Agricvltnre of Scotland. 



71 



generally in so rough a state as to be but partially covered with 

 the plough ; besides that the previous fermentation^ which science 

 has discovered to be best fitted to supply the matter of nutrition 

 to plants^ and which experience has taught is most productive of 

 a good crop^ Avas unaccomplished. 



Draining. — Under-draining seems at this time to have been very 

 little practised, and, as we have only incidental notice of its exist- 

 ence, it may safely be concluded it was followed upon no systematic 

 rule. All that was generally held requisite was to raise the 

 ridges sufficiently high — and this was very much overdone — for 

 the free percolation of the surface-water to the open furrows ; and 

 at this time the perfection of art had attained to little greater height 

 than to form sufficient cross-furrows in the hollows and ridge-ends 

 to prevent the collection of stagnant water on the face of the field. 



Fences. — Subsequently to this period the general appearance of 

 the country, where cultivation had gained a footing, shovi^ed com- 

 paratively bleak and open. Fences were few, and these generally of 

 stone ; while the numerous clumps and belts of plantation, which 

 have been so laudably extended, and by which the climate of 

 Scotland has been in general so much improved, were then con- 

 fined to the immediate neighbourhood of a proprietor's resi- 

 dence. Thorn-fences were now, however, fast gaming ground ; 

 and these, being very frequently formed to present a double face, 

 having a ditch in front of each, and a mound in the centre, upon 

 which trees were planted, afforded tolerable shelter, and soon 

 tended to give a more clothed appearance to the country. Still 

 many of the fields remained unenclosed ; and^ as the grass-lands 

 lay much by themselves, and those parts under culture were 

 seldom in the rotation appropriated to grazing, no great pains 

 AA ere taken to preserve the thorns as a fencible enclosure, too fre- 

 quently the tenant being satisfied that they afforded materials for 

 repairing the numerous breaches, as, in its course, the fence Avas 

 needed, or it might have been occasionally to assist as fuel. 



Rents. — It is no very easy matter to ascertain with accuracy the 

 comparative value which land yielded as rent at the time of which 

 we speak, in relation to the present. The value of money has now 

 very materially altered, as Avell as that of agricultural produce ; 

 and in making a right estimate it would require that we should 

 be able also to distinguish the relative values of those two com- 

 modities at the respective periods. This being a problem which 

 we have not the means to solve, and Avhich we believe is ca- 

 pable of different solutions, according to the particular bias of the 

 mind of the inquirer, it will be sufficient^ as regards this general 



