Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society. Fourth Series^ 

 vol. ix., 1877. Edited by Fletcher N. Mexzies, Secretary to the 

 Society. Edinburgh : Messrs. Blackwood and Sous. 



The transactions of this the leading and most influential society in 

 Scotland for the improvement of rural affairs always contains much 

 valuable information upon the subjects which it is its peculiar duty to 

 foster and promote, as well as upon many other branches of rural industry 

 that come within its comprehensive scope of observation and encourao-e^ 

 ment. The present volume is fully up to the average in interest and use- 

 fulness. It opens with a report " On the Agriculture of the Counties of 

 Edinburgh and Linlithgow," by Thomas Farrall, Aspatria, Carlisle, who 

 gives in his introductory remarks a short description of the leading 

 features, area, and population of these two far-Mned agricultural counties. 

 Noticing the rise and progress of their agriculture, from the rude and 

 primitive system of husbandry in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries to 

 the complete and elaborately worked out system in vogue in the Lothians at 

 the present day, he remarks, that " within the present century agricul- 

 ture both in Mid and West Lothian has advanced rapidly in drainiuf, in 

 the deep culture of the soil, in the extended use of machinery, in the 

 introduction and appliance of steam power to many of the most laborious 

 offices of the farm, in the use of extraneous feeding stuffs and artificial 

 manures, in the scientific knowledge possessed by the leading farmers — in 

 a word, almost everything pertaining to the satisfaction of the proprietor, 

 the prosperity of the farmer, the happiness of the labourer, and the welfare 

 of the community at large as meat and bread consumers." 



After a few well-chosen particulars about the climate and soil, he pro- 

 ceeds to give an account full of interest of the rotation of cropping 

 followed, the different descriptions of grain, hay, grass, and green crops 

 cultivated, naming the most popular sorts ; stock breeding, rearing and 

 feeding, dairy and sheep farming, horses, pigs, dogs, and poultry. The 

 improvements in the agriculture in the district during the last quarter of 

 a century receive due attention, and also the condition, remuneration, and 

 housing of the farm labourer, all of which have greatly improved during 

 the period. The total number of farms in Mid Lothian, over 50 acres, is 

 1,012, the average extent of each being 131 acres. There are 120 farms 

 of over 300 acres. In Linlithgowshire there is a total of 542 farms of 50 

 acres and upwards, the average being 108 acres, 35 farms being over 300 

 acres. 



