Cultivation of Moorland. 385 



occasional use of the tenant. The farmery would only require 

 sheds for some two or three cows, pij^s, &c,, for the bailiff, and 

 stable-room for the horses in summer. The workina^ oxen (of 

 which a goodly number should be used) would require no extra 

 attention in sheds during the summer season, and this would be 

 the only period when cultivation, upon such a farm, would be 

 going on. 



I subjoin a sketch of the course to be adopted, so as to make 

 the most of the summer, and to lighten the difficulties incident to 

 a long and profitless winter:' — 



Tlie boundary fences being in good order, the plan of the in- 

 tended fields laid down, and the first enclosure made, we com- 

 mence by paring and burning the native turf. Meanwhile a 

 suitable number of oxen and general outfit are being collected, and 

 the first crop of roots is well in by the end of June. Upon this 

 land 2i tons of lime per acre should be spread ; this may be 

 carted by hire, at per ton or otherwise, so as to simplify the 

 occupation. 



In July some rougher lands, such as cannot be pared, may be 

 ploughed and dragged for burning, then ploughed up for the 

 winter, to lay for subsequent tillage in the spring for Swedish 

 turnips. The oxen are then rested during the winter months and 

 kept cheaply, or they may be partly sold and replaced the fol- 

 lowing spring. 



In March the turnip lands will be ready to commence upon 

 with the ploughs (while the paring of other new lands is proceed- 

 ing as before), and subsequently prepared by the first of April for 

 sowing with grass-seeds and rape, without corn, to be fed by 

 fattening sheep in July. Then follows the programme as in the 

 first summer, for roots, &c. One or two pairs of horses may be 

 kept for convenience, according to the necessities of the farm, 

 large or small. Thus, as the farming proceeds, and with it an 

 extension of grazing lands, it may be well after a time to place 

 in a few young cattle upon these lands for the summer months. 

 Upon the 3et unreclaimed lands summering cattle, ponies, or 

 store sheep may be kept. 



By this plan of farming a provision of roots is made for the 

 winter and spring use ; young grass, one or more years old, will 

 follow for the early grazing ; and the rape and young seeds for 

 the fattening of all sli(>('p required to l^e sold, or the growing of 

 such sheep as are to be removed to an inland farm for wintering. 



tSuhsoiliiKj. — I have already spoken of the necessity of drainage, 

 but I must draw especial attention to a nice point on some 

 moorlands, even with porous subsoils, which, from their having a 

 fixed bed of thin clay or iron sediment formed between the sur- 

 face and subsoil, have lain waste, owing to the fact that no 



