,jt2 j^gricultural Intelligence — Scotland. Feb.- 



the mofc favourable manner ; for, in the prefent view of niral matters, 

 little dependence can he placed upon a fpring fowing of that grain^ 

 Indeed, the portion of turnip land already ridged up is inconfiderable, 

 the rains through the month having rellri6led ploughing to the grafs 

 lands ; but niany of thefe, unlefs favoured by frofl, have been turned 

 over in a ftnte which by no means will forward the harrowing procefs, 

 or prove beneficial to the fucceeding crop. 



• Whether the wctnefs of the v/cathcr has occafiored thrafhing to be 

 more attended to than ufual, or whether that operation has been haften- 

 ed by other circumftances, cannot be poHtiveiy afceitained ; but it is 

 certain, that a greater quantityof grain has lately been prefented for fale, 

 than the demand of the market required. This, as mull always happen, 

 has occalioned a confiderable reduction of prices, though hitherto ftill 

 not in the degree that has occurred in feveral other dillrifts. Barky 

 and oats have felt the chief dcpreflion ; tlie former grain is generally 

 of good quality ; but few of the latter, early kinds excepted, are above 

 m.ediocrity. Potato oats have chiefly been purchafed by the millers, 

 while the Angus and Blainfleys have gone for hoi-fe feed. The fupe- 

 ricrity of the potato oats, even on middling foils, is evident this year ; 

 though ftill this does not eftabhfn that they are really better calculated 

 for every kind of foil than the old varieties. Owing to early growth, 

 an efcape was made from the ravages of the caterpillar, which accounts 

 in fome mcafure for their great fuperioiity this feafon. 



Very little alteration has as yet taken place in the value of cattle 

 and fliccp ; and it may be rcmiarked, tliat prices in the dead market 

 liave rarely this winter been in unifon with thofe in the livifig. The 

 'Itock at this time on hand is m.uch below that of former years ; though 

 there is no want of inferior mutton, which is fold nomlnath at a lovr 

 pric'e,-' but, in point of confumption, is in reahty higheft to the pur* 

 chafer. If other dillri£ls are not better flocked than Ealt-Lothian, 

 it requires no proof that a fcarcity mull erelong be felt. Sheep will 

 probably continue longell to be plentiful ; but cattle of good quahty, 

 according to eveiy appearance, will foon be much in demand. 



The value of labour, efpccially that of mafons and carpenters, has 

 of late prodigioufly incrCafed in this dillri6l. Building per rood, which 

 not long ago was only 20s., and in 1802, 33s., got up, lall fummer, 

 to 45s. ; and wages, per day, were from 3s. 6d. to 4s., nay, even 5s. has 

 been paid in fome cafes for good mafons. This rife was chiefly occa* 

 lioned by the eredlion of ban-acks at Haddington and Dunbar, where 

 a good deal of money was freely circulated. It is plain, that no funds are 

 in the farmer's hand for carrying forward new works upon fuch extra* 

 vagant terms ; confequently, a redu6lion is much to be wifhed for, o- 

 therwife the building of farm-offices and ftone walls mull in a great 

 meafure be either neglefted or fuperficially executed. It is thought 

 the evil will cure itfelf j a difpofition to work on lower temis having 

 already appeared. 



Coals, vvhich in tliis climate may be ranked among the Deceffaries of 

 life, have been uncommonly fcarce this winter, and only to be got at 



fome 



