6tr Ohfei'vat'ious on the Cl'ttnate of Eafl-Lothian. JatlJ 



point. By the help of this contrivance, it is found that grain, 

 produced under the favourable circumllances already men- 

 tioned, is much more valuable than that which is raifcd in 

 fituations where more rain falls, and where it enjoys lefs fun- 

 light and heat during its growth and ripening. 



Trials, made with every poflible care, and under the direc- 

 tion of the befl judgment, prove, beyond a doubt, that grahi, 

 produced in the earlietl and drieft fituations, contains greatly 

 more of the faccharine or fermentable matter than that which 

 is raifed under lefs favourable circumftances. 



The eaft part of the county of Eail-Lothian is fortunately 

 fituated in this refpeft. The foil, which is a light loam upon 

 a gravelly bottom, would be in danger of fuffering from the 

 Summer's drought, were not the heat tempered by the fea- 

 breeze, which keeps it always moderate -, in that way, the bad 

 effedls of exceffive heat are obviated, and all the advantages 

 refulting from the combined efFeils of light and moderate 

 heat obtained. 



To lay down rules that will apply to every fituation, is a 

 difhcult, perhaps an impoffible talk, efpecially where circum- 

 ftances are fo diflimilar ; but, in the choice of grain for brew- 

 ing, diftilling, or indeed for any ufeful purpofe, the buyer will 

 find his account in purchafmg in thofe diftri£ts where the foil 

 is dry, the harvefl early, and where the greateft portion of 

 heat and light are enjoyed during the Summer and Autumn. 



The invention of the inftrument above mentioned, has con- 

 fiderably altered the ftandard by which the value of grain 

 was formerly eftimated \ and, if properly taken up, will tend 

 to eftabliih a rule for judging of the value of produce, much 

 more correal, than any with which we have yet been ac- 

 quainted. Formerly, the iveight, in proportion to the cubical 

 meafure, was confidered the beft criterion ; and, certainly, 

 w^here grain is meant to be manufa£lured into meal, the cir- 

 cumftance of its weighing well, will be a primary obje£l with 

 the buyer, and infure a high price to the feller. To the con- 

 fumer, the trial by the'faccharometer is a much more certain 

 teft *, as, whatever the w^eight of grain may be, if it contains 

 little faccharine matter, its nutritive qualities will be Ihort \\\ 

 proportion. That circumftance, and that only, is the caufe of 

 the marked preference we daily fee given to the grain raifed 

 in the lov/er parts of the county •, which, by enjoying the 

 advantages it does, arrives at maturity with all the quahties it 

 ought to poiTefs. 



Befides the trial by the faccharometer, tliere is another, 

 though a much more uncertain tell of the value of grain raifed 

 in the different parts of the county j namely, the favour. 

 Every perfon of judgment, who has had an opportunity of 



comparing 



