Improvement of Waste Loii/l.':. 
331 
others tliev ilid not average 10 feet, whilst again in other parts 
the ground has been disaflore^ted, and is now under arable culti- 
vation. 
This land formerly produced a natural crop of Scotch fir, which 
was cut down in 1843; in 1847 it was replanted, but without 
any preparation of the ground either by grubbing or trenching. 
Indeed there was not even a proper change of crop, for the last 
planting consisted chiefly of Scotch fir, a circumstance no doubt 
well accounting for the crop having to a large extent failed. 
Schoolhouse Plantation stands at an elevation of about 500 feet, 
and occupies the sides of a small ravine. The soil is strong 
loam. It was planted in the spring of 18-17 with oak, ash, 
sycamore, elm, &c., together with larch, spruce, and Scotch fir, 
to act as nurses. This plantation has made remarkable progress ; 
in 1865 the hardwood trees Avere from 20 to 25 feet high, 
Knockdhu Plantation, which comprises about 58 acres, stands 
at an altitude of about 700 feet, and is formed round the crown 
of a conical-shaped hill. The soil round the base is a strong 
loam, but towards the top it is thin and very poor. It was 
planted in 1848 with Scotch fir and larch. The trees round 
the base of the hill in 1865 ran from 15 to 25 feet high, 
decreasing in size towards the summit, which is very much 
exposed. 
Brackra Plantation, which is formed on an inclined plane, 
stands at an elevation of about 500 feet, and comprises about 
273 acres. The soil is strong loam. It was 'planted in 1849 
with Scotch fir and larch. Many of the trees in 1865 ran from 
20 to 25 feet high. 
The ground occupied by all the plantations here referred to, 
with the exception of the Schoolhouse, had been more or less 
covered with heather before the plantations were made ; and 
before the plants were put in, there was no preparation of the 
ground beyond making the necessary surface drains and clearing 
away the underwood and rubbish. 
Why so large a proportion of Scotch fir was planted, more 
particularly as much of the land is well adapted for growing 
hardwood, I cannot explain, unless it is to be attributed to the 
fact of my countrymen being somewhat prepossessed in favour 
of their native fir. At all events it has not increased the 
beauty of the Woodlands ; on the contrary, it gives them a rather 
dull appearance. 
The work of reclaiming the waste lands consisted in draining 
and trenching ; the land being trenched to the depth of between 
16 and 18 inches. The drains were cut at various distances apart, 
but generally within 40 feet. The leading drains were cut 4 and 
5 feet deep, and the minor ones between 3 and 4 feet deep. The 
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