132 ON THE AGRICULTUEE OF 



merit since 1855. The supply of labourers' cottages is not yet 

 complete, but it has been increased largely within the last 

 twenty-tive years. It is now rather better than in most other 

 counties north of Perth. In driving threshing-mills, water is 

 used wherever it can conveniently be obtained ; but still, on a 

 very large number of farms, steam has to be employed. 



brains and Fences. — As indicated in the notes of our sup- 

 posed tour a very large sum of money has been expended in 

 these counties since 1850 in the draining and fencing of arable 

 land. In the former, in particular, a great deal has been done in 

 both counties, not only in the draining of new land but also in 

 the redraining of old land. As in the case of buildings, less or 

 more draining is usually arranged for at the beginning of leases, 

 tenants always performing carriages and generally also paying 

 an increased rent or a certain percentage of interest, generally 

 5 per cent. In addition, however, to what has been done in 

 this way by proprietors, the tenants have themselves since 1855 

 effected a very large extent of drainage. On the whole, it may 

 be said that both counties are now pretty well drained ; but in 

 some localities still further drainage would considerably improve 

 the quality and value of the land. Tiles are now used for the 

 most part. Though a great deal has also been accomplished in 

 fencing within the last twenty-five years, these counties are 

 probably further behind in this respect than in any other. The 

 Deeside districts of Kincardineshire are well fenced, mostly by 

 substantial stone dykes erected by the proprietors since about 

 1845 or 1850 ; while there are also some other parts of this 

 county and some portions of Forfar very fairly supplied with 

 fences, — partly dykes and hedges, but mostly wire, — but taking 

 the lower districts of the two counties as a whole, they are 

 greatly deficient in permanent fencing. Both proprietors and 

 tenants seem more than ever alive to the great advantages of 

 sufficient fencing on a farm, and there is every reason to believe 

 that the want in this respect will speedily be supplied. A very 

 large extent of fencing is being erected every year. 



Roads. — Both counties are exceptionally well provided with 

 roads — alike with farm, district, and county roads. Probably 

 nowhere in Scotland are the roads more easily maintained or of 

 better quality than in Kincardineshire, while Forfarshire is but 

 very little, if any, behind in this respect. The cost of mainten- 

 ance, charged against the county rates is below the average in 

 Scotland generally. Indeed, in some parishes in Kincardineshire, 

 it does not exceed 3d. per £1 — l^d. on proprietors, and IJd. on 

 tenants and occupants. The turnpike roads of Forfarshire are 

 over 190 miles in length. 



