112 



Agriculture of Scotland. 



a precise estimate, as that wliicli is exhibited by the frequent 

 drain system." It, however, involves an outlay vi^hich few tenants 

 have the means perfectly to accomplish, and, even if within their 

 reach, it is not an improvement of such a nature as, it is feared, 

 will be efficiently performed by a possessor upon a limited tenure ; 

 and hence, besides that discredit, from partial failure, owing to in- 

 complete work, attaches to the principle, the operator is deprived 

 of the full benefit of the melioration. As detailed by its ingeni- 

 ous author, it is a permanent improvement, and, as such, should 

 be performed at the expense and under the express superintendence 

 of the proprietor. It has been proved eminently calculated to 

 raise the value of the land, and thus its tendency is to increase the 

 revenue of the proprietor ; and as there is no judicious tenant who 

 will refuse to pay a full per centage for such an expenditure, im- 

 mediately upon its being applied, there is at no time any sacrifice 

 required, while the ultimate result cannot be questioned. We ear- 

 nestly, then, impress upon landlords to give this scheme due consi- 

 deration, as that by which they shall best promote their own 

 interest ; and by strenuously acting to advance the more rapid ex- 

 tension of a system calculated in so high a degree to increase the 

 fertility of the soil, enable our agriculture to keep pace* with the 

 enlarged demands of a prosperous and increasing people. 



A Practical Farmer. , 



October, 1838. 



* The estimated number of acres annually in wheat throughout the United 

 Kingdom being 4,830,000, an increase to the produce of half a quarter per 

 acre would suffice for upwards of two months' consumption of this grain. 



