143 



them, assuring them, it is now ascertained, that the eulogia 

 pronounced on this grass are not merited, the whole story 

 being a mere humbug. 



I have not yet got over all the difficulties I have to sur- 

 mount, nor detailed all the opposition I have to encounter 

 in my endeavours to benefit the world, by making them 

 acquainted with this valuable grass ; its favourite soil is 

 attacked, and pronounced to be incapable of producing 

 any crop worth the attention of man. 



Peat Moss I have often stated to be a most favourable 

 soil for florin: yet the book-making gentry pursue jocat 

 soil with the same inveterate hostiUty they wage against 

 florin itself. 



What seems most extraordinary is, that these condem- 

 nations of peaty soil, come almost exclusively from North 

 Britain. Now I believe, that the unimproved and un- 

 productive surface in Scotland, bears a greater pro- 

 portion to its whole area, than in any other parts of the 

 United Kingdom ; and of this neglected and condemned 

 surface, I have no doubt, that if we exclude stony tracts, 

 and inaccessible elevations, nine-tenths of the remaining 

 surface is peaty soil, and this is the object of these gentle- 

 men's reprobation. 



Our surprise will be increased when we look to the 

 theatre upon which these anathemas against peaty soil are 

 pronounced, and the vehicle through which they are con- 

 veyed to the world; — no other than the Highland So- 

 ciety and its transactions. 



This body, for which I have the highest respect, insti- 

 tuted for the purpose of promoting the improvement of 

 their country, is made the tool of mercenary speculations, 

 and innocently seduced to give their sanction to the false 

 and >vicked position, that nine-tenths of the unproductive 

 parts of their country is incapable of further improvement. 



