16 ON THE AGRICULTURE OF THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 



advance in tlie rental of farms. The Dunfermline district, the 

 great mining centre of the county, shows an increase of L.20,544, 

 or about L.1500 more than the Cupar district. 



Modern Farming. 



The system of fanning that oljtains in Fife at the present day is, 

 on the whole, of a most improved description, and is quite abreast 

 of the times; but before proceeding to discuss the various farming 

 customs, it may not be out of place to introduce a few loose notes 

 on a tour which the writer made throughout the county. The 

 starting point was Tayport, and the route — a waving one — along 

 the outskirts, ending where it began. It was in the " head hurry" 

 of the harvest, and all were busy in the fields. Cutting, a little 

 more than half finished, was proceeding with great rapidity in 

 every direction, the birring of the reaper being the prevailing 

 sound. We visited several farms along our course, and saw 

 much to interest and instruct, much to admire and little to find 

 fault with. Close to Tayport, and situated on a slope looking 

 south-west, is the fine farm of Scotscraig Mains. It is the 

 proj)erty of Mrs Maitland Dougall of Scotscraig, is leased 

 by Mr Peter Christie, extends to 502 acres, and is rented at 

 L.1210, being a rise of about L.283 since 1864 Mr Christie, a 

 gentleman of very extensive experience in the valuation and 

 cultiA^ation of land, works the mains on the seven-shift system 

 of rotation, viz., 1st, oats; 2d, beans or potatoes, or more fre- 

 quently part of both; 3d, wheat; 4th, turnips; 5th, barley; 6th, 

 hay; and 7th, pasture. He breeds neither cattle nor sheep, but 

 buys in large numbers of both for the grass, and feeds them off 

 in winter with turnips and artificial food, of which latter com- 

 modity he uses an immense c|uantity. The soil on the most of 

 this farm is strong loam, suitable for almost any kind of crop. 

 Leaving Scotscraig, and proceeding along the north coast in the 

 direction of Newburgh, we pass through the parishes of Forgan, 

 Kilmany, Balmerino, Creich, Dunbog, and Abdie, at the north- 

 west corner of which Xewburgli is situated. In Forgan, as all 

 along this course, the soil is light but fertile. The principal 

 farms in this parish are Newton and Kirktonbarns, the former 

 of which extends to about 774 acres, and is leased by Mr George 

 Ballingall, the rent being L.1139. Mr Cars well, the proprietor 

 of the estate of llathillet in Kilmany, liolds the home-farm in his 

 own hands. It extends to 643 acres, and is valued at L.1132. 

 The fine valuable farm of Wester Kilmany is held by ]\Ir Watt, 

 and is rented at very close on L.3 per acre, or an increase of a 

 little over 12s. during the past ten years. The parishes of Bal- 

 merino and Creich can boast of several extensive and very fine 

 liighly-cultivated farms, the larger ones being Fincraig and Pit- 

 mossie, extending to 450 acres; Peasemills, measuring 348 acres; 



