Farming of East Lothian. 



289 



Improved permanent grass extends to 6228 acres. This is 

 principally in parks and pleasure-grounds in connection with 

 proprietors' seats. Fields allowed to lie in permanent pasture 

 form no part of the agriculture of the county. Sometimes a 

 small field is kept in grass near the farm-house, partly for con- 

 venience and partly for amenity. 



There are 9313 acres under woods : these are generally in con- 

 nection with gentlemen's residences, and are not primarily in- 

 tended for shelter, although of course they contribute to improve 

 the climate of some of the districts. Hedge-row timber and 

 trees scattered throughout the fields are all but unknown. Per- 

 haps on no other point is the Scottish farmer more sensitive than 

 on the loss which generally accrues from trees on cultivated 

 land. 



The number of acres under irrigated meadows is 87 ; but the 

 principles which should regulate irrigation are so little under- 

 stood in the county that the practice is not extending, although 

 the climate, and in some instances the situation, are favourable 

 for its adoption. 



Under sheep-walks there are 28,630 acres. The Cheviot 

 breed occupies these almost exclusively. The Leicester, or 

 crosses with the Leicester, encroach somewhat upon them, and the 

 black-faced breed is not yet wholly displaced ; at the beginning 

 of the present century the black-faced all but exclusively occu- 

 pied the Lammermuirs. The Southdown has been attempted to 

 be introduced, but it was found that the lambs did not stand 

 the severity of the spring so well as the Cheviot. 



Returning again to what is more strictly arable husbandry, 

 we proceed to give details as to management. 



The quantity of seed per acre is regulated in part by the 

 variety grown, the condition of the soil as regards richness, 

 natural texture, friableness, altitude, the period of sowing, and 

 the manner in which the seed is deposited, whether drill or 

 broad-cast. The usual practice is to allow too much seed. 

 This arises partly from custom, and partly from the destruction 

 caused by crows and game. With high condition and freeness 

 of the land from weeds, the improved practice is to allow less 

 seed. In the case of the turnip, 2 to 4 lbs., varying according 

 to the fineness of the tilth. Wheat after turnip, if autumn-sown, 

 from 10 to 12 pecks ; if spring-sown, from l2 to 14. Barley 

 from 10 to 12 pecks if sown in March ; 1 or 2 pecks less if 

 sown in April. Oats vary considerably, 8 to 12 pecks on soils 

 in high condition, but the most common quantity is from 12 to 

 16 pecks. Beans vary from 9 to 13 pecks, the latter being 

 most common. Wheat after beans from 9 to 13 pecks. Wheat 

 is usually prepared previous to sowing by being steeped in a 



