A sandy and clayey soil, called till by agriculturists, occupies one very continuous tract from east to west, but it possesses this character most perfectly, from near Perth westward to Dunbiane, originating chiefly in the destruc tion of the red sandstone of that district. In the higher parts it is often very barren, but many very fertile spots are found, particularly where trap rocks have existed ; and in these cases the differences are very sensible.
Not to dwell on minute particulars, we shall here men tion, that a tract of excellent soil, arising also from the decomposition of trap, occupies the ridge of the Ochil and Sidlaw hills ; but, from its elevated situation, it is only adapted to pasture, in which it is very fertile. Some soil of the same character occurs also near Dunkeld, where it is in a situation for the plough, and is marked for its fer tili ty.
As in Scotland in general, there is very little proper calcareous soil in Perthshire. The principal tract lies in Glen Tilt and at Blair, but in such a situation as to be principally condemned to pasture, in which, however, it excels. The other tracts of this nature are too limited and scattered to deserve any notice.
The mountain soils vary exceedingly, even on those bills on which the nature of the rocks is very similar. The best of these are about Dunkeld, lying on the mica ceous schist, and they seem particularly adapted to the growth of the larch and other trees. In other parts of the mountains, in various places, there are found soils of similar quality, a yellow loam, producing excellent pas ture, and cultivated wherever the situation of the land and the climate permit. The worst of these mountain soils are those which lie in the quartz rock, and these are found chiefly about Ben Gloe, while much of the same character also occurs in the hill about Glen Lyon. Peat is found everywhere, and often in large tracts, but it is unnecessary to point out these places particularly. That called Moss Flanders, already mentioned, is among the largest in Britain, and has been held to contain 10,000 acres.
The climates of Perthshire are necessarily as various as its surface, and scarcely admit of any useful detail. Perth appears to be the least rainy tract, and its average water is estimated at about 23 inches annually. Seventy is among the highest summer temperatures; but a heat exceeding 65° is rare, of any continuance. The tracts especially subject to rain are the several mountain glens, where the quantity is as various as it is incapable of cal culation. Among these, Dunkeld, as being near the low
country. is conspicuous, as is Glen Tilt in the high ; but all the chief mountain tracts may be considered as in this division. In the higher valleys the summer is short, frosty nights, even at Blair, often commencing early in Septem ber. The spring is proportionally late; and these districts are, ol course, much subject to snow in the winter. The higher tracts are, however, little exposed to inconvenience from the east winds, which are much mitigated or ex pended in their passage over them. What these districts suffer most Iron, is a cloudy sky, to which, excluding the light of the sun, is. in a great measure, to be attributed the lateness and imperfection of their crops.
This is as various and unequal as might well be imagin ed in a country so extensive and various in character, in habited in some places by opulent, enlightened, and wealthy tenants, in others by the smallest class of High land farmers, and on the most antiquated systems. It is scarcely seventy years since the holding by runrig extend ed through nearly the whole county ; and, under the mo dified form of joint farms, it.is still found in many of the mountain tracts, even on the estates of the largest proprie tot s. Here the small farmers live, as is usual elsewhere, in their little black towns, and in a state which, except in the Highlands, would be considered one of great poverty. But improvements are daily creeping along, and chiefly from the borders of the low country; new cottages being built of stone and slate, accompanied by an increase of in dustry and a greater sense and desire of comfort in the people. Among these recent improvements, we wish par ticularly to notice the village of St. Fillan, near Loch Earn, built by Lord Gwydir on the Drummond estate, be cause it proves that nothing is wanting to render the cot tages of Scotland as neat and clean as those of England, and the habits of the people as orderly, but a little atten tion and perseverance on the part of the proprietors. The rose and the honeysuckle have here taken place of the dub and the midden, and the inhabitants have learnt to think that there may be a merit and a happiness in neatness and cleanliness.
The total population of the county, in 1801, was 135,093. The last returns in 1821 were There are 62 parishes in the county. The freeholders are 222; and besides the country member, Perth returns one together with Forfar, Dundee, Cupar, and St. An drew's.