TO HIS GARDENER 33 



be touched by the pricking, that an inch of earth may remain 

 above the fresh dung and between it and the Seed when down. 

 That will occasion a ferment, the dung will keep the mould 

 open and hollow below and altogether may give you good 

 Onions, the best of which you may keep for a stock of good 

 seed. The riddling on this dressing now will take the firy heat 

 out of the pidgeon dung and ashes, before the seed gets to you. 

 Most of the Onions in Scotld: are of the strong Strasburg^ 

 and Sure some will be wise enough to prefer the Portugal if 

 they can get them; but you may have both according to 

 peoples tastes, and next year you may sow the rest and get 

 a stock of seed which few but yourself will have. There is a 

 great deal in good seeds and having well wrought and well 

 dressed ground for them. 



Show the enclosed to my Brothers as soon as you can. Keep 

 this to yourself. 



X 



. ..•••• 



. . . I design to have the Haining gone through in Dec*^ 2 Sept. 1735. 

 and Jany. Eeby. will be a throng planting time in Red 

 Meadow and Hedge Rows. So I would have all the Nurseries 

 transplanted and ground ridged up for Seeds ag^ Spring, 

 presently after the Wood is planted. This is a general view 

 of what I propose for next Winter. I need not tell you that 

 there is a great deal must be enclosed about the Town, or 

 repeat my desire that it may be pushed on without loss of one 

 hour that can be gained. 



Let me know how every house in the Town is advanced, 

 what is done, and what doing to each, which has been in hand 

 this year or preparing to be undertaken. Has Alex^ Cokbfs 

 son and the man came with him, begun any business and how 

 do you hear they are like to do. Does Douglas in Browne's 

 house carry on any business and to any purpose. Do things 

 still promise well with G. Ramsay. Has he much Company 

 and does his drink still meet with approbation. Is there more 

 business at the Mill than formerly and does Alex"" seem to keep 

 her constantly going. Let me know such things particularly 



^ See also p. 2. ■ 



