Q u a d r u p e d s .
C u l t i v a t i o n .
F a r m s .
pebbles ; from the firft, tranfverfe to Scalpay bay, is a bed of
Hate, which feems to be a continuation of that fpecies of (lone
rifing near Stonebive, on the Eaftern fide o f Scotland, and cob!
tinued, with fome interruptions, to this ifland; but is of a bad
kind, both at its origin and termination. In the South end is fom
limeftone : fome fpotted ftone, not unlike lava, is found near tits'
South end.
The quadrupeds o f this ifland are hares, polecats, weefels, otters'
feals, and as a compliment to the foil, moles. Among the birds,
grous and partridge are found here.
The cultivation of an extenfive traft on this eaftern fide is very
confiderable. In the article o f inclofure, it has the ftart of the mon
fouthern counties of this part of the kingdom : the hedges are tall
thick and vigorous : the white thorns and wicken trees now in M
flower ; and about two thoufand acres have been thus improved,!
The manures are coral and fea lhells, fea weeds and lime. I ob-
ferved in many places whole ftrata o f corals and lhells of a v a f
thicknefs, at prelent half a mile from the lea, fuch lofles has that
element fuftained in thefe parts. The ifland is deftitute of coal, but
ftill much lime is burnt here, notonly for private ufe, but
for exportation at a cheap rate to the ports of Greenock and Putt-
Glafgow,
Xhe produce o f the ifland is barley oats and potatoes. The
barley yields nine from one : the oats four. Turneps and artificial
grafles have been lately introduced with good fuccefs: fo that the
inhabitants may have fat mutton throughout the year. A great
number of cattle are alfo reared here. The higheft f a rm here is
fixty pounds a year, excepting a Angle fheep farm which ren ts for;
two
two hundred ; but the medium is about twenty-five. Arable land
is fet at nine or ten Ihillings an acre ; the price of laborers is eight-
pence a day. Rents are at prefent moftly paid in money : the rent
roll of the ifland is about four thoufand pounds a year. Lord Bute
Koffeffes much the greater fhare; and two or three private gentlemen
p)wn the reft.
■ The air is in general temperate : no mifts or thick rolling fogs
trom the fea, called in the North-a harle, ever infeft this ifland.
Snow is fcarcely ever known to lie here; and even that of laft winter,
fo remarkable for its depth and duration in other places, was in
This ifland fcarce two inches deep. The evils of this place are winds
and rains, the laft coming in deluges from the Weft.
I When the prefent Earl o f Bute eagre to his eftate, the farms were
'poffefied by a fet o f men, who carried on at the fame time, the pro-
fefiian of hufbandry and fiihing to the manifeft injury of both. His
lordlhip drew a line between thefe incongruent employs, and obliged
Bach to carry on the bufinefs he preferred,, diftindt from the other :
yet in juftice to the old farmers, notice muft be taken of their fkill
in ploughing even in their rudeft days, for the ridges were ftrait, and
the ground laid out in a manner that did them much credit. But
this new arrangement, with the example given by his lordihip of
Jnclofing; by the incouragement of burning lime for fome; and by
tranfporting^ra/ir to the neareft market, the produce of all, has given
to this ifland its prefent flouriftiing afpedh.
B This ifle with that of Arran, the greater and the lefier Cumbray, and
Jncb-marnoc, form a county under the name of Bute. This ftiire
j?nd that of Cathnefs fend a member to parlement alternately.
I Civil caufes are determined here as in other counties of this part G o v e r nme n t ,
of
i l