64- OF ROADS. 



minislied, and the rent of land has of course been prodigi- 

 ously advanced. 



In another district, that of Clackmannanshire, the roads 

 have also been much improved, by which the operations of 

 the farmer have been greatly facilitated ; a greater propor- 

 tion of work is performed at much less expence, the la- 

 bour of the horses is much easier, a double quantity can be 

 carried to mill and market, a greater quantity of manure 

 conveyed, from the nearest town, or farm-yard, in a short- 

 er period, and wear and tear of every sort greatly reduced. 

 There is indeed no county in Scotland where the landed 

 gentlemen have studied the improvement of their estates in, 

 this particular, more than in Clackmannanshire, both as to 

 public and private roads; and, of consequence, there is 

 hardly a district in the kingdom so much improved in so 

 short a period; land which let ten years ago at 50s. will 

 now average L. 5 per acre ; the farms in general are enlar- 

 ged, much better cultivated, whilst the farmers are more 

 comfortable ; and it seems to be the greatest pleasure that 

 the proprietors can enjoy, to add to the happiness and com- 

 fort of their tenants, by good roads, convenient farm-house 

 and offices, good fences, and leases of a proper duration. 



Roads may be considered as of two descriptions : 1. Pub- 

 lic roads, already touched upon ; and, 2. Private roads, to 

 which none but the farmer and his servants have access. It 

 is much to be lamented, that in several districts, where the- 

 great roads are attended to, the private ones should be ne- 

 glected, yet they form as essential a part of the farm as the 

 houses and fences, and, like them, should be made and re- 

 paired by stipulations between the landlord and tenant. 

 There is nothing for which the latter can afford to pay a 

 per centage better, than for a good road through his farm. 

 Every farmer, therefore, ought to lay it down as a rule, 

 completely to repair a certain extent of road each year, say 



