chap. XIX. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 387 



successfully made by different gentlemen and 

 fanners in different parts of the county. In at- 

 tempting the improvement of such land, pro- 

 prietors and farmers are not left to conjecture, 

 as to the proper mode of management, the ex- 

 pence that may. he incurred, or the advantage 

 that may be ultimately expected. They are no 

 longer under the necessity of trying schemes of 

 unknown efficacy, and uncertain result, or of 

 acquiring agricultural knowledge by a tedious 

 course of experiments, w r hich may be erroneous 

 and unsuccessful, and therefore must be aban- 

 doned, or which, in the end, will yield no return 

 proportioned to the expence of carrying them 

 into effect. Those who have boldly led the 

 way, and whose laudable exertions have been 

 crowned with success, will be ready, I am con- 

 fident, to communicate every necessary infor- 

 mation to such as are willing to follow their ex- 

 ample, and to allow them every advantage that 

 can be derived from their experience. 



I will not pretend to mention every proprietor 

 and farmer who have distinguished themselves 

 as improvers. But I should do injustice to the 

 county, did I not mention at least a few of them. 

 And I should do injustice to the gentlemen them- 

 selves, did I not mention their names with the 

 highest respect. Mr Wedderburn of Wedder- 

 burn; Mr Johnston of Lathrisk ; Mr Cheap 

 of Rossie ; Mr Gourley of Craigrothie ; Mr 

 Balfour of Balcurvie ; Mr Stark of Kingsdale ; 

 Mr Fergus of Wester Strathorr ; Mr Hender- 

 son of Hutton ; Mr Kinnear of Kinloch ; Mr 

 Anderson of Inchrye, &c. These, and several 

 others that might be mentioned with equal pro- 

 302 



