Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Donaldson, James (fl.1794)
DONALDSON, JAMES (fl. 1794), writer on agriculture, resided at Dundee, where he practised as a land surveyor. He was also agent for the Earl of Panmure. His chief work is ‘Modern Agriculture; or the Present State of Husbandry in Great Britain,’ 4 vols. 8vo, Edinburgh, 1795–6. He also drew up for the board of agriculture the following county surveys: 1. ‘General View of the Agriculture of the County of Banff,’ 4to, Edinburgh, 1794. 2. ‘General View of the Agriculture of the Carse of Gowrie in the County of Perth, with Observations on the Means of its Improvement,’ 4to, London, 1794. 3. ‘General View of the Agriculture of the County of Elgin or Moray,’ 4to, London, 1794. 4. ‘General View of the Agriculture of the County of Nairn … and the Parish of Dyke, and part of Edenkeillie in the County of Elgin and Forres,’ 4to, London, 1794. 5. ‘General View of the Agriculture of the County of Northampton … to which is added an Appendix, containing a Comparison between the English and Scotch Systems of Husbandry as practised in the Counties of Northampton and Perth,’ 4to, Edinburgh, 1794. 6. ‘General View of the Agriculture of the County of Kincardine, or the Mearns,’ 4to, London, 1795.
[Cat. of Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, ii. 639; prefaces to Works; Donaldson's Agricultural Biography, p. 69.]