RED DEER LAND. u 



Good crops are obtained in the vales, 

 though everything is late in spring, so that it 

 is a matter of surprise so much can be grown 

 in so short a time. Cost of labour must be un- 

 derstood to include cost of lime and haulage, 

 as without lime the soil cannot be improved. 

 This soil consists of a black friable peat, in 

 some places deep, in others shallow. Under 

 a hot sun it becomes dry, but during the 

 winter and, indeed, for the greater part of 

 the year, it is soft and watery. Bogs are 

 numerous, and springy places which are 

 almost bogs. Labour must first be expended 

 in clearing the surface of heather, whortle- 

 berries, and rough grass. Lime must then 

 be carried up, and the cost of haulage equals 

 the price of the material. 



When ploughed and laid down to 

 grass, unless broken up from time to time, 

 the ground will revert and yield nothing 

 but rushes. Acres upon acres may be 

 seen covered with rushes where land has 

 been reclaimed, and has reverted to waste. 



