106 impro\t;ments on the estate of denbrae, fifeshiee. 



The cattle b}Tes were cleared out and re-fitted with stone 

 troughs and trevis flagstones, 5 feet square. Iron bars were 

 fixed at each side in front to attach the cattle bands to, each 

 stall being- constructed to hold two cattle. 



A turnip shed was erected alongside of these byres, 20 feet 

 wide, with a large sliding door at each end. The roof was 

 supported on one side by the walls of the byres, the other side 

 by brick pillars, 6 feet apart, with a wooden beam on the top — 

 the space between the pillars being filled up with boards 1| 

 inch thick, and roofed with tiles. This was erected at little 

 expense, and suited the purpose well. 



The thrashing-mill, formerly one of the old principle and 

 driven by horse-power, was cleared out, and a new one, on the 

 English principle, direct from the makers, to thrash, dress, and 

 clean the grain, was put in ; and the old mill-shed was con- 

 verted into an engine and boiler house. Although the expense 

 of this was considerable, I consider it was a saving in the end„ 

 because as much grain could be thrashed and dressed in one 

 day with it as in four with the old one ; besides, the corn was 

 cleaner thrashed, better dressed, and obtained a higher price in 

 the market. 



These additions and improvements on the steading lasted 

 over two years ; but, after being completed, a better and 

 more convenient homestead could not be desired, — almost 

 tlie whole of it being roofed over, and doors made, where 

 ccmvenient, to the cattle courts and byres, for the transmission 

 of straw and turnips. The making of these improvements 

 tended greatly to the subsequent letting of the farm. Had 

 it been re-let before they were accomplished, a great deal more 

 extra trouble and expense would have been incurred both to 

 the landlords and tenant, and probably without giving satisfac- 

 tion to either party. The cost of driving alone, including the 

 drain tiles, could not be estimated at less than £200 ; which 

 went a great way in carrying the improvements out, and was 

 saved by the proprietors having it in their own hands. 



All fields on the farm, extending from 10 to 25 acres, were 

 enclosed with dry stone dykes, which were very much out of 

 repair, and falling down from neglect. The worst and most 

 needful of these were annually repaired by the ploughmen on 

 the farm, when the field work was completed, or in weather 

 when the land was not in a fit state to labour. In places where 

 stones were required, those from the drains and fields were used 

 for the purpose, and the smaller ones for road metal. In this 

 way all the rubbish was made use of; and had it not been 

 required for these purposes, an acre or two of ground would 

 have been taken up to hold it. 



After all these improvements were completed, and the driying 



