sect. III. OF THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 77 



ploughs rotting, in consequence of their conti- 

 nued exposure to the sun and rain. Some have 

 no straw-yards, no feeding byres for their cattle, 

 and both stables and byres too short in the sad- 

 dles. Many have no proper site for the dung- 

 hill, so that in some cases, we see the dunghill 

 soaking in water, and in others the rich mois- 

 ture running to waste. Some want a proper 

 milk-house, and other conveniences necessary to 

 a dairy. Some are set down in an extreme 

 corner of the farm, or at a distance from good 

 water. And many have no better threshing 

 floors than damp clay. And, therefore, though 

 much has been done of late, much yet remains 

 to be done, for the improvement of the farm- 

 steads. Neat farmers houses and complete of- 

 fices, while they do credit to the proprietor, and 

 give a beauty and richness to the appearance of 

 the country, are, at the same time, absolutely 

 necessary to the profperity of the farmer. Every 

 gentleman, of a generous and liberal heart, will 

 feel much pleasure in seeing his tenants in a 

 thriving condition. But this cannot well be 

 expected, unless they have every reasonable in- 

 dulgence and convenience to excite them to carry 

 on their operations with spirit, and to enable 

 them to derive every possible advantage from 

 their farms. Farm-houses inconveniently situ- 

 ated, or built and arranged on an injudicious 

 plan, may render extraordinary labour requisite, 

 and consequently heighten the farmer's expen- 

 ces beyond what is necessary. The offalls of the 

 dairy, kitchen, barn-yard, garden, &c. may be 

 turned to good account, by rearing pigs and 

 T f ;::;try : but this cannot be done, without pro- 



