t2 -Afr, James Anderson's Observations 



the attraction of much surface water ; but they neither find, or believe, that frost 

 hurts the salubrity of their atmosphere. 



I will not pretend to argue, respecting the propriety of the terms, quick and dead 

 moss, which some may object to: they answer the purpose very well, by under- 

 standing them in the same sense that Dr, Anderson has affixed to them; and when 

 it is admitted that moss will continue to grow and increase, until dug up and broken^ 

 it may be allowed to enjoy the pleasures of vegetable life. 



It is contended, that soil is never properly formed from an adhesive moss, until 

 the third year after it is broken up ; and upon that data the success of your expe- 

 riments the third year is attributed ; which, upon the supposition that your 

 operations bad been properly carried on from the commencement, was a rational 

 conclusion. 



The success in question was not greater, though sufficient to show, what may be 

 expected ; but it is those only who know the mode of cultivation practised, that can 

 properly account for it. And though I concur with those who contend that three 

 years (ai least) is necessary to reduce growing moss into a proper soil, yet if they 

 will be pleased to visit your farm of Carterfield in August next, they will probably 

 see a tolerable crop upon moss, that has been broken up since last November; 

 though to be sure rot equal to what a more perfect cultivation will produce; and 

 for this same expected crop, we depend in a great measure upon the effects of frost, 

 which some consider as insignificant; and a litde burning, which others totally 

 condemn. 



It is said that there is no impropriety in ploughing up growing moss in summer, 

 so as to obtain the benefit of the summer drought and sun, for reducing it into 

 mould or soil : so much do I differ in opinion, that were I under the necessity of 

 performing the operation in that season, I would think it highly necessary to follow 

 niy plough, with a break harrow and roller, so as to prevent that benefit; at the 

 same lime I allow, that moss broke up to a sufficient depth the preceding harvest, or 

 winter, ai>d which may be supposed to have got frost, may very safely, and with 

 great propriety, be wrought with both plough and harrow in summer; because once 

 thoroughly /roi/ff/, all the sunshine in Jamaica will not afterwards bring it to the 

 consistence of real peat. 



It is said that " a peat not uplifted will be reduced to mould in a season." This 

 mav be so far true ; but if we examine that mould attentively, we will fiiid it feel 



