COUNTIES OF EDIXBUEGH AND LINLITHGOW. 65 



2s. 6d. per day ; in 1862, 5s. ; and in 1872, 10s., so that ten 

 years sav them doubled ; twenty years, quadrupled. Eates at 

 ]5resent, however, are not much in advance of what they were in 

 1862; indeed, in many cases 5s. per day is not reached; and as we 

 write, the prospects are not of the brightest. 



Limestone is pretty widely diffused throughout both counties. 

 It is particularly abundant in all the coal districts. From the 

 earliest days of agriculture, large quantities of lime have been 

 burned in Hemperston, Middleton, Yogrie, and Arniston. At 

 Crichton-Dean, Cranston kilns, 24,000 bolls were a few years 

 ago annually sold, the kilns at Cousland producing 16,000 bolls. 

 The most abundant strata are at Gilmerton, in the parish of 

 Liberton. In Abercorn parish, Linlithgow, the value of raw pro- 

 duce, including coal, whinstone, and limestone, was, in 1843, 

 estimated at L.22,700. Since the more general use of artificial 

 manure and extraneous feeding stuffs, lime as a land fertiliser 

 has not been so extensively used; but it is the opinion of many 

 agriculturists that much of the soil in both Edinburgh and Lin- 

 lithgow would be benefited by a good dose. 



Sandstone is abundant, and the quarries add much to the 

 wealth of the country. One at Hailes yields a slaty stone which 

 is easily worked, and very suitable for pavements. Another at 

 Ifedhall, a few years ago, brought in a rental of L.11,000. From 

 a quarry at Craigleith most of the beautiful and durable stone 

 of which the New Town of Edinburgh is built was obtained. 



At Olermiston, and other places, inexhaustible quarries of trap 

 or blue whinstone are worked. This is very valuable, not only 

 for building purposes but also for road-making, being exceedingly 

 hard and lasting. 



Ironstone, too, is largely developed in some parts. The work- 

 ing of a band in AYhitl3urn, Linlithgow, some twenty-five to thirty 

 years ago, provided a large means of local industry, and resulted 

 in changing the aspect of a bleak, lonely, and barren moor into a 

 scene of activity. This band yields from 27 to 30 per cent, of 

 pig iron, and has proved a profitable working. Iron is still 

 wrouglit in several parts, and adds much to the proprietors' 

 revenue. Ironworks liave advanced quite 25 to 30 per cent, in 

 twenty years. In 1875, tlie quantity of pig iron exported from 

 Leith and (Iranton was 160,101 tons. 



Firebricks are ratlier extensivelv made in some localities, and 

 besides supplying a large liome demand, quantities are occasion- 

 ally ship])e(l to other parts. 



ManuJ'acturcs. — Neither Ediiiburgli nor Linlitligow occupies a 

 very important position witli regard to manufactures. Linen is 

 made at Edinburgh, Leitli, and IMusselburgh, but not to any great 

 extent. About 4000 liands are employed in the paper manu- 

 facture, which is chietly carried on at Colinton, IVnicuik, Curric, 



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