300 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF chap. xr. 



The quantity of oats, oat-meal, and wheat 

 flour, exported, is so inconsiderable, that it de- 

 serves not to be mentioned. 



For many years back, the quantity of grain 

 exported has been on the increase ; and of late 

 the increase has been rapid and great. This 

 may, perhaps, be imputed to the progressive 

 improvement of the soil. But it deserves to be 

 remarked, that to this improvement, and the 

 consequent increase of exportation, there is one 

 cause which has greatly contributed. The open- 

 ing of a communication between the Forth and 

 the Clyde by the great canal, whilst it has pro- 

 duced the most beneficial effects on the trade 

 and navigation of this part of Scotland in gene- 

 ral, has proved a powerful stimulus to the agri- 

 cultural exertions of this county, by furnishing 

 a convenient and profitable market for whatever 

 grain we can spare. In the course of the year 

 ending January 5th 1 799, from the port of Air- 

 struther alone there were shipped coastwise, 

 upwards of 28,000 quarters of grain of different 

 kinds ; whilst there were only about 600 quar- 

 ters imported, chiefly oats ; and of the above 

 quantity shipped, three fourths, at least, went 

 through the canal. 



The following is the state of the shipping at 

 present employed in carrying on the trade of 

 this county, both to foreign ports and coast- 

 wise : 



In the district belonging tq the Custom- 



house of Kirkaldy - 89 10,489 649 



In. the district belonging to the Custom- 



house, of Anstruther - 53 5,024 234 



Carry forward 142 13,513 883 



