14 



An engraving of this excellent plan is annexed, which 

 will give an idea of the form of the construction. The 

 advantages of it are described by Mr Robertson in the 

 following terms : " I have found these hammels or cat- 

 " tie-sheds, much better than any large or open court 

 " and yard. Cattle kept in great numbers waste more 

 " straw, they fight, and hurt one another with their 

 " horns. All this (is prevented when they are kept in 

 " separate divisions, and above all in these hammels, 

 *' we can give them what meat we choose, and in what 

 " proportion we think proper ; and can separate those 

 " of different ages, who ought not to be associated to- 

 " gether." 



Two points on the subject of farm houses and offices, 

 require, however, some attention, i. By whom they 

 ought to be erected; and, 2. By whom they ought to be 

 kept in repair. 



In regard to the first point, it is certainly desirable, 

 that the landlord, who has a permanent interest in the 

 soil, should, if he can afford it, be at the expence of all 

 substantial improvements *. But how can that be expect- 

 ed in the case of entailed estates, where the proprietor 

 has only a life interest in the property. Frequently, 



* Mr Church of Hitchill in Dumfries-shire, observes, that 

 the onstead or buildings, ought to be erected free of expence 

 to thejtenant. Many a farmer has undeservedly got the cha- 

 racter of a bad one, by exhausting his capital on buildings, so 

 much as to disable him from bestowing it on the cultivation 

 of the soil. Inclosing ought to be done at the expence of the 

 landlord, and the fences reared or maintained at the mutua 

 expence of landlord and tenant. In short, all great perma- 

 nent improvements on a farm should be executed by the land- 

 lord, and in consideration of these, let the tenant pay a higher 

 rent. 



