104 Notes and Sketches. 



planting," inasmuch as during the last quarter of the 

 century, probably 10,000 acres, previously bare and 

 bleak enough, had been planted in forest trees. 



In the case of a great many proprietors and tenants, 

 too, in the Mearns, the spirit of general improvement 

 seems to have moved strongly. Beginning at the north 

 side we are told, for example, that there was not a 

 more " haggard or uncultivated spot " in the whole 

 country than the estate of Glassel. There were not 

 over 30 acres of it " into which a plough could have 

 entered." In the course of some years, 150 Scots acres 

 had been improved, the enormous quantities of stones 

 taken off the surface serving to form " consumption " 

 dykes, from 12 to 16 feet thick, and many hundred 

 yards in length. The remaining 400 acres of unre- 

 claimed land were planted, and all this was carried 

 out by the proprietor, Mr. Baxter, sending instruc- 

 tions personally down from London. The estate of 

 Durris was held on lease by Mr. John Innes, Sheriff 

 Substitute, who carried out very extensive improve- 

 ments towards the close of the century. He made, 

 at his own cost, a road " equal to any turnpike, " 

 running through the property from east to west, 

 seven miles in length, besides promoting forma- 

 tion of the turnpike to Stonehaven and making 

 other necessary roads. He erected a number of 

 improved farm-steadings and cottages, and reclaimed 

 at great cost 451 Scots acres, sub-dividing and fencing 

 it, besides enclosing other 2500 acres. He planted 

 740 acres of muir ground, and built about 50 miles of 

 stone dykes ; and all this in seven years, the result 

 being to increase the rental from 1000 to 2500, 

 with the prospect of its soon reaching 3000. Then 

 we have such instances as that of Alexander Walker, 

 tenant of the farm of Auquhiries, who not only laid 

 out and cultivated his farm in a style far in advance 

 of his time, but planted forest trees on the barren 

 knolls and waste corners to such an extent, that in 



