30 THE PLANTATIONS ON THE ESTATE OF SORN. 
most part, was an extensive moor when she became owner of it— 
undrained, and without a tree for shelter ; so that there was un- 
limited scope for improvements. She appears to have known, or 
been well advised, that the first step in estate improvement was, 
according to the old adage, “for agriculture to succeed, arboricul- 
ture must proceed.” With wisely-directed skill she managed to 
overcome the difficulties which meet those who have to form 
plantations on poor peaty soils and bleak moorlands. Limestone 
existing on the property, she set about opening limeworks, and 
liberally dressed the land with the fresh lime ; digging, trenching, 
and ploughing it in, and then cropped the land for two seasons 
before commencing to plant it. Open drains also were cut 
at certain distances apart to carry off all stagnant water, and 
the ground was thoroughly protected against the inroads of 
stock from the adjoining moor by a substantial stone dyke 
running along the boundary. The interior fences are composed 
mostly of beech, which have thriven well and form good hedges. 
After the liberal treatment of the soil above indicated, it was a 
matter of certainty that the plantations would succeed, in such a 
manner as to satisfy even the most sanguine expectations. 
The soil, for the most part, is peaty, in some places pure peat, 
resting on a clayey subsoil, well suited to grow a crop of Scots 
and spruce fir timber suitable for the local markets of a mining 
district. 
The plan followed in laying out the plantations was most 
simple, the straight line being used, except around exposed farm 
homesteads, where the shelter-belts were laid out in curves, and 
around the top of Tinkholm Hill, where the line was carried 
about 30 feet below the summit, or about 900 feet above the level 
of the sea, and the highest point of the plantations, 
It may be said that there is a sameness about the plantations, 
as the crop consists principally of Scots and spruce firs. This, 
however, shows the wisdom of the planter, because the soil is 
only adapted to grow such hardy kinds of trees, for which a ready 
market is now found in the neighbouring coalfields of upper Ayr- 
shire; the extensive Airds Moss collieries being within a few miles 
of the estate. It is seldom that the planter reaps the benefit of 
his labours ; but, if he takes a pleasure in the work of planting, 
it is a source of great satisfaction to see the trees thriving and 
the work proceeding in the manner desired. The lady who 
planted these woods does not appear to have had any desire to 
