288 



Farming of East Lothian. 



some farmers apply from 2 to 3 cwt, of guano for the wheat ; 

 others again prefer giving 8 to 10 cart-loads of farm-yard 

 manure. Many, however, give no manure in this part of the 

 rotation, though top-dressing the wheat after potatoes almost in- 

 variably pays well. 



The statistical returns show other crops cultivated in the 

 county, but these do not constitute a part of the ordinary rota- 

 tions. We will shortly notice these. 



Vetches (the extent of which last season was 1011 acres) are 

 not much grown, the breadth on most farms being only a few 

 acres, to be cut green for soiling. They generally occupy a part 

 of the bean break, and are sown early in spring ; the land, after 

 the crop is cut, being cleaned preparatory to wheat. Sometimes 

 oats are grown along with them, to prevent them rotting on the 

 ground, the Scotch tare growing more luxuriantly than any other 

 known variety. Folding sheep on tares is not much practised in 

 this county, and is indeed almost unknown in Scotland. 



Mangold, of which there were only 48 acres, is less cultivated 

 now than it was some years ago. It is, however, again coming 

 more into favour as a substitute in part for the swede. The 

 principal objection to its extended cultivation appears to be the 

 great liability of the plant to run to seed. The variations of 

 temperature, with occasional droughts, seem to us the explanation 

 of this peculiarity connected with the mangold in East Lothian. 



Carrots, of which there were 107 acres, are grown only for sale. 

 They are cultivated on light sandy soils near the coast. The 

 variety generally grown is the Altringham. Edinburgh is the prin- 

 cipal market ; part being sold for table use, and part for horses. 



The cultivation of flax is now abandoned. At one time each 

 hind and cotter was allowed to grow a small breadth (l-16th of 

 an acre) ; it was, however, commuted into the same breadth of 

 potatoes. About three years ago, when the cultivation of flax 

 was so strongly recommended, several farmers made trials of it. 

 The result was, that it was found to be upon the whole less 

 remunerative than the ordinary cereals. 



Turnip-seed, of which there were 49 acres this season, is 

 grown principally for sale ; the Swedish varieties occupying the 

 greatest breadth. The seed of selected bulbs is sown some time 

 in the end of June or the beginning of July. In some instances, 

 however, when the bulbs of an ordinary crop are not deemed of 

 sufficient value for feeding purposes, they are allowed to remain 

 for seed. 



Cabbages, of which there were 15 acres, are also grown partly 

 for sale and partly for feeding. 



Rye, of which there were 46 acres, is only cultivated on light 

 sands along the coast. 



