chap. xrni. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 379 



skilfully or completely as to render the im- 

 provement at once effectual and permanent. 

 Wherever draining is necessary, it ought, in- 

 deed it must be regarded as the first and most 

 essential of all improvements. It will be to 

 little purpose to inclose ground of this kind : 

 till it be completely laid dry, it must ever re- 

 main unproductive, and of little value. 



4//&/K, The Breed of Cattle and Horse /.The 

 excellence of the Fife breed of black cattle has 

 already been mentioned : and I beg leave here 

 to repeat what was before suggested ; that both 

 landlords and tenants, if they consult their own 

 interest, will endeavour to get rid of every fo- 

 reign or mixed kind, and confine themselves 

 entirely to the native stock. And as the Fife 

 cattle are yet capable of much improvement, 

 both in shape and size, great care should be ta- 

 ken to select the healthiest and handsomest for 

 breeders, and to feed and manage them proper- 

 ly when they are young. By persevering in 

 this plan, they may be brought to a much high- 

 er degree of perfection than they have yet 

 reached. 



The same observations will apply to the 

 breeding of horses. This species of stock has 

 been much improved within the last 20 or 30 

 years : but still there is room for greater and 

 more general improvement. To accomplish 

 this, horses of the best kinds, whether for the 

 saddle or for the draught, ought to be intro- 

 duced by the gentlemen, and allowed to cover 

 for their own tenants, without charge, or for a 

 small consideration, and for others at a mode- 

 rate rate. The gentlemen, from that easy in- 



3 B 2 



