The eastern, or smaller division of the county, containing two parishes, is an irregular, somewhat oblong tract of land, covering 19,030 acres; its length 12 miles, and its breadth averaging 4½ miles. Its boundaries are—Stirlingshire and Lanarkshire, the former enclosing on the north, the latter on the south.

Geology, &c.—The county is one which presents both Highland and Lowland scenery in their perfection. The two northern parishes are little else than a region of lofty rugged mountains and wild glens, forming a landscape which has much wild grandeur, but little of a pleasant green nature on its face. The southern division presents a striking contrast, being altogether of a lower, greener, and more undulating character. The reason for this contrast must be sought for in the geological history of the two divisions. The northern one, comprising Arrochar, Luss, and a great part of Row and Roseneath parishes, is the oldest; and consists of mica schist, which apparently has at one time been upheaved by violent volcanic pressure, and subsequently subjected to glacial and other powerful watery influence, giving it the wild ridge and valley aspect it now has.

The valleys run from north-west to south-east. Between Tarbet and Luss, dikes of greenstone, felspar, and porphyry have been thrust through seams in the mica schist. Clay beds, formed at the same time as the schist rocks, from the more finely ground particles of the original granite, afterwards became, by the action of pressure and heat, the slate formations of Luss and Roseneath.

The southern portion of the county, divided from the northern by a line drawn from the south-west corner of Roseneath to a little north of Ross Point on Loch Lomond, belongs mostly to a later formation, viz., the sandstone. This formation produces a much less steep and rugged landscape than the other; and the eye can easily detect, by the change from wild heath and abrupt slopes to green fields and gentle undulations, where the schist of the north gives place to the sandstone of the south. The parishes included in this latter formation are Cardross, Bonhill, Kilmaronock, Dumbarton, West Kilpatrick, and part of

East Kilpatrick. Between the schist and the sandstone there intervenes a narrow stripe of transition rock, in the shape of graywacke, which, entering the county at the south-west corner of Roseneath, passes north-east to Rossdhu on Loch Lomond. The sandstone reveals itself, first, in that breadth of conglomerate rock, or Old Red Sandstone, which enters the county at the extreme south-east of Roseneath, and passes north-east parallel to the graywacke, including in its area great part of Cardross, Row, and Bonhill parishes. The hill of Ardmore, in Cardross, lies on the southern boundary of this formation; it takes in the Killeter range on the north; and the island of Inchmurrin, in Loch Lomond, is also part of it. Proceeding south, and above the Old Red, and evidently distinct from it, we find abundance of various kinds of sandstone. In Kilmaronock, both grey edge freestone and flag freestone prevail. The whole eastern section of Cardross lies on that red sandstone, whereof great part of the Vale of Leven towns are built. Quarries for building material are found at Dalreoch and Renton. In East and West Kilpatrick yellow sandstone underlies great part of the soil, existing, not in a uniform mass, but revealing itself here and there.

In this quarter the sandstone has been rent and overlaid by the trap rocks, forming the Kilpatrick Hills. The same rock seems also to be found in Duncryne Hill in Kilmaronock, and Dumbarton Castle rock—those huge cones rising so solitarily from the surrounding plains. The eastern wing of East Kilpatrick, and the whole eastern division of the county, belong to the Coal Measures. Limestone, whinstone, coal, bituminous shale, and small beds of ironstone are found in these districts. Cumbernauld parish is formed of a series of ridges of trap rock, running from east to west in parallel lines; a considerable quantity of yellow sandstone is also found within it.

It is computed that there are in Dumbartonshire 99,400 acres of mountain land. The rest of the county is divided among the several soils as follows :—Loam, 6050 acres; clayey soil, 30,970 acres; sandy or gravelly soil, 25,520 acres; peat soil, 720 acres : and a very little marl.

Climate.—With respect to the meteorology of the shire, we regret our inability to give any statistics or scientific information; but, of the main section it may, we think, be affirmed that it is moderately fortunate, both as regards heat and moisture. It is pretty well sheltered from the east winds, which are so detrimental on the opposite coast; and though its situation on the western seaboard exposes it to moist winds from the Atlantic, yet this is not without its compensating circumstances. For, if the sea occasionally causes rain in summer, it also brings neat in winter. That season is generally comparatively mild in all the seaward parishes, the snow never lying long in the inhabited parts of Roseneath, Row, and Cardross. The northern portion of the county, with its high cloud-attracting hills and wind-swept glens, is doubtless well rained upon, and snowstorms, when they come, are apt to be severe.

The climate of the detached section is also somewhat less genial than in many parts of Scotland. In the Cumbernauld portion of it especially, the temperature, owing to the height at which the whole district stands, is generally cool; its situation also exposes it to east winds from the one sea and west winds from the other, on which account rainy weather is apt to be prevalent.

Population, &c.—According to the census returns of 1881, the population is 75,333 souls, giving an average of 279 persons to the square mile. It is, however, very unevenly distributed. The parishes of Arrochar and Luss cover more than one-third of the whole area of the county, and yet they have but one-sixtieth part of the population. The crowding of the inhabitants into the southern portion is, in part, owing to the more arable and habitable nature of those parts; but the chief reason is, of course, the extensive industries carried on in the Vale of Leven, Dalmuir, and elsewhere. The Yale of Leven itself contains three-eighths of the whole population.

The large population on the arable part of the shire, and its contiguity to Glasgow, have caused a great amount of dairying to be carried on within it. There is hardly a farmer in the southern parishes who is wholly an arable farmer; the attention of the majority is divided between the dairy and the field. It should be stated, that for much of the permanent pasture, which is such a useful adjunct to a dairy-farm, farmers of to-day, in Dumbartonshire, are indebted to the labours of their ancestors. Steep, rocky places, which no one now thinks of cultivating, have, in olden times, been diligently farmed. Consequently, they now constitute good pasture land, being covered with grass, instead of heather and sprits. In fact, traces of an anterior cultivation are met with all through the county. On the Kilpatrick braes, on the hillsides of Row and Roseneath, and even on the rugged mountain slopes of Loch Long, there are patches of green, and traces of the plough, which show the spots whence, in the middle of last century, the household had its meal, and very often the smuggler his malt. By way of more effectively presenting a view of the agriculture of the county, we mean to treat of it in sections of one or two parishes each, going over these in geographical order. In accordance with this method, we will begin with an account of the systems of farming-pursued in

Arrochar and Luss Parishes.

The district included in these two parishes is a land of towering-rugged mountains and remote glens—a land of wild heath and barren rock, sparsely populated by men, but well inhabited with sheep. Along the whole eastern side of the district lies the far-famed Loch Lomond; and the proudest rival of Ben Lomond, to be seen for miles around, is Ben Vorlich, in the parish of Arrochar—a mountain rising 3094 feet above the level of the sea. The parishes combined make a total of 57,676 acres—an acreage equal to more than a third part of the whole extent of the county. Yet, from a purely agricultural view, the district must be deemed of little importance. In Arrochar parish, arable farming is reduced to a few inconsiderable patches about the various hotels and sheep-farmers' houses; and in Luss, the dozen or so medium-sized farms, from Luss village downwards to the Fruin, comprise the whole of the arable land. The district derives the greater part of its wealth and importance from the extensive sheep farming that is carried on within it. All of it belongs to one proprietor (Sir James Colquhoun), and is parcelled out into sheep-farms of various sizes, carrying-stocks ranging from 400 to 2500 sheep.

The mountains of the district are nearly all of one geological formation, but between one and another of them great differences in height and external aspect are to be observed. The hills above Luss, in particular, are lower in elevation and greener in appearance than any of those further up. Some slopes are quite covered with heather, giving a dark unrelieved aspect to the landscape ; while others are so rugged and devoid of vegetation, as to suggest a doubt whether anything can subsist upon them. However, such hills are by no means so profitless as they appear. Innumerable shelves occur on their rugged sides, bearing patches of good grass, quite accessible to sheep.

The greenness of some hills is, in great part, owing to the prevalence of brackens—a species of vegetation much disliked by the flock-owner, as it kills good grass, and is itself quite uneatable by sheep. He would much prefer heather, as, besides allowing grass to grow amongst it, it affords a bite to the flock in the winter and spring months. However, the complaint is, that heather is dying out—being allowed to grow too old. In different seasons, sheep feed on different kinds of vegetation. In spring time, a species of bayonet grass comes up, which, supplemented with a little sprits and young heather, constitutes their sustenance for a time. In summer, a variety of good grasses present themselves; and in winter, the remainders of the summer's grass, with a free use of heather, tide the flocks over till the spring. In the summer, the sheep sleep on the mountain tops, and in the morning may be seen running down in a body to commence feeding on the lower slopes. Working, or rather eating their way up, they are found near the hilltops in the heat of the day, because there they enjoy greater freedom from flies. In winter, they haunt the lower slopes of the hills.

A curious fact in the natural history of sheep, is the attachment they have to their own hillside, and the sagacity with which they can distinguish it from any other. Lambs that have only been six months on the ground, and then have spent other six months wintering in remote regions, on returning to their native farm, in a short time find their way back each one to his original spot. It is probably very much owing to this characteristic that a flock always divides itself into distinct lots or companies. On no farm of any extent does the whole body of the sheep mass together, and range the pasture promiscuously. Every flock naturally divides into as many distinct companies as there are separate hillsides on the farm. These detachments of sheep are called "hirsels;" and on the same hillside will the same "hirsel" be found grazing day after day, the members of it hardly ever wandering, though unconfined on all sides. If they do stray, the ease with which they can be ordered into their proper places proves the strength of this preference for their native spot. The shepherd merely gives a loud whistle in the hearing of the wanderers, and immediately each one, alarmed, moves off, and makes straight for his own grazing ground. This circumstance, and the fact that the hill which sheep are lambed upon, is the one on which they will best thrive, also gives rise to another noticeable feature of sheep-farming, viz., that however often a farm changes its tenant, it hardly ever changes its stock. The same stock, or its descendants, is found year after year on a farm, though meanwhile perhaps two or three different occupiers have held it. An incoming tenant always takes over the existing stock at a valuation, and experience has proved this to be the only advisable plan. We have heard of a case in which the new tenant, thinking the valuation too high, preferred to stock the farm with animals from the outside; but the mortality among the new comers was so great, as clearly to prove the danger of transplanting sheep to a strange hillside. Such facts are perhaps familiar to all acquainted with sheep-farming; but as they are interesting in themselves, and may possibly prove new to some readers, we think they should find a place here.

