Fiars of Grain in Scotland — Crop 1799. ^^39 



Eqfl-Lothjan, 



The Eaft- Lothian fiars are thought to be calculated with 

 greater accuracy than thofe of any other county in Scotland, 

 being formed from the averages of the prices of grain aftually 

 bought or fold by 70 or 80 of the moft refpedlable corn- 

 dealers and farmers in the county, with the addition of 2\ per 

 cent, put by the Sheriff upon the price. The reafon of this 

 addition proceeded from its being anciently the cuftom to ftrike 

 a fecond fiars at Lammas ; but, fince 1678, to fave that trou- 

 ble, 2-5 per cent has been added, which, it is fuppofed, in or- 

 dinary years, will compenfatc for the rife in markets during the 

 Summer months. 



The proof, which is taken upon oath by the Sheriff-depute 

 of the county, includes the prices of a very confiderable quan» 

 tity of grain, and Is in every refpedl conduced with great ml- 

 nutenefs and regularity. As a number of the clergy receive 

 their ftipends according to the fiars, and rents In fevcral cafes. 

 ^re paid in the fame manner, it Is a matter of importance to 

 the county, that the fcale of prices lliould be juftly afcer-? 

 tained. 



-TT 



Notes to Cohhespondents. 



The very interefling and valuable Rural Sketch of the Count;^ 

 of Lancajler will appear in our next. 



Extrads from Mr Wright's treatife on the floating of land, 

 agreeable to the requeft of our Hanvkk Correfpondent, fhall he 

 given. If his letter had come to hand in time. It fhonid have 

 been prefented In this number. We will be extremely happy 

 to hear from him afterwards. 



If S. A. R. does not know whether or not to fow his land 

 with flax feed, he Is not a proper correfpondent for the Farm- 

 er's Magazine. — We fufped this geniievnan, howevifr, tn fee 

 more rogue than fool. 



