Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 098
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| Year | 1940 |
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184 CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1939. quality, but short; seed sown, 3 to 4 bushels per acre. Oats~ Yielded varied qualities Of grain ; average, 40 to 50 bushels per acre ; straw of good quality, but slightly short in weight; seed sown, 5 to 6 bushels per acre. Harvest—Started in the early districts in the third week of August, and was general by the beginning of Sep— tember, which is one week later than the average of the past few years. Hay—~The dry, barren weather during the spring retarded growth, and in consequence the yield was light, but of good quality ; 30 to 40 cwt. per acre ; difficulty was experienced in harvesting the crop from lack Of drying winds. JVIeadow Hay—Likewise light in bulk, but quality good. Potatoes—Crop has given increased yields, under favourable weather conditions; average return, 5% to 7 tons per acre; the crop was secured under ideal conditions, and was free from disease ; no new varieties were planted. Turnips—It was anticipated in the early season that the turnip crop would be light, but with the mild autumn it bulked considerably, and has given average yields; the dry weather in June retarded the braird, and the plants were late in being thinned; very little resowing reported. I meets—Crops were free from insect pests. Weeds—The dry season prevented any appreciable growth of weeds, and the crops were kept clean. Pastures—During the early grazing season pastures were bare, but of good feeding value; the growth lasted well into the autumn and saved winter keep. Live StockflGenerally throve well on the pastures; cattle and sheep were free from disease. Clip of Wool— Average both for quality and weight. PERTHSHIRE (Eastern). Wheat—\Vinter wheat was a moderate crop owing to the wet weather at time of sewing ; quite a lot sown in the spring under average ; yield, 34 to 40 bushels per acre ; seed sown, 4 to 5 bushels per acre; samples quite good, although some lots a little soft. Barley—An average crop, but not a big acreage grown ; yield, 40 to 42 bushels per acre, about the same as last year ; seed sown, 3 to 4 bushels per acre; samples fairly good. Oats— An average crop, but samples all dark in colour owing to the dull weather at harvest, especially in early districts; from late districts samples were good; seed sown, 4 to 6 bushels per acre; average yield, 45 to 54 bushels per acre. HarvesFBegan at the beginning of August, but the weather continued very dull till the middle of September; late districts had a good harvest. Hay—An average crop; about 40 cwt. per acre, in some cases a little more; quality good. JlIeadow H ay—An average crop ; better than in 1938 ; quality good. Potatoes—6 to 9 tons per acre; a big crop, better than in previous year; very little disease; kept well in pits, having been lifted in very good weather ; very few new varieties used. Turniquw Swedes a fair crop ; not so good as last year ; some disease reported ; finger-and-toe prevalent in some districts ; turnips sown in the second week of June brairded badly ; yield, 25 to 30 tons per acre ; yellows a good crop; some resowing owing to drought in June. Insects—— No damage reported. Weeds—NO damage, where properly worked. Pastures—Grass came early and did well all season ; continued good till well into November owing to absence of frost. Live Stock—Did very well; cattle and sheep kept free from disease, but a few cases of trouble Mth early lambing Half-Bred ewes occurred. Clip of W00l ——An average crop ; a little better than in 1938. CEREAL AND OTHER CROPS OF SCOTLAND FOR 1939. 185 PERTHSHIRE (Western). Wheat—Rather under average crop; of good quality; yield, 35 to 40 bushels per acre; straw, 25 cwt. per acre ; secured in good order ; little damage by sprouting ; seed sown, 3.1, to 4 bushels per acre. Barley—«Very little grown. 0ats——Lighter crop than in previous year ; yield, 40 to 45 bushels per acre ; straw, good, 20 to 23 cwt. per acre; stood well. Harvest—Commenced middle of August; very little delay in cutting; weather dry, but no drouth ; owing to disastrous harvest in 1938 there was a tendency to stack too early, which caused a good deal of heating and turning of stacks; very little sprouting; a very good spell of weather at end Of September and October gave late districts a good harvest. Hay—Timothy under average ; ()‘O cwt. per acre ; green cut ; more than usual left for seed, which was difficult to secure owing to quiet weulllCI‘ ; ryegrass under average ; not too well get. Meadow H ay— .lrerage crop, well get. Potatoes—Average crop; 6 to 8 tons per acre ; lifted under excellent conditions ; kept well in pits, but severe frost at New Year threatened damage. Tumips—Under average crop ; 20 to 23 tons per acre ; irregular brairds ; some second sowings owing to seed germinating and drying up, and also on account of fly. Insects—Very little damage reported. Weeds—Gave less trouble than for many years. Pastures—Very good, better than in previous year. Live Stock—Throve well in the best grazing season for several years, and were free from disease. Clip of Wool—Average; of good quality. PERTHSHIRE (Highland). W heat—Not generally sown; only a few acres grown on suitable farms. Barley—Only small patches gronn for stock; weight light. Oats—Crop above average, with straw of good quality; natural weight about 42 lb. per bushel; seed sown, 6 to 8 bushels per acre, according to variety. Harvest— Began in the end of August, somewhat earlier than usual, and in most cases was completed by the end of September; was slightly interrupted by broken weather in the early stages. Hay—Crop average and well secured; 30 cwt. per acre; aftermath of clever light. llIeadow Hay—Average as to quantity, and of good quality where secured early. Potatoes—A good crop secured under favourable weather conditions ; about 7 to 8 tons per acre; not much disease apparent; no new varieties planted to any extent. TurnipsflA good crop; brairded well, and no second sowing required; about 18 tons per acre. Weeds—Very few, and where they appeared were easily dealt with. Pastures—Of average growth and quality. Live Slock—Throve well, and were generally free from disease; a few isolated cases of grass sickness among horses reported. Clip of Wool— Quality and quantity about average ; weather conditions fine during clipping season. ABERDEEN DISTRICT. .ANGUS (Western). Wheat—32 bushels per acre; grain and straw fair quality; seed sown, 3 to 4 bushels per acre drilled. Barley—- 38 bushels per acre ; grain good, but straw very fair quality; seed Gown, 3 to 4 bushels per acre, drilled. Oats—45 bushels per acre; grain and straw very fair quality; seed sown, 5 to 6 bushels per acre, according to variety and district. Harvest—Started early in VOL. LII. N |
| Title | Transactions of RHASS Volume 1940 - Page 098 |
