109 



FIFE. The laying of land to grass has been the main factor 

 in reducing the demand for labour. Near towns, dairy farm- 

 ing has slightly increased the numbers on these particular 

 farms during the last ten years. Yery little fruit growing is 

 done in Fife except in one part in the north, and almost no 

 market-gardening, so that these industries have had no influ- 

 ence in checking the decline in the agricultural population. 



HADDINGTON. There has been no material alteration in the 

 system of farming over the county generally. In the higher 

 districts there is more grass and less tillage than 20 years ago. 

 " Fruit farming," says Mr. Shields, " has almost disappeared, 

 also vegetable growing by spade husbandry, but vegetable 

 growing by horse and plough tillage has largely increased. 

 The crops chiefly grown are leeks, onions, parsley, 

 turnips, peas, artichokes, potatoes, and cabbage plants on a 

 large scale. Poultry rearing may also have tended to check 

 the decline in the agricultural population, but not to any appre- 

 ciable extent." Mr. Hope observes that more potatoes are 

 grown in his district than there were 20 years ago, and that 

 consequently there is quite as much demand for labour. In 

 some districts there are complaints that sufficient labour cannot 

 be obtained. 



KINROSS. Mr. Tod writes : " A blacksmith near me tells me 

 that 20 pairs of horses fewer are now shod at his smithy than 

 was the case 20 years ago, thus showing that 20 fewer plough- 

 men are employed within a radius of three miles. No particu- 

 lar agricultural industry has tended to check the decline." 



LINLITHGOW. Mr. Glendinning observes that the industries 

 mentioned have had no material effect on the population; 

 those desirous of rearing poultry or growing vegetables have 

 no difficulty in obtaining sublets on reasonable terms from 

 agricultural tenants, but the demand is very limited, though it 

 would be increased were buildings freely provided. 



MIDLOTHIAN. The principal alteration has been the reduc- 

 tion of the arable area. Mr. Davidson (Corstorphine) writes : 

 " In my immediate neighbourhood there is a good deal of 

 market gardening which provides labour for a considerable 

 number of workers. None of the other industries are practised 

 to any extent." 



PEEBLES. Mr. Ritchie writes : " Less land is in cultivation 

 now, as expenses of labour are gradually rising. On many 

 farms where four pairs of horses used to be kept, there are now 

 only two pairs, and, of course, other workers decrease in the 

 same proportion. Female workers, either for inside or outside 

 work, can scarcely be got even at the high rate of wages now 

 prevailing." 



PERTH. Mr. Craig writes : " The greater demand for milk 

 has given rise to the employment of more labour throughout 



Changes in 



System 

 and Special 

 Industries. 



