TO HIS GARDENER 37 



and keep in. Let it be well and neatly done, the Ditches to 

 batter well of the side of the Banks and the Banks also to 

 batter ^ well that the weight may lie in the centre of the solid 

 ground between the ditches. Let the middle of the Bank be 

 in a line with Christie's house that the white thorn hedge and 

 Hedge row Trees may run just in a line with that house. I 

 name that house not knowing exactly if Porteous"* house is in 

 a line with it or built further in to the South. When the 

 north side of that road comes to be done, I will have the hedge 

 a top and trees run in a line with Alex*" Wight's Garden Wall. 

 I shall afterwards order where to begin it. I shall expect the 

 other draught to be returned in a Post or two, for this is 

 really so small that I shall commit some mistake in marking 

 any thing upon it. Do what I marked upon the other before 

 you begin at Porteous\ 



Hampstead, 30 Aug^ 1^* and 2^ Sep* 1735. 



XI 



These 20 Sept. 1735. 

 are only thoughts of mine of which if you are the better 

 I shall be glad of it, but I am far from expecting any shall 

 follow my ways of thinking in their own concerns further 

 than they think it right and not wherein I am wrong or better 

 methods can be found. I have your's of 12*^ just now; I am 

 not to plant the Red Meadow but to enclose it for keeping in 

 as well as out, and the as you drew it. I can't 



write much just now, but shall write to M'* Hepburn about the 

 Oaks. My last will explain the Elms now wanted, since I dont 

 plant the Red Meadow. Now that harvest is over, I hope you 

 have ditchers enough. You must be sensible there is a great 

 deal to do and now is the time to push. I think Brodie is 

 a fool to himself if he can mend the pump in letting her 

 stand unmended, to have it said of him, that he has failed in 

 performing of it, which will be blown up to his prejudice with 

 all the Industry possible. He should guard against giving 



^ The inclination inwards, given to a wall or dyke in building it, clearly 

 showing that a ditch meant a wall. 



F 



