Cultivation of Moorland. 355 



sources, it is found best (after suitaljle plans and arrangements 

 have been afjreed upon for the sites of plantations and public 

 roads) to divide the lands into three distinct classes. 



First, tiie hill-top and other rough land should be set out 

 (if possible) in one block as summering ground for young cattle, 

 store sheep, colts, ponies, Sec, to be subsequently improved by 

 " surface drainage," similar to the Scotch plan of " sheep-drains " 

 — an inexpensive process, yet found of infinite value. Upwards 

 of one hundred pounds have been expended in this process, near 

 to ray residence, by one of the tenants ; and I can thus speak 

 with accuracy as to the value of these drains. 



Tlie second or middle class of land to be set out is the portion 

 lying immediately below the rough wet ground, or situated upon 

 a southern aspect ; this is usually dry, healthy ground ; these 

 lands are intended for arable culture. 



The third class consists of the flats and marshes in the valleys, 

 together with some portions of the adjacent hill-sides, which 

 should be laid out for pasture and water-meadows. The prac- 

 tical bearing of such an occupation is that of stock-producing 

 returns, consequently an eye must ever be had to this particular 

 class of farming. 



In the arrangement of the farmstead care must be taken to so 

 place the buildings that " water-power " (in a hilly, moist 

 country) may contribute its full share in the works to be taken 

 in hand. To the water-wheel we must look for the future 

 economy of the labour at the yard. It will perform the thrash- 

 ing, chaff- cutting, grinding, root-slicing, &c. ; the stream may 

 also be so arranged as to wash all roots, cleanse all offices, collect 

 the sewage of the establishment, and finally convey the refuse 

 to the adjacent meadow below tiie farmstead, and so on to the 

 end of the farm or meadows. But this cheap and inviting aid 

 must not carry the improver boyond the proper requirements of 

 a " hill farmyard." It must ever be remembered that we are 

 treating of stock-farming, and not of the liarvesting or thrashing 

 of corn, as our pursuit; neither will it be wise upon a small farm 

 to concentrate too many sheds at the farmstead, as they will be 

 more appropriately situated if placed near the several watered 

 meadows, there to consume the hay, and produce manure upon 

 the spot lor future improvement, and thus save lots of cartage 

 of l)()th hay and manun>. JSuital)le water-gutters should be pro- 

 viclcil tv) coMvc^y all licjuids, t^c, from these sheds to the adjacent 

 meadows below. 



The carriage of root-crops to a farmyard in a hilly country is 

 objectionable, and should be reduced to the lowest jK)ssil)le point ; 

 the consumption of roots with straw, &c., in yards does not 

 belong to a iiill farm ; it is far better to avoid growing the straw, 



