88 
On Reclaiming Heath Land. 
woody fibre, in various stages of decomposition. Such, I presume, 
will be included under the head of heath land. The first and most 
effectual step towards the reclaiming of this kind of land, is to 
drain effectually ; and if the land does not collapse, but becomes 
stiflficiently firm after drainage to bear the weight of horses and 
carts upon it, then to have recourse to repeated diggings,* by 
courses, in order to remove the superabundant bog earth. I have 
seen bog earth of considerable depth, which would not bear the 
weight of cattle upon it, reduced to within two or three feet of the 
substratum of clay by this method. When dug up, the pieces 
were thrown into oblong heaps or wirid-iows, and set fire to as 
soon as they were dry enough to burn. Course after course was 
continued in this manner, — digging and burning, always changing 
the position of the wind-rows in each successive course, until a 
sufficient quantity of the superfluous bog earth was consumed. 
Much of Chat Moss, through which the Mancliester and Liver- 
pool Railway passes, I understand, has been reclaimed in this way. 
However, where peats are a saleable article, and the bog earth of 
that description, such land may be turned to a more profitable 
account. Peat bog in this neighbourhood is frequently sold at 
the rate of 30Z. or 40Z. per acre ; and the land, when thus cleared 
of the superfluous bog earth, will realize as much more. Marl 
or clay, road scrapings, sand and gravel, are the best manures for 
this kind of land. The lighter descriptions of bog earth especially 
require a good dressing of clay or marl, in order to weight them 
and give them due consistence; as well as to regulate their 
powers of absorption and evaporation. I must make an excep- 
tion on this kind of land in reference to the application of quick 
lime, which only tends to accelerate its too rapid decomposition, 
and to give it additional lightness,' — a property which it already 
possesses in too high a degree ; and give my opinion in favour 
of good shell marl or clay in preference to any other manure ; 
which, when judiciously and properly applied, forms a ready com- 
bination of the two extremes of soil, and contributes to its density. 
Quick lime is too powerful and barmy in its effects upon such 
lands ; but mild lime, as marl, clay, and the like, tend greatly to 
improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil ; and, 
when judiciously applied, render it tlie most productive of all 
soils. 
The variations of cost in reclaiming land of this nature are of so 
wide a range, that it is impossible to fix any regular amount; as 
that mvist depend upon the extent of drainage required, and, if 
any, the depth of bog earth required to be removed, and the faci- 
lities afforded for procuring marl or clay. I may likewise add, 
* A good dressing of clay will sometimes answer the purpose, witfiout 
adopting this expensive method. 
