Pedestrianism

284 APPENDIX. example had the most extensive influence—was the late Mr. Barclay of Ury. His, indeed, were no common pow­ ers. Endowed with themost ardent, energetic, and com­ prehensive mind,he employed his great talentsas an agri­ culturist with unwearied perseverance, and to the most be­ neficial results. The subject he had to improve, or rather to subdue, was of the most obdurate nature j but difficul- ties tended only toexcite hisactivity, and,adhering tena­ ciously tohis own pre-conceived and well-adjusted plans, he was ultimately successful. ' The estate of Ury, the chief object of his improvements, lies on bothsides of the rivulet of Cowie, andextends from Stonehaven in a north-westerly direction, for nearly five miles. The mansion-house is situated about a mile and a half from the efflux of the Cowie, on its northern bank.-— When Mr. Barclay succeeded to the estate, there was scarcely a shrub of any valueon the whole property, ex­ cepting a fewold trees around the house. ' The arableland was divided into a number of small farms. The tillage was superficially performed, with very imperfect implements. Almost every fieldwas incumbered with obstructions of onekind or another; such as, pools of stagnant water orquagmires, where the cattle were ever in danger of losing their lives;great baulks of unploughed land between the ridges;but, above all,stones abounded, not only on the surface, but through thewhole depth of the soil. There were no inclosures. No limewas used as a manure and the only crops were bear and oats. There was