not only the peat but 

 the corn and hay, is ingenious, and peculiar to this island. 

 Yet it appears from the accounts of the Roman writers 

 that an analogous practice once existed in the interior 

 islands. It consists in numerous buildings, scattered over 



* In some of the islands it is not unusual to salt the cheese with the 

 ashes of sea ware ; with kelp. 



