38 ORMISTOUN'S LETTERS 



people such a handle to blow upon his Character far and near 

 You see how soon it got this length. Tell him what I say. 



If you think to improve any of your ground in Garden way 

 of any kind. Good plants of the best kinds and good Seeds of 

 all kinds are to be got. Bad is as expensive as good, but good 

 fruits and Garden Stuff will sell best. 



20 Sep*. 1T35. 



Bid Miles ^ let me know how many fathom of Rock the mine 

 is to be cut through and the time he thinks it will take, and 

 how they advance. 



Show the enclosed, and be sure both Patrick and M^ 

 Hepburn do see it. If Patk:.asks you to explain the affair 

 of no man's pleasing but Hunter, and also the reason for the 

 men being so long about the fences, I think a cart might have 

 been lent between Yokings for now and then carrying a load 

 of rice, but things are made tedious to pretend to prove from 

 thence, that I am not able to carry on more business at less 

 expense than was done when I did not direct myself. I dare say 

 had you spoke to any of the Tenants near, they would not have 

 refused in turns to have brought a cartful of rise ^ if it had been 

 gathered and ready just to be loaded when the Cart came. 

 Half an hour in this way would have loaded it and brought it 

 from the Wood and laid it down where wanted or as near as 

 the danger of spoiling the grass would have allowed, and 

 would have forwarded the business much. You see trifling 

 delays are used to disappoint, so do you exert yourself to 

 prevent my suffering by them, and let me know when you find 

 them attempted. You may seem concerned that I blame you 

 for not getting one in Hunter's Room. Let me know the true 

 reason for Hunter's being endeavoured to be kept. If you are 

 asked why your two men went away, and you found difficulty 

 in getting others, you may freely tell that tho' I liked their 

 working and thought they wrought strongly both when by 



^ Miles managed the coal-mine, still worked. See p. 97 for an early trade 

 dispute. 

 " Tops of felled trees, or prunings, used for fences. 



