228 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



The foregoing are the rates of rent-charges in England. In Scotland 

 the rate of rent-charge per annum is 6, 14s. Id. for any amount, whether 

 under 500 or not. 



These waste lands are comprised chiefly of moorlands and hill-lands, 

 while a smaller extent is taken up with bogs and mosses, also land that 

 is subject to be submerged by the sea. There is no doubt but that a 

 large extent of our level moorlands could be reclaimed so as to produce 

 fair average crops of grain, &c. Our hill-pastures also can be so im- 

 proved as to bear a better and more abundant herbage for grazing. 



SECTION 2. The Improvement of our Waste Lands by rearing 

 Plantations on them. 



In commencing to improve and reclaim any portion of waste land, the 

 first point to ascertain is the existence or non-existence of sufficient shel- 

 ter to the part or parts about to be brought into cultivation. Where there 

 is not the shelter requisite, it will be necessary to form plantations, with 

 the view of checking cold winds and stormy blasts. Any one acquainted 

 with the district in which it is proposed to reclaim land will be able to 

 know from what quarter or quarters the prevailing cold winds come ; 

 but generally shelter is desired on the north and north-west sides ; 

 this will of course depend very much on the locality in which the oper- 

 ations are to be carried on. In consequence of the increasing demand 

 for sheep and their wool, these waste districts are rapidly rising in value 

 for the pasturage of this description of stock ; and hence we find that 

 many landed proprietors and tenants, having grazing on these wastes, are 

 draining a considerable extent of the wet parts of them. These drains 

 are made open, as already described in the chapter upon Drainage. This 

 has improved the pasturage operated on very much, and has added, 

 besides, to the general health of the stock. This system of drainage has 

 acted very beneficially so far as it has been put in operation, and ought 

 to be more extensively employed as an improving agency by all who 

 possess such lands. 



But what is wanted in order to secure the full advantage of this step, 

 and at the same time make good a still greater improvement over the 

 whole than it can effect alone, is shelter from the prevailing and cutting 

 winds which are experienced on those high-lying and exposed parts 

 during the greater portion of the year, but more especially in spring and 

 autumn. This shelter can only be secured by a judicious distribution of 

 plantations on them ; and to show how this can be best effected I offer 

 the following remarks : 