Sheep stocks in this district range, as we have said, from 400 to 2500 in number—from 1200 to 1400 being an average stock; and as for the breed of sheep in vogue, it is, of course, the "Blackfaced" all over. One or two of the stocks are of the ewe kind, but all the rest are mixed ewe and wether stocks, from some of which part of the wether lambs are sold. A few of the tups are reared at home, but the majority are bought in at the autumn sales, from breeders in Campsie, Fintry, and the south generally. They are sent to the hill about the 24th of November —one tup to thirty ewes being the proportion generally observed. Tupping time is a very taxing season to the shepherds, who must be on the hill every day regulating matters. Sometimes a ram wanders away in the night time to a neighbouring flock, causing the shepherd a long journey and much trouble to bring him back. For fear of breeding in, tups are not used more than two seasons on the same hillside, and after another two years on a different hillside, their place is filled with fresh comers. After tups are taken from the hill, they are fed on oats and Indian corn on the low grounds. A period of calm weather and frost is much desired by flockmasters at tupping time, as the contrary circumstances have an effect in rendering the ewes barren. A proportion of barren ewes there always is, especially among the young ones or "gimmers;" but at speaning time, a result of three lambs to four ewes is usually obtained. Young ewes begin to bear at two years old. Draft ewes in this district are not sent away at any particular age; but after their fourth crop of lambs is perhaps the commonest time. Lambing time comes on about the middle of April, and constitutes another anxious season to the shepherds, who, for the space of a fortnight, can hardly ever be off the hill. The wether lambs are cut between the 20th and 30th of May, and speaning time for all the lambs is about the end of August.

From that period onwards till the end of October, a great exodus of sheep stock goes on throughout the district. First comes the departure of the wether shot lambs. These seldom go to the butcher, but are sold through the medium of the Perth sales, the Glasgow market, and sometimes by private bargain, to farmers and graziers, who buy in every year to keep up a flying stock. Until recently a fair was held at Luss in the end of August, at which great numbers of these lambs were disposed of; but the growing popularity of Perth and other sales has caused this fair to become extinct.

A great departure of three-year old wethers next takes place throughout the district. On some of the smaller farms these are sold off all at once; but on the larger farms they go away in lots, according as they come into condition for the market. The majority of these find their way, via Balloch, to the Glasgow market, and are mostly bought up by fleshers in town. Last year (1883) they drew 37s. per head or thereby; twenty-five years ago their price was 10s. less. Draft ewes are disposed of through the same medium, and soon are distributed throughout those numerous Lowland farms, whence cross lambs are supplied to the spring and summer markets. The last great detachment of sheep stock which leaves this district consists of hoggs going away to winter quarters. The inclemency of the weather on these mountain sides necessitates the removal of the tenderer members of the flock to more genial regions during the cold months.

About the end of October, most of the hoggs are drafted off to moor edges in Stirlingshire, vacant pastures in Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, &c, and especially to Fife. This last-named shire has been a good deal run upon of late years as a place of wintering for hoggs. Compared with other districts, it has been found greatly more healthy, the mortality there being not much over half what it is in other parts.

Hoggs in the lower portion of the district are despatched by train from Balloch; those in the upper regions are driven to Crianlarich, on the Callander and Oban line, and thence trucked to winter quarters. Each hogg, between travelling expenses and payment for its keep from 1st November till 1st April, costs the farmer about 7s. This charge forms a very heavy item in the flock-owner's yearly expenditure. Fife hoggs go away about the middle of October.

Clipping and dipping are important operations on a sheep farm. Clipping begins about the 17th of June for hoggs, wethers, and yeald ewes; milk ewes are not clipped till a month later. Of wether fleeces, a good clipper will accomplish about sixty in a day, beginning at nine o'clock and ending at six; of milk ewe fleeces, ten more, on account of the better rise of new wool to be found on them. The average yield of wool is 4½ wether fleeces and 6 ewe fleeces respectively to the stone of 24 lbs.

The wool is generally sold on commission by a wool-broker in Glasgow. Dipping operations are performed about the end of October. This method of preserving sheep from disease and vermin has, in Dumbartonshire, almost wholly superseded smearing. Dipping compositions of several kinds are used, varying in strength according to the height at. which the sheep will range. The operation is performed in a large trough, at the upper end of which is an inclined platform, sparred to prevent the hoofs from slipping. On this platform the sheep run up after being dipped, and while there all the superfluous drippings run off and flow back into the trough. Milk ewes and wethers are dipped once a year; but lambs get a dip or two more, being dipped when speaned in August, and then again in October, and generally again when they return from winter quarters. Into the October dip of lambs a half pound of grease is put, as a protection from cold. Clipping and dipping being times when all the flock are supposed to be present, an opportunity is then taken of counting them over, and these are the only times when the numbers of large flocks are accurately known.

A bill of mortality, which never fails to be filled up, tends to make this counting a lighter task than it would otherwise be. All the year round, causes are at work which produce a death-rate in the flock. About the month of October, and even earlier, the disease called "braxy" begins to attack the lambs. This disease is supposed to be brought on most frequently by eating grass covered with hoar frost. About 2 lambs in 20 are lost by it before going to wintering, and at winter quarters still further losses are sustained—1 lamb in 20 being generally sacrificed to "braxy" in Fifeshire, and perhaps double that number in other places. In the springtime, when dry east winds prevail, the disease called "trembling" usually sets in, and takes off its quota ; and on every extensive farm a number of sheep are lost every year, nobody knows how, only the numerous bogs, caverns, and swollen burns, which exist in these mountain districts, supply a likely explanation. Upon the whole, a frosty winter is better for sheep than an open one, for supposing they grow lean, their health remains more firm; whereas in some of the wet stormy winters we have had of late years, the mortality among every kind of stock has been such as to swallow up all the profit, and make sheep-farming a failure.

The extensive sheep-farming of this district is not carried on without a good deal of hired assistance. On some smaller holdings the farmer is his own shepherd; on some larger ones, he and his sons are equal to the task of management; but in the generality of cases, one or two hired shepherds are employed. These are partly married, and partly single. The first named are paid at the rate of from £12 to £20 a year, with from one to three cows, and generally leave to rear a stirk; also an allowance of meal, and if peats are not to be had, also coals, and liberty to plant potatoes with the cows' manure. Single shepherds get about £12 per half year, with bed and board.

The farmers themselves are a very intelligent, courteous class of men. Most of them take a hand in the common duties of the farm. Rents have risen and fallen within ten years, and the rate just now per sheep is from 3s. to 4s.

Arable Farming in Luss Parish.

At the south end of the parish, from the village of Luss downwards, round the shoulders of the Shantron Hill, and by the sides of the Fruin, a tract of land is found suitable for arable farming. On the banks of the stream, and on the level tract along the loch side, sandy alluvial soil prevails, of a fine porous nature, and great depth, needing no drains. On the slopes of the hill above, plats of the same soil occur, but in general the higher grounds consist of a mixed clayey and mossy soil, on a tilly bottom. The average size of farms is a hundred acres each; and the rotation followed is the six-years' one. Very good crops are sometimes raised on the alluvial lands by the Fruin.

Potatoes.—The ground there is specially well adapted for potatoes, and 9 or 10 tons of "red bogs" is a result quite attainable in a good year. However, "Champions" and "Walker's" earlies are the sorts more commonly planted, with a yield in general of 6 or 7 tons per acre. A market for potatoes is found in Helensburgh and the Vale of Leven. Except on farms which have dairies, turnips are not much cultivated. Manure is carted from Alexandria and elsewhere, and on some farms is liberally applied—from 25 to 30 tons an acre, with 3 or 4 cwt. chemicals being the allowance.

Oats.—"Hamilton" and "Flemish" oats are the varieties most popular in the district. The yield varies, from 30 to 60 bushels per acre, according to the position of the field; and the weight ranges from 36 to 41 lbs. per bushel. Wheat and barley, which were once somewhat prevalent, have now ceased to be sown.

Hay.—Hay is a crop that yields well on the alluvial lands by the Fruin—about 2 tons an acre being attained. The clover thrives finely on these lands, almost choking the grass; and subsequently the pasture proves excellent. Hay is a very saleable commodity, there being such a number of public works, &c, in the Vale of Leven and so many gentlemen with carriage horses in Helensburgh.

Dairying.—Dairying is carried on to some extent on farms at the extreme south of the parish. From 12 to 20 cows are kept on each of these, and milk is conveyed every morning to dealers in Renton and elsewhere. The other farms keep no dairies, unless the few milk cows necessary to supply the household can be called such. On these farms a few young cattle are reared every year, and are readily bought by dealers and graziers. The majority of the tenants here are sheep as well as arable farmers, having a tract of moorland attached to their holdings capable of carrying 300 or 400 sheep. The management of their flocks is conducted in much the same fashion as we have described in the preceding pages.

Roseneath and Row Parishes.

