378 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF cbap.xrill. 



ing, and of throwing them into sub-divisions ju- 

 diciously laid out, this would not only give beau- 

 ty, richness, and warmth, to the general aspect 

 of the country, but would be productive of solid 

 advantages to themselves, by improving the her- 

 bage for pasture, and enabling them to reclaim ' 

 such parts of these waste grounds, as are capable 

 of being brought under the plough, with greater 

 ease and effect. These stripes of planting, how- 

 ever, ought to be of a considerable breadth, not 

 less than 30 yards, and to be sufficiently pro- 

 tected with ditches, that they may be able to re- 

 sist the storms, and to thrive in such exposed 

 situations. 



idly, Planting is an improvement much 

 needed in Fife. Proprietors see the necessity, 

 as well as the utility of this ; and many of the 

 commonties, lately divided, are now planted. All 

 those tracks of land that are wet and marshy, 

 and at the same time so situated as to be inca- 

 pable of complete drainage, or, if capable of be- 

 ing laid dry, of such a bad soil that under the 

 plough they could not repay the expence ; and 

 all spots of ground so steep, or elevated, and so 

 bare of soil, as to be unlit for tillage, ought to 

 be applied to this purpose. The profits, though 

 distant, will be considerable, and will amply re- 

 pay the expence of planting and inclosing, and 

 the loss of the scanty herbage they now pro- 

 duce. 



3^/j', Draining. A very considerable portion 

 of the county stands in need of this improve- 

 ment. Much, indeed, has been done this way ; 

 but much remains to be done, and, in many in- 

 stances, the work has not been executed so 



