16 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



to which, the cultivation of turnips had also made great progress, and offered a 

 new and most important resource as winter provender for the sheep and cattle. 



Following in the same track, and forming a due estimate of the labours and 

 discoveries of his predecessors, Mr. Fordyce, of Ayton, gave a fresh impulse to 

 the progressive tide of improvement, and, to the useful adding the ornamental, 

 laid out a great part of his estate in plantations so distributed as to iinprove the 

 landscape, while they served the still more important end of affording shelter to 

 cultivation. Mr. Fordyce had also the satisfaction to see his recommendation 

 of the cabbage-plant fully acted upon by the farmers of Berwickshire, and 

 extensively introduced into their husbandry. In addition to the distinguished 

 names already mentioned, that of the celebrated Dr. Hutton is entitled to 

 honourable notice in the list of county benefactors. As a practical geologist, he 

 was so far prepared to discriminate in those qualities of soil on which he wsls to 

 operate as a practical farmer ; and, to a series of experiments, tending to promote 

 agricultural interest, he had the pleasure to witness the most favourable results, 

 and the free adoption of his principles in this and the neighbouring counties. 



From the period here stated, as that of the first effective introduction of 

 agriculture into Scotland, down to the present year, its progress has been rapid 

 and uninterrupted, and the benefits thence resulting to the proprietors and rural 

 population, incalculable.* 



But, as no great measure of public utility is to be carried without some tem- 

 porary sacrifices ; so, in conversing with the labouring class, the stranger is often 

 reminded, with a sigh for the good old times — when a share of the "common" 

 was the poor man's inheritance, and the whole country endeared to him by 

 association with that little spot of garden or potato ground, from which he had 

 long supplied his table with a simple, unpurchased meal. Such feelings are 

 natural to the human mind — and the expression of them at least may be 

 respected, even where the sentiment is not recognized. Few of those who, after 

 long absence, revisit the scenes of infancy, ever find in them the same enchanted 

 ground they left ; but seeing, as they gaze around them, the vast improvements 



• It is much to be regvetted, however, says Mr. Edgar, that agriculture is at present, and has been for 

 some years, in a depressed state, owing to the low price of agricultural produce, especially grain. No 

 man who has at heart the welfare of his country, and who is acquainted with the character of our farmers 

 fur skill, industry, and enterprise, but must lament that a state of things should have occurred to deterio- 

 rate the condition of such a respectable and useful class of the community. They have undoubtedly fallen 

 upon evil days, and their prospects are far from encouraging. They are not much in the habit of com- 

 plaining, and for this they deserve credit; yet it must be evident, that their condition is the very reverse 

 of prosperous. — This description applies hut too closely, it is feared, to the same interest in every part 

 of the empire. — See also a future page. — Slal. Jgricutl. Bcrwicksh. 1834. 



