CAMERON, a parish, in the district of St-Andrew's,
county of Fife, 4 miles (S. S. W.) from St. Andrew's;
containing 116* inhabitants. This place was
formerly included in the parish of St. Andrew's, and appears
to have derived its name from the lands on part
of which the church was erected on its separation, by
act of parliament, in 164.5. The parisli is nearly six
miles in length from east to west, and about four miles
in breadth, comprising 9000 acres, of which 5904 are
arable, 2'2'26 meadow and pasture, 600 woodland and
plantations, and '2*0 rough pasture and waste. Its surface
rises in gentle undulations, from north to south, but
not to any considerable height; and an eminence to the
north-west, called Drumcarro Craig, is the only hill. The
general scenery is agreeably diversified with wood and
water. Between the rising grounds are small intervals
of level land, in which flow some pleasing streams; and
the various plantations, consisting chiefly of larch, spruce,
and Scotch firs, add greatly to the appearance of the district.
In some places the soil is clay; in others, a rich
black loam, varying in depth from two inches to more
than two feet; and in other parts of the parish, light
and dry, resting upon gravel and whinstone rock. The
chief crops are wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and turnips,
with the usual green crops; the system of agriculture is
in a highly improved state, and the lands have been well
drained and inclosed. Considerable attention is paid to
the rearing of live stock; the cattle are principally of
the Old Fifeshire breed, which has lately been introduced,
and is found to be better adapted than the Teeswater,
formerly prevalent. The annual value of real property
iu the parish is £8219. The substrata are mostly whinstone,
trap, freestone, limestone, and coal. The limestone
is quarried on the lands of Radernie and Winthank,
and from the former place a tramroad has been constructed
for conveying the limestone to the kilns. Coal
of good quality is wrought on the lands of Drumcarro;
the whinstone is quarried for repairing the roads, and at
Hazzleden is a quarry of freestone. Mount Melville,
the only seat, is a handsome mansion with a well-planted
demesne. Ecclesiastically the parish is in the presbytery
of St. Andrew's, synod of Fife, and in the patronage of
the Crown; the minister's stipend is £199- 12. 8., with
a manse, and a glebe valued at £10 per annum. The
church, situated nearly in the centre of the parish, was
built in 1808, and is adapted for 600 persons. There is
a place of worship for the United Presbyterian Synod.
The parochial school is under good regulations; the master
has a salary of £34, with £12. 10. fees, and a house
and garden.