THE 



FARMER'S MAGAZINE: 



MONDAY, I. AUGUST 1803. 

 (N° XV.) 



BRANCH I. 

 ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



TO THE CONDUCTOR OF THE FARMEr's MAGAZINE. 



Curfory Refieclions q?i the Means of preve7iting Emigration from 

 the Highlands. 

 Sir, 



1 Observe in your lafl Number, a very pertinent quedlon put 

 by that worthy gentleman, Mr Dempfter, relative to emi- 

 gration from the Highlands of this country j alfo, the corre- 

 fpondence betwixt him and Sir John Sinclair, Baronet, con- 

 cerning the enlargement of farms, which is certainly conne6l- 

 ed with the queltion alluded to. Although I by no means con- 

 fider myfelf as iuljy up to all the caufcs which have produced 

 emigration, confequently imperfedly qualified for pointing out 

 the bell; means of preventing it ; yet, in the event of nothing bet- 

 ter being fent, I requeil that the following curfory refleclrions 

 may be fubmitted, as early as pofhble, to the confideraLion of your 

 readers. 



The Highlands of Scotland, like all other uncultivated dillricls 

 where manufactures are not introduced, muft necelTarily poilefs 

 a fuperfluous population, and, even in the ordinary courfe of af- 

 fairs, be obliged to throw otf periodically a certain proportion of 

 that fuperliuity, in order that the inhabitants who remain may- 

 enjoy the m.eans of fubfiftence. Tliis, in fa6l, has happened 

 for a long time pad, without attradin much notice, be- 

 caufe the operation took place in a gr-.du.I and filent manner ; 

 but fmce the complete abrogation of the feudal fyftem, and the 



VOL, IV. NO. XV. C c c introdudion 