These parishes being contiguous, and possessing many features in common, may suitably be treated of together. Roseneath is a very compact, self-contained parish, bounded as it is on three sides by the sea, and on the fourth or north side by a march dike between two proprietors. It lies within a peninsula, which narrowly misses being an island—the peninsula, namely, which separates the water of Loch Long from those of the Gare-loch, and which, at its point of junction with the mainland, is only a mile in breadth. The parish is in length about 7 miles, in breadth about 2 miles, and, excluding water and foreshores, contains 8462 acres, whereof about one-fifth is arable. Physically considered, Roseneath is a long, elevated tableland of slaty rock, heath-covered on the higher slopes and the top, but lower down well cultivated, and wearing a belt of green nearly all round. A portion of the peninsula at the south end, divided off by a shallow dale, is of a red sandstone formation. On the broad level lanks of this formation are found Roseneath Castle, with its fine old woods and the extensive fields and fine steading of the home farm.

This latter is the largest arable farm in Dumbartonshire, extending to 473 acres arable, and is at present let under a nineteen years' lease. For many years prior to 1859 this farm was in the hands of Mr Lorne Campbell, chamberlain to His Grace the Duke of Argyll. Mr Campbell was a first-rate agriculturist, as well as a wise estate manager, and his name is still well remembered in the district. He also took a somewhat prominent part in Highland and Agricultural Society affairs, and was their enumerator for Dumbartonshire when the Society first began to gather agricultural statistics.

Soil.—The soil on this red sandstone portion is of a more excellent kind than prevails throughout the rest of the parish. It is a deep, sandy soil, resting on a bottom of gravel or conglomerate rock. Patches of clay occur at intervals through it. The rest of the parish consists partly of a medium soil tending to clay, and partly of a light sandy soil; both kinds of soil rather thin, and resting sometimes on clay, but more commonly immediately on the rock. Around the shores of the peninsula, a strip of sharp land is found very suitable for green crop. One of the best farms in the parish, viz., the "Clachan," is largely composed of this soil. Much of it, however, has been taken away from the other farms by the growth of the coast villages of Kilcreggan, Cove, Clynder, and Peaton.

Row parish is about 8 miles long and 3 miles broad, and, excluding water and foreshores, contains 20,126 acres, of which about one-fifth is arable. A belt of land along the Gareloch, and another tract in the bottom of Glenfruin, comprise all that is arable in this parish. The remainder, constituting four-fifths or thereby of the whole, is unreclaimed heath, suitable for sheep.

Soil—-The soil on the arable lands of the Gareloch is, toward the north, of a medium kind, upon a bottom of blue clay; southward, about the town of Helensburgh, stiffer soil occurs, resting partly on till and partly on grey freestone. The shore lands are of a genial, sandy nature, but the extensive feuing consequent upon the growth of Helensburgh and Row village has rendered these lands almost wholly unavailable for farming purposes. Agriculture, therefore, confined to the uplands, has been somewhat less happily situated, especially as regards green crop. However, a compensation for this is found in the good market for dairy produce, which such places as Helensburgh and Row have opened up.

In Glenfruin, a considerable tract of deep alluvial soil is met with. Sharp, light soil, on a gravel and till bottom, constitutes the remainder of the arable portion. The greater part of the land in this district is valued at 20s. per acre, the best land rising in value to £3 or thereby. Farms commonly range from 90 to 190 acres arable.

The six-years' rotation is the general estate rule, and is followed with such variations as are common in these times. On a great number of farms, not only arable and dairy, but also sheep farming, is carried on; a piece of moorland, capable of grazing from three to four hundred sheep, being attached to the holdings.

Oats.—"Hamilton," "Potato," and "Sandy" oats are the kinds prevalent in the district. About 4 bushels are taken to seed an acre, new seed being usually brought in every second or third year. To encourage crop at starting, and obviate danger of the grub-worm, one farmer top-dresses with ½ cwt. nitrate and salt per acre; and another harrows his ground level before sowing, and afterwards top-dresses with ammonia and nitrate. On the best farms 48 bushels per acre of a crop is realised; on the others from 12 to 20 bushels less. The weight varies from 37 to 42 lbs. per bushel. In Row parish the bulk of the thrashing is done by the travelling mill. Into Roseneath this institution has not yet penetrated, the principal farmers there having good mills of their own. A considerable quantity of the grain is sold as horse corn; a part of it is also milled, and some meal sold. The smaller farmers have not generally much straw to sell, but a good deal of this commodity is disposed of by the larger farmers to gentlemen with carriage horses, and others.

Wheat.—Wheat is a very scarce grain in the district. It is perhaps not found statedly on any save the Roseneath home and "Clachan" farms, where very good crops of it are raised.

Hay.—Sowing for this crop takes place on some farms about a week after oat sowing, when seed—to the amount of 2 bushels perennial rye-grass and 5 or 6 lbs. clovers—is put in. " Timothy " meadows are becoming somewhat common, the unprofitableness

of green cropping inducing a number of farmers to devote areas of their land to the raising of successive crops of Timothy grass. One farmer's method is to clean his ground very thoroughly, then sow it down with Italian and Timothy seeds, including clovers, crop for three or four years in succession, top-dressing each time with long dung or dung and nitrate of soda. Ryegrass hay yields from 25 to 50 cwt. per acre. This is a crop easily sold, there being such a number of carriage and other horses kept in Helensburgh and the coast villages of the locality.

Potatoes.—The district is now more a late than an early growing one, so much land adapted for the latter having been taken away by the increase of populous places. It has, however, one farm within it long noted for early potato culture, viz., the Roseneath home farm. Forty years ago, ere the Ayrshire early potato trade had developed, Mr Lome Campbell, tenant of that farm, was one of the first suppliers of potatoes to the early market in Greenock. Every year he had smacks regularly plying to convey potatoes from the field to the town. These were retailed from the boat-side. In the year 1849 or 1850, off a 14 acre field, Mr Campbell's drawings grossed £560 or thereby. In raising potatoes this eminent agriculturist adhered strictly to the six-years' rotation arrangement, always making them the second crop after lea. He never applied aught to the crop save farm-yard manure. Under a succeeding tenant, Mr John Marjoribanks, good crops of potatoes were also raised—12 tons per acre being not an uncommon return. Mr Marjoribanks very often planted the crop in lea ground. He dosed it well with bone dust and guano—applying 8 cwt. per acre, in the proportion of 2 parts bone dust to 1 of guano. Under the energetic and skilful management of the present tenant, Mr Thomas Kerr, the farm bids fair, seasons favouring, to sustain its former reputation in this as in other respects. Mr Kerr uses but a small quantity of artificial stuffs, believing firmly in the virtues of good farm-yard manure.

A considerable breadth of "Dalmahoys" and other early sorts are found on his, and on some of the other farms in the district; but, as we intimated, early growing is a subordinate feature of farming here. The "Regent" and the "Champion" are now the, prevalent kinds. The first to introduce "Champions" into Roseneath parish was Mr Robert Orr, Meikle Aiden Farm, who, eight or nine years ago, set a few acres of them. Since then they have become very prevalent, farmers feeling them to be the most dependable crop they could raise. A good deal has been done in this district in the way of planting potatoes in lea ground. One method is, to turn the land over with the trench plough, thereby burying the turf out of the way of the drill plough; then scatter dung upon this ploughing, and in spring harrow over the ground, and draw drills at a different angle. Another and speedier method is, to furrow the land very deeply with a common plough, drawn by three horses; then broadcast dung, &c, all as before. From 15 to 30 tons farm-yard manure, and from 5 to 8 cwt. chemicals per acre, are applied for this crop—dung being sometimes ploughed in. Digging of early potatoes begins in the end of July; "Champions " are not ready till the middle of October. Potatoes are consumed in Greenock, Helensburgh, and the several villages of the locality. Part of them are sold personally by the farmer to shops and families, the rest being disposed of through dealers and commission agents.

Turnips.—A great quantity of turnips are grown, both of the "swede" and yellow varieties. In Glenfruin, however, no "swedes" are sown. Some farmers have more turnips than potatoes, having to feed large numbers of milk cows during the winter. On some farms turnips are raised with short dung, of which about 20 tons an acre are allowed, supplemented with chemicals to the amount of 5 cwt. for yellow turnips, and 2 or 3 cwt. more for "swedes." This crop yields from 15 to 25 tons per acre throughout the district. The "Swedish" part of the crop causes a good deal of trouble, on account of its liability to disease after being lifted. The method one farmer adopts, and which he finds very successful, is to pit them with the shaws on them, taking care not to break the skin in any way. Another plan is, to leave the crop in the ground, and earth it up with the double-reisted plough. A few turnips are sold off the larger farms, but in general this crop is all required for feeding purposes.

Beans and Cabbage.—Beans are not very prevalent as a crop. On many farms, where they have been tried, they have proved discouraging. This is more especially the case in Rose-neath parish. Cabbage is becoming more common, and, if set in good farm-yard manure, thrives very well.

Manure.—Farmers get manure from Helensburgh and Greenock. The latter is the chief resource of Roseneath farmers, the greater number of whom import from one to five boat-loads of Greenock dung every year. Imported city dung costs about 2s. per ton; long dung, from 3s. to 4s. more. Considerable use is also in Roseneath parish made of sea-ware. In tempestuous weather large quantities of it are usually cast up on the shores opposite the several farms. Farmers in Glenfruin drive manure from the Yale of Leven and from Helensburgh. They also employ lime to some little extent as a top-dressing for grass.

Dairying.—Dairying is largely prosecuted in the district. Stocks range from 15 to 30 cows. Nearly all the dairies are

engaged in supplying sweet milk to the populations of the various towns and villages of the locality. Milk is despatched twice a day in summer, and is usually sold to the consumer directly by the farmer. In winter many of the milk carts go only once a day, customers being fewer. The great body of these customers are Glasgow families on their annual coasting sojourn, who require large quantities of dairy produce.

The cows are out all night from the beginning of June till the end of September. In Roseneath the method of winter feeding for long pursued on one of the principal dairy farms was as follows:—Two hot meals daily; a pailful each time of boiled turnips, with ¾lb. bean-meal added; also three fodder-ings of straw and raw turnips, 5 turnips per head being allowed each time. In summer the cattle get a bean-meal drink daily. In the Helensburgh district a higher style of feeding is pursued, three hot meals per day being given, with draff, cotton-cake, &c, added to the bean-meal.

