190 Improvement of Mossy Lands. — List of Patents. 



changed from quick into dead moss, and fertilised at the 

 same time. Hence it appears that the mosses which are so 

 gloomy and so unpleasant to look at, in their original state, 

 and the abundance of frost, which so many object to in the 

 climate of Scotland, may become sources of fertility and 

 riches." 



Preparation. — On this head he recommends to begin with 

 draining the land, so as to put it into a state for being 

 ploughed, without rendering it at the same time too dry. 

 After burning the heather, and using the fen ploughs for 

 paring the surface, the surface may be made into turf walls 

 for sheltering the grounds, or for filling up hollows. When 

 the surface is cleared, the moss to be ploughed, to the depth 

 of from six to nine inches, with a common Scots plough, 

 during the months of September, October, and all the 

 winter months while practicable, exposing the moss as much 

 as possible to the frost. The frequent use of a heavy roller 

 is recommended, as rendering the soil sooner capable of 

 producing abundant crops, and eftectaally banishing that 

 noxious weed sorrel, with which it is otherwise apt to over- 

 spread. 



As manure — fire spread over the surface is recommended; 

 the ashes to be immediately harrowed in, and the ground 

 sown. Dung, lime, clay, sand, or small gravel, may also 

 be employed, as circumstances require. 



Bear, oats, rye, rye-grass, rape, red clover, and the grass 

 called Yorkshire fog, seem the crops which answer best. 



Of the succession of crops sufficient time has not elapsed 

 to enable ajudgment to be formed. The great object, how- 

 ever, is stated to be, to get the lands laid down into grass as 

 speedily as possible. They can then be broken up with the 

 fen plough, the surface burnt, and the quantity of rich ashes 

 which the roots of the grass will produce, will ensure a suc- 

 cession of abundant crops for the last three years, of which 

 two may be grain, and with the last crop of grain the land 

 may be again laid down in grass. 



"There is great reason," says Sir .Tohn, *' to believe, that, 

 by following such a system, the extensive bogs in England, 

 Scotland, and Ireland, may be rendered fertile, and a great 

 auldition made to the wealth of the country, ajid to the sub- 

 sistence of its inhabitants." 



LIST OF PATENTS FOB NF.W INVENTIONS 



IVJiich Irnv^ passed the Signet Qjpce from October 24 ta 

 November 24, 1804. 



To William Henry Clayfield, of the city of Bristol, winc- 



uierchant. 



