492 THE GROUSE IN HEALTH AND IN DISEASE 



It has been stated that land which is at present given up to Grouse might 

 profitably be reclaimed and utilised for the support of an agricultural population. 

 Experiments have often been made. In the county of Sutherland alone over 

 100,000 acres were apportioned among an industrious class of agricultural 

 tenants with a view to being brought under cultivation ; but the experiment 

 was a failure, and the land gradually reverted to its former state. 



The best Grouse ground, that is ground that grows nothing but heather, 

 is always of a poor peaty nature, and is incapable of growing crops to advantage. 

 In this respect it differs from the green land where the soil is rich enough to 

 grow grass and bracken ; this green land is of little value for Grouse ; but might 

 with advantage be planted with trees or even crops. It is probably true to 

 say that in the selection of waste land for cultivation good Grouse ground is 

 the last that would be chosen by practical agriculturalists. 



It is proposed to deal with the present subject under three headings : 



(1) The direct value of Grouse shootings to the proprietor. 



(2) The direct value to gamekeepers and other employees. 



(3) The indirect value to the community, 



Under the first heading the obvious difficulty which presents itself is that 

 of putting a definite letting or selling value upon a given area of Grouse moor. 

 Not only does the yield of Grouse vary considerably according to the district 

 and to the management of the moor, but it has been found that the rents 

 offered for this form of sport depend greatly upon the convenience or amenity 

 of the district. In a district where the scenery is fine, and the climate bracing, 

 a large rent will be readily given for a shooting which in a less attractive 

 district would scarcely command a tenant. It is, of course, impossible to make 

 an accurate estimate of values which depend so greatly upon circumstances 

 and personal taste ; but an approximation can be made by dividing the Grouse- 

 producing areas of the kingdom into districts possessing characteristics in 

 common, and in which the average rent is recognised to be at a certain rate 

 for a given average bag. This rate varies between 1, 10s. or even 2 per 

 brace in some districts, down to less than 1 per brace in others. 



In each district the average yield of Grouse per acre of moor can be ascer- 

 Yieid of tained from the annual bags of a large number of shootings of known 

 iigiven f0r acreage. The total number of Grouse killed each year in a given 

 area. district may thus be approximated, and the probable rent may be 



calculated at the current rate per brace for the district. 