From 8 to 12 quey calves are reared on most farms every year, more rearing being done now than was fifteen years ago. Calves get warm milk for three weeks or thereby, and thereafter skimmed milk and linseed, or other similar food.

The moorland attached to some holdings in Roseneath is used for no other purpose than summer grazing to stirks. A portion of these are sold at Carman Fair, or otherwise, as three-year-old queys in calf. Good prices are obtained for them, from £10 to £15 each being the range. A number of them are also taken into the byre in lieu of cows drafted out. These latter are usually sold to dealers and cowfeeders from the city, who are always on the lookout for saleable cattle. Old cows and cattle generally, from the Roseneath district, are preferred by cowfeeders and others, as, from their comparatively more hardy upbringing, they thrive better when put on richer feeding.

Hay.—This is a crop that yields well in the district. About 2 bushels "perennial ryegrass," 5 or 6 lbs. clover seed, and a little "Italian" per acre are commonly sown for it. It is usual to top-dress for this crop either in winter with short dung, or in spring with 3 cwt. hay manure, or 2 cwt. nitrate and bones per acre. Hay-making is commenced on some of the earlier lands in the first week of July, and the yield will average 35 cwt. per acre. A ready sale for hay is found throughout the district; great quantities are sold off the rick to public companies in the Vale of Leven, cowfeeders, gentlemen with carriage horses, and others; and altogether farmers will dispose of two-thirds of their hay. The cattle are usually put on the clover about the begining of September. Sometimes the clover is cut, and given to them green, and sometimes it is dried, and put up for future use.

Potatoes.—This crop is a very prominent feature of farming in the parish. From an early period, Cardross was famed for its potatoes, and till this day it retains its reputation as one of the earliest potato-growing parishes north of Ayrshire. The stated place for potatoes is the second crop of the rotation, but sometimes, in the interests of a healthy crop, they are made the first. When planted in lea ground, they are manured with merely 10 cwt. guano or chemicals per acre. When potatoes are to be planted in stubble land, it is a very usual practice to plough in from 25 to 30 tons of farm-yard manure per acre, burying the dung only a moderate depth. In the spring time the land is harrowed and deeply drilled, and the crop started with 10 cwt. chemicals per acre. All the farmers believe in letting the manure lie six weeks or thereby on the land before ploughing. Another plan is, to plough stubble land very early, and when frosty weather comes broadcast a like quantity of manure upon it, letting it lie there till the time for harrowing and drilling. This system of ploughing in the dung is becoming very prevalent, as it saves labour, and hastens on operations in spring. Some farmers, however, adhere to the old method of putting manure in the drills: 25 tons of long dung and 5 or 6 cwt. chemicals per acre being the usual quantities allowed. Eight tons per acre is counted a good return of this crop. Early potatoes are commonly ready for digging by the middle of July. In general, all the earlies, and a great part of the late sorts, are sold by the acre to dealers from Helensburgh, Dumbarton, Greenock, &c.; but sometimes the farmer digs his earlies himself, and sells them through a commission agent. "Champions" and "Magnum Bonums" are pitted, to be sold off gradually during the winter and spring months. Potato pits are covered—firstly, with a layer of straw, secondly with a coating of earth, and lastly with another layer of straw, to defend them from the rain, &c. It should be added, that the potato culture of this parish includes the growing of all the kinds from the earliest to the latest. "Red Bogs" and other early sorts are found chiefly on the shore lands ; on the uplands equal proportions of "Regents," "Champions," and "Magnum Bonums" are to be seen.

Turnips.—From 5 to 10 acres of these are grown on farms here; but farmers on the shore lands do not sow so many as those on the uplands. A quantity, both of "swedes" and softer turnips, are raised. The best way to "catch a braird" is found to be by ploughing the stubble land early in winter, and in spring working it with the grubber two or three times. As in other places, a difficulty is found in preserving turnips after they are out of the ground, a plan, recommended by a farmer here, is to store them in good dry weather in a shed—putting them up in steep pits not too wide, and covering them with a thin coating of earth or well-drawn straw. By this means they are kept both warm and airy, and so prevented from heating.

Beans.—On the stiff lands to the east of the parish a few acres of these are grown. The method is to make them the first crop of the rotation. Dung is ploughed into the lea, and the beans are sown broadcast, harrowed, and otherwise treated the same as corn. Sometimes they are sown in drills, and started with 8 cwt. bean manure per acre.

Manure.—A considerable quantity of manure is made in the various farm-yards, owing to the number of cattle kept. This is supplemented by imported manures from Helensburgh, Dumbarton, and especially Greenock. From this last-named place nearly every farmer takes in three or four boat-loads of long and short dung every year. The home manure being the richest, is applied as far as possible to the early potato crop. Police dung, sea-ware, or compost is sometimes spread on hay stubbles, by way of improving next year's grass.

Dairying.—Dairying is largely prosecuted in the district. From 15 to 35 cows are kept on each farm, and the produce— chiefly in the form of fresh butter and butter milk—is sold in Helensburgh and Dumbarton. Some of the dairies are in the sweet milk trade, sending that commodity to the above named towns and to Glasgow. In summer, butter is made five times a week; in winter, only three or four times, and is sold off the cart to shops and private families. Cows are well fed, getting bean meal twice a day all the year round. In winter, when housed, they get three hot meals per day, each time a pailful of boiled turnips, mixed with bean meal and draff. Besides these hot meals, they get three fodderings of hay or oat straw, generally with raw turnips or potatoes superadded. On the best farms the cattle are out for a few hours every day, even in the winter months. A considerable amount of rearing goes on on every farm. From eight to twelve of the best calves— calved from December to July—are reared for that purpose. Calves get warm milk for a month, and thereafter for three or four months a preparation of calf-meal. Many, however, still use porridge and milk, supplemented with linseed, as a nourishment for calves. Cast cows are usually sold to cowfeeders in Greenock and other places. They are very often disposed of after their third calf.

Sheep, &c.—A large number of sheep and other feeding stock are grazed in the parish. The principal sheep stock is that of Colin Campbell, Esq. of Camieseskan, who, on the grounds of Camieseskan House and the hill above, keeps a mixed stock of 16 score greyfaced and 20 score Leicester sheep. For the benefit of the flock, a tract of reclaimed land on Colgrain Hill is cropped every six or seven years with corn, followed next year by grass and rape. This latter mixed crop will graze twelve sheep per acre, the ordinary pasture four. At tupping time, which comes on in the end of September, one ram to forty-five ewes is the proportion observed. Tups are all Leicesters. At speaning time, a result of three lambs to every two ewes is usually obtained. The ewes are grazed up till the middle of November; from that time till the grass is ready again, they get each ½ lb. Indian meal refuse (or as it is called "Paisley meal"), with chopped straw and pulp turnips daily, increasing the "Paisley meal" from ½lb. to 1½ lb. when lambing time draws near. This "Paisley meal" is found superior even to oilcake as food for milk ewes. Lambing time comes on about the end of February. The greyfaced tup lambs are castrated about six weeks after birth. All the produce of the greyfaces are sold fat to the Helensburgh butchers, beginning with those from nine to twelve weeks old. Ewes are drafted out after their third or fourth crop of lambs, and sold by auction at the Dumbarton weekly sales. About 110 greyfaced lambs are bought in every year from the stock of Mr Cowan of Lurg, Fintry. The Leicester flock at Camieseskan has long enjoyed a reputation for its sterling qualities, and purchasers are readily found for tups and shot lambs. The rams are sold in September, bringing good prices. Some farmers keep a regular stock of Leicester or other sheep ; others buy in a hundred or so greyfaced hoggs or three-year old blackfaced wethers, putting them on the foggage, and selling them about the New Year. Scope for feeding sheep is also found in the extensive breadths of rape and grass which are raised off the early potato land. After that crop is lifted in July, the ground is sown with grass and rape, which in favourable circumstances soon springs up, and is available for pasture. From a piece of potato land which he had sown with rape, and subsequently pastured for four or five months with hoggs, a farmer recently raised a crop of oats. Corn after potatoes does not usually thrive well, but this time the yield proved excellent. The permanent pasture of Cardross Park is under a flying stock of bullocks, and so also is the grazing ground of one or two farms where no dairy is kept, or where otherwise there is scope for pasturage.

Horses.—The farm horses are mostly of the Clydesdale breed, and are a strong, handsome class of animals. A considerable number are reared in the district, the good prices obtainable for pure bred Clydesdales being a powerful inducement.

Other Industries.—The only other industries of note carried on in the parish are the Turkey-red dyeing and bleaching industries of Renton; but these will be considered under the heading "Industries of the Vale of Leven."

Bonhill and Dumbarton Parishes.

Bonhill parish occupies a tract of land round the south-west corner of Loch Lomond. The Vale of Leven, with its fine breadth of level plain, runs through the centre of it, and its eastern and western boundaries are found along the summits of the heights which flank Loch Lomond and the Vale on either side. Great part of the ground, therefore, lies on the slope, some of it having an eastern and some of it a western exposure. The parish is 5 miles long and 2 miles broad, and, excluding water, covers an area of 8373 acres, of which about five-sixths are capable of cultivation. But a great part of the best and most arable land is not available for agriculture. This is a parish of public works, and great mansion-houses, where, consequently, land has other uses to serve than the raising of crops. Of mansion-houses there are no fewer than six within it, some of them old, all of them large, magnificent residences standing amid extensive policies. The pleasant situation of the parish by Loch Lomond is, no doubt, the principal reason for such a collocation of fine mansions. Public works are found chiefly in the Vale of Leven. There the Messrs Orr Ewing have their large Turkey-red dyeworks. Around these and other establishments the populous towns of Alexandria and Jamestown have sprung up, and within the last twenty years have increased so greatly as to almost completely absorb all the arable land in the Vale. Agriculture, therefore, driven from the plain, has been forced to betake itself to the heights, chiefly those of the eastern side, up which it has made surprising progress.

