NOTES. , 27 



least fibrous, and which has the least porosity, is the most easily divided, and is 

 best calculated for putrescent manures. The fibrous peat requires the appli- 

 cation of lime. 



6 Dr Coventry recommends the drainage of flow mosses, for several years, 

 before their cultivation is attempted. Discourses, p. 1 JO. 



7 Communication from John Middleton, Esq. 



8 Coventry's Discourses, p. 114. 



9 It is difficult to improve land, which has been covered by the sea at every 

 neap tide. A field of this sort has been fenced off from the sea near Exmoutb, 

 and for seven years it would not produce either corn or grass, or even pulse of 

 any kind ; indeed it still remains perfectly barren, yet the earth seems fine, and 

 rich in quality. 



There must have been something peculiarly deleterious in the sea salt with 

 which it is saturated. Remark by the Rev. Robert Hoblyn. 



10 Coventry's Discourses, p. 119. They pay much attention, in several 

 parts of the Continent, in particular on the shores of the German Ocean, to 

 prevent these " sand-floods," as they are termed. A small rivulet, or the plant- 

 ing, of Crunch arenaria, are found to be the most effectual barriers against their 

 encroachments. 



11 Communications to the Board of Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 257. 



12 Hants Report, p. 297 ; Annals of Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 412. 



13 Oxfordshire Report, p. 221. 



14 Communications to the Board of Agriculture, vol. iv. p. 42. 



15 Marshall's Yorkshire, vol. i. p. 316. In Oxfordshire, on the other hand, 

 owing to the great scarcity of fuel, the roots pay one-half of the expense. 

 Rej)ort, p. 223. In America, they find that the roots of the maple and the 

 beech, decay of themselves in four or five years. The roots of the oak require 

 a longer period. 



16 Remark by John Middleton, Esq. 



17 Stirlingshire Report, p. 213. 



18 Perthshire Report, p. 329. It is advisable to leave the roots where they 

 are not worth the expense of removing, only boring a hole in the middle, which 

 brings on rottenness, even in two or three years. 



1 9 Communications to the Board of Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 260. 



20 Oxfordshire Report, p. 232. 



21 Pteris aquilina. 



22 In pasture lands, they have been destroyed, by cutting them twice in the 

 season, by the scythe or hook. Remark by Edward Burroughs, Esq. 



23 Oxfordshire Report, p. 234, and 240. The Rev. Robert Hoblyn has 

 completely eradicated fern, by a tedious, but effectual process. He employed 

 a weeding woman to cut off the fern, when young and full of sap, (about five 

 or six inches high), just below the surface of the ground ; and another woman, 

 with a basket of old salt, to apply a pinch of it, to the severed and bleeding root. 

 The acridity of the salt destroyed the weed. 



24 General Report of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 359. Some have improved 

 lieathy pastures, by pulling up the heath, where it was long and thick, then 

 bowing grass-seeds, and applying a moderate dressing of hot lime, by which 

 means the land was soon converted into excellent pasture. 



25 Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. iv. p. 465. 



26 Communications to the Board of Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 264. 



27 Ditto, vol. ii. p. 266, 268. 



28 Lincolnshire Report, p. 255. 



29 Remark by John Middleton, Esq. 



30 Remark by the Rev. Robert Hoblyn. 



31 Communications to the Board of Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 253. 



32 A wooden bolt, to unite the horse-trees to the chain of the plough, may 

 prevent mischief by giving way. 



