AND PEOTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND. 49 



pretty high level, and there were one or two small islets in front 

 of the property separated from the shore by shal^y channels, all 

 contributing to successful reclamation. Sir John Richardson 

 has kindly communicated the following notes regarding them: 

 The first ^ggot dyke was run across to Cairnie Island in 

 1808-9, and 50 reclaimed acres (Scots) were under crop in 1826. 

 The first crop was oats, which was rent free, and it paid the 

 whole cost of the embankments (L.1400). The first ten years were 

 alternately white and green crops, and had one or two dressings 

 of lime, but no manure was required, and then a four shift rota- 

 tion commenced. The reclaimed land continues to be more 

 fertile than the adjoining land, which is also of excellent quality 

 less manure is required for the reclaimed land, as some virgin 

 soil continues to be blended with the upper stratum when the 

 land is ploughed. To make it perfect it requires a little more 

 silica to strengthen the straw, which is scarcely stiff enough to 

 stand upright in a favourable season. On the whole, the opera- 

 tion has, in my case, been extremely profitable, and when ex- 

 hausted it can be refreshed by warping with the tidal waters. 



The Lune. 



Aldcliffe Marsh lands, on the Lune, extending to 160 acres, 

 were enclosed in 1820, and I am indebted for the following 

 notes regarding them to the proprietor, Edward Dawson, Esq. of 

 Aldcliffe Hall. " The land enclosed was previously an old marsh, 

 a good part of it covered with rushes. As it approached the 

 tide there was more silt, and it was partly covered with sward 

 and pastured with sheep. 



" The whole was ploughed in 1821, being the spring after its 