Soil.—The soil in the Vale of Leven, where there still remains one large farm, is of a sharp gravelly nature, resting on a very porous subsoil. This land requires no drains ; indeed, the complaint is that it disposes of the moisture too quickly. The soil on the western slopes is principally a light loam, with a clay element through it, resting on a bottom of grey freestone. Areas both of a peaty and a heavy clayey nature are also found. On the eastern side both grey and red freestone prevail. In the upper regions these formations come very near the surface, and are covered with a light sandy soil mixed with soft earth. A dampness, caused by surface water, and by springs bursting out of the freestone, renders some portions of these uplands very unhealthy, so much so that grass gets choked with fog after the first year. The highest fields have a covering of a light mossy soil, and the lowest slopes consist of medium soil resting on a bottom of red till.

Dumbarton is the parish immediately adjoining Bonhill on the south-east. It lies wholly on the east side of the River Leven. The parish is historically the most interesting, and provincially the most important in the county, containing as it does the famous Castle rock, and old town of Dumbarton, which is the capital of the shire, the place where justice is dispensed and other public business conducted. The parish is 5 miles long and 2 miles broad, and, excluding water and foreshores, contains 8290 acres, of which something less than a quarter is arable. The greater portion of the parish is an extensive moor, presently under a large flock of blackfaced sheep. The arable part is found in the Vale of Leven and on its eastern slopes.

Soil.—The soil in the Vale is a strong loam, resting partly on sand and partly on clay—a soil different from that which prevails at the north end of the valley, and not so suitable for green crop. On the lower slopes light loam resting on the same subsoils occurs, while on the uplands tracts both of heavy land and light mossy soil are found. The value of land in the district averages £2 per acre, the best land being rented at £3. Farms are usually about 160 acres in extent, though some are nearly double that acreage. Both cropping and dairying are vigorously prosecuted, the industrial towns in the vicinity supplying a convenient market for produce. The six-years' rotation is the formal lease regulation, but in effect no uniform course of cropping is followed throughout the district. On some farms a five-years' rotation is pursued; and on others an approach has been made to continuous cropping, with the accompaniment of a very liberal application of manure.

Oats.—"Hamilton" oats is the most prevalent kind. In general farmers sow a mixture of home and imported seed every year, but entirely new seed is on some farms sown every second or third year; 4 bushels per acre for the heavy land, and 5 bushels for the lighter soils, is the amount used in sowing. To obviate the danger of the grub worm, as well as to procure an early harvest, one farmer sows his oats very early—about the end of February—and rolls the ground well. As a means to the same end, some farmers harrow the ground prior to sowing the seed. The yield varies from 42 to 60 bushels per acre, according to soil and season, and the average weight will be 40 lbs. per bushel. On lower farms harvest begins in the first week of September—a week later on the uplands. A great part of the thrashing is done by the travelling mill. Top-dressing of corn is not common, but sometimes the lea corn crop is encouraged by ploughing in an allowance of police manure. A great part of the corn grown in the district is consumed on the various farms, either as meal or horse corn. Most farmers also dispose of a little of these commodities to customers; and one farmer sells his grain statedly for seed corn.

Wheat.—On the level lands of the Vale a considerable amount of wheat is grown. "Hunter's White," "Woolly-ear," and "Squarehead" are the favourite varieties; sometimes police manure is ploughed in for this crop. Wheat sowing takes place in the beginning of October, when seed to the amount of 3 bushels per acre is put in. The average yield will be 28 bushels per acre, and the weight 60 lbs. per bushel. At the present price of wheat, one farmer means to use his wholly for feeding purposes in the dairy. Wheat straw finds a ready market in the district, owing to the amount of litter required for carriage horses.

Hay.—For this crop various quantities and proportions of seed are sown. In one instance, 3 bushels perennial ryegrass and 5 lbs. clover per acre is the mixture used; in another, 1½ bushels Italian, 1 bushel ryegrass, and 5 lbs. red, white, and alsyke; and in another, 2½ bushels ryegrass, including Timothy and Italian seeds, and 5 lbs. clover. The yield varies from 25 to 30 cwt. per acre. On some lower farms the clover is so luxuriant as to be almost an inconvenience, causing repeated teddings of the hay in order to dry it. As in other parishes, farmers here sell great part of their hay, foddering their dairy stock almost entirely with corn straw. Sometimes the crop is top-dressed with a mixture of nitrate and bones, but such treatment is not general. One farmer varies his five-years' rotation by taking a second crop of hay, top-dressing the stubbles of the first crop with 15 tons police manure per acre. He finds this as effectual a way of keeping the land in condition as pasturing for a year would be.

Potatoes.—On all farms a considerable amount of potatoes are grown. The very early sorts are only found on a few farms ; but "Walker's Earlies," "Regents," and "Champions" are general crops. Manure for potatoes is very commonly put in the drills, about 25 tons long dung and 5 cwt. chemicals per acre being the quantities allowed. The ploughing in of the dung is also not an uncommon practice. When this is to be done, all the farm-yard manure is put on the stubble at the end of the year. After lying on the ground for six weeks, it is ploughed in; in spring the ground is harrowed, and drills for the potatoes drawn at right angles to the previous ploughing. A farmer in the district recently green-cropped a cold-bottomed field seven years continuously, ploughing in the manure in this way, and starting the potatoes in spring with 10 cwt. bone meal and salt in equal proportions per acre. This treatment has resulted in making what was once the worst pasture on the farm to be nearly the best. A return of from 8 to 10 tons per acre of potatoes is usually obtained. Much of the potato land here is very unhealthy, necessitating a smart uplifting of the crop for fear of disease. The majority of the potatoes are consumed in the towns of the Vale of Leven. Farmers generally dispose of the earlier sorts by the acre to dealers or agents, reserving the "Champions" and other late sorts for gradual sale to shops and private families. The sowing of rape on the early potato land, which we saw practised to some extent in Cardross parish, is not attempted here. The headriggs also are merely kept clean, and manured in preparation for the wheat or corn crop.

Turnips.—On each of the lower farms about 2 acres "Swedish" and 4 acres yellow turnips are raised, but on the uplands "swedes" are not found. It is not an uncommon procedure to plough in the manure for this crop, and start it in the spring with 5 or 6 cwt. chemicals per acre. Police manure is very often used for this purpose, about 25 tons per acre being allowed; and if the same weight of turnips is obtained in return, the crop is counted a fair one. Few turnips are sold, the quantity raised being usually no more than suffices to feed the cattle in the winter months. On some farms a quantity of beans and cabbages are regularly grown. Beans are harvested about the beginning of October, and yield on an average 40 bushels per acre. These two crops are used exclusively for feeding purposes in the stable and dairy.

Manure.—Besides farm-yard manure, whereof a great quantity is made in the district, long and short dung is largely obtained from Dumbarton and other towns of the Vale of Leven. A considerable portion of the byre manure made in Alexandria is not available for agricultural purposes, being bought up by public works, to be used in dyeing. Police manure costs 1s. per ton, other manure from 1s. 6d. to 3s. more. Gas lime is made use of on some of the mossy lands; and a compost, made of road scrapings, weeds, ditch cleanings, &c, is sometimes spread on the young grass, with a view to improve the hay crop.

Dairying.—An extensive dairy business is prosecuted throughout the district. Stocks are very large, in some cases amounting to 48 head of cattle; but 25 is an average number. Constant sale for sweet milk is found in Dumbarton, Bowling, and the towns of the Vale of Leven. About half of the farmers dispose of their milk wholesale to a dealer in town, the other half retail theirs personally to private families. Generally the dealer comes twice a day to the farm and lifts the milk. In the evening he takes away only as much warm milk as is bespoken by customers, leaving the rest to be lifted on the morrow as skimmed milk and cream. As the supply of milk has to be kept up winter and summer alike, farmers are often under the necessity of buying in a few back calving cows at the beginning of winter.

On all the farms a number of young beasts are reared every year—10 or 12 of the best queys, calved from February till May, being preserved for the purpose. The calves get warm milk for three weeks, and thereafter a mixture of pease meal or linseed meal and milk, gradually diminishing the quantity of milk. A few farmers rear exclusively with a view to keep up stocks, selling no queys. They farrow and feed off a number of the older cows every year, filling their places with a like number of queys brought in at 2½ years of age. In general, however, a number, both of young and mature milk cows, are disposed of yearly. Dealers and cowfeeders readily buy them, either by private bargain or at the Dumbarton weekly sales. With a view to improve their stocks, several farmers have availed themselves of bulls bred in the famous Auchendennan herd. Of this herd some account will be found further on. Its headquarters were in the parish of Bonhill.

Sheep, &c.—Besides milk cows, a number of sheep and other stock are grazed in the district. One or two farmers do a little business as graziers, having tracts of pasture land on which they graze Ayrshire stots, back calving cows, and sheep. Some farmers also buy in a hundred or two grayfaced hoggs in September, wintering them on the foggage till April. If. is in this district that the chief cattle-dealing business of the shire goes on. Dumbarton tryst, once a great cattle fair, though now somewhat shrunken in importance, is held on the 1st Wednesday of June on Carman Hill. At this fair great numbers of milk cows, bullocks, and horses are wont to change hands.

An important horse fair, popularly known as the "Moss of Balloch," is held annually at that place on the 15th of September; and for the last year or two, a weekly sale has been held at Dumbarton on Wednesday, where milk cows and other kinds of cattle are sold.

