384 Cultivation of Moorland. 



yard, as, when used upon the arable fields for roots, it is found 

 to encourage the growth of "chicken weed" to such an extent 

 as to puzzle the cleaner of a root crop, however well studied his 

 plans of sowing and cleaning may have been. 



Catch Meadoios. — The subject of hillside catch-meadows in a 

 rough and rugged country abounding with valuable springs and 

 a rainy climate cannot well be too forcibly dwelt upon, and the 

 more so as I have mown full two tons of hay per acre from 

 this class of meadows when properly improved, which some seven 

 years past were xcorthless hill-sides, and this to the full extent 

 of some 50 acres — made upon the natural dry hill-slopes, at the 

 nominal cost of 12s. per acre. 



As so much has been written upon the formation, value, and 

 cost of " catch-meadows" in the Society's Journal, vol. xii. p. 1,* 

 I cannot do better than refer the reader to that essay, affording 

 as it does the best practical information I can give upon the 

 subject of watei'-meadows. 



Stock. — The stock found best adapted to elevated moorland 

 districts, whether reclaimed or not, is a class of thick-set, short- 

 legged animals. These are much more hardy than the more refined 

 breeds, and, from the nature of the climate and general produce, 

 they are found to pay more money per acre. If animals of higher 

 quality be placed upon elevated lands, they will quickly dege- 

 nerate into a moderate ill-shaped animal, and thus become ill 

 adapted to the elements and requirements of their new home. 



Summer occupation of high land. — Where unreclaimed lands 

 are situated within reach of cultivated farms, and the buildings 

 already erected, it is IMPORTANT to encourage the present tenants 

 to extend their operations to the " open waste," whereby the 

 return would at once be two-fold, and the climate and appearance 

 of the neighbourhood steadily improved. 



There is another and an important plan that may be adopted 

 in the reclaiming of moorlands : it applies especially to remote 

 situations, such as do not warrant the erection of a good and 

 substantial farm-house and buildings, or a desirable residence for 

 a respectable family. In such cases a class of summering farms 

 should be so set out as to afford facilities for an entire " stock 

 farm," little or no corn being grown. The breeding and feeding 

 of sheep would constitute the principal occupation and return of 

 the farm ; the summering of cattle and colts would form merely 

 a useful adjunct for the time, and might pay something towards 

 rent and labour. Such an occupation \vould require but little 

 outlay in buildings ; a modern double cottage would be ample as 

 a residence for the bailiff, and afford two spare rooms for the 



* By the Avriter of this paper. 



