Improvements at Adair. 379 



by Lord Adair for the residence of his laborers. 

 How delightful to behold such sights 1 



On quitting Adair, the country became less 

 fertile until our approach towards Rathkeel, 

 when we were gratified by the sight of a better 

 soil and an improved management. Very many 

 acres of potatoes were drilled, and, though 

 somewhat too late, the farmers were earthing 

 them up with the plough. The adoption of any 

 mode which would accelerate the harvest in 

 Ireland, would be attended with important ad- 

 vantages. The wetness of the spring season is 

 here of itself sufficient to induce winter plough- 

 ing. By this practice in the north of England, 

 nearly three weeks has been gained in the time 

 of harvest ; and I can see no reason why this 

 country should be later than Cumberland. The 

 frosts in April and in May sometimes injure 

 the potatoes with us : the mildness of the cli- 

 mate here precludes any apprehension of this 

 sort, and is a further inducement for early 

 planting, which, from prejudice or want of ex- 

 ertion, is not often concluded before the middle 

 of May. 



We were not permitted long to enjoy the 

 pleasure of observing practices entitled to be 

 called management; the reverse attended us 