The Industries of Dumbarton. Dumbarton is a considerable town of 14,172 inhabitants. Its existence reaches back to a very early period. So long ago as 1221, it had become large and important enough to be formed into a royal burgh; and for many years previous to that time it was doubtless a populous place, deriving its name, and the reason of its existence, from the famous Castle rock. Nevertheless, the Dumbarton of to day, venerable though it be in years, has no appearance of antiquity. It is altogether a handsome, modern, busy town, the capital of a shire, and the seat of an extensive shipbuilding trade. Modern Dumbarton dates from thirty years ago. At that time, a spirit of renovation and progress seized the town, and in the course of a few years made such improvements on its aspect, that one of its eighteenth century inhabitants would hardly recognise it. As the zeal for improvement was great, so the need for it was equally so. The town was neither well watered, lighted, guarded, or cleansed. Owing to the brisk shipbuilding trade, even then going on, it had also become much too small for its population; and for a town which depended so entirely on the building of ships, to have such a shallow, unnavigable river as the Leven then was, was a sign either of poverty or lack of enterprise. An influential body of the citizens was in favour of improvements in all these respects; but a pertinacious number for awhile frustrated their efforts. At last, in 1854, a new progressive council adopted the Harbour Act, empowering them to raise public funds for improvement of the river. In 1857, a still more progressive council obtained from Parliament a special Burgh Act, giving them authority to levy taxes for a comprehensive set of improvements, including a water scheme. Previous to that time, by the energetic action of some capitalists, the limited accommodation difficulty had been met, many new buildings having been erected in the town, and a whole new suburb added across the Leven; and thus, in the course of a few years, Dumbarton had transformed herself, and from being a small antiquated place, on the banks of an unnavigable river, had become an extensive modern town, well appointed in every respect, and provided with a good waterway to the open sea.

As a market town, and the seat of a sheriff court, Dumbarton doubtless derives some wealth and importance ; but the main foundation of its prosperity is the extensive shipbuilding carried on within it. A development of this industry is the chief fact in the modern history of the town. Old firms have grown to many times their original dimensions, many new firms have arisen, and a general increase in wealth and population has resulted.

The two principal building yards are owned by Messrs William Denny & Brothers and Messrs Archibald M'Millan & Sons. These are well-known firms, who since their establishment have contributed a respectable quota to the immense sum total of Clyde shipbuilding. Messrs Denny & Brothers are a very old firm, beginning business back in one of the earlier decades of the century. Their history has been one of development and progress. In 1844, when the application of iron to shipbuilding had begun to revolutionise the trade, the firm was one of the foremost in adopting the new material. In 1845 they launched 3 iron steamers, and in 1847 no less than 6. Their business increased year by year ; and comparing the two 6-year periods, ending 1850 and 1856 respectively, we find that in the first they launched 26 vessels, of a gross tonnage of 6003, and an aggregate nominal horse-power of 1327; in the next period they launched 35 vessels, of a gross tonnage of 28,591, and an aggregate horse-power of 6142—that is, the ships built were not only more numerous, but also much larger. In 1867 the firm removed to a larger and more convenient yard, on the north side of the river, called the Leven Shipyard. This yard at first covered 15 acres, and provided accommodation for building six 3000 ton vessels. It had within it a tidal basin capable of receiving two large steamships, with space for shifting. By the side of this basin were erected shear-legs capable of lifting 50 tons. In this yard, for many years, the firm carried on an extensive and growing business. In course of time, however, they began once more to find themselves straitened for room ; and in 1881 they acquired, and annexed to the Leven Shipyard, a 27 acre area of land immediately to the east. In this they formed another tidal basin of much greater capacity than the last, and erected thereat shear-legs twice as powerful as the former—lifting 100 tons. Thus their yard now covers 42 acres, and is provided with two tidal basins or docks, and two pairs of powerful lifting apparatus. They have room within it to build, simultaneously, seven steamers of from 350 to 600 feet long, and each from 2000 to 8000 tons gross; and have space, besides, for the construction of eight paddle steamers or barges—of which the firm have always a few on hand. These latter are chiefly for customers in India, China, Buenos Ayres, and the colonies, to which places they are shipped in pieces, ready for reconstruction. A branch from the North British Railway runs through the yard, and a complete system of portable railroads—narrow gauge (by Decan-ville, France)—forms a network all over it. This latter is for the use of workmen in all the departments, and does away with the necessity for hand barrows, jankers, &c. Other appliances, completing the equipment of the yard, are electric lighting and telephonic communication. The furnace sheds are illuminated by electricity; and arrangements are being contemplated for lighting up by the same means the counting-house, drawing office, joiners' and upholsterers' shops, as well as ships in course of construction on the stocks. Telephonic communication has been completely established between the counting-house and all the shops and departments of the yard, as well as with the private residences of all the partners. Establishments in town, with which the firm have constant dealings, such as Dennyston Forge, Hardie & Gordon's Foundry, and Denny & Co.'s Engine-works, are also in like manner connected with the counting-house; and in a few weeks hence direct telephonic communication will be established with Glasgow. Since the early days of the firm shipbuilding has made rapid strides, and has grown a very great and scientific trade. Messrs Denny & Brothers have ever been forward to adopt such useful inventions and improvements as have from time to time arisen, either in modes of working or in styles of constructing and finishing vessels.

The following figures, kindly furnished by the firm, will give an idea of the progress of their business, and of the Dumbarton shipbuilding industry in general, during the last quarter of a century:—In 1861 there were employed in the yard 879 hands; in 1884 the number of employees was 1826. The average number employed during the five years ending 1865, was 1023 ; the average number during five years ending 1883 was 1409. During the period of five years ending 1865, there were launched 45,716 tons; during the period of five years ending 1883, the tonnage launched was 96,100.

The other large shipbuilding yard in town is owned by Messrs Archibald M'Millan & Sons. This is a very long-established firm, the senior partner of it being the oldest shipbuilder on the Clyde. The firm have acquired special fame as builders of sailing vessels, and on several occasions have turned out the largest ships of that class. The industry has grown on their hands so much that they have twice had to extend their yard greatly. Their employees have increased from 200 in the year 1853 to over 1000 in 1883 ; and the average rate of wages paid has risen from 15s. to 25s. per week. In the ten years ending 1856, they launched 17,988 tons ; in the ten years ending 1875 the tonnage launched was 71,500 tons; while for the last few years their annual output has been 14,000 tons. From first to last, the firm have built 312 vessels of all descriptions, making an aggregate of 230,000 tons. Two other kindred firms which have arisen are Messrs Birrel and Stenhouse, who started in 1871; and Messrs M'Kellar & Co., dating from 1872. At a busy season the combined employees of these number about 1000. When trade is brisk, it thus appears that the aggregate number of hands employed in Dumbarton yards in recent years is something like 4000. Thirty years ago, the sum total of workmen did not much exceed 2000, a fact showing great development and progress.

Engineering and founding are important adjuncts of shipbuilding. Both industries are vigorously prosecuted in Dumbarton. The most important engineering establishment is that of Messrs Denny & Co. The firm began operations in 1851. Since then they have increased to four times their original dimensions, and just now are putting extensive additions to their already large premises. They produce the largest and highest class of engines and boilers required at the present day. Of late years they have employed 800 men.

Messrs Paul, another engineering firm, have also developed their business considerably. In 1860 they took a new departure, entering into the steam crane and winch trade. In the making of these and other labour-saving apparatus for shipboard, they have acquired considerable celebrity ; and in 1867 took a prize at the Exhibition for a steam windlass and winch which they exhibited. In 1866 they extended their premises, and added boiler-making to their other business, and again in 1875 they further enlarged their workshops. Their staff of workmen has increased in number, growing latterly to 200 hands.

Levenbank Foundry and Engine Work was started in 1856. By alterations at various times, it has been made three times its original size, and at busy seasons gives work to 160 men.

Dennyston Forge, a large well-furnished work, was started in 1855. At that time it was provided with three Nasmyth hammers, the heaviest weighing 5 tons, and could turn out forgings 12 tons in weight. In 1865 the establishment was made three times larger, and provided with other two hammers, the heaviest weighing 10 tons, being the only one of the weight in Scotland. Ten years later, when another Nasmyth hammer was added, the number of these powerful implements in operation in the Forge was nine, and forgings up to 20 tons in weight could be turned out.

Besides these mentioned, which are the principal firms of the town, there are several brassfounders, saw-mills, rope and tan works, &c, some of which have been started by the expansion of shipbuilding, and all of them benefited by it. The valuation roll and census returns corroborate this account of progress. The following are the valuations of the burgh at three periods since 1856. For 1856-57, £12,881, l1s. 2d.; 1859-60, £18,622, 10s. 8d.; and 1883-84, £55,101, 11s. 6d. The following are the census returns for the last thirty years;—In 1851 the population of the burgh was 4590, in 1861 it had increased to 8268, in 1871 it was enumerated at 11,423, and in 1881 it was ascertained to have reached 14,172.

The Industries of the Vale of Leven. The Yale of Leven, with its fine verdant plain, its winding river, and picturesque hills on either side, has a natural beauty about it, which, in the absence of any other feature of interest, would make it well worth visiting. In effect, however, the scenery of the Vale is one of its least noticeable features, as huge public works and populous towns have long been so conspicuous as to quite eclipse nature. The Yale of Leven is, in fact, one of the most busy and thickly-inhabited districts in Scotland. Four populous villages are found within it, viz., Jamestown, Bonhill, Alexandria, and Benton, the combined inhabitants of which, in. 1881, numbered 15,603 souls. These find employment chiefly in the great Turkey-red dyeing and calico-printing establishments carried on on the banks of the river Leven. The existence of these establishments is to be accounted for by the constant supply of pure soft water which that river affords, thus enabling the bleaching, dyeing, and printing processes to be prosecuted at all times. From an early period the Vale was celebrated for it bleachfields. Dal-quhurn was started as a work of that description in 1715. The first printwork was commenced at Levenfield in 1768, and in 1776 another one, called the Cordale, was established.

