294 



Farming of East Lothian. 



ings. The stalls for their turnips are in the open air, usually 

 formed round the walls. In some instances these stalls are pro- 

 tected by sheds extending so as to shelter the cattle : the boxes 

 for cake and corn are usually under cover. Where stall and box 

 feeding are practised, courts are partly dispensed with ; but a 

 proportion of the cattle are always kept in open sheds. The 

 opinion is at present in favour of box-feeding, but the practice is 

 not extending very rapidly. In some cases the buildings sur- 

 rounding the cattle-stalls have roans to carry off the rain- 

 water; but these are exceptional instances. The stables are in 

 most cases very indifferently constructed, ventilation not being 

 studied, and too many horses crowded together under one roof. 

 Stalls with mangers and racks are always provided for each 

 horse. 



The average size of the fields is about 20 acres, although fields 

 of 40, 60, or even more, are not uncommon. The usual fence is 

 thorn, which is generally trimmed close, and not allowed to exceed 

 in height from 4 to 5 feet. In upland districts the beech mixed 

 with thorn is preferred, this fence affording more shelter during 

 winter ; besides, the beech grows where the thorn is liable to die 

 out. In those parts of the county where stones are abundant the 

 fences are constructed of this material. Stone-walls are usually 

 pointed with lime, this being done after they are built. If not 

 the whole wall, the cope-stone is usually bedded in lime and 

 pointed. The first planting of thorn fences in this county does 

 not extend much further back than seventy years. Within forty 

 years a considerable part of the county was unenclosed. Some 

 of the best land in the neighbourhood of Dunbar is only partially 

 enclosed. Fences, except on the road-sides, are deemed rather a 

 hinderance to good cultivation. 



About thirty years ago the first tile-drains were put in, 

 but it is within a period of fifteen years that furrow-draining was 

 commenced in earnest in this county, it being for a time behind 

 other counties in Scotland in the adoption of this improvement. 

 The thorough-drainage of the county is now nearly completed, 

 the whole, with the exception of isolated cases, having been 

 effected hy the tenants. There are instances where the proprietor 

 allowed the value of a part or the whole of the tiles ; in others 

 the tenant, by making it a condition, obtained from the landlord 

 a part of the sum required to drain the farm ; but these are very 

 exceptional cases. 



In connection with draining, the name of the Marquis of 

 Tweeddale, the inventor of the Tweeddale tile-machine, suggests 

 itself. His Lordship is at present the most extensive arable 

 farmer, and one of the most distinguished improvers, in the 

 county. The number of acres he cultivates is about 1000, 



