MOOR MANAGEMENT 387 



A chart is given on p. 386 showing the gradual improvement in results 

 whicJi has followed improved methods of management. It should be mentioned 

 that the steady increase in the stock commenced about 1872, and that it was 

 just before that date that close and constant heather - burning was first 

 introduced. 



Carron Moor, Moi-ayshire. 



A moor of about 3,000 acres, of which about 1,000 are flow ground, and 

 the rest heather. The altitude ranges from 700 to 1,300 feet. Previous 

 to 1897 the heather - burning had been neglected, in many parts it had 

 grown to a height of 3 feet or more ; since that year the burning has been 

 most carefully and thoroughly done, when possible. The heather all over 

 the moor should continue to improve. The hill has only been regularly burnt 

 for the last fourteen years, and during some of that time, owing to bad 

 weather, little or no heather could be burnt. A considerable quantity of old 

 heather still remains to be burnt, and much that has been burnt has not yet 

 reached the most valuable stage. Good grit is abundant, and great attention 

 has been paid to drainage. A moderate stock of sheep is carried on the ground. 



In 1910 the experiment was tried of introducing an artificial water-supply to 

 the drier parts of the ground by means of dew pans. The results appear to have 

 fully justified expectations ; in one case it was observed that five coveys were 

 hatched in the immediate vicinity of a dew pan, where there were no young birds 

 before. The results are conclusive so far as they go, but the experiment has not 

 been continued long enough to admit of absolute certainty. 



The years 1907-1908-1909 yielded an average bag of 1,114 brace, as com- 

 pared with an average bag of the years 1897-1898-1899, of only 241 brace, 

 showing an increase of 873 brace. In 1910 the bag up to September 20th was 

 upwards of l.,800 brace. No disease has occurred since this improvement began. 



From the evidence available, the Committee is satisfied that the whole of 

 these birds are bred on the moor, and the theory that so large a bag can only 

 be obtained by the immigration of birds from neighbouring moors is not 

 supported by the evidence. The progress of the stock is carefully watched 

 from the date of hatching to the commencement of the shooting season, and 

 it is always found that the total bag corresponds to the prospects at the 

 nesting season ; there are no berries on the ground to attract neighbouring 



