Farming of East Lotldan. 



311 



Appendix. 



With the view of more freely explaining the details of the 

 farming of East Lothian, we subjoin a somewhat minute descrip- 

 tion of three farms in that county, which give a favourable, but 

 at the same time a pretty correct view of the different practices 

 of the county, each of the three occupants differing somewhat in 

 opinion as to details, and consequently in practice. The first is 

 Mr. John Brodie, Abbey Mains, a name familiar to those con- 

 versant with the agricultural evidence taken by Committees of 

 Parliament. He is one of the oldest tenants in the county, 

 having farmed for 60 years, and during all that time he has been 

 one of the leading farmers of East Lothian. The public road to 

 Haddington passing through his farms brought his practice more 

 prominently under observation, v/hile his farming has always 

 presented features of such order and perfect management, as we 

 are satisfied no model farm, if such were attempted to be 

 established, would surpass, if it even equalled. Mr. Handyside 

 has farmed both in Mid and East Lothian — in the former county 

 having possessed Lochend, near Edinburgh, one of the best cul- 

 tivated and highest rented farms in Scotland. Mr. H. spares no 

 expense either for labour or mianure, as the account of his farm 

 will show. The prominent position which Mr. George Hope 

 holds in agriculture renders any notice from us unnecessary. 

 My grateful acknowledgments are due to these gentlemen for 

 their acceding to my request to give the materials for preparing 

 this part of the Report. 



I also subjoin a few details of the farming operations at 

 Greendykes and Markle, the tenant on the former having been 

 for many years the most extensive and successful feeder in the 

 county ; the latter being the farm occupied, for about 40 years, 

 by the celebrated Brown of Markle. From the length to which 

 the Report has gone, I give the briefest notice possible. 



Farm of Abbey Mains. 



The farm of Abbey Mains is occupied by Mr, John Brodie, on a nineteen 

 years' lease. It is situated about the middle of the county, distance from the 

 sea about seven miles, exposure south, altitude from 120 to 250 feet. The 

 lands rise gently from the river Tyne. The farm is free of wood, but is 

 sheltered from the east and south by plantations ; the extent is 455 acres, of 

 which about five are occupied by buildings, gardens, and roads. Part of the 

 farm rests upon whin-stone, and part on conglomerate ; none of the rock comes 

 to the surface, and the thickness of the soil above the rock is believed to 

 be considerable. The subsoil is partly clay, and pardy sand and gravel. The 

 surface soil of the whole farm was originally inferior, part of it decidedly bad, 

 being a cold thin moorish clay. Upon Mr. Brodie's entry, 27 years ago, the 

 farm was very much out of condition. Upon obtaining possession, he com- 

 menced to drain with stones, the drains being cut across the slope. JMaterial 

 was obtained in the soil, the land being full of boulder stones, these were 



