308 



Farming of East Lothian. 



offering too mucli grain than in offering too much money. Since 

 the gold discoveries in Australia, this form of fixing rent is also 

 preferred by many owners of land, there being a very general 

 impression that the future supplies' of gold are to enhance the 

 exchange value of agricultural produce. The rent of land, whether 

 in money or grain, is advancing with every new lease. Since 

 1847 the average increase has been about 15 per cent., scarcely 

 one farm being let below, or even at the old rent. The highest 

 monej -rented farm in the county is 4Z. 4^, per acre: the common 

 rent for the best descriptions of land is ten bushels of wheat, by 

 the second fiars prices of the count}*. From the recent rise of 

 grain, this will most probably be 95. per bushel, or 4Z. IO5. per acre, 

 if without a maximum. For last year the rent would be about 

 3Z. As many of the leases have a minimum and maximum (not 

 under 40^. nor above 705. the quarter being the most frequent 

 limits), the rent in such circumstances can never advance beyond 

 4Z. 75. 6cZ. per acre. On second-class lands, six to seven bushels 

 of wheat may be taken as an average rent. Most of the land, 

 however, let since 1847 is part in grain and part in money. 

 From three to six bushels of wheat, with from iSs. to 305. in 

 money per acre, may be given as the range of present lettings. 

 The average rent for the whole arable land in the county will be 

 about 2Z. 65. per acre. Thorough-draining and guano are equal- 

 izing the values of good and inferior soils, the greatest advance 

 being upon the inferior. Indeed, the largest acreable produce 

 known to the writer in the county is from land naturally very in- 

 ferior, a cold retentive clay resting on the coal formation. The 

 rent does not greatly exceed 2O5. yer acre. The amount -paid to 

 the guano merchant is lOOOZ., being at the rate of 2Z. 65. ^;e7' 

 acre.^' 



For several years the demand for land has been greatly on the 

 increase. Never since the close of the war, 1814, has the agri- 

 cultural interest been in a more prosperous state in this county 

 than at present. There is, we believe, less deduction from the 

 rent covenanted for than has ever been previously knov»'n. Per- 

 haps there are not ten farmers in the county who are not paying 

 the rent originally agreed on. We believe also that there is less 

 of arrears than has been at any period, certainly since 1816. 

 This presents a striking contrast to the history of East Lothian 

 from 1822 to 1845. 



* The extent of the farm is 430 acres. Previous to being furrow-drained turnips 

 could not be grown. The only stock fattened were a few Cheviot ewes with their 

 lambs: now, besides sheep, there are fattened about 100 cattle annually. Small 

 Highland or Irish cattle are kept — average price when lean is from 3/. to 4Z. 

 After being kept for eight months in boxes they are sold fat. Average price 

 obtained from 10/. to 13/. The straw and turnips are cut. During summer grass 

 and vetches are given. Cake is also allowed. Sometimes bean-meal is also given. 