Dyeing is applied to cloths and yarns, and includes the following operations:—Bleaching goods to give a clear bottom ; saturating them repeatedly in olive oil and soda ; mordanting to give affinity for dyeing stuffs; dyeing by madder, garancine, or alizarine; and cleaning or brightening by soap, in boiler, under pressure. Printing is done chiefly by machinery, though block printing has revived to some extent. The cloths and yarns are mostly bought in from Lancashire manufacturers, and when finished are sold both for home and foreign trade. Of yarns and cloths exported, by far the largest portion are sold as plain Turkey-red ; the remainder are printed with designs peculiar to the taste of the Hindoos and Mahommedans, consisting of peacocks, elephants, &c. Within the last twenty-five years wonderful improvements have taken place in connection with the processes of Turkey-red dyeing and calico printing, and in the adoption of these the Vale of Leven firms have certainly not been behind. One of the chief of those improvements was the adaptation of artificial alizarine to dyeing purposes. In early times madder, a vegetable extract, was the agent employed, subsequently garancine, a preparation of madder, was made use of; but in 1868 alizarine was discovered, an agent better adapted than any of the former for producing a bright fast colour. By substituting alizarine for madder, dyers did not exchange one colouring agent for another—they merely availed themselves of a purer quality of the same element; for the colouring principle is one and the same in madder, garancine, and alizarine, only in the last it exists in its purest and most concentrated form. Alizarine is extracted from coal-tar.

Of the five firms in the dyeing and printing trades, three of them carry on Turkey-red dyeing and printing. These are— Messrs Archibald Orr Ewing & Co., Messrs John Orr Ewing and Co., and Messrs Stirling & Co. The other two firms—Messrs James Black & Co. and Messrs Guthrie & Co.—are chiefly engaged in madder printing alone. In addition to garment and muslin goods, these latter firms produce great quantities of furniture prints, cretonnes, twills, figured dimity, chintzes, &c. The last twenty-five years have witnessed a remarkable expansion of the Vale of Leven dyeing and printing industries. From time to time additions have been made to all the works, and the buildings of the three larger firms now cover an area of 10 acres each. These larger works have branch railroads carried through them, to convey coal and export goods. In 1876 we find the three dyeing and printing firms—Messrs A. Orr Ewing and Co., Messrs J. Orr Ewing & Co., and Messrs William Stirling and Co.—employing 6000 work people, paying £150,000 per annum in wages, and producing, when in full operation, 10,000 pieces cloth and 25,000 lbs. of yarn daily.

In 1857, on the three works presently owned by Messrs A. Orr Ewing & Co., there were employed 1223 persons,—the amount disbursed, in wages and tradesmen's accounts, was £44,000 per annum or thereby. In 1878, on the same works, upwards of 2000 people found employment, and £90,000 was paid in wages and tradesmen's accounts. This firm, when in full operation, turns out over 12,000 lbs. of yarn and nearly 5000 pieces of cloth per day,—a larger amount than was produced in Great Britain in 1843. Messrs John Orr Ewing & Co. now produce over eight times the amount they did in 1860. In 1876, they consumed 32,130 tons of coal, and in wages paid £54,460. Their business has increased considerably since then, and they now employ 1600 hands, which is double the number employed twenty-five years ago. At Dalmonach Printworks (Messrs Black & Co.) there are at present employed from 800 to 900 persons; twenty-eight years ago, the number was 613. The firm have twenty-five printing machines, printing from one to sixteen colours, and capable of producing 25 million yards printed goods in a year. At Messrs Guthrie & Co.'s print-work there were employed twenty-eight years ago 308 people; when busy, the number now is 600. In fact, it has been computed that the number of employees and output of goods have at least doubled in twenty-five years. In 1835 the amount paid in wages by all the firms in the Vale was something like £8800; the sum disbursed in 1856, for the same purpose and for tradesmen's accounts, was £132,000 or thereby. In 1875 the payments for like purposes would reach £200,000; and at the present time (1884), it is calculated that the expenditure upon wages and accounts cannot be much under £300 000.

This great expansion in the industries of the Vale of Leven has brought about a corresponding increase in the population. In 1851, the inhabitants of Cardross and Bonhill parishes, where the Vale of Leven villages are found, numbered 11,221; in 1861 they had increased to 13,227. In 1871 the census returns from the villages alone reveal a total of 10,247 inhabitants. Ten years later this total had grown to 15,603, and it is believed that if these four villages—Jamestown, Bonhill, Alexandria, and Renton—were now enumerated, their combined populations would amount to something like 18,000.

The number of new houses erected, and old ones rebuilt, gives the whole district a new aspect. Public works, dwelling-houses, &c, are all of a red colour; the former being constructed of brick, the latter chiefly of the red sandstone abounding in the locality. Messrs A. Orr Ewing & Co. are extensive property-holders, having built the greater part of those substantial well-appointed houses which constitute the village of Jamestown. This firm have also, of late, made considerable additions to their already extensive works; and so likewise have Messrs William Stirling & Sons.

Kilmaronock Parish.

This is largest arable parish in Dumbartonshire. Its length is 6½ miles, its breadth 4 miles, and its extent 10,325 acres, of which about five-sixths are arable. The parish presents a great variety of surface. The western end of it is of a very undulating nature,—the land rising and falling twice between Loch Lomond and the upper boundary, so that some farms have a northern and some a southern exposure. Going eastwards, it loses this undulating character, and becomes a wide plain, sloping slowly downwards to Loch Lomond. At the eastern end, in the angle formed by the River Endrick and the Loch, there is an alluvial tract so level as to require drainage by machinery.

Soil.—The soil of the parish is, to a great extent, of a light sandy description, and of a red sandstone hue, very thin, and resting partly on the aforesaid rock and partly on a bottom of red till. Patches of it are of a more clayey nature ; and towards the east of the parish a tract of distinctly heavy soil occurs resting on a tilly bottom. In the centre of the parish a large area of moorish land is found, interspersed with peat mosses; and in the extreme north-east there lies the alluvial level we have spoken of. This last, despite the difficulties attaching to drainage, is very superior arable land, and is valued at a rate the highest of any in the parish, viz., £2, 10s. per acre. The rest of the land ranges in value from 15s. to 25s. per acre. Farms vary in size from 90 to 150 acres. The rotation followed is commonly the six-shift, though on most farms there are fields which lie out in pasture for a much longer time than that rotation admits of.

Oats.—A great variety of oats are tried in the parish, but "Hamilton" and "Flemish" are the prevalent kinds. Seed is sometimes completely renewed every second year. The yield varies from 30 to 48 bushels per acre, and the average weight will be 40 lbs. per bushel. The number of cattle kept on some farms leaves little either of the grain or the straw for the market, but of the corn sold the greater part goes to feed horses. Some farmers sell a quantity of meal to shops and families.

Wheat, &c.—Wheat is a grain quite unknown in the district, and barley, which was once a staple crop, is now almost obsolete. The reasons for the discontinuance of barley are to be found in the unprofitable figure to which it is now reduced, and the fact that barley straw makes very poor fodder.

Hay.—The yield of hay varies from 30 to 40 cwt. per acre. A great part of the land is capable of growing good hard-grown hay, and the raising and selling of this crop forms a considerable item in the rural economy of the parish. About 2½ bushels ryegrass seeds, mixed with a sprinkling of Timothy and Italian, and 5 or 6 lbs. clover, is the quantity used by some farmers to seed an acre. Top-dressing with chemicals is somewhat freely practised. One farmer recently sowed down a good part of his land with Timothy grass, and cropped it continuously for eight years, top-dressing with police manure every second year. Hay is disposed of in Alexandria, Dumbarton, Tarbet, and other places, near and remote. In the delivery of large orders of hay, farmers assist each other.

Potatoes.—The earliest sort of potato grown in the parish is "Walker's," but of these only a few are planted. The raising of seed potatoes for early growers was once a prominent feature of farming here; but, though this branch of potato culture is still to some extent prosecuted in the mossy lands of the parish, it has now given place, in the majority of cases, to the growing of "Champions" and other late and hardy kinds, for general purposes. The great prevalence of disease, seven or eight years ago, is the reason for this departure from the raising of the earlier potatoes. From 6 to 8 tons per acre is counted a fair return in this crop. Manure is generally put in drills, and the amount applied varies from 25 to 30 tons per acre. A proportion of chemicals continues to be used, but the general feeling in this parish is somewhat against these manures. One farmer, however, after a number of experiments, has come to be strongly in favour of potash, used singly, as a fertiliser for potatoes. In a potato field, manured in drills after the usual fashion, he reserved a few drills where he applied nothing but potash. He found that this part not only yielded as fair a return of potatoes, but also bore as good a crop of corn next year. This circumstance, combined with the fact that potash is a cheaper commodity to buy than good byre or stable manure, has made him strongly in favour of it, and this year he has set his potatoes with nothing else, applying 7 cwt. per acre. The majority of potatoes grown are consumed in the Yale of Leven, being usually sold through a commission agent, who for his services receives 1s. per bag of 2 cwt. One farmer, with a number of cattle to feed, uses his potatoes for that purpose whenever they fall below 6s. per bag.

Turnips.—Both Swedish and other turnips thrive in the parish, though on some farms, where the soil is thin, the former sort is not grown. About 4 lbs. per acre of seed is sown, and a crop varying from 15 to 25 tons is obtained. Turnips are sometimes pitted in heaps of a cart-load in each. Some farmers sell a portion of their turnips in the Yale of Leven, but in general this crop is all required for feeding purposes at home.

Beans and Mashlum.—A moderate breadth of beans and mashlum is also to be found in the parish. Dung is ploughed in for both crops, and a result of 40 bushels beans, and 32 bushels mashlum, per acre is usually obtained. A method sometimes adopted for mashlum is to broadcast dung on the ploughed land, harrow it over, then draw a light furrow for the seed.

