ON THE AGRICULTURE OF THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 17 



Carpliin and Lutherie, 645 acres; and Creicli, 354 acres. The soil 

 in the tract of land over which these farms extend is very 

 variable, as will be inferred from the fact that the rents vary 

 from L.l, 10s. to close on L.3 per acre. The little parish of 

 Dunbog, through which we next pass, contains a few large farms, 

 but none of them exceed L.2, 5s. per acre. The farm of Dun- 

 bog, leased by Mr John Ballingall, extends to about 735 acres, 

 the rent being L.910. Besides this farm, Mr Ballingall holds 

 several others, and pays in all between L.2400 and L.2500 of 

 annua] rent. He, like the majority of farmers in his neighbour- 

 hood, works his farms chiefly in seven shifts, but occasionally he 

 takes three years' grass. He breeds and rears a large number of 

 sheep, wliile he generally owns about forty cows. He feeds very 

 extensively, and consumes upwards of L.1800 worth of cake 

 every year. The soil in the parish of Abdie varies very much, 

 some parts of it being excellent, and some light and very inferior. 

 Perhaps the best farm in the parish or neighbourhood is Park- 

 hill, a valuable holding situated close to the royal burgh of 

 ^ewburgh. It extends to about 480 acres, and is rented at 

 L.1420, or an advance of about 16s. per acre since 1864, the 

 tenant being Mr A. W. Eussell. Part of this farm lies on a 

 low level, close on the banks of the Tay. The fields next the 

 river were reclaimed less than fifty years ago, the present farmer 

 remembering to have seen boats floating about where he now 

 reaps abundant crops. The soil is chiefly alluvial clay, part of 

 it being strong and deep. The rotation pursued on this level is 

 eight shifts — 1st, oats; 2d, potatoes or beans; 3d, wheat; 4th, 

 potatoes or beans; 5th, wheat; 6th, turnij)s; 7th, barley; and 

 8th, grass. Turnips and beans grow well, while wheat and oats 

 grow fairly, and barley very well. A considerable portion of 

 the farm lies on a steep slope overlooking the Tay. The soil 

 here is light loam and black earth, and the rotation five shifts — 

 1st, oats; 2d, turnips; 3d, barley; 4th and 5th, grass. Mr 

 Eussell rears about twenty-five calves from cross-cows and short- 

 horn bulls. He generally feeds about fifty head of cattle every 

 winter, buying in stirks or two-year olds to supplement his own 

 lot. An abundant supply of turnips is liberally backed up by 

 cake, and in the month of December Mr Eussell often sells at 

 L.30 a-head. He is careful to buy in the best stock that can 

 be had, but still it is very apparent that the animals of his own 

 rearing come out best in the feeding. Mr Eussell has an excellent 

 farm-steading supplied with covered courts, and the two-year olds 

 are kept in the house all summer and fed on cut clover, the 

 cows and stirks being grazed outside. 



Taking the train at iSTewburgh we next land at CoUessie, 

 passing on our way a number of large, carefully-cultivated farms. 

 The parishes of Strathmiglo, Abernethy, Auchtermuchty, and 



B ' 



