68 On Fiorin Grass* 



Sometimes the ropes are buried through the winter. 

 In the spring, they are found in a forward state of ve- 

 getation ; and thus are chopped for strewing, to great 

 adviin^age. 



In Ireland and Scotland^ they prepare the ground and 

 lay or scatter the strings, any time either in, or be- 

 tween October and March. In mild open winters, and 

 favourable autumns, this may be done here. There 

 is a singular advantage attending the culture of this 

 grass. The dry hay, or rather strings, will vegetate, 

 from the joints, many months after being cut, or hous- 

 ed. The operations may be carried on in seasons, 

 when no other such work can safely be done. When- 

 soever, even in winter, the frosts admit pulverizing the 

 earth, so as to cover the strings, the laying may pro- 

 ceed. The joints will be ready to shoot at the earliest 

 opening of the spring ; and, being hardy, will not suf- 

 fer by late frostsr. * This plant endures wet, drought, 

 heat, and cold, with far less injury than any of the Gra- 

 772ma tribe. No other grass should grow with it ; be- 

 cause that will be sooner ripe ; and fall and feculate, 

 before the Fiorin is fit for the sithe, or hook. 



The cutting and curing the crops are performed in 

 the common mode. But it is certainly more tedious 

 and troublesome to cut, than common grass ; and fre- 

 quently requires the hook, instead of the sithe, 

 in some places. Lap, or grass- cocks of small size, 

 arepreferred to larger accumulations, at first. Cocks of 

 size may be finally made, but they must not be tramped 

 or consolidated ; and may lay out, if necessity requires, 

 in rain or snow, without injury, for weeks, or even 



