Cultivation of Moorland. 353 



Before embarking; in extensive improvements upon any avail- 

 able waste lands, however inviting, it is prudent to assume that 

 these have some peculiar oi local disadvantages, or they could 

 not have remained as "waste lands" during so long and inter- 

 esting a period of our modern husbandry ; and even if the neglect 

 of these lands be owing to prejudice, it is well to satisfy onesell 

 distinctly on what the prejudice rests, for it is sure to have some 

 foundation — whether a sound one or not may be ascertained by 

 careful inquiry, or at least by prudent experiment. Again, if the 

 native farmers are shy to encounter them, it is doubly important 

 for a stranger to meditate well upon this, and to calculate carefully 

 the intended outlay, and not less carefully the probable return, alter 

 allowing a wide margin for losses by bad seasons and accidents. 



The groundwork of improvement uj)on w-hich a practical man 

 may go with safety is first an accurate knowledge of the district, 

 its advantages and disadvantages, its roads and markets, to- 

 gether with a faithful estimate of the present and probable 

 future value of the lands to be reclaimed. If an extensive im- 

 provement by enclosure and subsequent culture is intended, a 

 general map of the district or lands should be made, and an 

 actual survey made of all springs, bogs, watercourses, wet or dry 

 lands, hilly or flat. This should be committed to paper for future 

 reference and guidance in the adjustment or laying out of intended 

 farmeries. On the same plan ail mines, quarries, ancient roads, 

 natural woods, rights of streams or springs for irrigation, should 

 be accurately and historically marked. 



In carrying out extensive works it may be required to improve 

 the outline or general consolidation of an estate by purchase, 

 sale, exchange, or otherwise, in order to secure outlets for 

 drainage, connecting roads with villages, highways, &c. Much 

 of the ultimate value of an estate depends upon these con- 

 necting links, or on the natural facilities for imjiroving tiiem. 

 Attention should also lje paid to outstanding common rights 

 and claims, which are sometimes not clearly made out till the 

 increasing value of adjacent land makes them more diflicult to 

 deal with. The work then proceeds satisfactorily upon a pre- 

 pared system and plan, which may at once be turned to in the 

 office wlicn questions arise as to new occupations. 



In proceeding to th(; pnictiial discussion of the best methods 

 of " bringing moorland into cultivation," it will simplify the 

 subjectto take them in regular order, commencing with the wild 

 and open moorland "as nature formed it." 



The I'-lfert uf Climate. — Open wastes at an altitude of 7()0 to 

 800 feet and iij)wards are beyond the growth of wheat or barley, 

 with profit, exce])t in a few situations exceptional for aspect or 

 shelter and ionse([uent warmth. In some dry seasons a tolerable 



