%it Oft the Shortnefs of Leaps, Nov. 



draining, and cleaning land ; you may recommend the fyftem of 

 cattle-farming, or of Oieep-f arming, and give the preference of 

 one breed of black cattle or of flieep to another ; you may difcufs 

 the fubje6l of the proper fize of farms, and of labouring with 

 horfes and with oxen ; you may inculcate the perufal of the 

 works of all the writers on agriculture, from Virgil and Colu- 

 mella down to Mr Arthur Young and Dr Anderfon, not omit- 

 ting the numt^rous publications that are every day ifluing from 

 the prefles of Germany, France, Italy, and other countries ; and 

 you may do all thefc things with a very diminifhed effect. But 

 till you have obtained for tlie poflclTors and cultivators of the 

 land, a certainty of enjoyment of their polTeffions, at leaft for 

 feme rrnfonable determined fp^ice of time, you will never be 

 able to give the agriculture of Scotland that real and fubflantial 

 aid, which 1 truly believe it is your wiOi, and the intendment 

 of your Magazine to give. Were it proper to mention particu- 

 lar names, I would fay that this was a fit fubje^t for the talents 

 and ingenuity of Mr Fiiidlater \ as, from the fpecimens which 

 that gentleman has already given, he feems well qualified to 

 write on both rural and political economy. Or, if Dr Skene 

 Krith would undertake the dircufTion, he is able to combine the 

 comprehenfive views of the philofopher with the minute atten- 

 tions of the agricuiturift. 



Removed to a great diftance, as I now am, from the obje£ls 

 on which I have endeavoured to fpeak, and engaged at prefent 

 in purfuits of a very different nature, it is impofTible that I can 

 have exhaufted a fubjeft conneded with the firfl interefls of fo- 

 ciety. All that I pretend to, on this or any other occafion, is to 

 offer a few fuggeftions, which may be enlarged and improved 

 upon by fome o\ your corr^-fpondtrnts who have more leifure, 

 and are better qualified for the talk. It appears to me that a 

 portion of your Magazine could not be applied to a more valu- 

 able purpofe, than the elucidation of the- fubjecl to which I 

 have endeavoured to draw your attention. And if I {hall be 

 fortunate enough to excite fuch a fpirit, 1 fhall account the time 

 and pains nec'. ffary for throwing together thefe few thoughts 

 and fuggcftions well bellowed. 1 am yours, &c. 



Amicus ScoTiiE. 

 Lcmlon, loth July 1804. 



TO 



