clap. IX. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 27 



CHAPTER IX. 



Gardens and Orchards. 



1 HERE is nothing in Fife that can be properly 

 called an Orchard. The remains of one, indeed, 

 are to be seen at the old abbey of Lindores ; but 

 its extent is so much contracted, the produce so 

 diminished, and the quality of the fruit so much 

 degenerated, that it scarcely deserves attention. 

 The soil and climate must certainly have been 

 found unfavourable to the production of apples 

 and pears, in any degree of perfection, other- 

 wise we might have expected that the cultiva- 

 tion of them would have been much more ex- 

 tensive, when we consider the taste and opulence 

 of the ancient inhabitants ; and, particularly, the 

 number of abbeys and monasteries, and the ma- 

 ny church dignataries, who, in the times of po- 

 pery, had their residence in this county, and 

 who usually paid the greatest attention to these 

 luxuries. 



Gardens, however, are very numerous, and 

 many of them extensive, and in a very elegant 

 style. This is owing to the great number of 

 opulent proprietors, who are resident, or have 

 their family-seats in the county. In these gar- 

 dens, strawberries, gooseberries, currants, plumbs 

 and cherries, of every species, are produced in 

 great profusion, and of excellent quality. Ap- 

 F f 2 



