Report on some features of Scottish Agriculture. 
199 
The system of constructing dormitories over byres and stables 
is not ;rsthotically defensible ; but, practically, it is liked by the 
men, especially in the winter, when it is piercingly cold outside 
and comfortably warm within. 
TiLLYFOUK, DOESELL, AND BeIDGE EnD. 
These farms are all in the occupation of Mr. W. M'Combie, 
M.P. for West Aberdeenshire, and together comprise about 
1200 acres of arable and pasture land, besides between 200 and 
300 acres of valuable hill pasture. Tillyfour measures about 
600 acres, of which 120 are in permanent pasture ; Dorsell in- 
cludes 325 acres of arable land, and the hill pasture just men- 
tioned ; and Bridge End consists of 225 acres, which are exclu- 
sively arable. Mr. M'Combie also rents 50 acres of probably the 
best grass land in Aberdeenshire from Sir W. Forbes, of Craigie 
Var. It is almost unnecessary to state that on these farms the 
whole management is arranged with a view to breeding and feed- 
ing a large number of cattle, chiefly of the polled black Angus 
or Aberdeenshire breed. 
Permanent grass land, as already stated, is by no means abun- 
dant in Aberdeenshire ; but, without it, there would be great 
difficulty in keeping on, in improving condition, a large feeding 
stock from the time that the seeds begin to fail, viz. about the 
middle of July, until turnips are ready to commence upon. Even 
with the advantage of this grass, it has been found desirable to tie 
up the most forward beasts before the early turnips are ready, and 
it is probable that Mr. M'Combie's success as a feeder is due in no 
inconsiderable degree to the judicious manner in which this gap 
has been filled up. 
Some of the grass land is of remarkable feeding quality, and 
will carry bullocks of any size, making them fat, so as to fetch 
prices ranging from 30/. to 50/. per head, without any adjunct, 
whether roots, cake, or corn. The beasts are always bought in 
good condition, and the best land, in a favourable year, will feed 
nearly one beast per acre, so as to bring it into this first-rate 
marketable condition. 
The old grass is never cut, being far too valuable for pasturing. 
Most of it was laid down about twenty years ago, in exactly the 
same manner as seeds are now sown in the usual course of crop- 
ping ; and about ten years afterwards it was top-dressed with a 
compost of lime and earth. 
The three farms are situated on the somewhat steep sides of 
