151 



and ability of the driver, and feeder ; and lastly, 

 condition in which the machine is kept *. 



As to the charge of erecting threshing mills, theexpence, 

 in the Carse of Gowrie, is calculated at L. 200 for each 

 machine, including the horse shed, the fanners and the loft 

 connected with the framing of the machinery, but exclu- 

 sive of the barn, the barn lofting, &c. f. This expence 

 is likely to increase, owing to the increased value of 

 wood, but Mr John Shirreff remarks, that that must ra 

 some degree, be counterbalanced, by the present more ge- 

 neral introduction and employment of cast-metal seg- 

 ments and pinions, in the construction of which, much 

 labour is saved, and consequently wages to the operative 

 mill- wright. 



Upon the whole, after the experienced advantage of 

 powerful threshing -mills on large farms, they have now 

 become not only most useful, but almost indispensably ne- 

 cessary appendages ; and farmers who have been accustom- 

 d to the dispatch, security, and economy, which they con- 

 tribute to the management of extensive concerns, would 

 find themselves reduced to most unpleasant inconvenience, 

 should any circumstances oblige them to have again re- 

 course to the flail. 



* Communication from George Rcnnie, Esq; of Fan* 

 tassie. 



f Communication from Mr Peter Jack of Moncur. 



