1 8 00. Curfof^ Hints oji Agricultural Publicatwis. 6) 



comparing and making himfelf acquainted with the produc- 

 tions of the early and late parts of the county, can with great 

 eafe diftinguifh them by the tafte, particularly the oat meal, 

 the tafte of wliich is in general fo inferior to what is made 

 in the low country, as to fell from one to two fliillings per 

 boll cheaper. 



It would be at once tedious and difficult to defcribe, with 

 accuracy, the climate of each diftritt, or the caufes connected 

 with it ; perhaps, the moft certain way of forming a right idea 

 of it, is by marking the period at which the harveft commences 

 in each. The eait part of the county is from a month to 

 five or fix weeks earlier than the hills. The intermediate 

 grounds are later, in proportion to their elevation ; but foil, 

 and other circumftances, form feveral exceptions to this rule. 



The fnow, in the later parts of the county, feldom continues 

 long ; in the immediate vicinity of the fea, it does not lye at 

 all ; but, in the Lammermuir hills, it fometimes continues for 

 three months together •, and there are inftances of its continu- 

 ing, on fome parts on the north of thefe hills, till the middle 

 of June. This laft is, however, a rare occurrence, and only 

 happens when the fnow has been much blown during the Win- 

 ter, and the foUov/ing Spring happens to be cold and late. 



Upon the whole, the climate of Eaft-Lothian, from its va- 

 riety, feems better adapted to the different kinds of hufband- 

 ry than aJmoft any other in the kingdom ; and the perfection 

 of its rural economy may, with truth, be afcribed as much to 

 its favourable fituation, as to any other caufe. 



TO THE CONDUCTORS OF THE FARMER's MAGAZINE. 

 Ciirfory Hints on Agricultural PubHcatio?is. 



Gentlemen, 



Allow me to offer my beft wiflies for the fuccefs of your 

 intended publication, which comes forward at a proper time, 

 and promifes to be attended with the happiell effects, if con- 

 dutled agreeable to the liberal principles laid down in the 

 Profpeclus. To promote a fpirit of inquiry and experimenti 

 is at all times a laudable objedl ; for it is only upon the folid 

 foundation of fads and obicrvations, that a juit fyften> of 

 hufbandry can be ereded. 



I was extremely forry to learn, from a notice on the cover 

 of the Agricultural Annals, that fuch publications are not very 

 popular among our fouthern neighbours. The ingenious Edi- 

 tor therefore recommends, that gentlemen, or their Rewards, 



E 2, ihould 



