278 



Farming of East Lothian, 



either a friable loamy clay or a stiff retentive clay. Thus, a 

 friable loamy clay in East Lothian would be with a corresponding- 

 retentive subsoil a stiff retentive clay in the West of Scot- 

 land. Besides, thorough-draining has tended to alter the cha- 

 racter of the soil of this county more than of any other the writer 

 is acquainted with. The freeing of the land from superfluous 

 moisture by this means has doubtless raised the temperature 

 of the soil, and may to a slight extent have diminished the per- 

 centage of moisture contained in the atmosphere — thus improving 

 the climate. From the absence of correct observations previous 

 to and during the period in which the drainage has been accom- 

 plished, this alteration cannot be definitely determined. But that 

 a change has taken place may be inferred from the fact that the 

 sowing of wheat in spring, which, within less than twenty years, 

 was seldom deemed prudent except along the coast or upon the 

 driest gravelly soils more inland, is now found upon almost all 

 soils to answer nearly as well as in autumn, under the same 

 circumstances as to condition of soil. Spring-sown wheat in 

 favourable seasons is indeed often even more prolific than 

 autumn-sown, especially upon lands in very high condition. 



As regards climate, the situation of East Lothian is highly 

 favourable, being situated on the eastern side of the island, and 

 partially sheltered from the force of western winds, which always 

 carry less or more moisture along with them. This moisture, 

 when in the form of clouds, is partially arrested by the high 

 grounds to the west. The Lammermuir hills also form a partial 

 protection from south-western gales. The effect of this range of 

 hills, however, is to give a greater force to those currents which 

 pass across the island, especially when from the west. These 

 hills, with the high grounds on the Fife coast, contract the 

 currents of air and make them sweep along both the low grounds 

 of the county and the Frith v*^ith increased force. When the 

 winds blow from the east or north-east, which they generally do 

 during the spring months, they rapidly free the soil from superflu- 

 ous moisture. These winds are generally cold, and consequently 

 act prejudicially both upon animal and vegetable life. Inflam- 

 matory complaints, especially of the organs of the chest, are thus 

 often superinduced. When the south-eastern currents of air are 

 surcharged with moisture, deluging falls of rain occasionally 

 take place. When these occur during harvest they interfere 

 seriously with the saving of the crop ; when they occur during 

 the period of turnip-sowing, sowing is retarded or partially pre- 

 vented for that season, particularly on retentive soils. The cur- 

 rents of air, especially from the west, sometimes assume the 

 force of a gale, or even a tempest. In the early spring months, 

 or towards the middle and end of September, they occasionally 



