DR. ANGUS SMITH ON PEAT. 291 



wet. This is a square space of 23 feet very closely, and 4 

 feet deep. But, at the rate at which the peat spoken 

 of was grown, the amount on an acre annually would be 

 2454 cubic feet, considerably above that demanded ; or if 

 we take the observation of Sir Richard Griffith, one third 

 of an acre would be sufficient to grow the quantity. Now 

 we have a right to suppose this attainable by selecting or 

 averaging circumstances suitable to the growth ; and then 

 we may have greater depth and less surface still. 



The elements of the calculation differ very much ; but 

 we may say that the value of the peat in the cutting al- 

 luded to, coal being 20s. a ton (a low estimate on the 

 hills), is from £4 to £5. 



I was told that the loads were heavy : let us call them 1 2 

 cwt., which would be enough for the hills ; we should then 

 have 24*4 tons of peat (often at 25 lbs. weight per cubic foot) 

 burnt per annum ; this is quite a low weight. If an equiva- 

 lent of coal were used, about 5 tons would be wanted ; and 

 it must be in few parts of the Highlands that they can be 

 got for a pound a ton. It would therefore be needful for 

 the cotters to spend, at a very low calculation, £5 to have 

 the same comfort ; indeed, when they use coal, they gene- 

 rally half starve themselves. In Manchester, people who 

 keep only one fire, require about 4^- tons in a year at 20s. a 

 ton, or nearly five pounds ; and in the Highlands it is quite 

 fair to suppose that more would be needed. Nay, it is not a 

 supposition, because it is required if not obtained ; the cli- 

 mate is colder and wetter, the summers are shorter, and 

 there is more heat required merely for drying clothes. 

 However, the sum of £5 is too low for the 5 tons required ; 

 but it is high enough to prove the point before us. If a 

 man got .€5 for every acre of poor land he cultivated, he 

 would, with a very moderate-sized farm, soon feel rich; 

 for some acres he would be pleased with 5 pence. We may 

 leave out altogether any inquiry into the value of land in 



