1803 • j4gr'iitilttn'al Intelligence — Scotland, I r*:; 



which on'olnally were Intendetl for wheat. Such fallows as were feeded 

 ill September, maintained a flonrilhing appearance when the froils com- 

 menced ; and as they were well rooted at that period, little danger is 

 apprehended from the temporary cefHuion of their growth. 



The grain markets prefervcd a Heady afpeft till the beginning of this 

 month ; but, of late, Talcs have been made at prices confiJerably reduced. 

 When it is confidtred that nearly one half of the produce of this county 

 muH be fent out of it either in a raw or manufaftured llate, and that the 

 ports of the conterminous counties were filled with grain imported from 

 England and foreign countries, the declenfion will not excite furprifc. 

 The fact is, prices at Haddington were longer of being depreciated than 

 in other quarters ; which is a fare proof that the quality of the grain, 

 there prefented, is of the firft fort. If Scotland iiad depended foleiy on 

 its own produce this year, a real fcarcity mu'l inevitably have been ex- 

 perienced. The importation of Irifh oats and American wheat into the 

 weflern ports, and grain of all kinds from England, and wheat from fo- 

 reign countries, into the ports on the eall coalt, have, however, prevented 

 an evil which could not othervvife have been avoided. 



Little alteration has taken place in the butcher markets of late, nor is 

 any expefted for fome tim.e to come. The demand and fupply has hi- 

 therto been tolerably well proportioned, and probably will remain fo till 

 the conclufion of the feeding feafon. Stock upon turnips have thriven 

 well ; and from fales made, it appears that the feeders will get through, 

 notwithllanding that purchafes were made at enormous rates. The 

 month of April is, however, the trying time for the feeders, as the mar- 

 kets are feldom glutted earlier. 



Ploughing, in general, is not very forward, but equally fo as lad 

 year. Upon the wet and heavy lands much time was lo(t from the Oc- 

 tober and November rains ; the latenefs of the harvell, and the time 

 fpent in fecuring the crop, alfo contributed to throw field labour behind. 

 The redudion of prices has not fcrved to check an increafe of rents ; 

 but this may be reckoned a pretty good fign of the increaling profpcrity 

 of the country. — - — Jan. 21. 



Mid-Loihian ^larlerly Report. 



The mildnefs of the two lafi: months has been favourable to the 

 growth of the young wheats, which, before the commencement of the 

 prefent froft, had a promifing appearance. The fame caufe has permit- 

 ted ploughing to be, in general, well advanced ; a circumftance of great 

 importance before the commencement of fevere wear her. 



The lad year's crops have turned out, upon trial, nearly as was ex- 

 pected at the time of writing lafl report. The markets are fully fup- 

 plied, and fales dull ; but barley is quite unmarketable almoft at any 

 price. This is generally attributed to the high additional duty lately 

 impofed upon malt, which is the fame, whether barley be good or bad, 

 of Englifh or Scotifh growth. 



The brewer and diftiller find it their interefl to purchafe nothing Uut 

 the very bed grain j and they very readily rather give from 22s. to 24s. 



for 



