Florin Grass. 35 



Good farming extends but a short distance 

 from Dumfries. 



Friars Close is a charming little spot. It is 

 almost surrounded by the Nith, whose banks 

 are finely wooded, besides which, it derives 

 some advantages from the plantations at Dal- 

 swinton. 



It gave me pleasure to see a morass of some 

 acres in this neighbourhood preparing for the 

 Fiorin grass (agrostis stolonifera), by Mr. Miller, 

 who is the most extensive cultivator of it in 

 Britain. I was sorry a mis-statement of my 

 opinion on the merits of florin had reached him, 

 I was a sceptic, then became a convert, but not 

 a blind enthusiast. Its merits have their limits. 

 I would not apply it to valuable land ; but on 

 bog, or on elevated situations in a wet climate, 

 or where irrigation can be resorted to, it will 

 be highly productive. 



In a luxuriant state fiorin makes excellent 

 hay; but where it has not an opportunity of 

 indulging in water, it grows slowly, is harsh, 

 stunted, sapless, and poor, and of little value. 



I cannot, however, dismiss this subject, with- 

 out condemning the expensive method adopted 



D 2 



