1804. AgYiculiiival hit elU gene e — Scotland, ^'^ 



farmer can fprirc more for his own convenient accommodation, for pur- 

 chafing the comforts, and even the luxunes of life ; and tlicroby pro- 

 mote the encouragement of trade, and give employment to uljfiil ar- 

 tifuns. Elegant iioufcs are built and building in many parts of the 

 county ; portions of ground are planted both for ufe and ornament ; 

 gardens are cultivated in a fuperior manner ; and, in fliort, the whole 

 farming economy is carried on in a more enlightened and perfe6l way, 

 even in a way which clearly manifells the growing profperity of a free^ 

 enlightened, and happy people. 



Much attention has of late been paid to the introdu£lion of the 

 Cheviot breed of fheep. But we are not certain that, in every re- 

 fpe6l, this is an improvement. The returns that have been hitherto 

 made, leaves it rather uncertain which are the moll profitable. Some 

 of our bed Highland lloremallers retain the forell breed, and fome^ 

 after trymg the Chenot, relinquiflied them as unfit for our mountainous 

 diilrict. 



L.dtcr from an Exienfive Farmer in Annandalsy junuary 1 o. 



* Our cattle markets were lower at the end of the year than in fum- 

 mer and autumn. I was lately up in Norfolk with the itock of cattle 

 which I had kept laft year, chiefly Highland bullocks, but was not 

 paid well, fales being dull, and prices much reduced. I was furprifed 

 to find barley at fuch a low price in Norfolk. When I went there in 

 November, it was felling at 12s. 6d. per coomb of four Winchefter 

 bufliels J but when I left the county in December, the price did not 

 exceed los. 6d. I do fomething confiderable here in the corn trade, 

 by {hipping barley and oats for Liverpool and othei^ ports ; and, lately, 

 a large order for the former grain was received, from Dublin at 9s. the 

 Carlifle bufiiel, which is equal to three of Winchefter, but the order 

 was foon countermanded. However, I have bought about 2000 bufhela 

 at 83. 6d. ; though, if matters do not brighten up, the concern will not 

 be a good one. At prefent, I am fliipping common oats at 8s. and 

 potato ones at 9s. per Carlifle bufhel ; but, from what I can learn, even 

 thefe prices do not promife to be fteady. Our barley is good, and in 



' excellent condition, this feafon. We have few peas and beans ; and 

 wheat has a dull fale at 20s. per Carlifle bufhel, of our bell quality. 



< I have been aiming thefe two years paft to introduce the Leicefter 

 breed of ibeep here, and have this year put 140 ewes of that kind to 

 the tup, which I hope will prove a beneficial meafure. I hired tups 

 for two feafons from Mr Culiey, and this year have one of the fame 

 kind from another breeder. I have great expectations that flock of 

 this kind will pay handfomely, as I ibid my wedder hogs in Augult 

 and September laft at 553. per head — fome of them weighed 26 lib. 

 per quarter. My ewes at prefent are thick fat ; indeed they will not 

 Hbe poor if any degree of juitice is given them ; and their condition is 

 rather unfavourable to their lambing fafely. 



* Beef and mutton fell about 6d. per lib. avoirdupois ; but pork is a 

 lov/ article, not worLh more than 43. 6d. or 5s. per flone of 14 lib. A 



G 3 great 



