134 THE SUPREMACY OF THE LOTHIANS 



the character of the flesh, whether floury or waxy. 

 The superiority of the Dunbar potato seems to be due 

 to the adjustment of soil to climate, which results in 

 an equable growing period, free from pauses caused by 

 heat or drought, and prolonged considerably into the 

 autumn without excessive moisture or sudden cold, for 

 the proximity of the sea maintains an even temperature. 



The rotation that was being followed began with a 

 crop of potatoes, then the land was divided between 

 wheat and turnips ; in the wheat clover and rye grass 

 were sown, while the turnips were followed by barley 

 a wide-eared variety. In the following year the 

 whole field went into potatoes, again to be divided 

 between wheat and turnips in the following year, but 

 on the alternate halves of the field, the wheat being 

 again succeeded by seeds and the turnips by barley. 

 Thus in six years were taken two crops of potatoes, 

 one of wheat, and one of barley, all sold away ; also 

 one crop of seeds hay and one of turnips, part of which 

 was also not infrequently sold. Oats were not grown 

 to any large extent just enough to feed the horses on 

 the place. To the potatoes were given all the farm- 

 yard manure made on the farm ; but this would not 

 supply nearly enough, so very large quantities were 

 bought from Edinburgh. 



Other potato growers in the district are rather dis- 

 inclined to use so much farmyard manure, fearing it 

 deteriorates the quality of the produce ; and they follow 

 a different rotation, in which potatoes come only once 

 in six years. Swedes are followed by barley, in which 

 clover is sown to be cut for hay in the third year, but 

 in the fourth to be graze,! by sheep receiving cake and 

 corn. Having thus considerably enriched the land by 

 the growth of clover, and also by the food given to the 

 sheep, a crop of potatoes is taken without any farm- 



