98 



Agriculture of Scotland, 



kingdom^ from the western counties. In most arable farms one 

 or two horses are bred with a view to maintain the strength of the 

 farm^ but seldom is the success equal to this object entirely^ and 

 recourse is had to the pastoral districts to assist this deficiency. 

 Perhaps there is no part of economical management to which the 

 agriculturists of Scotland are less attentive than to the ordinary 

 maintenance of the farm-horse ; and although some improvement 

 has taken place of late years, with a view to save the great con- 

 sumption of corn which there so generally obtains — by substituting 

 chopped hay, straw, and steamed food of a more economical kind — 

 an extension of this practice is much required^ and ought to form 

 a matter for encouragement. 



Implements. — The correct application of mechanical principles 

 to the improvement of agricultural implements, which has been 

 eminently encouraged by the Highland Society, has been very con- 

 spicuous of late years, and nearly every operation in husbandry has 

 been brought to display the effects of a more efficient adaptation 

 of these principles. Further economy of labour has been obtained 

 by greater attention to the right adjustment of the force of traction ; 

 and a general neatness and precision, through the introduction of 

 better implements, now characterize the detail of many operations 

 which were wont to be very imperfectly performed. It cannot be 

 expected that we should particularize these, but it may be right to 

 state that the very general application of steam on large farms to 

 the threshing-machine has given rise to the introduction of more 

 powerful and increased machinery, which has very materially in- 

 creased and perfected its efficiency, and rendered its services more 

 than ever appreciated. We -wish we could see a reaping-machine 

 brought to equal perfection, for, as it is, no implement of this 

 description has been produced which gives promise of soon meet- 

 ing general regard. It may be mentioned that the greater part of 

 the crop in Scotland is cut with the teethed sickle, or single-handed 

 scythe-hook, and though in many instances different descriptions 

 of double-handed scythes are in use, and have of late been further 

 introduced, these do not appear to execute their work so well as 

 to justify the general resort to a mode of cutting which is only less 

 expensive as regards wages. 



The progre, 5 of the subsoil plough is steadily advancing, and 

 this implement is to be found still, however partially, in exercise 

 in almost every district of Scotland, so that the instances of the 

 beneficial effects of its use are sufficiently spread to insure — with 

 the additional incentive supplied by the premiums of Agricultural 

 Societies — the rapid extension of so effectual a mode of improving 

 thin soils. But, in the mean time, a great deal has been done by 

 the more general practice of substantial and deep ploughing, to 



