TO HIS GARDENER 75 



XXV 



Charles, — I am glad you got the firs and that they are well 8 May 1742. 

 rooted. If they thrive 111 bespeak more of them against 

 Michaelmas. Did you ever enquire about the Oaks at 

 Beanston.^ I wish you can get a sample of them and write 

 to me their size and how rooted. The Wind came to S. West 

 Yesterday and we have had some fine showers which came 

 seasonably after long, cold, dry East Winds. If Showers with 

 you it will save the grass and do great service to the corn as 

 also to all trees planted this year and particularly to the lately 

 planted firs. I hope the dung hill is made before this and the 

 Gates etc. of all the Inclosures down the way made good. As 

 soon as this gets to your hands be sure to get as many Ditchers 

 as you can and set them to the enclosing of the Spot of Red 

 Meadow where the firs are planted. I would have the ditch 

 or Drain that goes round it made 7 feet broad and deep, but 

 as the making of it complete at once will take too much time 

 and make it not safe to put in Cattle into the rest of the 

 Meadow tho' the grass should be good. Wherefore I would 

 have you with all the haste you can with a number of hands 

 with J. Dods or you looking frequently at their really working 

 and making good Work in making the Ditch enough to keep 

 out Cattle — and this being done you may go over it again and 

 finish it the whole breadth depth. I would have the Bank of 

 fale 2 of inside,^ full two feet in height, not above 2-J feet throw 

 of the earth at back of the fale a little higher and sloping as 

 I did upon the other new Ditches in order to plant two Rows 

 of Hedge in Ocf*. You '1 get a great deal of fale and Stuff 

 more than to do such a dyke of inside as above * that must be 

 thrown in to fill up old Ditches or holes but put good earth or 

 at least the best of it for the thorns to grow upon. Pray 

 dispatch that I may get Catle into t he field without. You'l 



^ Between Haddington and East Linton, where summer fallowing was first 

 introduced into the county. 



2 Fale is turf, and much used long ago as a building material and for a fence, 

 but in neither capacity was it held in great respect. ' Like draws to like, as an 

 auld horse to a fale-dyke ' is an old saying. 



^ * Of inside ' is * on the inside.' 



■* • As above that ' = as what there is beyond that. 



