Farming of East Lothian. 



287 



manure being applied either previous to ploughing or in the 

 drill previous to sowing. On all soils, even on the best, it is 

 always found advantageous to apply farm-yard manure to the 

 bean crop. Some give, in addition, guano in the drills pre- 

 vious to sowing. The drilling of beans with the manuring is 

 managed much in the same manner as the turnip, the drills 

 being formed 28 inches apart, the manure deposited in the drills, 

 and the seed sown above the manure with a bean-barrow, w hich 

 covers three drills at a time. It is generally found advan- 

 tageous to have a proportion of peas mixed along with the 

 beans : the proportion varies ; the richer the soil, the fewer peas 

 are sown. 



The variety generally grown is the common Scotch bean. 

 Some years ago the tick bean was introduced, but it has not 

 gained much footing. 



If the land is intended for potatoes, a deep furrow is given in 

 autumn, and farm-yard manure almost always applied, at the rate 

 of 12 to 20 cart-loads an acre. As soon as the condition of the 

 land admits of it, in spring, the land is grubbed or ploughed 

 previous to planting, which is performed as early in the season 

 as possible, it having been ascertained that the effects of the 

 blight are less virulent on early planted potatoes. If farm-yard 

 manure is applied in spring the quantity is usually limited, from an 

 impression that it has a tendency to increase the blight. Guano 

 is all but universally applied, sometimes at the rate of 4 cwt. per 

 acre. The drills are formed in the same manner as for turnips, 

 and the sets are deposited about a foot separate, each set gene- 

 rally containing only one eye. 



Previous to the appearance of the bean or potato the drills 

 are harrowed down with light harrows. This destroys the 

 growth of annual weeds, and assists in the braiding of the crop. 

 As soon as either the beans or potatoes are hoed a grubber 

 passes between the rows, and, after hand-hoeing, another turn of 

 the grubber is generally given. Beans are generally hoed the 

 second time ; potatoes always. After the second hoeing the 

 potatoes are moulded up. 



The bean crop is usually ready for cutting in September; 

 potatoes are generally ready for lifting at the same time, but, 

 from the press of harvest-work, lifting is mostly delayed till 

 October. After either of these crops is removed the land is 

 ploughed for wheat — sowing immediately following. 



Beans are considered the best preparation for wheat ; but the 

 quality of the wheat after potatoes is always superior. Only 

 one furrow is given previous to sowing. Sometimes the bean 

 land is grubbed and the weeds collected ; but even this is now 

 generally dispensed with. Upon the bean and potato break 



