sect. IT. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. f)I 



blessings. Untainted by that revolutionizing 

 spirit that political mania, which, of late, hath 

 so much agitated the public mind, and endan- 

 gered the public tranquillity, they give no en- 

 couragement to the abettors of sedition, and are 

 ready to contribute what lies in their power for 

 the support of Government, and for the preser- 

 vation of the peace and quiet of the Country. 



Such is the character which the fanners of 

 this county bear as men and citizens. Consi- 

 dered as cultivators of the soil, they deserve also 

 to be mentioned with respect, as a very intelli- 

 gent, active, and industrious body of men. A 

 great proportion of them have distinguished 

 themselves by their spirited exertions, their skil- 

 ful management, and by the high state of culti- 

 vation to which they have brought their farms. 

 A spirit of enquiry, a taste for iitiprovement, 

 and a laudable desire to excel in their profes- 

 sion, have, of late, spread very generally among 

 them ; by reading, by observation, by mutual 

 communications, and by experience, they have 

 acquired much professional knowledge, which, 

 while it hath enabled them to correct former 

 prejudices and mistakes, has led them to adopt 

 the best plans of improvement, and, except when 

 prevented by obstacles thrown in their way by 

 the proprietor, or by the nature and situation 

 of the land, have carried them into execution 

 with judgment and success. 



From the progressive improvements in the 

 science and practice of agriculture, which have 

 been going forward during the last twenty or 

 thirty years, the condition and circumstances of 

 the farmers have experienced an alteration to 

 M 2 



