86 



ORMISTOUN'S LETTERS 



You sent me the enclosed without direction or a word to 

 whom it was to be given. 



19 Feby. 174f . 



As the earliest Chickens grow generally the largest, having 

 more of Summer before them, the sooner they set Eggs the 

 better. If they keep above 6 Hens to one Cock their Breed will 

 degenerate and dwindle away to small fowls. Five hens are 

 enough for a year old Cock. Greed hurts and disappoints 

 many upon several occasions. Whoever sets too many Eggs 

 will have the smallest and poorest Chickens. 



Dont feed the Pidgeons after they begin generally to sow in 

 the neighbourhood, which if dry weather I reckon they "*! begin 

 to do soon after this gets to you. 



Put some Plants of Elder into young hedges upon light 

 ground, with which Elder agrees best. Also sets of Privy 

 Saugh. Let me hear often and particularly how every thing 

 goes on and looks every where. 



[The following Memorandum is added to the foregoing Letter 

 but in a different hand.] 



The Wood at Ormistoun 



Town 

 Oaks and Ashes . 380 



Planted where the firs was cut 

 Oaks and Ashes . 1400 



