Sutherland Reclamation. 
449 
about the heath-land : some have not observed any falling off 
at all, others report a great deterioration, while a third class 
think a falling off is only to be observed where burning 
and draining have not been sufficiently attended to. Sheep 
and grouse are alike benefited by the systematic burning of the 
heath ; the work requires to be done periodically in sections, 
for when heath has once grown high it cannot be burned 
without some risk of the fire extending bevond the limits 
intended for it. 
Where the shooting and the grazing are let to different tenants, 
neither the keeper nor the shepherd has the sole responsibility, 
each is jealous of the other, and disposed to cavil at his work, 
the result being that the heath is often left unburned much 
longer than it should be. 
Information on the subject of sheep-drains was solicited by 
the following question : " Is surface-drainage of the heath-land 
extending, and if so, what is the effect ? " Most of the replies 
are to the effect that it is extending, and with good effect. 
!Mr. John Blake writes from Dunrobin Mains, " Yes, the sheep 
are more healthy, but it may be overdone where there is a grass 
called draw-moss, which the sheep live upon in spring." 
Mr. Mitchell also says that " it is extending with good results, 
but it has to be done judiciously, as some of our best grasses are 
destroyed if the ground is made too dry." 
Mr. Sellar replies, " Surface-draining of land under heather 
is not extending, as heather does not require draining. ^luch 
damage has often been done to ling-moss and to prv bv over 
surface-draining." 
^Ir. Paterson states that " it is extending and affects green- 
land to the worse and heath to the better, except moss-ground." 
Mr. Rutherford believes it to be extending, " But, if there is 
no mixture of grass among the heath, I do not think it will pay 
the farmer or improve the heath much." 
^Ir. Purvis says that, " Within the past twenty years the hill- 
grazings have been nearly all surface-drained, adding greatly to 
the comfort and safety of the stock from rot, 6cc., and no doubt 
making up so far for failure of green-land." 
It is usual on sheep-farms to allow each shepherd the keep 
of one or more cows ; as they get the pick of the land, their 
produce may afford some criterion of its condition. 
To an inquiry whether the butter and milk of these cows 
was richer or poorer than it used to be 25 or 50 years ago, 
nearly all those who have paid attention to the subject reply, 
with more or less emphasis, that the produce is poorer in quality 
and in quantity. ^Ir. Sellar, however, knows no difference in 
the richness of the milk, always finding it good when he calls 
