Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 094
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| Year | 1940 |
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176 CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1939. year’s growth would be about the average. Live Siock~Lambs did exceedingly well, but in the early summer months feeding cattle and dairy cows suffered from the lack of sufficient grass; cattle and sheep were generally fairly free from disease. Clip of Wool—~ Quality was excellent and weight about average. WICTOWNSHmE. Wheat—Very little grown. Barley—Very little grown. Oats—Lea cats, 36 to 38 bushels per acre ; after green crop, 42 to 44 bushels per acre ; seed sown, potato oats, 5 to 6 bushels per acre broadcast; 3 to 4 bushels per acre drilled; large varieties 5 to 7 bushels per acre; the seed-bed was fairly good, and oats generally brairded well, but progress was checked in May by cold, dry weather, and, later, drought did damage; when rain came a good deal of aftershot appeared ; the crop never recovered from tho early setback, and the straw was short, although grain filled out well before harvest. Harvest—Started much about the same time as the previous year ; as the crop on most farms was a standing one, the binder was in general use all over, and cutting was soon done; a spell of damp, foggy weather then set in, and on early farms much handling of the crop had to be done to get it in order, but there was a good deal of sprouting, and the grain was discoloured ; after this bad spell was over those who harvested later had splendid harvest weather, and secured their crop in fine order. Hay—Owing to un- favourable weather and want of rain the hay crop was generally light, probably less than 2 tons per acre ; the quality was excellent; after the rain came in many cases the aftermath was better than the hay crop for bulk. JlIeadow Ifawaess productive than last year, a poor crop probably less than 1 ton per acre. Potatoes—Early potatoes in general suflcred badly from frost, growth being retarded ; a very light crop was dug at the start, and the crop did not bulk as in former years ; 6 tons pr-r acre ; Epicures chiefly were planted ; late potatoes did well and were quite a good crop, with good weather at lifting; 8 to 9 tons per acre. Turnips—IB to 20 tons per acre; the braird on many farms was very much in patches, and in some cases the late braird was thinned when the first braird was nearly ready for back-weeding ; the fields, owing to the dry weather, were very clean, but when the rain came the weeds arrived; runches and redshank flourished and took a good deal Of extra work to weed ; Owing to the mild and sunny autumn the turnip crop bulked very well and kept fairly sound ; the best crop for some years. Insects— No injury to any great extent. Weeds—Dockens showed no sign of decreasing, and redshank was very prevalent in turnip fields ; weeds in pastures were kept well under control. Pastures—Promised well in early spring, but owing to dry, frosty weather they received a setback in May, and did not recover for some time ; later they ini- proved, and with ideal autumn weather there was any quantity of grass till well on in the year. Lice Stock—For reasons stated about it was only an average year for dairy cows, although the amount Of grass available in autumn helped to prevent a sharp fall in yield; young stock did well; grass-sickness, navel-ill, and hoven were ex- perienced as usual, but this year was no worse than last for diseases among horses and cattle; lambs were much subject to worms, and this added to the losses of the sheep-farmer. Clip of Wool—Above the average. CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1939. 1177 GLASGOW DISTRICT. AYRSHIRE. Wheat—Grain, 48 bushels per acre ; straw,_ l5 cwt. per acre ; grain was of very good quality and gave a good yield; straw was very short, but quality was good ;. seed sown, 3 bushels per acre. Barley—Very little grown. Oats—Grain, 45 bushels per acre ; straw, 14 cwt. per acre; the quality of the grain generally was good and the pickle well filled; straw was very short, but of good quality; seed sown, 5 to 6 bushels per acre. H arvest—Began about the usual time and was carried through most expeditiously to a finish ; weather was good, and the straw was short, which famlitated a. quick clearance in good condition. Hay—A very short crop; about 20 cwt. per acre, which was all secured in good condition and made good feeding. There was a distinct shortage of clever owing to the drought. .Meadow Hay—About 30 per cent less than in 1938, but was secured in good condition. Potatoes—Early potatoes were a very small crop, about 4 tons per acre, and prematurely ripened owing to drought; late potatoes, about 5 tons per acre, were also under average, but were of better quality than usual ; virus diseases appeared to be prevalent, though they were difficult to identify owing to the shrivelling of the leaves by drought. Turnips—A good crop of sound roots in most places; about 18 tons per acre; the crop brairdod normally, but subsequent growth was slow during the dry weather; turnips grew well in the autrunn and finished up a. good crop. Insects~Green-fiy on potato crops were more plentiful than usual and did considerable damage to the leaves. Weeds—“Vere not nearly so prevalent this ward/as the dry weather facilitated their eradication. Pastures— \'r~ry bare and burnt during June and July, but grew and grazed woll late into the year. Live Stock—Did well where they had suffiCient grass, but many pastures were overstocked during the drought and never recovered in time to make up the deficiency in live stock products ; disease among stock has not been serious, probably largely due to the preventative measures which are now practised. Clip of W col—About average and of good quality. BUTE. Wheat—None grown. Barley—None grown. Oats—A good crop ; probably better than last year. H arvcst—Began at the usual time; weather fair throughout; a good proportion Of the crop was spoiled by being carted in before it was ready, as the weather was not good for drying. Hay—In most cases a better crop than last year‘s ; about 2 tons per acre ; very well got. Illeadow Hay—Very lilllc grown in the island. Potatoes—~Epicurcs, the early crop, better this year; digging started on 9th June, just about the same time as last year; Kerr’s Pink, the late crop, good; about 9 tons per acre; fine weather to finish up the digging. Tumips—Crop better than in the previous year ; on some farms it was very good ; hardly any resowing required. Insects—No loss reported. Weeds—NO loss from weeds, which were easily kept down. Pastures—Good during Summer. Live Stock—Did well, and no special diseases reported. Clip of Wool—Bulk and quality both good. ARRAN. Wheat——None grown. Barley—None grown. Oats—A f500d crop, and harvested in good condition ; yield, 30 to 35 bushels Per acre ; straw, 1 ton per acre ; seed sown, 5 to 6 bushels per acre. |
| Title | Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 094 |
