Agriculture and Rural Rconomy.-It has been already stated, that the parish consists of about 32,200 acres. The number of acres which are cultivated and occasionally in tillage, is about 7000. It is not easy to say how much is arable. There are large tracts in the muirland, and along the lower parts of the mountains, which are quite susceptible of cultivation. In many districts where sheep and black-cattle are now wandering without inclosure there are traces of cultivation by a former generation. But, from the modern notions of farming, and the distance from lime and from markets, it is considered better to let such land lie in a state of nature. There may be about 21,700 acres of hill and muirland. The land under wood may be stated at about 180 acres of  natural coppice, and 376 planted.

Soil.-In a parish of such extent, it is to be expected that there will be much diversity of soil; hence, we find every variety, from the most barren to the most productive. Along the Forth, there are nearly 3000 acres of deep moss, under which there is a rich clayey soil, capable of producing the most abundant crops. The prevailing soil of the lands on the Endrick, is rich brown loam. As you ascend from these low grounds, the soil is light sandy dryfield. But the most common soil of the parish is poor and tilly, with a retentive cold subsoil.

Rent, Rate of Wages, &c.- The average rent, per acre, of the inferior arable land, may be stated at, from l0s. to 15s.; and that of better quality, chiefly in the lower parts of Strath Endrick, at L.2, l0s. The rent of a cow's grazing on the best land is L.3, l0s.; of hill-fed sheep, from 5s. to 6s. The rate of wages for plough- men and men farm-servants is from L. 12 to L. 16 a-year, exclu sive of board and lodging; for women, from L 5 to L.9. Labourers receive from is. 8d. to 2 s. a-day during three-fourths of the year, and 1s. 6d. during the winter months. Masons and wrights, from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d.; and tailors, when employed in the houses, 1s. 6d. with victuals.

Stock, &c.-The Ayrshire breed of cattle are generally and successfully reared in the south and west ends of the parish. The north and east districts are much behind in this respect, partly from carelessness, and partly from attachment to the old or mongrel breed. The sheep with which the muirlands are pastured, are of the black.faced kind. For the improvement of the stock, Linton and Lammermoor rams are occasionally introduced. On the better farms, a few of the finer species, such as the Leicester, are kept, but chiefly for supplying the "gude-wife" with some better wool for her domestic purposes.

Within the last twenty years, there has been a very great improvement on the stock of this part of the country. This has been mainly owing to the exertions of the Strath-Endrick Club. By instituting an annual competition, and offering high premiums for the introduction of superior animals,-the former breed, which was a mixture of all kinds of inferior stock, has in a great measure disappeared. And the district can now challenge a comparison with any part of the country. This club was instituted in 1816, and holds its annual meeting in Drymen in the month of August. Its funds are raised by yearly subscription of the members, consisting of the principal proprietors, clergy, and respectable farmers in the district. His Grace the Duke of Montrose is patron of the Club. The late Duke, whose memory will be long cherished in this quarter, as an enlightened improver, and a kind and generous landlord, contributed greatly, by his influence and exertions, to its success.

Husbandry.- The improvement in agriculture, in this parish, has been keeping pace with the improvement in the stock. There is, with many of the farmers, a laudable desire of adopting the new and approved processes in farming. We have still, however, in the remote quarters of the parish, an obstinate adberence, on the part of many, to the old system of "their fathers before them!" They are contented to "dodge on" in the antique fashion, without troubling themselves with the modern novelties.

In the more fertile districts, the five-shift rotation of crops is adopted. On many farms, a great deal is now going on in furrow or parallel draining; one of the greatest improvements for a country like this, in farming. The expense, however is so great, that, without the landlord's bearing a large proportion of the outlay, the tenant cannot carry it on to any great extent. Not a few of our landlords, aware of this,. are encouraging their tenants to drain to any extent, paying the half of the expense.

On the estate of Finnich Malice, the late George Buchanan, Esq. drained in this way to the extent of 60 acres.* The present
enterprising tenant of Finnich Drummond, John Buchanan, Esq.of Ballat, brother of the above-mentioned gentleman, is carrying on much of this work, assisted by his landlord, the Duke of Montrose. James McNair, Esq., of Balvie, has most successfully brought into culture about 90 acres of black heathy ground. And now his farm of Auchineck, which, nine years ago, was of dismal and forbidding aspect, looks as smiling, and is as productive as any in the parish.

 * The present proprietor,  John Todd, Esq. is carrying on similar Farming operations to a very great extent.-1841.

Leases, Farm-houses, &c. - The duration of leases is generally nineteen years. On the Duke of Montrose's estate it is eighteen, and for grass farms, nine. It would be a great benefit both to landlord and tenant, if more attention were paid, in the case of renewing leases, to grant the renewal within three or four years of the expiry of them. This would prevent the farm being exhausted, and, likewise, much anxiety of mind to the occupant in the prospect of removal.

The farm-houses and steadings on the larger farms are, in general, good and commodious,-but, on the smaller, in many cases, both are unworthy of the style of farming and of living of the present day.

Much attention is now paid to fencing with thorn-hedges. The trim dressed hedges in the western districts are much admired. In many places, however, the hedges have been planted too low; the consequence is, that the thorns getting hold of the cold damp subsoil, canker and die.

The rental of the parish is about L. 9000; the valued rent L.5069, l0s.

There are three corn-mills in the parish, and a mill at Gartness for carding, spinning, dyeing, and weaving woollen goods, which are chiefly used in the country.