292 



Farming of East Lotfiian. 



have obtained from Mr. Bridges, engineer, North Berwick, the 

 subjoined details as to the original expense, and annual average 

 expense connected v^^ith their use. The engine and boiler house 

 is usually constructed at the expense of the proprietor ; the engine 

 and threshing apparatus, of the tenant. The prices given are 

 higher than they were some time ago, owing to the recent rise in 

 material and labour. Mr. Bridges has erected a large proportion of 

 those in use throughout East Lothian, and superintends the repairs^ 

 The average for repairs does not include any accidental breakage ; 

 but as the engines are very strongly constructed, such contin- 

 gencies are all but unknown. Mr. Bridges writes us in reply to 

 our inquiries—" I have divided the dressing apparatus from the 

 mill ; and were hummellers and foul-spout elevators deducted, so 

 as to form a mill still extensively used, the price would be 

 reduced, say 16/. The mill and dressing apparatus will be 

 understood to prepare the grain ready for measuring up ; at the 

 same time it is not so well done as when, finished by hand- 

 labour on the old system." 



Horse-Power. 



Price of a fixed 

 high-pressure 

 Steam-Engine. 



Price of Mill 

 with Hummeller 

 and Foul Spout 

 Elevators. 



Dressing Appa- 

 ratus, including 

 2 Winnowing- 

 Machines with 

 Elevators. 



Converting 

 Horse-course 



into Engine and 

 Boiler House, 



in ordinary cases. 



Cost of a Few 

 Engine-house and 



Boiler House, 

 in ordinary cases* 





£. 



£. 



£. 



£. 



£. 



4 



90 



60 



32 



50 



76 



5 



100 



. 65 



35 



55 



83 



6 



110 



70 



35 : 



60 



90 



Average of repair for engine for first 19 years, under good management, per 



year, 2/. 

 For mill, per year, 2k 



The arable land of East Lothian extends to 107,269 acres r, 

 the number of threshing machines is 373. As each farm, how- 

 ever small, has some kind of threshing machine, by dividing 

 the arable land by the machines, it gives 287 acres as the 

 average extent of the arable farms in East Lothian. These, how- 

 ever, chiefly vary from 100 to 600 acres ; 375 acres imp., being 

 300 Scotch, is considered a good size of holding. Some farmers 

 occupy more than one farm, but these are exceptional cases, 

 resident tenants being generally preferred. One homestead is 

 the almost unexceptional rule, a Scottish farmer having a strong 

 desire to have the whole under his own eye. 



The farm-buildings are generally situated near the centre of 

 the farm. The usual form of these is a square, the corn and straw 

 barn occupying one side, the stable and cow-byre generally the 



