90 THE 



illustration, I may mention that upon the property of 

 the Misses Gascoigne, (where the most extensive works 

 of land improvement in the county of Limerick are 

 being executed,) some of the occupiers were so opposed 

 to what they designated spoiling their land by making 

 deep useless holes, that they have been known to use 

 pitchforks in driving away the overseer who ventured to 

 commence such works on their lands ; but so differently 

 do they now feel, that they make anxious applications 

 to have their lands included in the drainage operations." 

 The Misses Gascoigne have erected a flax -mill to en- 

 courage the flax culture, and a tile-work, at which one- 

 inch pipes are sold at 12s. per thousand. 



The valley through part of which this day's ride led us, 

 extends to near Cahir in Tipperary, a distance from New- 

 castle of about forty miles. The breadth of the valley is 

 from six to nine miles. It improves towards Tipperary, 

 and then becomes what is known as the " Golden Vein." 

 There are few such tracts of land in any country, all of it 

 being soil of good quality, and very much of it the primest 

 feeding land. Notwithstanding this, many farmers are 

 surrendering their leases and going off to America, on 

 account of the twofold action of depressed prices and 

 increasing rates. The railway from Cork to Dublin 

 traverses a great part of this valley. We joined it at 

 Kilmallock, where one of those common but heart- 

 rending scenes of an emigrant-parting was witnessed. 

 A dozen men and women, with children, were about to 

 bid adieu to their relatives, before parting with them 

 for ever to go to America. Strong men were embracing 

 each other, and sobbing aloud ; while women, with more 



