28 ox THE AGRICULTURE OF THE COUXTY OF FIFE. 



proacliing nearer to the Xeuk we come upon a number of large 

 very fine farms, almost all of which are worked similarly to those 

 on the estates just referred to. A belt of land along the coast is 

 rented at from L.3 to L.5 per acre, while about two miles inland 

 it falls to about L.2 or L.2, 10s., and other four miles inland to 

 from L.l, 10s. to L.2. Few cattle are bred in the East Neuk, 

 thoucfh a laro'e number are boutrht in and fed. Along the coast 

 wheat generally yields 4i to 6| quarters jjer acre, and three or 

 four miles inland, from 3 to 5 quarters ; barley on the coast, from 

 5 to 8, and three miles inland, 3-|- to 5h ; and oats on the coast, 

 from 6 to 9, and three miles inland, from 4ilo 7 quarters. Wheat 

 on the coast usually weighs from Gl lb to 63 tb ; barley from 

 54 lb to 57 ft> ; and oats from 42 tb to 43 lb ; the difference 

 inland being about 2 lb in each case. The farm of Balcomie, 

 close to Fife Ness, is occupied b}^ Mr George Downie. It ex- 

 tends to about 297 acres, and is rented at L.1045, 10s., being 

 an increase of about 40 per cent, since 1864. The soil on this 

 farm close to the shore is easy green crop land, specially well 

 adapted for potatoes, while about two fields' breadth inland it is 

 able heavy land, well adapted for wheat. The farm is worked 

 on six shifts. Wheat averages a return of about 5 quarters per 

 acre, barley 8 quarters, and oats 7 quarters. For Swedish tur- 

 nips Mr Downie usually gives about 20 tons farm-yard manure, 

 and 5 cwt. guano per acre; and for yellows a heavy doze of sea- 

 weed or 15 tons of farm-yard manure, with 2 or 3 cwt. of guano. 

 The potato land is dunged before being ploughed out of stubble, 

 with about 25 tons farm-yard manure per acre, or where sea- 

 weed can be had in sufficient quantity it is applied instead of the 

 duuo'. Mr Downie and his son hold two farms in the west of 

 Fife, both of which are under grass and stocked witli blackfaced 

 sheep. Very few cattle are rearedj at Balcomie, but a large 

 number are bought in and fed. Between the East Neuk and St 

 Andrews the soil varies a little, but is on the whole ver}' good, 

 and is particularly well cultivated. Mr Duncan of Kinkell is 

 perhaps the largest farmer in the county. He has been a farmer 

 for a great many years, and has been singularly successful, being 

 now the possessor of the valuable little estate of Kinkell, in the 

 parish of St Andrews, and the tenant of some three or four farms 

 from other landlords in this part of the county. The annual 

 value of the land he farms is consideral)ly upwards of L.5000. 

 His brother, Mr Duncan, the tenant of the farm of l*usk, in the 

 parish of Leuchars, is also well known as an enthusiastic experi- 

 enced farmer. He feeds a very large number of cattle every 

 year, using an immense quantity of cake and other feeding stuffs. 

 He farms very liberally, and grows excellent grain and green 

 crops. Mr Pieid, Cruvie, is another very prominent farmer. His 

 holding is situate in the parish of Logie, extends to 526 acres, is 



