1 8x54- On tic Hiulaiidry cf Ayrsh'iT'e, ^ 



and most approved imiDlements of good liusbaiulry, are comir^o; 

 daily more into use ; not only threshing macliinGs, fanners^ 

 and ploughs, but the necessary implements for drill husbandry^ 



Witli the spirit -.md adivity now exerted, notwichstandii'i" 

 the restrictive regulations above Hientioned, and which yeL' 

 too much, prevail, this county produces a great quantity of 

 ;^rain ; a great deal more than is recjuisite for the internal cou- 

 smiiption. The grain Ghiclly cultivated is. oats,, which may 

 be called our staple commodity, though in almost ever'y 

 farm there a.-c more or less raisad of other crops ; such as 

 bear, barley, wheat, pease, beans. But, except in a few farms 

 here and there, there is nothing like a just,, regular, and 

 scientiiic rotation of cropping. 



The picture which i have drawn of the shire of Ayr, is, tee- 

 the best of my knowiodi>e, just j and it may be viewed as en- 

 couraging and delighciui in a high degree ; it is at least so, 

 compared with what it was within the memory of many per- 

 sons living : Yet when I consider tha quality of thR soil, the 

 great extent of arable land, its means and capacity of improve- 

 ment, and its situation for readily disposing of all its dispose- 

 abie produce, 1 con.sider it as being little more than in its in-^ 

 fancy of improvement ;, at any rate,, as far from having reach- 

 ed that high degree of Gultivation^ whicli it will undoubtedly^ 

 at no very distant period, attain. 



If my ability equalled my inclination, I would gladly point 

 OAit such things as are necessary to accomplish that desireable 

 end. It is an easy matter to pick out faults, or pohit out de- 

 ticicncies ; any blimdcrhig blockhead, or rash empyrick, mav 

 do this ; but it req-^-uires mature vvi;,dom and great experience 

 to. apply a proper remedy. There are certain general prin- 

 c-iples necessary to- promote and encourage perfect cultivation,, 

 that are now well understood, aiid for the most part readily 

 aijsented to, which a person of limited experience may easily 

 point out ;. and it is the part of both masters and tenants to. 

 endeavour Lo reduce them to practice, in as far as circum- 

 stances will permit. Some of these principles, as inmiediate- 

 ly applicable to proprietors, are such as follow : 



I . That in every case where it can be done, a preference 

 should be given to t<inants of judgement, capital, and experi- 



ence. 



2. That tenants should: be rendered free and independent of 

 all restrictions and servitudes of every kind, except a few ne- 

 cessary regulations,, during the last two or three years of their 

 lease. Like all other men in society, they should be allowed 

 to manage their aftairs for their own advantage, according as. 

 iheir judgment and experience, and- the nature and situa- 



tioa 



