1S03. Agricultural Intelligence — Scotlunih 353 



has admitted fufficient work to be given to the fallow and turnip land ; 

 and where the fields have not been cleaned in a perfect manner, the 

 poffeflbrs have either been ncj;ligent, or have had too much if h^'nh 

 Owing to the want of moifturc, many of the fields fown with turnip 

 have not vegetated ; and it is to be remarked, ihat the moll Impertcd; 

 braird has been gained, where the previous work was mod perfed^ly 

 performed. 



Cattle, efpecially thofe of th^ beft kind, maintain their former high 

 prices ; but fales have been rather heavy of late, owintr to the fcarcity 

 of grafs. Oats, and oatmeal^ have experienced a confiderable rife fmce 

 laft report ; and the quantity of the former on hand is but trifling. 'I'he 

 Hack-yards are much about the fize as ufual at this feafon of the year ; 

 and barley, or bear, conftltutes the prominent part thereof. — July 11. 



SelkirkJJjire ^larterly Report. 



The weather took an unfavourable turn about the i8th April, and 

 high winds with heavy fhowers of fleet and fnow prevailed for feveral 

 weeks thereafter. It was apprehended that the lambing feafon, upon 

 account of thcfe circumftances, would be unfavourable ; but owing to 

 the forwardnefs of vegetation, and confequent good condition of ftock, 

 lefs lofs has been fuftained than might have been apprehended. 



The grain crops may be about ten days later than in an average of 

 years. Oats experienced cold weather in tillering ; confequer.tly re- 

 mained long in what we call the fpamifi^ hrujh. Barley, on loamy 

 iiaugh lands, appears to be equal to an average ; byt on the higher 

 grounds, the afpcA is unpromlfing. From imperfect feed being fown 

 in feveral places, the braird is very defective ; which proves, that great 

 caution ought to be ufed mfet'db^g the higher diftrljfts, after fuch a fea- 

 fon as we experienced laft year. 



The drynefs of the weather has been favourable to the working of 

 turnip fallows, but the fame caufe has occafioned the braird of thofe 

 firft fown to be nearly deftroyed. Since the introduction of turnips in- 

 to this country, much benefit has b^en derived from tlieir cultivation. A 

 few years ago, though the farmers had their arable ground in the moll 

 approved rotation, yet as they applied their turnip crop Jo the feeding 

 of caft ox y eld cows, wiilch paid thtrm but iiidifierently, the advan- 

 tage was httle in comparilbn with that now gained. The profit is 

 double in the new method of ufing turnips, which is, to give them to 

 young (heep upon the ground betwixt tht|^ old and new grafs, excepting 

 a few referved for the young cattle. By this practice, and omitting 

 the milking of ewes, an addition Is made to the quantity and quality ot 

 woolv and to the health and beauty of the feveral animals.— t-^w/j- 13. 



Extract of a Letter from the dtflrlcl of Carricky AyrJhWe^ July 14. 



• The weather, during the latter part of April, and nearly the whole 

 of May being uncommonly cold, with violent and boiilerous nort'ii and 

 north- weft winds, and frequent (howers of hail and fleet, did u'laterlr^ 

 Ujury to the young crop, by chilling and even dcftroying :he brain^ 



X i i 3 'i"l. 



