378 
Reclaiming part of Forest of Delamere. 
Parts of Plovers Moss were not so rough, but the waggons had 
to traverse soft peaty land. The engine line had to be laid with 
cuttings and embankments of some extent, that the higher lands 
might be reached. If the work of excavation was here compara- 
tively easy, on the other hand it was very difficult to tip this stiff 
clay out of the waggons, which were frequently pulled over by 
their load in wet weather. 
In spite of all the difficulties, the whole of the 800 acres in- 
cluded in the second farm, were completed in twenty-five months, 
or at the rate of 32 acres per month, and the farm Avas made 
over to the tenant. By these vigorous measures one year at least 
was gained in rendering the land available for letting. The 
inspection, without being costly, was very efficient, providing for 
the careful selection and even distribution of the marl, so that the 
work was thoroughly well done. 
In the Organsdale and Primrose Hill allotments the cost of 
getting the marl was increased by the thickness of the fee ; but 
the land lay well for conveyance and spreading. Here, as in 
the last case, a rent accrued the earlier in consequence of the 
rapidity with which the work was despatched, and there was a 
corresponding saving of interest on the previous expenditure for 
grubbing and trenching the land. 
I have seen in the neighbourhood some small areas in the 
course of being marled by horse and cart, and in some instances 
I have remarked that much earth and fee were mixed with the 
marl. The existence of old marl pits, such as that at Old Pale 
Farm, shows that a large quantity of land in this part of Cheshire 
was formerly reclaimed. None of these pits, however, are of 
sufficient size to have furnished marl for a large extent of land. 
The greater part of the plant, including the rails, sleepers, and 
nearly all the waggons, will, after having been used on 1600 
acres, be serviceable for the same purpose again. With the 
engine we fortunately never had an accident, and the only repairs 
done to her were rendered necessary by hard work. 
The land nearest the pits was always left to be marled by 
horses in case the engine was disabled ; but I always found the 
engine could do twice as much work in a given time as the 
horses, and at about half the cost as shown by the tables. 
In the few districts where marl or clay underlies the surface 
at the depth of one or two yards, it may be raised from the sub- 
soil and no plant is necessary ; but if it lie at any greater depth 
the clay must be brought from a pit opened at some distance ; 
in that case, rails laid on longitudinal sleepers and engines to 
draw the waggons are the cheapest and quickest machinery for 
accomplishing the object in view, particularly if the land is 
boggy and soft. 
