1920.] Cultivation of a Moor in Cornwall. 



9 



Numerous applications have been received by the Ministry 

 from drainage authorities for Orders increasing their rating 

 and borrowing powers on the ground that the powers conferred 

 by their local Acts are insufficient for the performance of their 

 duties under post-war conditions. Since 1st January last, 

 three Orders of this kind have been confirmed, and four others 

 are expected to be confirmed shortly. 



An Order has been confirmed transferring to the Lancashire 

 County Council the powers and duties of four bodies of Drainage 

 Commissioners in Lancashire ; it is the only Order of this 

 nature that has been made. 



The Ministry has in hand the preparation of between 30 and 40 

 Orders establishing new drainage districts. These figures 

 afford striking testimony to the need that existed before the 

 passing of the Act of 191 8 for the establishment of drainage 

 authorities and also to the effectiveness of the machinery 

 provided by that Act. The Ministry's policy is to treat whole 

 river systems as administrative units, and to place each 

 system under a single authority, experience having proved that 

 where authorities having jurisdiction over parts only of a river 

 system have been established, engineering and administrative 

 difficulties have frequently arisen rendering effective drainage 

 impossible. 



Wadfast Moor is situated near Launceston, Cornwall, 

 about 500 ft. above sea level. During the last 100 years 

 the land has fallen out of cultivation, and 

 The Cultivation it is now C0V ered with heather, gorse, 

 of a Moor , , , , ° , 



in Cornwall sedges, rushes, and various forms of 



marshland vegetation. In places it is 

 also badly waterlogged. The surface soil is mainly a dark- 

 coloured loam from 5 to 8 in. deep, which rests on a subsoil of 

 yellow clay. It is very sour and was found on analysis to 

 contain a high percentage of organic matter, but relatively 

 small amounts of available phosphate. 



^'ith a view to testing the possibility of growing oats on 

 this type of land, the Cornwall Executive Committee decided, 

 in 1 91 8, to break up about 80 acres. Ploughing was commenced 

 on 1 6th Jul\', with Titan and Mogul Tractors and Davey-Sleep 

 2 -furrow balance ploughs. At first an attempt was made to 

 plough up and down the slope to facilitate drainage, but, owing 

 to the tough nature of the turf and the rank herbage, the 

 plough failed to turn the furrow. It was decided, therefore, 