Manure.—The bulk of the manure imported into the parish is short dung from Glasgow and the Vale of Leven. Glasgow police manure, delivered in Kilmaronock, costs 3s. per ton. Farmers also deal considerably in chemicals—the backwardness of the soil having tempted them into a pretty free use of these manures. If lime could be had, it would be preferable to chemicals. Lime was forty years ago the mainstay of farmers in this parish, but the costliness of it for many years back has prevented its use.

Dairying.—From 12 to 20 milk cows are kept on the majority of farms, and by the sale of dairy produce farmers derive a great part of their income. The greater number send sweet milk to Glasgow every morning by train. Some supply the same commodity to families in the Vale of Leven, and a great number churn the milk, and sell butter, &c, in the populous towns of the Vale. The cost of conveying sweet milk to Glasgow by rail is three farthings per gallon. Farmers have a standing grievance against railway officials, in regard to the rude way their butts are used on the return journey. The disrespect manifested by all carrying companies towards "empties," is fully illustrated in the abused condition of these butts. For three months in summer the price obtained from milk dealers in Glasgow is 6d. per gallon, in mid winter 5d. more. From the other dairies a milk cart with butter and milk is in summer despatched, three or four times a week, to Renton, Alexandria, &c. In winter only one or two expeditions will be made, or perhaps none at all. Butter milk is in part devoted to the feeding of calves. Rearing of dairy and feeding stock goes on to a considerable extent. On one or two farms rearing is the exclusive business done with cattle. One farmer has as many as 60 beasts, housed in winter, and several others have from 40 to 50. Bull calves, calved before March, are reared and sold at two years old, as bullocks, to dealers and graziers. Those calved after that month never thrive so well, and so are not made use of in that way. Queys are brought in at two years old, and are for the most part taken into the byre, instead of cows drafted out for sale. Milk cows are seldom kept till they are old; they are usually sold when mature to cowfeeders. These transactions generally take place about January. The principal stock in the parish is that of Mr Reid of Portnellan. The ancestors of this stock came from Ayrshire seventy years ago, being brought thither by Mr Reid's father. It is one of the few herd-book stocks in Dumbartonshire, and has a wide reputation. Mr Reid's bulls are bought by breeders from Ayrshire, to whom the qualities of the stock are known by-tradition. He likewise rears and finishes off a number of Ayrshire bullocks, and buys in a number of cows in the spring, with 36 a view to selling them off in October as back-calvers. Cattle fairs are held at Drymen in the east of the parish in April and May, and at Balloch in the west in October. It is customary for dealers to come round previous to these occasions and buy up marketable cattle, engaging with the farmer to have them to hand on the day of the fair.

Kilpatrick Parishes. The district comprised in these two parishes is a very populous one, both as regards men and cattle. Well-filled villages and large dairies are the prominent features of it. Its contiguity to Glasgow is the chief reason for its large population. The district includes an extensive area of low country and a tract of hilly land. The Clyde bounds it for a considerable distance towards the south, and its northern boundary is found along the summit of the Kilpatrick Hills. These hills begin at Dumbuck, in the extreme west of the district, very near the Clydeside. Going eastward, they recede farther and farther from the river, leaving a triangular space of land between. This latter constitutes the arable part of the parishes. The whole district, excluding water and foreshores, covers an area of 16,847 acres, of which about four-sevenths are arable. The Kilpatrick Hills are of a moderate height, and have a rather green appearance, a circumstance owing to previous cultivation, probably in days when they were parcelled out among a number of small lairds. The lowlands between the heights and the Clyde are of a very undulating character. In East Kilpatrick the whole face of the country resolves itself into a number of knolls, with broad hollows between. These knolls are for the most part earthy throughout, and are composed in some cases of stiff clay mixed with boulders, and in other cases they consist of fine sand of a great depth.

Soil.—The soil along Clydeside is a strong loam, with a sandy element through it, suitable for grass or grain—not so suitable for green crop. Higher up, in the western parts of West Kilpatrick, a breadth of sandy loam occurs. Eastwards the soil grows stiff, and rests on a tilly bottom. On the main body of East Kilpatrick areas both of sandy loam and stiff clayey land are found. The whole northern farms of these parishes, lying along the base of the Kilpatrick Hills, have a soil of a light loam, not unmixed with boulders, and resting immediately on the whinstone. The average rate per acre for land is £2, 5s., the Clydeside lands rising in value to £1 more. Farms range in size from 100 to 150 acres, though one or two are nearly 300 acres in extent.

Rotation.—More cropping is done in the western parish than in the eastern one. In the latter, great part of the land on every farm lies out in pasture for seven or eight years at a time. The part, however, devoted to tillage is on that account apt to be somewhat continuously cropped, ploughing of hay stubbles being a common occurrence. The need for plenty of pasture for the large dairy stocks kept, and the aptitude of the soil for growing good grass, are the reasons for this limited tillage. In West Kilpatrick, the six-years' rotation prevails, though on some of the best farms a four-years' shift has been used. Fields here and there are also allowed to lie out in grass for a period of years.

Oats.—"Hamilton" and "Potato" oats are the kinds prevalent in the district. Seed is very commonly renewed every three years. The yield varies from 36 to 60 bushels, according to soil and season, weighing from 38 to 42 lbs. per bushel. The encouragement of the corn crop, by top-dressing or ploughing in manure, is not often practised, though sometimes farmers in East Kilpatrick use a soap-waste compost as a top-dressing to needful spots. Harvest comes on in the Clydeside farms about the beginning of September, on the higher grounds perhaps ten days or a fortnight later. The greater part of the thrashing in this district is done by the travelling mill, every farmer having three or four services of it in a season. After reserving for home consumption, the balance of the oats is generally sold in Glasgow, either to grain merchants or for horse corn. A considerable amount of straw also finds a market in that city. Little meal is sold by Kilpatrick farmers.

Wheat.—Wheat is largely sown on the lower farms. The place for wheat in the rotation is always after green crop. "Woolly-ear" is the variety mostly in favour, whereof about 3 bushels are taken to seed an acre. Wheat sowing begins about the end of October. The crop is sometimes top-dressed with a little nitrate, but the chief fertiliser allowed is the unexhausted manure of the green crop. Wheat harvest arrives about the end of August, when from 32 to 48 bushels per acre are realised, weighing in a good year over 60 lbs. per bushel. The grain is all sold to the merchants in Glasgow, and the straw finds a ready sale as litter ; some of it also goes to manufacturers as stuffing for mattresses.

Say.—For this crop something like 2 bushels perennial ryegrass, 5 lbs. red clover, and 2 lbs. white are sown. Alsyke is by some farmers used, and by others avoided, the latter alleging that the cattle do not like it. Haymaking commences about the 3rd of July on the best lands. Considerable use is made, throughout the district, of timber centres or "bosins" in the building of ricks. These "bosins" are composed of three uprights, from 7 to 9 feet high, joined together at the top, and at the bottom expanded about 3 feet apart. Around this extinguisher-shaped stand the rick is built, and by reason of the hollowness caused in its centre dries much more quickly. As a further means to speed and economy in the management of the hay crop, may be mentioned the large open sheds which some steadings are provided with. These sheds may be about 75 feet long and 30 feet wide, and consist merely of pillars 14 feet high, and 12 feet or thereby apart, supporting a galvanised iron or slate roof. In these some 25 tons of hay can be stored, with as much safety and half the labour necessary to build a stack. The hay is not stored in a solid mass; it is put so as to leave transverse lanes through it every 12 or 14 feet, so that ventilation is secured. "Timothy" meadows are somewhat common in the district. On the home farm of Milngavie Mains (A. Campbell Douglas, Esq.), a 23 acre field has been sown down with "Timothy" and perennial rye-grass. This was top-dressed two years ago with short dung from the neighbouring town, and the two crops raised since then have averaged nearly 3 tons per acre. One of the principal farmers in East Kilpatrick has also sown down part of his land with "Timothy" grass, and has cropped it for six. years in succession. He top-dresses every second year with 15 tons per acre farm-yard manure, the other years he applies a top-dressing of 4 cwt. of nitrate per acre. The yield last year was 5 tons, and this year he realised a return of 4 tons per acre. A farmer in West Kilpatrick has also for many years had a very good "Timothy" meadow. This field, which extends to 6 acres, was overspread, near the beginning of his lease, with harbour dredgings to the depth of 4 inches. The cost was somewhat heavy at the time, but the result has fully justified it. With the aid of a little top-dressing, he has yearly had a return of from 4 to 5 tons per acre of hay. A feature of farming in the western parish is the use made of liquid manure in the raising of grass. A barrel cart for applying the liquid, and a pumping apparatus at the dung-stead for filling the barrel, are appurtenances of every farm. In the spring the liquid is sprinkled on the grass lands, and in summer it is applied at intervals to the pasture, improving its appearance in a few days. This is the only part of Dumbartonshire where such a process is carried on, and the reason probably is, that the abundance of liquid available, on account of the very large dairies kept, gives farmers special facilities for the practice.

Potatoes.—A few "Red Bogs" and other early sorts are planted, but generally speaking early growing is not a feature of farming here. Thirty years ago it was a very noticeable feature, farmers in the district having the first chance of the early market, but since the railway has brought Ayrshire and Cardross within a few hours' distance of Glasgow, Kilpatrick has found itself outdone. The former place is able to have potatoes to hand a fortnight, and the latter eight days earlier, than the best farms of these parishes. In the western division a few "Red Bogs" are met with, but in general the "Regent" is the earliest potato raised, and between it and the "Champion" the potato land is divided. Growing potatoes in lea was, fifteen years ago, somewhat freely practised, and is still occasionally done, but the results have not proved very favourable. About two-thirds of the green crop break is planted with potatoes, which on a good many farms will mean from 20 to 27 acres. Dung is most generally put in drills, except on some steep places, where it is ploughed in. About 25 tons farm-yard manure is applied for the crop, supplemented by chemicals. One farmer's method is to spread 35 tons farm-yard manure as early as possible on the stubble land. He ploughs this in in the month of