1,70 H

'ow's graſs or two for each cottager. They pay, in general, 205. a-year for a cow's graſs; if the paſture 1s rich, ſomewhat more: and this I find to be a very competent Tent. My intention 1s, to increaſe the ſcattered cottages 3; for the reſidence of the cot- tagers, in different parts, is a great means of protecting the fences and plantations, both from the cattle and intruders. I mean to build them in pairs for mutual pro- teCtion, and to make the following improvement in the diſtribution of the premiſes; viz. putting the cow-houſe and dunghil behind, and the garden in front, cloſe before che door. This, if they have any turn at all for neatneſs, will give then an opportu- nity to exerciſe itz and if they have none, it will exclude the common nuifſance of our Scotch cottages, the dung and filth in front. I found this upon the experience of a few inſtances, at a village where I have let, on building-leaſes, ſome parcels of ground for cottages, at St. Cyrus, in the Mearns, on the road from Montroſe to Bervy. The diſtribution is upon the plan which I have juſt ſtated; and the conſe- quence 15, that there is an emulation for neatneſs: and every cottager has his garden laid out in little walks, roſe-trees and flowers on the border, and his pot-herbs in the Tquares within."This 1s a plan which ſeems to me not to have been attended to; and it ſtrikes me as likely to be very conducive to that neatneſs and cleanneſs which is not only pleaſant to ſee, but is productive of health and enjoyment.

I have now cloſed a long, and, I am afraid, very tedious letter, which I ſuſped will not convey any information of much importance; my knowledge being obtained merely in conſequence of very interrupted, though anxious obſervation, given to a ſubject which I regard with reverence, and in the proſperity of which I feel a very deep intereſt. My chief purſuits, and the ordinary place of my refidence, in conſe- quence of them, have, in a great meaſure, prevented me from ſtudying the ſubject trom books, or from gaining much practical knowledge upon it, beyond the occaſional experience derived from my own particular place. I may therefore be ſtating things which are univerſally known, and already recorded by the experience of others. But if you can draw from the obſervations which I have communicated, any thing that 15 in itſelf new, or that will ſerve to encourage a ſpecies of rural improvement, which 15 attended with io much advantage, beauty, and comfort, as judicious planting, it will give me very great pleaſure and ſatisfaction.

I am, Dear Sir, Yours moſt faithfully, (Signed) WILLIAM ADAM.