l8o4 Thoughts on the Manage 7ne7it of hang. 4* 



xvhere grafs hiifbandry is extenfively praftifed. In thefe dii 

 trifts, it is very common to ufc a confiderablc proportion of their 

 hay in the fields, during the winter months, inilead of confum- 

 ing it in the houle or fold "yard, where the manure produced, 

 could readily be collcfted, and properly cared after. Sloth and 

 wafle are the parents of this cuftom; a cuftom which ought to be 

 interdided by every proprietor who is difpofcd to regard either 

 his own irucreil or that of the country, much of the article be- 

 ing abfolntely rendered ufelcfs by the feet of the beaits fo main- 

 tained, while the ground is molt unequally and partially dunged , 

 this at to fay, the richeft and dried parts are fure to receive the 

 greateft ftore. 



In my next, I propofe to trouble you with a few thoughts on 

 the application of dung, a fubje6l of much importance, though 

 certainly fecondary to the one which has at this time occupied 

 my attention.. I am, Sir, yours, &:c. Arator. 



TO THE CONDUCTOR OF THE FARMtR^S MAGAZINE. 



Letter from Sir George S. M'Kenz-te, Bart, containing a fcvD 

 hints respecting the present price of labour in the High- 

 lands. 



Sir, 

 I WAS lately much furprifed to find, that the eftimate of a 

 houfe and offices, on a very moderate plan, intended to be builr 

 on an improveable farm, exceeded coniiderably one year's rent of 

 the eflate of which it is a part. This inflantly led me to con- 

 fider the very ferious evils which have arifen, in confequence of 

 country gentlemen not endeavouring, by a general agreement a- 

 mong themfelves, to lower the extravagant demands of work- 

 men, and to check combination to raiie their wages. While the 

 price of building is fo high, it is out of the landlord's power to 

 give his tenant even fuch accommodation as maybe abfolutely nr- 

 ceiTary, without railing the rent to fuch a pitch, as, together with 

 the prefent colt of every fpecies of labour, totally to prevent tlic 

 tenant from gaining a decent livelihood. Butthegreateitevil arifing 

 from the exorbitant demands of mafons and other craftfmen in 

 this country, is chietly felt when waftes are to be improved ; for, 

 in this cafe, no return can be expefted for fome years after im- 

 provement is begun, and confcquently the outlay of money in 

 buildings, efpecially on entailed eilales, becomes a very ferious 

 bufinefs*'. The expcnce of maiiagemeiit, in a farm of any extent, 

 lias become enormous ; but in fmall ones, it is almoit intolerable. I 



do 



* The wages of masons in Ross-shiie, and I believe in the neigh- 

 bouring counties, equal what is given to the best hands in Edhiburgh, 

 liz. 3.S, and 3s 6C^ per day. 



