THE COUNTIES OF FORFAR AND KINCARDINE. 131 



50, 29, and 21. In the first of these three classes of holdings, 

 Forfar stands nineteenth in Scotland, in the second seventeenth, 

 and in the third thirteenth. Kincardine stands respectively, 

 twelfth, fifteenth, and nineteenth. 



Bicildings, Drains, Fences, and Roads. 



Buildings. — The extensive improvements effected on the lead- 

 ing properties since 1855 in the way of building, draining, 

 fencing, and road making, have already been fairly well indicated, 

 and therefore, to say much more here would be superfluous. As 

 to building, it may safely be said that few counties have made 

 more rapid progress within the last twenty-five years than 

 Forfar and Kincardine. On many estates in both counties the 

 farm buildings were pretty good long before 1855, but on the 

 majority of properties they were decidedly behind the age, not 

 so much perhaps in size as in comfort and convenience. Every 

 year of the last twenty-five, however, has witnessed improve- 

 ments on all hands, and so, perhaps, will every year for some 

 time to come. As leases expire proprietors either erect new 

 steadings, or enlarge, improve, and modernise old ones. The 

 tenant in all cases performs the carriages free of charge, and 

 sometimes also pays a certain percentage on the outlay. The 

 more general custom now, however, is for the proprietor to erect 

 houses under an arrangement as to rent agreed upon when the 

 tenant enters the farm. In almost all cases where new steadings 

 are built, large wdioUy or partially covered cattle courts are 

 provided, while these valuable erections invariably form a pro- 

 minent feature in improvements effected on old steadings. The 

 majority of farmers seem to favour wholly covered courts, but 

 still a good many skilful men prefer them partly open. In both 

 counties there are still a good many okl-fashioned inefficient 

 steadings, without covered courts, and many other conveniences 

 that characterise new farm offices, but these are gradually 

 disappearing. In farm dwelling-houses, too, there has been great 

 improvement since 1855 ; and, generally speaking, both counties 

 are fully abreast with the times in tliis as in most other 

 respects. In Forfarshire, in particular, there is a large number 

 of farmers' residences ahiiost mansion-like, both in dimensions 

 and in surroundings. Few counties have so nuiny resident 

 proprietors. They are indeed very numerous, and therefore, as 

 might be expected, there are in these counties a great nuiny 

 gentlumen's seats, many of tliem imposing mansions, embosomed 

 in beautiful policies. The houses of crofters and small tenants 

 are, comparatively speaking, not as a rule equal to those of 

 larger farmers, Init in these also tliere has been great improve- 



