08 



The celerity with which the measures I recommend are 

 to become productive, is a point of much consequence ; and 

 I can establish it by a strong fact. 



In spring 1811, the Farming Society of Ireland proposed 

 a medal of five guineas value for the best Essay on fiorin 

 grass, I gave in one ; and, to prove quickness of return, 

 promised, Avhen I cut my turf in April, I would lay down 

 a. part of the ground from which the turf had been cut, 

 and engaged to mow from it that same season a crop of 

 hay of superior quality, and double the quantity, of any cut 

 that year from an equal area. 



I called upon my most respectable neighbours, particu- 

 larly the Hon. and Rev. Charles Knox, to inspect the 

 ground before the turf was cut, and afterwards when the 

 crop was growing ; and they reported, that I had com- 

 pletely fulfilled my promise. The same ground was in- 

 spected in Octoher, by Committees of the Agricultural 

 Societies of the Stewartry of Kircudbright and 

 County of Wigtown, who saw with astonishment the 

 meadows cut, and made a most favourable report. 



About the same time, a Gentleman was sent over from 

 Dumfriesshire to inspect these meadows, and his 

 first question was — Where is your meadow on cut-out 

 moss ? I took him there, and showed him the luxuriant 

 meadow, pursuing the turf-cutter. He examined it with the 

 greatest attention, aspertained the bounds of the narrqw 

 stripes made after each year's cutting, and then said : " If 

 I see nothing else, I am amply repaid for the trouble and 

 expense of my journey T This Gentleman, on his return 

 home, published his report of what he saw. 



The late Right Hon. Isaac Corry also inspected 

 these meadows, and published his report in a letter to 



