Reclamation of Bog and Moorland in Galway. 
'2'2b 
1877. Tojvdressed with 2 cwt. superphosphate and 1 cwt. nitrate of soda 
per acre, at a cost of 25.'!. An inspection of this grass early in June showed 
that the herbage was chiefly fog-grass with a little Italian ryegrass and a 
very little Timothy. The cocksfoot appeared to have died out. The other 
3 acres were treated in the same way, but a year later. The ryegrass here 
was vigorous, and gave a good promise for hay. 
Mr. MacAUister reports the yield from these two plots as 25 cwt. got 
together in very good condition, and that it will be worth 41. a ton to Mr. Henry 
for consumption by the riding and carriage-horses. The remaining 5 acres at 
the top of this field have been drained and ploughed, but not yet cropped. 
No. 24. Green Moimt, 29 a. 0 r. 31 p. In the name of this field we may 
find an indication of the fact that in its original state it was one of the best 
fields ill the neighbourhood for natural grasses. Cattle that had been wintered 
upon the black sedge in the valleys, were driven to such fields as this to feed 
upon the white sedge in the spring, and by the month of June they would be 
sufSciently " warmed," i. e. strong enough to be driven to the fairs, or sold for 
England or Leinster. A part of this field has been left in its primitive con- 
dition. A neighbouring grazier, of much experience, estimated the best grass 
upon it as worth 2s. &d. per acre in its natural state. The herbage consists 
chiefly of white and black sedge, with small heath, and a little grass. 8 acres 
at the top of this field have been recently drained. In November 1876, the 
land was ploughed by 2 oxen, a man, and 2 boys, at a cost of 30s. per acre. 
They did an acre in three days, finishing the piece in four weeks. One boy 
led the oxen, and the other was employed in clearing the ploughshare of the 
long fibres of the peat. 
The drains have been dug by contract, 24 feet apart. The following has 
been the cost on the 8 acres : — 
£ s. d. 
Wages of man and 2 boys ploughing 5 4 0 
„ „ „ American harrowing .. .. 0 15 3 
2 oxen, reckoned at IZ. each per week, probably cost less 8 0 0 
Draining, digging 483 perches, at 6c? 12 1 6 
digging 109 „ M 3 12 8 
Sodding and levelling by day work, about 8 0 0 
Total.. .. £4 14s. 2cZ. per acre £37 13 5 
The next piece is 12 acres in grass ; the cost of its cultivation will be given 
in full detail as a good example of the cost of laying down to grass without 
taking an intermediate crop. 
Oct., 1874.— Ploughed by horses, 1 acre in 3 days .. 35s. per acre £21 0 
May, 1875. — Drained 40 feet apart, sodded and levelled 35s. „ 210 
June, 1875. — Limed 150 bushels per acre, at 4(^. . . .. 50s. „ 30 0 
Per acre 
Carting hme, at Is. M. per load of 12 bushels ., 16s. 
Drawing out lime on sledge, 2 days' work for) „ o 7 i^ ia 
ox, at 2s. ; and boy, at Is. per diem .. } f^'- » 
Spreading lime Is. 6d.j 
Harrowing with zigzag harrows, 2 oxen and 1 boy ..5s. „ 3 0 
Seeds : — 7 lbs. Rape, 7s. ; 1 bush. Perennial Ryegrass, 6s. ; 
1 bush. Italian Eyegrass, 5.s-. ; 6 lbs. Cocksfoot, 6s.; 
6 lbs. Timothy, 6s. ; 6 lbs. Mixed Clover, 6s 36s. „ 21 12 
July 15th, 1875. — Sowing broadcast, chain-harrowing, 
and rolling 5s. " 3 0 
Superphosphate, 3 cwt. at 7s. ; Guano, 1 cwt. at 14s, .. 35s. „ 2 0 
Total .. .. £11 5s.2d„ 136 2 
VOL. XIV.— S. S. Q 
