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Can we rise higher in this climax, and give to our dis- 

 covery a still greater value t Yes ; — for I shall shew, that 

 in such soil, and at such altitudes, even cultivation can be 

 dispensed with, and the weak grassy sole clothing the peaty 

 surface, be converted by the spontaneous effort of Nature, 

 under very slight encouragement, into permanent and 

 most luxuriant fiorin meadow; a change effected every 

 where in these dreary regions with the greatest facility; 

 while in the lower country, and in the richest soils, we 

 cannot effect this conversion, except where we accidentally 

 meet with favourable circumstances, and even then not 

 without considerable labour and watchful attention. 



To procure countenance and co-operation, in establish- 

 ing the truth of these two paradoxes — to wit — That 

 fiorin can be cultivated to great advantage in our bleak 

 elevations, hitherto deemed unimprovable ; and also that 

 the natural, grassy sole of the place, in the same situa- 

 tions, without sowing seed, j)lantitig roots and stolones, or 

 breaking the surface, can be in the first year changed 

 into a luxuriant crop of meadow, — are subjects of the last 

 importance ; and I hope I shall be excused for going into 

 their subject at such length. 



In confirming these two positions, I shall adopt the 

 same style of demonstration 1 have used in other cases. 



I first establish the fact, and then develope the prin- 

 ciples from which it results. 



I produce testimonies, and point out the places where 

 these measures have already succeeded ; and I hope to be 

 permitted to repeat the experiments on a favourite theatre, 

 admirably adapted to the purpose, and easily accessible to 

 the amateurs of our own capital. 



I then shew from the natural history of fiorin grass, that 

 these results were to be expected; and I state the ob- 

 servations I have made on the habits of this vegetable in 



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