42 ORMISTOUN'S LETTERS 



must be carefully taken up with good roots and should be 

 done soon least a dry spring should kill them. 



XIII 



Augt. 1739 Charles, — I hope you secured Laborers to widen the leed ^ 

 and that they are good Workmen and have been kept close to 

 it, in which case they must be well advanced in it. I gave 

 J. Dods directions about getting Stones brought for Altering 

 the Bridges, they should be carried before the Roads break. 

 Tell Kinghorn and Wilson that they must not lessen the 

 number of hands at Mr. Gordon's Work by putting hands 

 to the Bridges or any other Work for me, or any other person. 

 If any of them come to the Bridges they must add one in their 

 room to Mr. Gordon''s. If they do otherwise I am resolved to 

 employ others for the future. This I told them and also told 

 J. Dods to see to this, for I would not have Mr. Gordon 

 disappointed in getting the roof put upon has House before 

 Winter, as it will be a great loss to him if it is not. I have 

 also ordered J. Dods to assist him in getting his Stones carried 

 by my horses, now that they are Idle and I hope well mended. 

 In time of Harvest Carts may be borrowed for my horses, when 

 Leading time comes on Carts won't be to be had. Tell J. Dods 

 to think of this and lose no time. I gave J. Dods orders 

 about the Cattle and the management of the grass for them 

 so as upon no account any kind shall go into the Pidgeon field 

 or the two east of it till I order it. I hope the pidgeon dung 

 was all sown soon after my coming away. Inclosed I send a 

 List of trees for the Wood this year. Mr. Hepburn said he 

 knew of Oaks ; let 1200 of them be got. I believe they'l be 

 fully as tall as any in the Nursery. Pick out 1000 of the 

 tallest in any of the Nurseries, and I think if you cannot get 



^ Canal formed off a stream to drive a mill wheel. Alexander Cockburn 

 leased the mill. See p. 33. 



