1804. Jgr'icttliural Intelligence — Scotland, 47^ 



have had a great deal of rain, which occafions a confidcrabk part of 

 the crop upon the hi^^her grounds to remain ftill In the fields. 



* Wheat and harley are not fown in large quantities here, and, \n 

 general, have yielded hut liglit crops this fc^ifon. Turnips were hurt 

 by the drought and the caterpillar, and, though looking well at prefent, 

 will not prove a lieavy crop. Potatoes, owing to the badnefs of wrca- 

 ther at feed time, and the djou^i-ht through fummer, are but IiulifFerent, 

 A confiderable demand has lately appeared for wintering cattle, though 

 at reduced prices. Sheep have a duller fale than cattle. At Stranraer 

 market, beef is 4^d. and 5d. Avoirdupois weight ; mutton rather lower. 



* The grain market is expelled to do well ; ar.d report fays, that 

 403, may be expefted for potato oats, per boll of « 2 bufliels ; for com- 

 mon oats 36:'. ; but as our markets do not commence early, little can 

 be faid how they may go. 



Letter from Fallirky October 22. 



* The harveft in this dillrid has been fully three weeks later than 

 laft year, or than it promifcd about the beginning of Auguft. This is 

 always an unfavourable clrcumilance ; and as the operations of that fea- 

 fon could not be carried on with the fame celerity as lail year, thefe, by 

 confequence, became more expenfive. It is now finifhcd ; and I be- 

 lieve the crop was generally fecured in pretty good condition. The 

 cr6p is more bulky than lall year ; confequently, the ftack yards afford 

 a plentiful appearance. But this is deceptious ; for in faA the crop is 

 not really fuperior, in quantity of grain, to that of laft year, and, h\ 

 quality, is by no means equal to it. Harvcll work was carried on at 

 great expence to the farmer, reapers (chiefly women) having for fome, 

 time got two fliillings a day with viclluals ; and where money alone was 

 given, which is often the cafe in the immediate neighbourhood of the 

 town, half a crown, and two ihillings and eightpence. Wheat, till a- 

 bout the beginning of Augu't, had a flattering appearance, and pro* 

 mifed a very abundant return. About that time, however, all the 

 ■weighty fields were lodged, and, from the continued rains, were never 

 able to get up again ; they were of courfe greatly injured, and finut is 

 more generally complained of than has been the cafe in this diftrifl for 

 fome years. A moft culpable, but at the fame time very general opi- 

 nion prevails here, that where old wheat is ufed for feed, pickling is 

 unnecefTary ; but the very great loffes from fmut this year, will perhaps 

 cure many of our oldfafiiioned farmers of this prejudice, wliich nothlug 

 clfe could have eafily effefted. 



Barley is a pretty good crop, but was fown to much Icfs extent than 

 ufual, owing to its having been laft year a perftd drug, it is now 

 .in great demand, at a vtry advanced price, which no doubt will in- 

 duce many farmers ta cultivate this giain nexc year to its former ex- 

 tent.: indeed the quick demand, and high price this feafon, may pro- 

 bably lead fome even to exceed their former breadth. If the prelcut 

 difproportionate malt duties fiiould continue, it does not ttquire the 

 gift of prophecy to predid that fiwh a plan will end in d.ifdppaintincnt. 



