JO Sir John Sinclair's Account of Moss Improvements 



deeper, before he attempted to crop the land. Mr. Anderson had some experience 

 in tlie cultivation of mossy lands in Strathnaver, where he had resided several years. 

 He knew the beneficial effects of deep ploughing, and of exposing moss to the in- 

 flaence of frost, by which it is converted, not only into a fertile soil, but even into 

 a manure, well adapted for light or for clayey lands. It is, however, particularly 

 to be observed, that exposing a mossy soil to the influence of the sun, or ploughing 

 it during the summer season, does mischief, drying up its moisture, and changing it 

 into peat for fuel, after which it is almost proof against the effects of frosts; whereas, 

 the more it can be exposed to frost, the better; as it is thus changed from quick, 

 into dead moss, and fertilized at the same time. Hence, it appears, that the mosses, 

 which are so gloomy and so unpleasant to look, at in their original state, and the 

 abundance of frost, which so many object to in the climate of Scotland, may 

 become sources of fertility and riches. 



I shall now briefly detail, what appears to me the best system, for converting 

 mossy land into a productive state, and by means of which considerable profit may 

 accrue to those who will engage in so useful an undertaking. 



Preparation. — Begin with draining the land, so as to put it in a state fit for being 

 ploughed, without rendering it at the same time too dry. Burn the heather; then 

 make use of the fen ploughs for paring the surface. What is pared off, niay either 

 be made into turf walls, for sheltering the ground, or employed to fill up the hollows, 

 or burnt, though the ashes of the surface are in general so light, as to be of very 

 litde service as a manure. When the surface is cleared, then take a common Scots 

 plough, and during the months of September and October, and all the winter months, 

 whilst it is practicable, plough the moss from six to nine inches deep, exposing it as 

 much as possible to the frost. The frequent use of the roller (and the heavier the 

 better) is of the greatest importance in the cultivation of moss, rendering it much 

 sooner capable of producing abundant crops of grain or grass, than otherwise could 

 be expected, and effectually banishing that noxious weed sorrel^ with which it is 

 otherwise apt to be overspread. 



Manure. — In the following spring, the land thus prepared, will be fertilized by 

 the frost, and easily converted, by harrowing, into mould, or what Dr. Anderson 

 calls moss-earth. If any clods are to be found in a rough state, they ought to be 

 burnt; and, if the season is dry, fire may be spread over the surface, the ashes 

 immediately harrowed in, and the ground sown. Dung, lime, clay, sand, or 



