FRENCHBROOK. 17 



jet, I have not a doubt, prove an excellent investment 

 to some tenant of skill and capital. 



The next farm we visited was Frenchbrook, within 

 three miles of the upper end of Lough Corrib. It 

 adjoins the hamlet of Kilmain, where there is a church 

 and chapel, and contains about 500 acres. There is 

 no wood here, but the stone-walls are even more than 

 usually substantial and good. The greater part of this 

 farm is the finest feeding land for sheep and cattle — 

 dry, friable, undulating land, all on limestone. The 

 fields of rich old grass are superior to anything we 

 have, except in small patches, in any part of Scotland 

 I at present remember. The best of it is too good for 

 tillage, but about one half of it might be profitably 

 brought under the plough. The sheep and cattle then 

 grazing on it were excellent. This is a very desirable 

 farm, though the neighbourhood did not appear so 

 inviting as in any of those which I had previously 

 visited. The proprietor would erect all necessary 

 buildings ; and, as there are none at present, these 

 could be constructed on the most approved plan. The 

 present rent paid for this farm by an extensive grazier, 

 an excellent tenant, is not more than 25s. per Irish 

 acre, the owner paying all rates of every kind. 



These farms all lie upon limestone, with access to 

 " turf." They are twenty to twenty-eight miles from 

 Oranmore, the nearest station on the Dublin and Gal- 

 way railway ; which station, when the line is opened, 

 may be five hours' ride to Dublin. They are likewise 

 within from three to ten miles from Lough Corrib, 



B 



