PARISH OF BUCHANAN.

PRESBYTERY OF DUMBARTON, SYNOD OF GLASGOW AND AYR.

REV. WILLIAM FREELAND, MINISTER.

 MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS.

The population, though now only one-third of what it was a hundred years ago, is still likely to decline. In the Highland district, the people are straitened, and their numbers superabundant. They have work enough in summer, during the time of wood-cutting; but they are next to idle, during the rest of the year. To give them constant employment, it may be recommended,
1. to · extend and improve the arable land of the pastoral district; and, - by introducing turnip crops, to ameliorate the stock of both sheep · and cattle;
2. to plant with larch, and with oak where practicable, bleak and barren tracts, not merely for the purpose of shelter, but as a profitable investment of capital, for it appears that  pla nted woods are far more profitable than natural; and,
3 to open up roads throughout the whole parish, by continuing the present road from Rowardennan along the east bank of the lake, and joining it in Glenfalloch with Arrbchar turnpike, and by repairing the old road to Inversnaid garrison, to maintain a communication through Genarklet to the western part of Perthshire.

Drawn up February 1838. Revised March 1841.