376 NORTHERN CORN-GROWING 



unfortunate separation, now in all probability per- 

 manent, of the Clydesdale and Shire breeds, but the 

 farmers will have nothing to do with light horse 

 breeding. Poultry are becoming more numerous on 

 the farms, but local prices for fully-fattened birds are 

 not high enough to tempt men into that business. 



The Laigh of Moray is certainly an impressive 

 farming country ; it lies well between the low pine- 

 clad hills and the border of lofty sand-hills by the sea ; 

 the farms are easy working and well laid out, the 

 farmers themselves come of an energetic and thought- 

 ful race, having no affinities either in descent or habits 

 with their Highland neighbours. Rents were high 

 from 253. to 403. an acre, and tending to rise, so that 

 landlords were holding out for yearly tenancies instead 

 of the 1 9-year leases which have long been the custom 

 of the country. Labour was cheaper than in Aberdeen- 

 shire, but it is becoming scarcer because of the strong 

 tide of emigration that sets as much from the crofts as 

 from the larger farms. Every year sees a great move- 

 ment to Canada, and this movement is not likely to 

 be checked by the provision of more small holdings 

 only by higher wages and the increased use of 

 machinery to justify them. Much the same type of 

 farming prevails all round the Firth ; inland on the 

 hills the farms become smaller and the arable land 

 dwindles ; then at the back of the first range of hills 

 comes beautiful Speyside, well cultivated on the alluvial 

 flats and on the lower slopes, but more of a stock 

 country than the coast ; finally, beyond the Spey one 

 rises into the Highlands proper, where the blackfacecl 

 sheep range up to the grouse moors and the deer 

 forests. 



