Additional Information. 89 



LOTHIAN. 



Benjamin Bell, Esq. oj Edinburgh. 



Such is the spirit with which agricultural improvements are going forward in every 

 part of Scotland, (chiefly, as there is reason to believe, from farmers having no 

 tithes to pay, and scarcely any poor rates,) that lime is frequently carried by land, 

 as a manure, to more than twenty-five miles distance; chiefly owing (in my opinion) 

 to the circumstances that I have stated, viz. the expense being low for supporting 

 the poor, and no tithes being exigible in Scotland, every kind of improvement 

 that is immediately necessary for the raising of crops is carried on with great accu- 

 racy and spirit ; but, from the surprising increase of the price of labour that has 

 taken place within these last few years, none but those who are highly opulent can 

 attempt any expensive improvement, that is not essentially and immediately requi- 

 site. There is reason even to fear that the inclosing of grounds will proceed slowly, 

 for it does not appear how the small and uncertain profits of agriculture can pay 

 for the heavy increased expense that has so recently taken place in the conducting 

 of this and every farming operation. I think, indeed, that in the distant rides which 

 I have frequently occasion to take, not in Scotland only, but in England also, that 

 the effect of this unfortunate occurrence shews itself evidendy already. It seems, 

 accordingly, to be an object well meriting the most serious attention of the Board 

 of Agriculture, to devise and encourage plans for lessening the expense of labour; 

 otherwise, it is not difficult to predict, that all important improvements in agricul- 

 ture must soon be at a stand. 



With sufficiency of funds, every thing that can be desired might be done ; and 

 if these cannot be obtained, it seems almost vain to make any attempt. By means 

 of a moderate national expenditure, properly applied in the distribution of premiums, 

 as well as in various other ways, the greatest benefit would accrue to the country ; 

 while nothing can with such certainty avert the calamity that we shall most unques- 

 tionably suffer from a scarcity of corn, on the very first recurrence of a deficient 

 crop ; for, however abundantly our markets are supplied at present, our quantity 

 on hand is far from being sufficient to prevent an immediate and great rise of prices 

 on any deficiency taking place. If government were again in a settled state, would 

 there be any impropriety in the Board of Agriculture laying its views on this impor_^ 

 tant national object before it, in a memorial, requesdng parliamentary assistance ? 



VOL. V. N 



