1^2 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF cbap. V. 



are to be seen. In the whole county, the num- 

 ber may probably be nearly 300. They are of 

 different constructions, and various powers : and 

 since they were first introduced, have received 

 very considerable and material improvements. 

 Some are moved by water, when a convenient 

 stream can be had ; but the greatest number are 

 wrought by horses. I know of none that do 

 not require at least two horses. Some require 

 four, and some six. They thrash from two to 

 twelve bolls in the hour ; and many of them, 

 by connecting fanners and other pieces of ma- 

 chinery with the principal movement, are made 

 not only to thrash, but also to clean, to riddle, 

 and to sift at the same time. 



Of the many excellent and effective machines 

 of this kind to be found in the county, the one 

 erected, some years ago, at Kilry, ^n the parish 

 of Kinghorn, was reckoned, at the time of its 

 erection, one of the most complete. It is mov- 

 ed by water, and is said to thrash and clean i ^ 

 bolls in the hour. Many people in the neigh- 

 bourhood carry their grain to be thrashed there, 

 which they get done for sixpence per boll. Com- 

 bined with this, there is a corn mill, a barley 

 mill, and a hoisting tackle, all moved by the 

 same water wheel. 



Since that period, a great many other thrash- 

 ing mills of equal, and some of superior powers, 

 have been erected in this county. There is a 

 'very powerful one at Pusk in the parish of 

 Leuchars, which was erected by Mr Buchan the 

 late tenant. And Mr Cheap of Rossie has erect- 

 ed one lately, which, in respect of the excellence 

 p.f materials and workmanship, the convenience 



