[ 7 3

were in general formed of clay, tempered with chopped ſtraw. They were built upon a foundation of rough Nones, and the tümbers which ſupported the roof were carried down to the bottom of the clay-wall. When the moſt un- remitting attention was not paid to the thatch, with which they were univerſally covered, the clay-wall rotted in 2 ſeaſon, and thereby the landlord or tenant was put to con- tinual expence for repairs. The materials of theſe old build- ings form a valuable addition to the compolſt dunghill, the beſt uſe to which they are now put.

INCLOSING.

This is conſidered as being the firſt of agricultural im- provements. Proprietors of eſlates have in general execu- ted the work entirely at their own expenCce. In a few in- ſtances, however, the fences have been made by the occu- piers.- One conſiderable eſtate was, about fifty years ag0, much improved by inclofing; but in general the ſpirit for inclofing and planting for ſhelter began about thirty-five years ago, and has ſince rapidly increaſed. AIl manner of fences, from the high ſtone and lime wall to the ſcabbieſt quickſet hedge, are to be ſeen in various parts of the coun- ty. One proprietor X has outſtripped all others in the ex- tent and rapidity of his improvements; for from the year 1786 to 1795, the ſhort ſpace of eight years, he has incloſed no leſs than 7009 acres Scotch, being almoſt fourteen ſquare miles. The whole of the lands, a few acres only excepted, i5 arable, and to be laid under a ſyſtem of tillage. Fortu- nately for the improvement of the country, and the execu- tion of the ſcheme that was judiciouſly adopted, the old

leaſes expired nearly at the ſame time. The tenants who formerly farmed the land by the old ſyſtem of huſbandry, which cannot be too ſeverely cenſured, were under the ne-

cellity x William Forbes, Eſg; of Call/ander, in the neighbourbood of Falkirk.