74 ORMISTOUN'S LETTERS 



spondent has served you the same way about the plants. 

 Being punctual is reckoned a great Sin in our Country. Let 

 me know when the Red Meadow becomes dry enough for men 

 being set to the making of the large ditch ^ for inclosing what 

 is to be planted there. Make enquiries in time if firs and 

 Oaks are to be heard of for that use and that are to be 

 depended upon for next Spring, that I may not be disappointed. 

 The Cattle rubbed down the Dykes at each side of all the 

 Gates down at the Town. Go round and see to their all being 

 well made up both in Red Meadow and other Inclosures. 

 Dont delay this nor let it be done by halves. How do this 

 last year's plantations of all kinds and every where hold ? I 

 hope you have put the Nurseries in good order and cut over 

 what required being so every where, not forgetting that in 

 Easter Wood up the way. This is the season for cutting over, 

 don't let it pass which it will soon do. You tell me Alex"^ 

 Cokb: is at work in Easter Wood. Do you go there and take 

 one of your men with you, cut over all the planted trees in 

 the first Hag that want being cut over and make your man 

 clean all round that air may get in to the cut over plants and 

 to prevent its being choaked with the grass in Summer. Let 

 me know how the planted trees in that Hag look upon your 

 having this opportunity of examining narrowly. Don't delay 

 this, for just now is the Season for cutting over and if you 

 don't trifle with it you'l soon go over it and do it much good. 

 I can't have time to write often to you, but do you write once 

 every week at least to me, and let me know how all goes in 

 Garden, Wood, plantations Inclosures etc. and particularly 

 how Grass is in each Inclosure for giving mouthfuls to my 

 Cattle that are for fatting or for my Mares. Less than 

 Mouthfuls will never fatten Cattle or make Cows or Mares 

 give Milk. Taken in Horses ^ don't expect this. We have had 

 some warm days tho' the Wind has been from the E: but this 

 day it has blown very fresh N.E. 



24<>^ April 1742. 



^ This shows that ditching was not the same as draining, which was making 

 an open cut to carry off surface water that might form ponds. 



'•^ This is a curious reading of one's obligations to grazing customers. 



