356 Cultivation of Moorland. 



keep but little cattle in the winter, and to eat the roots upon the 

 land with sheep as a general rule. 



In laying out the fields, paddocks of say 4 acres each should 

 adjoin the homestead as nearly as possible ; then should follow 

 a range of fields about double in size, say 8 acres. As the fields 

 gradually become more distant from the buildings they may be 

 increased in size, according to the position of the lands for 

 shelter or other local circumstances ; but these (if possible) should 

 not exceed 12 acres. On farms of considerable size, and where 

 the object is (very properly) to keep a large flock of breeding 

 sheep, fields of much larger dimensions may be laid out ; but 

 let these be the more distant ones for general pasturage. 



In making these arrangements the better, and indeed the only 

 proper way, is to commit the lands to paper, and then, with. 

 " plan in hand," all buildings, sheds, fields, roads, ponds, and 

 watercourses, may be so adjusted as to form one consistent pic- 

 ture of convenience, and to simplify the future arrangements, 

 whether arable, grazing, mowing, or manuring. 



In setting out these fields an eye should be had to local 

 facilities as well as to general rules : the conveyance of surface 

 water by means of the fence sides to given points, such as ponds. 

 for irrigation, gives an instance in point ; in doing this the 

 " spirit-level " may be advantageously used, so that the cross 

 fences upon a hill-slope may be used as " water-carriage fences." 

 But the first essiential in a liilly district is to get a proper know- 

 ledge of the lands to be drained, as many apparently springy 

 lands only require to be subsoiled to lay them perfectly dry. 



Since writing the above outline 1 have considered it best ta 

 illustrate the subject with a map of the farm which I occupy,, 

 from a reference to which a general idea may be gathered as to 

 the plans just described. 



The hill-farm referred to was taken in hand by its occupier as 

 nature formed it in the spring of 1848 ; at that period it was 

 wont to produce the aquatics and heather plants, to the exclusion 

 of better pasture, but it now exhibits every variety of artificial 

 grasses, valuable roots, watered meadows, and a considerable, 

 flock of breeding ewes, cattle, colts, and ponies. 



Buildings. — The BUILDINGS upon a new occupation are at all 

 times an important feature in the outlay of the landlord's capital, 

 and upon such outlay a proper percentage should be paid. If,, 

 when landlords hesitate to advance these improvements in highly 

 cultivated or favoured districts, they can only expect as a natural 

 result an indifferent tenant, how much more reasonable is 

 apathy on the part of the tenant of lands yet uncultivated as ta 

 his own experimental outlay with a view to a return which caa 



