Report on some features of Scottish Agriculture. 181 
by the 1st of August at the latest, and their places are supplied 
by drafts of another lot of between 30 and 40 — which arc 
bought in April as they can be picked up — and are kept in fold- 
yards until places can be found for them in the boxes. Mr. 
Wright has thus about 70 beasts on the farm at one time, and of 
these from 10 to 12 are always fit for the butcher should a good 
offer be obtained. Mr. Wright considers that by the soiling 
system, under his circumstances, and especially in his climate, 
he can feed three times the number of beasts that he could by 
pasturing. There is no waste of grass, and the extra expense of 
cutting and feeding is very trifling. Another consideration is 
the increased value of the dung-heap formed by cake-eating 
beasts under the soiling system, especially as cake is not stinted 
if it is found that the cattle will eat it in larger quantity. The 
soiling treatment of the second lot continues until turnips come 
in, because additional cuttings of " seeds " can always be 
obtained in a moist climate by judicious top-dressings. It is 
always preferred to get beasts that have passed the previous 
winter in strawyards ; and after soiling it is necessary to begin 
turnips with caution. Bean meal is used occasionally, especially 
for milch cows. 
Horses. — As the surface of this farm is very hilly, and 
some of the land very heavy to work, it is found necessary to 
keep from 18 to 20 working horses. In summer they rarely go 
out to grass ; but they get a good allowance of oats, with clover 
cut the day before and tossed about to dry it a little, as it is 
preferred not to give it quite green. In winter they get a night 
mash of boiled swedes and potatoes mixed with Indian meal, 
and during the day are well fed on oats and straw. 
HOLMSTON AND FrIAELAND. 
These farms, in the occupation of Mr. James Drennan, are 
situated a short distance from the county town of Ayr. The 
methods of arable cultivation pursued on them are given as 
showing what may be done in a district a little farther from the 
coast than Dowhill, a little less shut in by hills on the land side, 
and presumably a little less moist in climate. The average 
rainfall during the last 15 years has been nearly 35 inches. 
Possibly these differences may account for certain English 
features in Mr. Drennan's practice, e.g., his autumn cultivation 
for roots and his early period of sowing wheat. 
The extent of the Holmston farm is 240 acres ; nearly 200 
being a light or medium loamy soil, and the remainder a heavier 
land more comparable with Friarland. The latter occupation is 
