1S03. Agricultural Intelligence, 103 



but is now down to 28s. per boll of four firlots. Inferior forts, 

 from 22s. to 26s. It delervcs attention, t!iat the tliitk-cha.'fed 

 wheats are generally very defective in qualitv, and that the prin- 

 cipal iamples are all of the thin-chafFed varieties. This has oc- 

 caiioned the fowing of the former forts to be almofl difufed this 

 feafon, though^ till lately, they were held in the greateft eilimatlon. 



Markets for fat and lean ftock have experienced no red ud ion, 

 and it is fuppofed that the quaiitity of flieep and cattle, in North 

 Britain, is much leffened within thefe few years. Be this ab it 

 mav, the demand is equal to the number prefented, which necef- 

 farily occafions the late high prices to be fully maintained. The 

 talle of the public, in favour of butcher-meat, ftems daily to in- 

 creafe ; and it is with pleafure we remark, that a very general at- 

 tention is now paid to the improvement of ftock in every quarter 

 of Lhe country. The increafed value of the article has occaliored 

 this fuperior attention ; and it is to be hoped, that improvements 

 in this line will foon be placed upon a footing that will enable 

 the breeders to keep their ground, in the event of a declenlion of 

 markets. Fat cattle and Iheep at prefent are worth los. 6d. per 

 itone, of 16 lb Amfterdam, or 17^- avoirdupois. 



The turnip crop has in general fucceeded this feafon, and yields 

 richer and more nutritive food than thofe of the three preceding 

 years. This valuable root is now extenfively cultivated in every 

 quarter, and is eminently ufeful upon moil of foils. Perhaps a 

 fenfe of its value has lately caufed a more geneoral culture than 

 co'iliftent with the real welfare of agriculture. Upon all Tandy 

 and dry foils the turnip hufbandry is truly beneficial ; but where 

 the ground is inclined to clay, or incumbent upon a clofe bottom, 

 it does not require argument to prove that the cultivation of this 

 root is accompanied with a certain lofs to the owner. A clean 

 fummer fallow is the only mode that ought to be pradtifed under 

 thefe circumftances ; and it is now afcertained, beyond difpute, 

 that the firft crop, after this fallow, is of greater value than both 

 the crop of turnips, and the fucceeding crop of grain, even when 

 every branch of management is, in other refpedls, conduced in 

 the moft hulbandman-like manner. 



Since harveft was finifned, the weather has proved unfavourable 

 to the fowing of vi'heat, and to the ploughing of the ground for 

 the next crop. The rains have, however, been partial, and rather 

 of that extent as to render the furface wet, than to fill the bowels 

 of the earth with water. The fallow wherats were in general 

 fown during the months of September and 0»^ober, and lately pre- 

 fented a promifing liow, though now checked by tlie recent frofts; 

 but the bean ftubbles, being late of clearing, were not fown un- 

 4§r favourable aufpices. Many of them are yet unfown, and fe- 



N a veral 



