20 ORMISTOUN'S LETTERS 



I know your father will say his dung must go to his corn. 

 Should not dung be turned to the use it will yield the best 

 return from, and there can be no dispute but if you will turn 

 head and hands to it, you may have a better return from 

 Kitchen Garden than from Corn. Besides if he will use better 

 Husbandry to his Land, it will yield him more than it has ever 

 done in his way, with all his dung. I told you that I would 

 help you a little to plants or seeds from hence, if you told me 

 of your wants. I advise you to do even what you can do this 

 season, plant small and large fruits and Crop what you can of 

 your ground for Kitchen Garden and don^t fall into the stupid 

 sleepy way so common in Scotld. Get the best plants and 

 Seeds you now can in your neighbourhood, and if we live till 

 next year let me know what you want from hence. But don't 

 neglect making a good beginning even this season. As you '1 

 have occasion to be frequently at the Wood by the Town 

 you '1 have an opportunity of seeing how your own work goes 

 on, and overseeing my ditching and planting at the Town 

 next year, will also be a conveniency for you. So set about it 

 with spirit and a view of enlarging of it. I think few if any 

 have suffered by the advices I have given and I hope if you 

 follow my advices and do your part in contriving and executing 

 you wont be the first that will suffer, nay I am fully convinced 

 that in a little you may bring your ground to give you full 

 business and with good profit, tho' you had it only to depend 

 upon. I need not tell you this letter is to yourself and the 

 other to be communicated to my Brothers as usual. Tell 

 Alex"^ Wight his Pease and Beans went last week for which he 

 was to have a Bill of Loading last post, as Lauder told George. 

 You and he are best judges if they come too late or not. If you 

 think they do, had he not best sow his own pease in the mean- 

 time. You may show Alex"" this letter. I dare say he '1 give 

 you the best advice he can, and two head laid together and 

 talking sedately upon a subject generally bring out something 

 solid and lay down a scheme proper to be followed and from 

 whence good may arise. So think and contrive what may 

 answer and execute with life and activity. 



27*^DecM734. 



