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Agr'iculiural hiielugcnce — Scotland. I\L 



being far advanced, induced many people to commit the precious feed 

 to an ill prepared bed ; and the like caufc has occalioned more early 

 oats to be fovvn than cuftomary. 



The weather has been equally unfavourable to vegetation as to feed* 

 work, and the hill paftures are vcr)- bad indeed. Sheep being previ- 

 oufly in good order, it is to be hoped that there will be little lofs fuf- 

 taincd from tlie prefent fcarcity of food, provided genial weather fooH 

 arrives. They have been fccn confiderably leaner, while no bad con- 

 sequences followed ; but if fuch weather as we prefently experience 

 co:.t:nucs long, ferioiis apprehenf.ons may be entertained. The lofs 

 ii-om difeafes has hitherto been very moderate, though the redudlion in 

 value will cut deep into the profits of ftoremal1;ers. Great ewes have 

 fallen about 25 per cent, below laft year's prices ; but the fall feems to 

 be as much occafioned by the extreme anxiety of the feeder not to give 

 too much, as from an overilocked market, there being a confiderablc 

 Jt'mand at current prices. 



The Farmer's Magazine being fo widely circulated, renders it art 

 excellent channel for conveying agricultural information in an unbroken 

 chain through eveiy quarter of the iiland. The propofal, in lafl Num- 

 ber, of prcienting correct accounts of the value of labour in every dif- 

 trict, has therefore given gene:"al fatisfaclion, and a ftatement from this 

 county is of courfc necefTary. Here, ploughmen, with board, get 14I. 

 per annutn. ; and when they maintain themfclves, fix bolls of oat meal, 

 grafs and fodder for a cow, land which will plant three pecks of po- 

 tatoes, and 9I. in money are given. Shepherds have the pailurage of 

 forty-five flieep fmeared, and ten to difpofe of at Martinmas, which re- 

 turns tht-m nearly the fame money as paid to tlie ploughmen. Wrights- 

 receive per week 8s, with, and 12 s. without board. Mafons nearly 

 the fame ; but fome variations have lately taken place in the two lafl 

 articles, which, v/ith the wages of labourers, ihall be noticed at another 

 time. ylprii 17. 



Upper Ward of Lanark RtporL 



For three months back, the weather has been very variable. Some 

 farmers began their oat-feed about the ift of March ; but after going 

 on for a few days, were (lopped by fevere froll, accompanied by 

 heavy iTiovvers of Inow. Seed- work was therefore interrupted for more 

 than tliree wteks, but is now getting forward, and the ground is in . 

 excellent ftate. 



Very little vegetation lias lu'thcrto appeared ; but fodder being to- 

 lerably plentiful, it is to be hoped that a temporary vvat)t of grafs 

 will not be of material inconvenience. Grafs parks have let much at 

 the fame rates as thofe of laft year. 



. Few lean cattle arc yet fold. Great ewes are mucli reduced In 

 price, being about fcveu Ihiliings ptr head lo;;cr than lalt fcafon. — ^ 

 yipri! 17. 



jft'crJra'fb'ire 



