32 Value of Dioughl-resisiing Plantg. 



more than four years in grass, to begin the rotation 

 with rape. When this field, the Outer Kaimrig, was 

 ploughed the second time no difficulty was experienced, 

 as the land had become so ameliorated by the added 

 vegetable matter of the first turf. We have found no 

 difficulty in taking turnips out of grass in the case ot 

 other fields. For later information about the Outer 

 Kaimrig field, vide Appendix III, 



But I have found, from using chicory, burnet, kidney 

 vetch, and a liberal supply of yarrow, that there are 

 other attendant advantages besides that of disintegrating 

 the soil and supplying it with vegetable matter, for all 

 light land is, of course, very liable to suffer from drought, 

 and all these plants resist drought to a wonderful 

 degree. Of this fact I had a remarkable confirmation 

 last year in the case of a large flat field on the margin of 

 a stream (called haugh in Scotland) — a field interspersed 

 at intervals with gravel beds, the grasses in which, 

 of course, are quickly burned up in periods of drought. 

 Last year there was a very severe drought, and, there- 

 fore, an excellent opportunity for testing the value of 

 these plants in dry weather. When the drought was at 

 its height, I, on June 17, 1895, carefully examined the 

 field, and especially the shingly beds on it. On these 

 the grasses and clovers were withered down to the 

 ground, and the clover leaves crumpled in the hand as 

 if they had been scorched by fire ; but the drought- 

 resisting plants were green and sappy, though in 

 various degrees. Chicory and burnet clearly stood 

 the drought best, then came kidney vetch, and then 

 yarrow. Of the lucerne plant I cannot speak so posi- 

 tively. Some were dried up and yellowish, while others 

 looked fairly well. I was particularly struck with a 

 plant of burnet. It was touching one of cocksfoot 

 (which stands drought well as compared with other 

 grasses), which was withered yellowish-white down to 

 the ground, but the burnet was as green and fresh- 

 looking as a thriving strawberry leaf And I may add 



