110 



HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part I. 



671. The Swedish cottages are built of logs, like those of Poland (Jig' 87,), but 

 they are roofed in a different manner. Above the usual covering of boards is laid birch 

 bark, in the manner of tiles, and on that a layer of turf, so thick 

 that the grass grows as vigorously as on a natural meadows The 

 walls are often painted red : they are very small, and gene- 

 rally very close and dirty within, at least in winter. There are 

 various exceptions, however, as to cleanliness, especially among 

 the post-masters, who are all farmers. The post-house at Yfre, 

 north of Stockholm, was found by Dr. Clarke and his party so 

 " neat and comfortable, and every thing belonging to it in such 

 order," that they resolved to dine there. '* The women were 

 spinning wool, weaving, heating the oven, and teaching children to 

 read, all at the same time. The dairy was so clean and cool, that-^ 

 we preferred having our dinner there, rather than in the parlor. S 

 For our fare they readily set before us a service consisting of 

 bacon, eggs, cream, curd, and milk, sugar, bread, butter, &c. ; and our bill of fare for the 

 whole amounted only to twenty pence; receiving which they were very thankful. 

 Cleanliness in this farmer's family was quite as conspicuous as in any part of Switzer- 

 land. The tables, chairs, and the tubs in which they kept their provisions, were as 

 white as washing could make them ; and the most extraordinary industry had been 

 exerted in clearing the land, and in rendering it productive. They were at this time 

 employed in removing rocks, and in burning them for Isevigation, to lay the earth again 

 upon the soil." (Scandinavia, sect. i. p. 179.) 



672. The cottages in Norway are formed as in Sweden, covered with birch, bark, and 

 turf. On some of the roofs, after the hay was taken, Dr. Clarke found lambs pas- 

 turing ; and on one house he found an excellent crop of turnips. The galleries about 

 their houses remind the traveller of Switzerland. 



673. The cottages of the Laplanders are round huts of the rudest description {fig. 88.) 



674. The agricultural 

 produce of Sweden are 

 the common corns. Wheat 

 and rye are chiefly grow- 

 in South and East Goth- 

 land ; oats are the bread- 

 corn of the country ; and 

 big or Scotch barley is 

 the chief corn of Lapland 

 and the north of Norway. 

 The bean and pea are 

 grown in Gothland, and 

 the potatoe, flax, and 

 enough of tobacco for 

 hom.e consumption, by every farmer and cottager. Only a few districts grow sufficient 

 corn for their own consumption, and annual importations are regular. 



675. The Lichen rangiferinus, or reindeer moss, 

 (Jig- 89.), is not only used by the reindeer, 

 but also as fodder for cows and other horned . 

 cattle. It adds a superior richness to the milk 

 and butter. It is sometimes eaten by the inha- 

 bitants ; and Dr. Clarke having tasted it, found 

 it crisp and agreeable . 



676. The Lichen roccella, which abounds near 

 Gotten burg and othei^ parts of Sweden, was in 

 considerable demand in the early part of last war 

 as a scarlet dye. 



77. The Lycopodium complanatum (fig. 90.) 

 is employed in dyeing their woollen. Even the 

 leaves, as they fall from the trees, are carefully 

 raked together and preserved, to encrease the 

 stock of fodder. (Scandinavia, chap, xviii.) 



678. Tar in Sweden is chiefly extracted from 

 the roots of the spruce fir, and the more marshy 

 the forest the more the roots are said to yield. Roots or billets of any kind are packed 

 close in a kiln, made like our lime-kilns in the face of a bank. They are covered 

 with turf and earth, as in burning charcoal ; at the bottom of the kiln is an iron pan 

 into which the tar runs during the smothered combustion of the wood. A spout from 

 the iron pan conveys the tar at once into the barrels, in which it arrives in this country. 



