386 THE COUNTY OF FIFE. cbap. XIX. 



And as convenient and substantial farm-steads 

 are essentially necessary to the prosperity of 

 farming, the materials are to be found every 

 where in plenty, and of the best kinds. Ex- 

 cellent quarries, either of whin or free-stone, are 

 to be met with in every corner of the county. 



2</, Another circumstance, tending to en- 

 courage and promote agricultural improvement 

 in this county, is, that the farmer can always 

 find a ready market for the produce of his farm. 

 The great population of Fife, and the extent 

 and flourishing state of its manufactures, must 

 require a large and constant supply of provi- 

 sions, and of course occasion a constant demand 

 upon the farmer for every article of that kind 

 which he can furnish. And as the market is 

 ready, so it is convenient. So small in propor- 

 tion to the number of inhabitants is the terri- 

 tory which they occupy, that he can never be 

 exposed to any considerable expence or loss of 

 time in carrying his victual to market. Nor 

 does his encouragement stop here. Besides 

 having the advantage of large demands for home 

 consumption, he can find a ready and profitable 

 matket for his surplus produce to any amount. 

 Exportation is easy and convenient, by reason 

 of the great extent of sea-coast, and the proxi- 

 mity of the most inland parts to a commodious 

 port. 



3</, Another encouragement to a more spirit* 

 ed and extensive improvement, is, the laudable 

 example which several intelligent and enterpris- 

 ing improvers have already exhibited.- There 

 is no kind of soil, perhaps, remaining to be cul- 

 tivated, upon which experiments have not been 



