THE HARVEST IN SCOTLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 1205, 2 January 1875, Page 6

THE HARVEST IN SCOTLAND

From files to hand by the Suez mail, we clip the following items, in reference to the ' harvest:— The harvest operations in almost every corner of Scotland may now be regarded as completed. The weather during the last ten days, though somewhat showery, has been on the whole favourable for the ingathering of the crops in the Highlands. Indeed, the Highlandman has had the best harvest, so far as weather is concerned. Nor will he fare worse in respect of bulk of straw and quality of grain, especially the former. The stackyards in the upper districts are not relatively so deficient as in the low country, and the quantity and quality of the grain are unusually encouraging to farmers. The sharp breezes of Friday, Saturday, and Monday not only enabled the upland farmers to have their outstanding grain secured in the best possible condition, but did much good to stackyards throughout the country. In the north-west of Scotland we learn with regret that the harvest weather has been of the most unfavourable character. There has been very little dry weather in many parts of Argyllshire and the western isles for the last eight weeks. In consequence of this the grain crops have been much damaged, and are not yet nearly in the stackyard, while some of the meadow hay is still exposed in bad condition. A week of dry bracing weather would be most advantageous to those unfortunate districts. The potato crop in the west has suffered considerably from disease, but in the other districts of Scotland the pest, though appearing here and there, has not done, and is not now likely to do, much mischief. Farmers in the south have commenced digging, and the weather from Thursday till yesterday was most favourable for the operation. Yesterday, however a great deal of rain fell, and suspended field labour for the time. There is a full average crop of potatoes, But unfortunately the markets are very unsatisfactory for the > grower, prices being very low and drooping. The turnip crop has exhibited no new features since we last wrote, excepting a little more premature decay in the Swedish turnip fields in some parts of the Lothians. The cultivation of stubble land has made considerable progress under favourable circumstances as regaida weather. The cowing of autumn wheat has not been commenced yefc, but in some districts will soon be.