270 ACCOUNT of PEAT-MOSSES 
weather, it was repeatedly plowed and burnt, fo as to be con+- 
verted into a manure for the clay that was. under it *. 
Tuts could only be done where the mofs was thin. Where 
it was too thick to be reclaimed in this manner, the people 
contented themfelves with improving the furface, by plowing 
the afhes into it, or by laying upon it clay brought from the: 
adjacent cultivated grounds. The progrefs, however, that was. ~ 
made in the cultivation of the mofs by thefe methods was never 
very confiderable ; and therefore, for fome time patt, they have: 
given place to that of floating off the whole body of the mofs by 
water,except a {tratum two or three inches thick in contact with 
the clay. The foil thus cleared of mofs is excellent, and is found 
to let immediately for 15 s. per acre. This operation of floating 
is rendered practicable by the peculiar nature of this mofs, 
which, as has been faid, is fuperinduced upon. the original foil,. 
fo that the clay under it is on a level with the adjoining culti- 
vated grounds. | 
Turis method of cultivation is fuppofed to have been prac- 
tifed on the moffes. betwixt the Forth and Carron about the be- 
ginning of the prefent century, where it is computed, that above: 
600 acres. have been cleared with the water colleéted from the- 
mofs. 
* Tue people engaged in this work have. their honfes in the mofs. Thefe are 
at firft fometimes built of fod, fupported by a frame.of wood, laid on the furface: of 
the mofs; but as foon as any progrefs is made in clearing the ground, they are cut out 
of the mofs itfelf. For that purpofe, a drain is cut through the mofs, and at leaft 
a foot deep into the clay, as far as the intended houfe is to reach; a {pace from two 
to fix yards wide. is then cleared all round it; and laftly the area of the houfe is alfo 
cleared, leaving a wall of mofs on every fide, about. four feet and a half thick, at 
bottom, and three feet thick at top. The feet of the cupples which are to fupport 
the roof are inferted into this wall, but-do not reft upon it, as they reach as low 
as the clay, from which they rife up, nearly perpendicularly, as far as the top of 
the wall. The gables are completed with fod or mud. As the mofs-walls dry; 
and are confolidated, what was originally ten-or twelve feet high, finks down to 
the height of. five or fix feet. 
ee 
* 
ee 
—e 
Oe otto 
NM GT 
ae 
PRI TM Sa 
